7 Tips for Better Web Design

I just wanted to continue on my theme of offering some advice to potential website clients in the process of starting their online presence. Website design can be a tricky subject especially as it is so personal therefore offering many heated debates when considering the many factors that go into making a good site. However one thing I want to stress is that usually anyone who comes online always wants to make their website appear in page one on the search engines! However at the same time they want their site to be geared towards their visitors needs so that they stay on it for as long as possible. This is a fine balance to get right. Google loves to select websites which have a low bounce rate and have a long browsing time.

So with these ideas in mind here are some tips that you should follow when you are designing your new website!

Web Design Tip # 1: No Music or Auto Play!

No matter how tempting it may be, do not have music playing on your site when it is first loaded. Similarly, a website that opens with somebody talking can be quite a turnoff to many people. Most of them will move onto the next website as fast as they can as soon as they hear voice or music blasting so be warned! If however you still want to have music or instructional video you should instead consider having a control that can be used to turn it on or off.

Web Design Tip # 2: Make It Browser Friendly.

This is especially important when it comes to logo positioning or text and content layout. While many people use Internet Explorer, those that are using another search engine – such as Firefox – need to have the website open properly for them as well and for the site to look as you intended it to. Make sure and test your website on different browsers to make sure that it is compatible with some of the other major ones. At the very least it should work on Firefox and Internet Explorer as well as Safari and even Opera should be another option as well.

Web Design Tip # 3: No Flash!

Flash websites were once very popular when they first came on the web design scene, and they can be very fancy and flashy; but they can also be exceptionally distracting and annoying as well.
Generally speaking, most flash websites take longer to open as the player is being loaded and they are not as search engine friendly as regular sites. It is important to note that when a website takes too long to open, many visitors will just click the back button, moving on to the next site.

If however your goal is to ‘impress’ visitors, then perhaps a flash website would be appropriate. But, if your focus is to make money and build relationships (which is the goal of most website owners), then posting beneficial content and including some attractive graphics would do. Resist the temptation of using a flash site and remember to keep it simple.

Web Design Tip # 4: Keep It Simple.

As indicated above you must resist the temptation to over complicate your site or your message. If you visit some of the best websites on the Internet, you’ll see one common thread running through each site, and that is they are kept simple. An over complicated or cluttered site will confuse your visitors and they will leave, looking for something better. Make sure your web design is pleasing to the eye by having a simple ‘clean’ design. A simple design does not mean that it cannot be very beautifully done; it just means that it is not too busy and distracting.

It is always important in the consultation period between yourself and your designer to take a look at other websites in your niche that are doing well. You will see that their design is in the most part simple yet appealing at the same time.

Web Design Tip # 5: No Automatic Pop-ups.

Pop-ups can irritate a lot of people, and many visitors will just press x on the screen as soon as it opens. More than likely they will actually just hit the back button and move onto another site. Although pop-ups are very common throughout the internet, a site designed for the average consumer should not have a pop-up on the main page. You are risking the reputation of your brand by putting pop-ups on a page, and may even be considered a spammer by some. If however you are trying to build up a client base for repeat business in your niche, don’t use the pop-ups.

The only potential use and benefit for using a pop up could be when a visitor is leaving your site: not whilest browsing. But even then, be prepared to potentially turn more away than to keep!

Web Design Tip # 6: Make Your Site Navigation Easy.

Good navigation is the most important feature you can have on your site. If it is again too cluttered with links and tabs and ads and images visitors will again become too confused and hit the back button! You need to make it as easy as possible for your visitors to make their way through your site.

Think of your site as a  filing cabinet. Having the most important files in a prominent easy to access location and then sub navigate from these important themes! You can set up links with an easy-to-follow path on your site for the visitor, and at the same time set up some SEO friendly linking.

Keep the navigation as easy to follow as possible. If your visitors get confused about where to go next, they won’t go anywhere next and you will lose them.

Web Design Tip # 7: Use SEO Wisely.

You have to maintain a careful balance between making your website appealing to both the search engines and your visitors. If you try too hard to make it search engine friendly, you may end up with a site that does not work for the general public. Search engines generally like to see any site that keeps the visitors in mind and is written for people, not google spiders or robots. Proper SEO does NOT mean keyword stuffing or any other type of writing that is not written for the audience.

A good thing to do when you set up your site is to have it looked at by someone that understands website design. If you don’t know anybody personally, then a great idea is to go to an Internet marketing forum and ask there for some people feedback and advice. You can also offer to pay a small fee to someone that understands web design for a quick assessment.

Most of my issues as a web designer for many offline businesses is that I get a lot of requests for fancy sites based on my client’s limited knowledge of how a site should be put together. They see the Flash player type of site and think this is what they want!! If you are a potential client then please keep these website design tips in mind when you are putting your site ideas in order. Although they may seem simple, overlooking just one aspect of one of these tips can lose you a lot of visitors or customers in the end.