You do not have to know how a website functions to successfully design a website. It isn’t easy to use HTML or to properly design a site. Learning all you can before you begin is the wisest thing you can do. Follow the tips ahead to assist you in your site creation.
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.
Use ALT tags whenever possible. These helpful tags describe an image to a viewer, assisting the visually impaired, as well as those who prefer to browse without images. As an added bonus, some search engines include these tags in their rankings, so you may get a boost by using them.
Include a links page for your site and use it to provide a variety of resources related to the site’s purpose. You should also include a variety of links, including links to sites that are offering backlinks to your site. If related sites link back to your site, your site ranking will move up in the rankings on search results pages.
Use Photoshop to create professional looking graphics for use on your website. This software will ensure that you have all the effects and tools you need to create graphics which look like they were completed by a pro. If you don’t use such a program, it can be difficult and take a lot of time to learn how to design a high-quality site in a hurry.
Bearing aesthetics in mind, you should remember to keep file sizes small. This is because the size of the files dictates the speed at which your website loads. You want your loading time to be as quick as possible. Bear in mind that some site visitors are still using dial-up. Test to be sure that even computers with slow dial-up modems can connect quickly to your website.
Use custom error pages to make your site more informative. For instance, if you want people to report dead links on your site, either put a server-side script on your 404 page or have a form or email address that visitors can use to report the error. You should have custom pages for 403, 404, and 500 errors, at the very least.
Have a visible tagline on every page and sub-domain. You should make them bold and large so that people can see them and follow your links. If you use the tagline appropriate, it will let the reader’s know what your page’s true goal is. It can even help to determine if they will remain on the page or use their “back” button.
Graphics and various media are great for your site and help keep the attention of the viewers, but don’t load every page from top-to-bottom. Pages that are extremely heavy with media will consume bandwidth on yours and the viewer’s network, which often leaves both parties suffering. Include graphics when they are relevant and do your best to minimize bandwidth consumption.
Creativity is what separates ordinary sites from the extraordinary ones, so never be afraid to get a little creative. As long as you’re staying on topic and are keeping the site functioning properly, you can get a little creative. People visiting your site want to see originality. They wouldn’t visit your site at all if they wanted the same old stuff.
After reading these tips on web design, you should see that creating a website doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s a real skill, and you’ll need to continue to learn to really do well. Make sure you use the information presented here so that you’re able to build a great website.
