People everywhere are designing sites without realizing what all is required. Would you like to make your own website, or make it your career? Follow the tips presented here to create a good looking website.
Fixed-position navigation is useful to visitors. This technique locks the navigation panel on the site in place whenever the user scrolls on the page. You can use this both to allow your visitor to navigate more easily, and to keep your call to action in view.
NoScript is your friend and a test your site has to pass in order for it to be deemed functional. Download NoScript and activate the Firefox extension. This will tell you if your website can be read. Some content isn’t going to work without using scripts, but you don’t want to have a blank site with scripts turned on.
Be careful with your color schemes while designing your site. Your text should be easy to see against your background. Dark text colors on light backgrounds are usually easier to read compared to the other way around. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or colleague for their opinion of the color scheme.
Testing your website in every browser available is a great way to ensure it works as you wish it to for every visitor. Different browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome may not display content the same way; what works in one might not work in another. Therefore, check to see that all pages display correctly in all the large browsers prior to your site going live.
Maintain normal-sized pages. Some people do not have speedy Internet connections, and if they have to wait a long time for your site to load, they probably won’t be interested in viewing it. Don’t waste their time or your own.
Check your webpages for broken links before publishing them. Visitors become frustrated easily when they click a link and find that it leads to the wrong place. If you have very few links, you can check them manually. If many links, try using a link-checking program that can do the work for you quickly.
Be certain to ‘remember’ personal information that might have to be re-entered by the same site visitor. For instance, people may already register with your site, and you should have it set up to preserve their information if they choose so they don’t have to register again. This information retention and re-use makes site transactions much easier, and many people will appreciate that.
Pop-ups should not be used on your site. Customers are turned off by the constant advertising pop-up ads represent. The majority of people will leave a site if it contains pop-ups, even if these sites are very large ones. Show some appreciation and respect for your customers, by avoiding annoying pop-ups. If your host forces pop-ups on you, it may be time to find a new one.
When the site is launched, the process of design isn’t finished. You should strive to stay involved with your website’s design. This doesn’t mean you need to update your site every day, but updates should be relatively frequent. Regular updates are crucial, especially if your website hosts anything relating to current events. When you update your website, it’s not the same as updating your blog. It does require you to work at it.
Ensure that the ads you put on your site are not extremely large. This can make people uncomfortable. Add content that doesn’t clutter up everything else on the site and your website will look more professional and encourage readers to come back again and again.
Try finding some unique inspiration sources when you are designing a site. You can get ideas from television, magazines and even kids’ art projects. Keep your mind and eyes open to those outside visual stimulants as they are the building blocks that will make your site stand out from your competitors.
Get inspiration from other websites to make your site even better. You want to take in the things that you like from other sites and avoid adding in things that you don’t like to make your site better than your competition.
When you want to make sure you site is going to do well, you need to be sure that you represent organizations and affiliates with their logos. These can include things like Better Business Bureau to let customers know you’re a trustworthy business.
Don’t overdo it and be sure to allow some space for white space on your webpage. This is one of the most important aspects of your design since the amount of empty space around it that keeps readers’ eyes on your quality content. If you have a bunch of “stuff” on the page, your message might get lost.
Now you should have a good grasp of what it takes to design a website while making profits from it at the same time. Between the tips learned today and future knowledge gained, you can be a successful web designer.