There are few things in history that have reached the popularity of the Internet. Whatever your personal tastes, you can have the perfect site. If you choose to build a solid website, you definitely want to know some details about website development. Here are some great tips to help.
Peruse website creation forums for more in depth ideas, as well as new information. A Google search should reveal a wealth of good sites that can help.
Make sure your site passes the NoScript test. Download this extension in Firefox and see how your site looks. Some content is unable to work without the proper scripts.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t overuse JavaScript. While it is useful in delivering a more interactive experience, it can create problems for various visitors. Web browsers have different capabilities, and they all have new versions that come out regularly. Every single visitor isn’t going to be using a more recent version of their browser. On top of this, some visitors will have JavaScript disabled in their browsers. If you choose to use JavaScript every time, you will prevent some users from being able to effectively use your site.
Avoid using too many graphics. While you need graphics to create a website that looks well and works right, you don’t need a lot of them, because they can clutter things. Do not use graphics simply for decorating; utilize them for true improvement. Using an adequate amount of graphics keeps clutter away and helps you focus on site usability.
Despite the type of site you are going to have, you definitely want to keep the loading time under ten seconds. A great website should pop up without lagging delays. Most Internet users are looking for instant returns, and it would behoove you to make that happen.
To make a more attractive website, try using your own pictures. Pictures help your site seem more approachable and user friendly. Many people find pictures appealing and will spend more time on the site and looking at them.
Your front page should be simple and inviting. The look of your front page will help people determine if they want to stay on your site or leave it. Use descriptions about your company and it’s goals.
Make sure the content on your website is compelling and interesting. Yes, your design should be nice, but the content will bring visitors back. If visitors are able to find what they need, they will come back again at some point.
File Types
File types can affect the time it take for a website to load. Your graphics should normally be GIFs or JPEGs. PNG and BMP files offer advantages for web graphics, but the file sizes are too much for internet load times. Convert your graphics into file types with more manageable sizes if you want to ensure that your visitors have a great user experience at your website.
Free software is great to start with when you’re getting into web design. There is a pervasive myth that expensive programs do the job of web design better than the alternatives, but there is plenty of free software that does a great job. All you have to do is a little searching to find the best free tools for you.
Continue to improve your site’s load time whenever possible. Visitors would rather leave than wait. You can make your page load faster by reducing the amount of content, such as Flash objects and graphics, which both increase the page’s loading time.
Test your site on multiple browsers, platforms (Windows 7, Windows XP, Linux, etc.) and devices (Mac, PC, tablets, cell phones, etc.) Each individual browser will interpret your site differently, and sometimes, the user experience varies dramatically between each browser. You can easily discern which browsers are used frequently. Check your website on every one one of these browsers, and do not forget mobile web browsers that have become popular.
It is a good idea to have an “About Us” page on your site. Most websites don’t have very interesting copy in this area. Therefore, it is a good idea for you to spice things up a bit! Give visitors insight into you, the designer. Help them understand how you began designing websites, which other designers you consider to be mentors, and where you are going from here.
Do not put pop-up windows on your site. Pop-ups can disturb your clients and will distract them when they are navigating. It’s likely that many of your visitors can’t even see them due to browser settings, so keep them happy and stick to one window at a time.
When people hit the creative wall as you will do at some point, look towards electronic information available all over the web to bust through. There are literally millions of websites that you can browse to find the inspiration that you need. Find one you like, write down what appeals to you and then figure out what you can mimic on your own. Remember that proper web designing is more than borrowing ideas. You need to improve on them as well.
Creating a website that leaves your own personal mark online is easy when you understand web design basics. The more website design skills you have, the better the sites you will build. Remember this advice to develop a great site.