Over the course of the last decade, the Internet has grown beyond all
expectations. Each and everyday there is a new website that is being
developed. The biggest challenge a new website will face is getting
viewers to stay on their site long enough and to attain high search
results with search engines.
One of the factors that could help you address these issues is having a
website with good web design. The importance of knowing proper web design
can very well determine where your site is listed in search results and
how long a visitor stays on your site.
Proper web design is not a difficult task, it is just a matter of
designing your website from a viewers point of view. This article will
give you suggestions on proper web design to enhance your search results
with search engines and capturing a higher interest from your visitors.
What Your Site Is About
First off, it is vital that your home page explains in detail the purpose
of your website. Did you ever go to a website that was filled with a lot
of links, graphics or banners, but you really didn't have a clue of what
their website was all about? If a person has to search from page to page
just to understand what information your website really offers, the
chances are they will move onto another site. Don't keep them
second-guessing, it's important that you are very specific on your home
page, letting your viewers know up-front your websites main purpose.
Font Size/Style
When creating your website keep in mind not all people have the same
eyesight. It is best to use nothing less than10 point, with12 point being
the most recommended. Keep all pages in your website consistent with the
same font size and style (this of course is in exception to titles and
sub-titles).
Text Colors
Make reading your pages easy by always using a dark text with a light
background. Using a light colored text against a light background can make
it difficult for your readers to read the content. There are a few sites
that reverse this process by using a light text on dark background, which
is found acceptable in some cases, but you are better off using dark on
light for your overall content.
Paragraphs and Spacing
To make reading your web pages easy for your viewers, do not use long
paragraphs on your web pages. Try to keep your paragraphs to only 6 to 7
lines with proper spacing between each one. Try to implement sub-titles to
break up several paragraphs, as this creates easier reading and is more
attention getting.
Content
Does your website provide more useful content than advertisements?
Providing viewers with very little content is a common mistake many
webmasters make when they develop their website. I can't begin to tell you
how many websites I've seen that may only have a couple paragraphs of what
I call useful content, and the rest being advertisements, sales pitches,
links, banners, etc.
If you are going to take the time to develop and invest in a website, you
need to focus on providing your viewers with informative information.
Search engines favor sites that have useful content, not to mention you
will capture a stronger interest from your viewers.
Page Size
Try to keep each of your pages no more than four pages in length. The
reasons for this is that no one likes to spend a lot of the time scrolling
just to read the entire content. If you have a lot of content, break it
into separate pages. You can put in a link of "continue", "next", or "go
to page #" at the bottom of each page.
Navigation Links
Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to figure out how to maneuver
around ones website. Most any person (including myself) will leave a
website as fast as they came in if they find it difficult to get from page
to page.
Make it easy for your viewers to navigate around your website by putting
navigation links on all of your pages. It is advised that all navigation
links follow the same pattern on each page so as not to confuse your
viewer. Setting your navigation links on the either side and also on the
top or bottom is highly recommended.
Page Load Time
Did you ever click on a link to a website and found you had to wait 20
seconds or longer for the website to open? I don't know about you, but if
I have to wait too long for a website to open, I will click off of it and
go to another website.
This problem is caused by a Webmaster having too many graphics or
animations on their website. Large graphics and animations will definitely
slow the load time to your website. Keep in mind the majority of Internet
users are still using dial-up for their Internet connection, so the time
it takes for a website to open with a lot of graphics, can seem like
eternity to them.
To avoid this problem do not use too many graphics on your website and try
to resize the ones you want to keep. The ideal is to set your pages to
load within ten seconds to avoid losing visitors.
Setting The Right Resolution
Setting the right resolution when creating your web pages can save you
from visitors leaving your site rather quickly. The most important thing
to understand is that the majority of all PC's are set at a 800 x 600
resolution. The problem here is, if a internet user with these settings
goes on a website that was created with a higher resolution, the user will
end up scrolling left to right in order to view all of the web page.
Even though there are ways around this by implementing tables into your
web page, you are better off creating all your web pages so they can be
viewed on PC's with a lower resolution.
Contact Information
If you don't have a link that is accessible to a contacts page, most
people will not purchase anything from you.
It is highly recommended to place links that are plainly visible on all of
your web pages that go to a separate contacts page. This page should give
your viewers a way to contact you with any questions, concerns or
comments. This helps ensure support and trust in doing business with you.
Pop Ups
This can be the most annoying feature a website can have in my opinion.
Pop ups are used to get the viewers attention to either sign up for
something or purchase their products. Although I understand the basis to
pop ups and what they are meant to achieve, I feel there are other ways to
capture your visitors attention that should get you the same results.
The most effective way to capture your visitors interest is having solid
content on your website with informative information, as mentioned
earlier. With that being said, you can implement title links in between
some of your paragraphs, which can take your visitors to separate pages on
"special promotions", "newsletters" or "products". On these pages, you can
list the same message you would have in your pop up. This is far more
acceptable since the viewer is making the choice to click on the link.
If you feel your website needs to use pop ups, use a pop under instead.
This form of pop up only comes up when a person leaves your website and is
far less annoying.
Site Map
A site map is a separate page that list a complete directory to your
entire website. You can relate to it like what a table of contents is to a
book. Having a site map on your website helps the viewer maneuver through
your site without confusion or second-guessing where to find something.
Most search engines favor sites with site maps, which in turn will improve
your search rankings, as well as placement.
Privacy Policy
With the ever increasing problems with Spam on the Internet, a privacy
policy is a crucial element to your website. You are letting your viewers
know that any information they supply you with, is held in the strictest
confidence and that you will not share this information with any other
third party. You are instilling trust to all who do business with you.
Update Your Site Often
This is a valid step you want to take seriously. Updating your site with
new content gives your viewers a reason to revisit your website. Search
engines love sites that update their site often, which will definitely
increase your search engine rankings.
It can be an added benefit to add a section on your home page that tells
your viewers when your site was last updated, the type of changes that
were made and a link to each update.
Updating your site once a week or every other week should work very well
for you.
----------------------------------------
John Kovacs is the CEO and founder of "A Home Business Opportunity". His
website mainly focuses on supplying free marketing tips, resources and
support for home startup businesses and Internet marketing. To get a
step-by-step guide in building an online business, visit
http://www.ahomebusinessopportunity.net.
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