Web Design for Dummies
The commercial Internet has been around for about 20 years now and in that time, designers have established some fundamental basics for web design. While it is okay to vary from these basics from time to time, it is usually best to stick to them. These design elements have stood the test of time and are in widespread practice.
Do not use garish colors or color schemes. Avoid glaring text and backgrounds. When it comes to fonts, color schemes, and other textual elements, less is usually more. Use HTML headings properly and not to adjust font size - search engines in particular take notice of such sloppy coding. Avoid excessively large font sizes for anything, including titles.
Use professional images or pictures you have photographed yourself. Avoid clip art whenever possible. If you have to use clip art, alter it to fit your needs and the mood of your site using a graphics program. Also, use a professionally designed logo. This can be costly, but a professionally designed logo lends your site credence and promotes visitor acceptance. Avoid using large images, and do not overload the page with graphics.
Place your logo in the upper lefthand corner. This way, it is visible even when the browser window is minimized. This design tip is in such widespread use that most visitors' eyes are drawn to the top left when they are looking for your logo. Include the page title there, as well.
Include all coding information properly. Do not cut corners on HTML just because real visitors cannot see it; search engines only see your website by its coding and will penalize you for improper markup. Include ALT titles for all images on your site, as well as all links. This is important to search engines, but also some visitors with certain browsers and personalized settings. Avoid experimental, or non-official, coding and coding practices.
Do not overload the page with advertising. Avoid embedding video or audio content that starts automatically when the page loads - this includes your own materials, not just advertisements. It is also best to avoid pop-up ads, in general.
Web design is a deep and complicated process that takes a long time to learn and master, but these are some of the basic principles most web designers use. Using these basic tips impresses search engines and inspires confidence in visitors.
Do not use garish colors or color schemes. Avoid glaring text and backgrounds. When it comes to fonts, color schemes, and other textual elements, less is usually more. Use HTML headings properly and not to adjust font size - search engines in particular take notice of such sloppy coding. Avoid excessively large font sizes for anything, including titles.
Use professional images or pictures you have photographed yourself. Avoid clip art whenever possible. If you have to use clip art, alter it to fit your needs and the mood of your site using a graphics program. Also, use a professionally designed logo. This can be costly, but a professionally designed logo lends your site credence and promotes visitor acceptance. Avoid using large images, and do not overload the page with graphics.
Place your logo in the upper lefthand corner. This way, it is visible even when the browser window is minimized. This design tip is in such widespread use that most visitors' eyes are drawn to the top left when they are looking for your logo. Include the page title there, as well.
Include all coding information properly. Do not cut corners on HTML just because real visitors cannot see it; search engines only see your website by its coding and will penalize you for improper markup. Include ALT titles for all images on your site, as well as all links. This is important to search engines, but also some visitors with certain browsers and personalized settings. Avoid experimental, or non-official, coding and coding practices.
Do not overload the page with advertising. Avoid embedding video or audio content that starts automatically when the page loads - this includes your own materials, not just advertisements. It is also best to avoid pop-up ads, in general.
Web design is a deep and complicated process that takes a long time to learn and master, but these are some of the basic principles most web designers use. Using these basic tips impresses search engines and inspires confidence in visitors.
