To view this and other helpful articles on search engine optimization, internet marketing and development available both in audio and video formats, please visit www.Site-Reference.com. Five things to hate about Web Design and how to fix them,
Part 2.
Information Overload: Having too little information on pages of your website can make them seem bare and boring, however, having too much information can overwhelm the user. Although there is no rule as to how much information per web page is enough, you should try to limit your web pages to the following:
Header and Logo: All websites need a header and logo to identify who they are. For usability purposes, try to keep the height of the your header at a moderate size. Most of the headers are no more than 200-300 pixels tall. Anything taller than 300 pixels, and you take the risk of forcing the user to have to scroll down just to see the navigation and content of your website.
Navigation: All websites must have a functional navigation system in order for users to be able to find their way around the website. Using vertical or horizontal menus are a matter of personal preference. Although one menu is necessary. Try not to have more than one. Multiple navigational menus can easily confuse the user. If you have a lot of sections on your website, then try using a CSS drop down menu which will allow you to include a great deal of navigational items while taking up a minimal amount of space.
Ads: Many websites provide a service to their visitors for free. It is because of advertisements that most of these services are available for free. When using advertisements, don't abuse their usage. Google AdSense allows a maximum of three ads per web page for a reason. Too many ads can make your website look like spam in no time.
Content: Each web page should have an area for content. This main section should be the focal point for each web page. Having a lot of information about the topic for web page is absolutely fine. Make sure not to include too many different topics on one web page. Instead, split the topics up. and allow for each to have its own page.
Images: Use images moderately and only when necessary in your content area. Images take longer to download than text. Make sure that your images are properly compressed so that the download time for your web pages are not compromised due to large images.
Footer: The information contained in footers vary from website to website. Try not to stuff too much information in the footer specially important information. Not all users scroll down to the bottom of the web pages to see the footer. Some stop at the end of the content, for instance. If you have important information that must be placed inside the footer then begin the footer soon after the content area ends. Placing the main links for your website in the footer is a practice commonly used by designers.
Number 4, Image Text, A big No-No: The only exception to this should be using text inside of a logo. There are a few reasons why using text inside of images is a no no.
Larger images file sizes: Each piece of information inside of an image adds size to the file. As we mentioned earlier, the larger the file size means the longer the download time, means the more your already impatient visitors have to wait. Not search engine optimization friendly, and just like Flash files, search engine spiders cannot detect the text information inside of an image file.
If you have an image that requires texts, then try an alternative method using CSS layers. Not only is this method easy to implement but it will keep the image file size smaller. It is also search engine optimization friendly.
Number 5, Attack of the Columns: No, this is not a spin-off of a Star Wars movie, attack of the columns is a phrase that we use when a web designer uses more than a few columns in their layout. Some designers believe that by using more than a few columns, they can better organize and display the information on their web page. The problem is just like information over load, using too many columns will overwhelm the user.
When using more than two or three columns, a focal point is usually eliminated from the web page. Without a focal point, the user has no idea where to look. Instead, the user's eyes wonder aimlessly throughout the web page. This will cause the user to feel confused and overwhelmed, and might make them go to a similar web page with a cleaner or less busy layout. Even if there is a focal point, there is probably going to be too much information in a four column plus layout. If huge sites with massive amounts of content, for instance, amazon.com are able to work with a three column layout then there is no reason that any other website can't do the same.
Plan you layout before you begin building your website, and you will find that even if you have a lot of information and content, a three column layout is more than enough.
Happy Visitors: These five things to hate about web designs are very important, perhaps the most important things a web designer should take into consideration when building a website. All five of these items have one thing in common, when followed, the user will have an easy, fast loading, straight forward experience when they visit your website.
This article has been provided by Chromatic Sites. For more information, visit them online at ChromaticSites.com.
To view this and other helpful articles on search engine optimization, internet marketing and development available both in audio and video formats, please visit www.Site-Reference.com.
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