Here Is What You Need To Know About Web Design
Here Is What You Need To Know About Web Design
Even the most experienced web designer could use a review of the basics. The basics may be hard to find because of the number of places that offer information. Don't worry, though; this article is here to help. You'll find a listing of tips below to facilitate the development of quality websites.
Avoid using frames. Most sites have abandoned frames on their own as better alternatives have become available, but there are still sites out there that are trapped in 1996. Alternatives to navigational frames include fixed-position navigation panels, having navigation in multiple areas (e.g. left and bottom) or simplifying page structure so that navigational links are never far away.
Always mark files that must be opened in an external program with an icon. Many sites host PDF files, and less commonly, DOC files, that must be opened in Foxit Reader and Microsoft Word/OpenOffice, respectively. These files should be marked with an icon representing the file type, and a link to download the appropriate viewer if the user does not have it.
White space is an important part of web design, so don't be afraid to use it. Cluttering up your web pages with too many images or too much text, or using a distracting background, will only irritate your visitors. White space can make the important elements of your page more visible.
If you believe your site may be accessed via mobile devices, you will want to keep your designs simple. The use of flash, excessive images, and complicated menus will not translate well to a mobile platform. Keep your page clean and simple, or create a specific mobile site for your users.
Always implement powerful site-searching capabilities when designing a large website. The upper right of the main page should have a search box for users to search your whole site. If you need a search function, FreeFind and Google offer their services for your site.
Let site visitors give feedback. This way, if something is missing or they don't understand how to use your page, you can fix it accordingly. One way to make sure that visitors re-visit you site is to give them a feeling of involvement.
No matter how flashy your website is, it is vital that you keep the sizes of your website's files small. Your file sizes have a lot to do with the speed of your site loading. You want your website to load as quickly as possible. You must also be aware that everyone doesn't have a high speed connection to the Internet. Continue to test your site to make sure it will load quickly, even with a dial-up connection.
Try to code using only CSS. We're moving away from table-based sites to only CSS sites because they are reusable, accessible, and they can greatly reduce your file sizes. This allows you greater control of the appearance of your site. There are various CSS resources you can use, therefore, knowing CSS is invaluable to web design.
Everyone, regardless of their experience, should pay attention to the basics of web design. The basics are explained in many different ways, so it can be confusing which source of information to trust. The tips above should help you find ways to create an amazing website.