Because the internet is a visual medium, the presentation of your site will have a huge effect on your success. This article will explore some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to creating an effective design.
There are lots of reasons why someone would choose to create a web page. You might be creating a page dedicated to your hobby, you might be trying to promote a service, or you might be trying to add to your gross sales through Internet marketing. Whether your site is informational in nature or functions as an online store, the overall layout of your page will be critical as far as customer satisfaction. Let’s take a look at some important concepts in web design that will hook new users in, and keep them coming back.
Ineffective web design
You’ve probably been to at least a couple of sites that almost blind you or are overcrowded. Flashy sites might seem like a good idea, but they can be detrimental to your business. Flashy colors and changing banners are a bricks-and-mortar advertising technique that just doesn’t translate well to the Web. The reason? Flash and bright colors are meant to call our attention to an ad. When it comes to your web page, a surfer has already realized it is there. Keep in mind that she is probably also sitting closer to the screen than would be the case for a land based ad; bright colors can be hard on the eyes and she will probably end up leaving. Flashy sites compromise web usability for the surfer (who wants to stare at that glitz while trying to make out the content?), so these sites never end up with repeat visitors.
Another major mistake made by some site developers is crowding the page. It’s important that each page on your site be laid out in such a way that is does not overwhelm the reading visitor; there should be a minimum need for scrolling left to right when reading copy. The same principle applies to pictures – try to size any images so that a visitor to your site can see the whole thing without having to scroll up, down, and sideways. Sites that are too crowded greatly compromise accessibility; visitors get tired of trying to find what they are looking for and just leave.
Increasing accessibility on your site
As I just mentioned, a lack of accessibility is one reason why visitors will leave your site and not return. Even if you have all of the information they are looking for they will reject your site if they can’t find it. The Information Age is also an age of convenience, and people want to be able to find what they are looking for right away. Here are some ways to increase your site’s accessibility.
Site search tool. Site search tools are a great way to make sure your visitors find what they are looking for on your site. They can type in a keyword and a results page will call up a list of relevant content. Just make sure that your results are crystal clear.
Internal links. Including links to other articles on your site is also very helpful to a visitor. Ideally, these links will be included in the text of the articles themselves.
Contents page. A table of contents can tell visitors exactly what is on your site and help them find the necessary information. They’re a proven way to increase web usability on your site.
Keep your site cohesive
Finally, there is a direct correlation between a successful web site and a cohesive web site. Make sure that everything on your site, from the copy to the advertising, is related in some way to the main topics of your site. If you have a site dedicated to building model ships, don’t include links to zoos or advertisements for shampoo. You can, however, include links, ads, and copy that are related to other hobbies without compromising the cohesiveness.
Web usability, accessibility, and cohesiveness are all areas that visitors will pay attention to when they come to your site. Incorporating a good flow into your site is an effective way to create the most effective web design for your page.
But then again, you might want to hire a professional instead of having a go yourself :)
There are lots of reasons why someone would choose to create a web page. You might be creating a page dedicated to your hobby, you might be trying to promote a service, or you might be trying to add to your gross sales through Internet marketing. Whether your site is informational in nature or functions as an online store, the overall layout of your page will be critical as far as customer satisfaction. Let’s take a look at some important concepts in web design that will hook new users in, and keep them coming back.
Ineffective web design
You’ve probably been to at least a couple of sites that almost blind you or are overcrowded. Flashy sites might seem like a good idea, but they can be detrimental to your business. Flashy colors and changing banners are a bricks-and-mortar advertising technique that just doesn’t translate well to the Web. The reason? Flash and bright colors are meant to call our attention to an ad. When it comes to your web page, a surfer has already realized it is there. Keep in mind that she is probably also sitting closer to the screen than would be the case for a land based ad; bright colors can be hard on the eyes and she will probably end up leaving. Flashy sites compromise web usability for the surfer (who wants to stare at that glitz while trying to make out the content?), so these sites never end up with repeat visitors.
Another major mistake made by some site developers is crowding the page. It’s important that each page on your site be laid out in such a way that is does not overwhelm the reading visitor; there should be a minimum need for scrolling left to right when reading copy. The same principle applies to pictures – try to size any images so that a visitor to your site can see the whole thing without having to scroll up, down, and sideways. Sites that are too crowded greatly compromise accessibility; visitors get tired of trying to find what they are looking for and just leave.
Increasing accessibility on your site
As I just mentioned, a lack of accessibility is one reason why visitors will leave your site and not return. Even if you have all of the information they are looking for they will reject your site if they can’t find it. The Information Age is also an age of convenience, and people want to be able to find what they are looking for right away. Here are some ways to increase your site’s accessibility.
Site search tool. Site search tools are a great way to make sure your visitors find what they are looking for on your site. They can type in a keyword and a results page will call up a list of relevant content. Just make sure that your results are crystal clear.
Internal links. Including links to other articles on your site is also very helpful to a visitor. Ideally, these links will be included in the text of the articles themselves.
Contents page. A table of contents can tell visitors exactly what is on your site and help them find the necessary information. They’re a proven way to increase web usability on your site.
Keep your site cohesive
Finally, there is a direct correlation between a successful web site and a cohesive web site. Make sure that everything on your site, from the copy to the advertising, is related in some way to the main topics of your site. If you have a site dedicated to building model ships, don’t include links to zoos or advertisements for shampoo. You can, however, include links, ads, and copy that are related to other hobbies without compromising the cohesiveness.
Web usability, accessibility, and cohesiveness are all areas that visitors will pay attention to when they come to your site. Incorporating a good flow into your site is an effective way to create the most effective web design for your page.
But then again, you might want to hire a professional instead of having a go yourself :)
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