You should always consider the option of educating yourself website creation instead of entrusting your creative vision to others. This also allows you the opportunity to generate additional income by freelancing as a site builder. You may think it’s hard to learn this skill, but it is actually rather simple. Use the following tips, and see how easy it really is.
Always include a search tool for searching through your site. If those visiting your site are looking for something specific, the first thing they will look for is a search box. When there isn’t one available, they may just decide to try another site where they can find that information. Put the box on the right-hand top of the page.
Ensure that the site can be scanned with ease. Various tests on usability demonstrate that most online readers do not actually read all the content; instead, they scan it for something that interests them. Divide your content into sections that readers can readily scan and your visitors will come back for more. The top of the page is the correct placement for your highest quality information. This all leads to an experience that is more satisfying to your visitors as they can always find what they are looking for quickly and easily.
Minimize the use of JavaScript. Despite the advantages of increased responsiveness and transparency, it may be problematic for many users. Every web browsers is different and they are constantly updating. Everyone who visits your site will not always have an up to date browser. Many people turn off Javascript, or disallow it on a site they don’t visit regularly. Both of these factors can determine whether a user is able to access your site.
If your site is larger than a few pages, it should be searchable. Put in a search box in the right-hand corner up on top of the homepage, as this allows the site visitors to type in a single keyword that shows up anywhere on your site. If you can’t code one yourself, Google and a few other websites offer free search functionality for websites with no programming required.
To make a more attractive website, try using your own pictures. Pictures can give your site a friendly feel. The visitors will want to stay on your site for a longer period of time.
Search Engines
Don’t use frames if you want a site search engines can crawl! People like frames, but search engines will not see your info if it is inside a frame. If certain important information on your site cannot be seen by search engines, then you will not have a high ranking. When there is a low rating, there is little traffic.
Test early and frequently. You have to be sure you’re working on how users interact and use your site while you’re designing the basic layout of it. Continue to make improvements and test the site as you expand it.
Enroll in a periodic website creation newsletter to help you to occasionally re-focus on your website design vision. Whether designers are well-versed in website creation or just getting started, they are likely to find helpful information.
Begin by creating smaller websites that allow you to gauge your strengths and weaknesses, and how to improve upon both. As a starting point, try to design two or three basic pages that only contain text, and then work your way upwards from there.
Keep your content brief, especially if you are new to website development. Don’t give in to the temptation to fill your site up with dross just to make it look full. You’ll only have to remove non-valuable content later.
A search feature needs to be integrated into the home page and any subsequent pages to follow. This is very important for making the web site easy to use and accessible. Site searches are easy to implement; the result will be worth the effort.
Take care to differentiate your website design from others in the same genre as you. Go look at your competitors’ websites. If you’re too similar visitors might confuse your site with the competition. It will only serve to make you a diluted version of what someone else has already done.
When you are wanting to host particular videos on your website, you are going to have to check with that particular web host so you are able to know if it’s allowed or not. Many hosts do not allow for video hosting on the servers they provide. Do not waste time by building videos to be be hosted on a site that does not allow the space you need for FLV or similar files.
Expensive Books
It’s not necessary to rush out to purchase expensive books on how to create a website. Books on website development may be a decent investment. You will find a tonne of literature available to help you learn the skills you need. However, a lot of this information is free. Expensive books have the same information as the ones that are free.
It is important to know that white (unused) space, on your site is a great idea and should not be cluttered. Using white space makes your website easy to read. This makes your site’s message much easier to understand and process.
Name your site something descriptive that reflects its content. To understand the reason for this, conduct a quick online search for “untitled document”. You’ll see just how common the error is. Naming your site is imperative. Search engines make use of it as a crucial part of the algorithms to do with results listings.
Website creation is often touted as being something very difficult. Use these tips to make the process even easier. Just follow these tips and you should not have trouble with the design of the site.