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Design Tip:
Web Site Design Clues
by Larisa Thomason,
Senior Web Analyst,
NetMechanic, Inc.
Anybody can design a Web site: the trick is designing a Web site that works. Designing an effective site is actually less complicated than you might think: we'll give you four clues to start you on your way.
Correct errors
Load time
Unique and valuable content
Easy to use
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Correct Errors
Web site errors fall into two major categories: spelling errors and HTML coding errors.
You'd think that spelling errors would be the easiest to find and correct, but that's usually not the case. Page authors are frequently the last people to notice spelling or grammatical errors simply because they've looked at the text so many times. Familiarity causes them to overlook errors that site visitors will notice immediately.
Visitors are also quick to notice HTML errors because they often cause display problems. Think about all the work you put into site design and how efficiently a single HTML coding error can ruin it. For instance, look at what happens in Netscape and Explorer when the closing TABLE tag is left out of a table that has a paragraph underneath.
Microsoft Explorer still displays the table, but displays the bottom paragraph on top:
Netscape doesn't display the table at all!
Spelling and HTML errors make your site look amateurish - if not unreadable. Avoid spelling errors by carefully proofreading your copy (have a friend help) and using the grammar and spell check functions in word processing programs. HTML coding errors are harder to find, especially if you're using a WYSIWYG editor (like FrontPage) to design your site. Those editors write the code for you, but they don't always adhere to HTML standards.
Quickly check your site for spelling and HTML errors using NetMechanic's HTML Toolbox. It will test your page for free and identify errors that can break your site.
Load Time
Everybody hates slow-loading sites. In fact, if your site doesn't load in 8 seconds, you could lose 1/3 of your visitors. Large graph images are the most common cause for slow-loading sites, but you don't have to shun graphics entirely. Just take steps to minimize download time as much as possible:
- Preload and reuse images with JavaScript.
- Optimize images with NetMechanic's free GIFBot tool.
- Resize images using a graphics program.
- Save images in the most appropriate format (JPEG, GIF, etc) and use progressive rendering wherever possible.
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Unique and Valuable Content
Graphics can enhance your site but they can't replace good content. Without a doubt, content is the most important part of your Web site. It proves to your visitors that your site can help them and invites them to browse further.
Site content can be as simple as a clear explanation of your product or service - or you can get more ambitious. Consider including helpful articles on your site that complement your site's focus. For instance, a site that sells pet supplies might include articles on pet care and nutrition.
An extensive library of reference articles will attract new visitors through search engines and encourage them to return. Give your visitors information they can't get elsewhere and they'll keep coming back.
Easy To Use
Another way to encourage repeat visitors is to design a site that is easy to read, use, and understand. Frustrated visitors leave your site and don't return.
- Consistent Interface: use the same colors and navigational cues throughout your site. Never give your visitors reason to wonder if they've somehow jumped to a different Web site.
- Easy Navigation: Large, complex sites should provide a site map. All sites should avoid dead-end pages and broken links. If visitors get lost in your site, one mouse click will take them away.
- Provide Contact Information: Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you! They see your site credible and trustworthy if you provide company contact information - including a phone number. Lack of contact information is one of the main reasons that Yahoo rejects many sites.
- Legibility: Make sure there's a high contrast between your background and text colors. Many Web design experts recommend either white pages with black text or other color schemes that place dark text on a light background.
- Accessibility: Any content that you've placed inside Flash, Shockwave, or other multimedia formats that require plug-ins should also be easily available to visitors who don't have the plug-ins installed.
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See? Creating a Web site that's error free, fast loading, useful, and easy to navigate is really pretty straightforward. This is just a quick overview: you can find more detailed information about some of these techniques by clicking on the links to related NetMechanic newsletter stories.
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