Is it possible to create a well-designed, effective website without templates or software programs? Maybe. Or, you could learn how to do a lot of this yourself. The lazier you are, the more expensive your website will be. If you’re willing to put in a little work, however, you can read these tips and learn how to design an awesome website on your own!
Display a tagline in a prominent area on your page. The tagline is some statement or motto that indicates the nature of your business. You only have about 10 seconds to gain and keep hold of your visitors’ attention from the time they first hit your site.
Be sure that scanning your website is a simple matter. Many usability tests show that most online visitors do not read everything. They usually only scan for things that interest them. Break your page into various sections using specialized or emphasized text, such as bold or italics. Put the pertinent information near the top of your page. These techniques assure that the visitor to your page will find what they want fast and this results in higher satisfaction for your readers.
Avoid overusing JavaScript. While it can provide a large variety of ways to build a more responsive and transparent website, it can cause problems for some of your visitors. There are many different web browsers that people use and they are constantly being updated with new features. Not everyone will upgrade to the latest version of his browser. You should also be aware that some of your users will have JavaScript disabled through their browser. Both of these mean users will be prevented from using the site you made.
Avoid the use of pop-up advertising. Everyone hates getting pop-up after pop-up on a website. Your customers will agree that if they visit a site, and are overwhelmed with pop-ups, they’re likely not to return. Make sure your customers are happy by eliminating these pesky ads from your site. If you have a host that requires the use of pop-ups, then look for a new one.
No matter the niche or what the intent of the site is, you must aim to make them have 10 second or less loading times. A good site will come up within a few seconds. Many people browsing the web want instant gratification, so if you want to catch their attention, you need to provide that.
Free Software
Free software exists that can help you set up your site. It is not necessary to spend a large amount of money on web designing software with the number of quality, free programs available. Finding good free software does require a bit more legwork, however.
Use Photoshop to create professional looking graphics for use on your website. This software will ensure that you have all the effects and tools you need to create graphics which look like they were completed by a pro. Not having this software can lead to a design which looks amateurish and untrusthworthy.
It does not matter how you have designed your website; you have to make sure that every file has a small file size. This is because the speed of your website loading is directly influenced by the file sizes. You want your site to load as quick as possible. You must keep in mind that not all visitors will have a fast Internet connection. Perform tests on your website to make sure that it loads fast, even when a dial-up connection is used.
Conditional loading and independent CSS pages are important when you design your website. This will help with maintenance and testing down the road. All websites will have to be maintained, and this will help make it easier to change things.
Website counters were popular in the 90s but are rather unattractive now. It may be a neat tool in your mind, but it is unattractive and unfortunately shows visitors how many people actually have come to the page. If this number is low, they may lose interest quickly. Therefore, it is a useless feature to display.
While using design tools provided by a web host is workable for establishing your website, it’s smart to add some unique, personal touches as well. Your site should reflect you and your personality, so you want to make sure it’s not too generic.
After you have learned new programs, such as Dreamweaver or Photoshop, check with colleagues or friends to confirm that you have not missed anything. There is a lot to know about these programs, so make sure that you have absorbed the important elements and can easily utilize them when the need arises.
Learning how to design a website isn’t like learning how to perform open heart surgery. Compared to other careers or operations, website design is actually quite simple, and amateurs can learn to do it quickly. By following the advice provided in this article, you will definitely be able to create a fantastic website.