If you want to learn about web design, this article was written for you. You are going to learn what it may take to get started if you want to get into webdesign, but you will also get some solid, general website design information as well. There is much to learn whether you’re a pro or a beginner.
Be sure to select the correct graphics when designing your website. Many people no longer use use bitmap graphics because the files are large and take longer to load. Try GIF, PNG or JPEG files instead. For simple text buttons or graphics that aren’t photographs, use PNG for files that are 256 colors or larger. Use a GIF file for anything less than 256. JPEG works best for photo images.
As you construct your site, be conscious of the colors you use together. You have to be certain that your text will be readable on top of the background colors you use. Dark text on light backgrounds are typically easier on the eyes than the other way around. Ask your friends to give you feedback on the colors you choose.
The speed at which your web page loads is an important design factor. Realize that visitors to your site have many options and will just go somewhere else if your site does not load right away.
Design your page so that previously entered information is saved and automatically used to fill in informational boxes. For instance, if someone fills out a form using personal information, he or she should have to enter that same information in again when he or she goes to fill out an additional form. Your clients will thank you for saving them the time it takes to fill in information that they have previously done on your site.
Try using a newsletter for getting repeat visitors. Having customers subscribe to your newsletter allows you to send them important updates about special events, which in turn can get them to keep visiting your site. Put the form in a convenient sidebar, and track the users who subscribe. Make sure you only send out the letter to those that have explicitly requested to view it.
No matter what your website looks like, all the file sizes should be small. Large files cause your website to load slowly. You want your site to load instantly. Remember, some of your website’s visitors will not be using a fast Internet connection. Test each section of your site to ensure it loads rapidly for every visitor.
Search Engines
You don’t want to be using frames when you are optimizing your website. While frames look nice, they do not help when it comes to search engines. If the search engines can’t view this important information, then you’re not going to fare well in the search engine rankings. You won’t get as many visitors.
Make sure to ensure priority of your user’s needs. The focus of the end user should always be at the forefront of the designer’s mind. They should include interaction, usability, accessibility and the overall users experience. These are vital considerations you must take into account. Putting yourself in your customers shoes can really help you to design the best page possible.
Links should have content with text in them. This helps visitors better understand what they are getting into. If the links don’t have text content, they may appear as a keyboard shortcut.
Since you now have the knowledge to improve your website design skills, hopefully you’re feeling more confident in your ability to learn web page design. Look out for new information to become a fabulous web designer quickly.