Do you want to make a website, but don’t know how? Do you wish you could do it yourself? The tips and tricks here will help you learn what you need to know.
Use a fixed-position navigation format for easy navigation for your users. Websites that employ this technique have a navigation panel locked in place even when visitors scroll down. This is good for visitors, but also for internet marketing professionals, because it helps facilitate the desired action.
Easy navigation is critical to keeping visitors on your site. You should have the links on your site prominently displayed and easy to navigate. Menus will make it a lot easier to navigate around your site. To enable easy browsing, be sure that each page includes a link back to the home page.
Go easy on the graphics in your web design. While they’re essential to creating a cohesive and professional site, too many can make it look cluttered. Don’t use graphics just to decorate; use them to improve the site. Having the right amount of graphics that does not impede on the overall website design is key to how well the site looks.
Include a search element that allows visitors to search within your website content. People who are seeking something in particular are bound to be interested in finding a search box upon reaching your site. Without this tool, the visitor might leave and go searching on another website. Always place the box at the top right of the page, as this is the first place visitors tend to look for one.
Make sure all links on your website are working properly before you publish your site. An error page after clicking a link is very frustrating for visitors to your page. Either use a program to check for broken links or check each link manually.
JavaScript is a great tool, but don’t overuse it. 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. No two web browsers are the same, and each one offers up new versions on a regular basis. Not all visitors have the most current version of their browser. Also, not every person will keep JavaScript set up in their browsers. In either case, you are preventing your visitors from using all or some of the features of your website.
Be conscious of your background. Some websites have backgrounds that make the website’s text hard to read, while other websites have backgrounds that contain elements that annoy visitors such as gif animations. Choose backgrounds that coordinate with your site, rather than clashing with it, and your message will be much more clear to your visitors.
Be sure to do good keyword research. Of course, fresh content should be your main focus, but you must also optimize your site. Knowing what keywords will help to increase traffic is part of website development success.
To help design an attractive looking website, use interesting photos that you have taken. Your site looks friendlier when it has photos. Pictures also help to keep your visitors interested and keeps them at your site longer.
Free software exists that can help you set up your site. While many will say it is the expensive software that makes a difference in your site, however there are some free options that can offer nearly as much. All you have to do is a little searching to find the best free tools for you.
If you want to build a great site, you should buy one of the web design programs available today. A professional website is within your reach when you use these tools. You won’t have a lot of visitors to your website if it is not attractive.
Search Engines
To help you design a website that is optimized for search engines, do not include frames. While visitors to your site may enjoy the pages that have frames, search engines do not pick up the information contained within frames. If the search engines can’t view this important information, then you’re not going to fare well in the search engine rankings. You will lose out on visitors, if this happens.
Make sure your load times are low. Visitors that get stuck waiting for slow pages to load will almost always leave the website. Therefore, cut back on things like Flash, how many graphics you have, and expire headings.
Avoid using too may font types. Depending on what browser you use, or type of computer screen resolution, different fonts might be difficult to read. Verdana is one of those popular fonts that is readable in all sizes and colors.
Create a comprehensive “About Us” page. A lot of websites offer nothing of substance in this area, and some even leave this page empty. Try to write this content in an entertaining way. Let people know a bit about you and what inspired you to get into website design and other things like that.
Stick with common fonts that look professional. They are common for a reason. Professional websites use professional fonts. Don’t use fancy or non-standard fonts. Some people may not have these fonts installed on their computers. Use a font that is part of the default font subsets on user computers. This can look worse.
The harder you work on your web design, the easier it will be for you to learn new techniques. The best way to learn is by starting up your own page and begin with simple scripts in HTML or PHP and upgrading as you become comfortable. By avoiding procrastination, you can begin to learn the basic elements quickly.
To help new web designers make good sites, use Photoshop. Using programs like PS can make amateur sites look professional, fast. If Photoshop is not something you have access to, then being able to create a good site could take some time.
You can reach your web page design goals with the tips above. Websites are the most effective way of promoting something online. Best of luck to you!