Simplify Your Web Site for Clarity and Ease of Use
There are plenty of web sites out there in which basic elements of design are ignored. The viewer may experience overkill and frustration, instead of gently receiving the message or information. Here are some simple ways to help clarify your web site's message for your company or organization. Use the web as a tool for sales, community contact, and to improve, rather than detract from a business entity's image. Choosing Your Images Choose site images carefully. Collect simple illustrations or photographs that are in sync with company mission or philosophy. A few select images will have more impact than many images competing for the eye's attention. Avoid images that are distracting or trendy. Don't simply use graphics to be cool. How many photos or images are appropriate? A good rule of thumb is one to two images per web page. Select photos and images as carefully as you select the text, and you'll be on your way to a better site. The exception to the rule is for sites that market a large amount of products or contain many points of interest, where small thumbnail images may be more appropriate. Placement of Images on the Page Do you want the photo or graphic to be the centerpiece? The first thing the eye sees? If so, place it in the central position. If not, maybe the photo or graphic is related to some of the text, and it can be placed nearby this text to accentuate it. Remember, we read from left to right. Some say the left represents the past, the center the present, and the right the future. Content may be organized this way on the page intentionally, to heighten this resonance with the viewer. Don't let site images be a distraction or hindrance to understanding. Instead, they should blend well into site content and not be a contrast to the message on the page. Images should not compete with content, they should enhance it. Image Quality Images should look as nice and clear as possible. There is an important balance to keep between image file size and quality. Always keep in mind that the file size and dimensions of your images will ultimately control overall page loading time. A slow-loading site will be frustrating to any user. Generally, pages load from the top down, so it is an important point to remember not to design your pages with large image files that fill the top of each page. Site Text It's important not to overdo the writing on a page. Consider how much the user will read and write site content to capture the typically short attention spans of the viewers. Be succinct, and most importantly: be clear. Write subheads and set them in bold, slightly larger type. Carefully placed subheads allow the casual viewer to scan the content of your site. Write for Search Engines Research your clientele, and your targeted audience, and always develop content that sells your products, services, or organization. If you or your organization are lacking the expertise to write good copy, hire a professional writer to do the job. Some web specific writing techniques are important. Try to use select keywords on each page that will lead new users to consider your business or services. Write this text directly into your copy. The first 20 words of your web site text should be what you want people to see in search engine results as a summary of your site. Site Organization To simplify the user's experience, set your site up so that he can get to the intended location easily with no more than three clicks. The overall design of your site must be clear and intuitive so the user can navigate the content easily. If you must use symbols to direct the reader, always attach some explanatory text for the user, so they know where clicking the symbol will take them. These are just a few of the basics of effective and clear web design. These tips provide ways to guide the user around your site, rather than frustrate them. With site clarity and ease of use, your clients and prospects are educated about your products and services, and have more reason to purchase them. About The Author Edward Robirds is a success-driven artist and interactive media developer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since 1996, Edward has been building business relationships with several association and commercial clients around the world. Founder of www.DreamseaArtworks.com, Edward uses his artistic skills, expertise and passion to design and develop web sites, interactive CD-ROMs, and print media for his clients.
MORE RESOURCES: 25 Awesome About Us Page Examples For Web Design Inspiration Search Engine Journal Adobe Dreamweaver (2024) review TechRadar 30 Best Web Design Agencies To Partner With in 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub Are you up to build the next best website? Get started with one of these 5 web design courses Fortune Jeremy McGilvrey, A Houston Web Design Agency, Inks Long-Term Lease In Prestigious Williams Tower Office Space Yahoo Finance Why (and How) I Learned Web Development as a Data Scientist Towards Data Science BFA in Art - Graphic Design | Undergraduate Programs | Visual TWU Texas Woman's University We Need to Decarbonize Software IEEE Spectrum Moving Your Website into the Web Design System (WDS) Washington State University Web Design Companies & Agencies In Austin To Know Built In Austin TSTC Marshall spotlights online web design and development program Marshall News Messenger Top Web Design Trends 2024 Designmodo Why isn't Adobe doing web design better? Creative Bloq 9 Chicago Web Design and Development Agencies To Know Built In Chicago Web Design and Development Alumni Highlight: Jenna Smith | Digital Media Utah Valley University Jessica Sorden's Transformation from Corporate Burnout to Web Design Maestro - by Carly Winchell The Ark Valley Voice Valve and Picnik vets Hatch new idea — a no-code web design platform for 'tech curious creators' GeekWire Valpo Web Design supports NWI No Child Hungry in fight against food insecurity with new website Valpo.Life Information technology students delve into web design with capstone project University of Missouri College of Engineering Best Web Design Software in 2024 USA TODAY Valpo Web Design & Marketing helps businesses through intentional design and forward thinking Valpo.Life 5 Top-Rated AI Website Builder Tools Software Advice Sweb CEO puts AI to work for small business web design San Antonio Report Website Design Services of Pop Machine Agency: Leading Wichita's Charge in Global Web Design Trends Yahoo Finance 5 seriously useful AI web design tools Creative Bloq Valpo Web Design & Marketing | Partners Valpo.Life 6 ways AI is changing web design Creative Bloq Best web development tool of 2024 TechRadar 17 Free Web Design Tools, Fall 2023 Practical Ecommerce Grand Cayman Web Design Expert & SEO Qamar Zaman Book Build Google Knowledge Panel Offers Grand Cayman ... Yahoo Finance The best free blog websites Creative Bloq Design Studies (Minor) | College of Liberal Arts UNH's College of Liberal Arts How web design trends have evolved Creative Bloq Mizzou alumna uses web design expertise to give back to engineering, community University of Missouri College of Engineering In LGBTQ rights case, Supreme Court rules for wedding website designer The Washington Post Regulator: “Harmful” Web Design Could Break Data Protection Laws Infosecurity Magazine How Google perfected the web The Verge 19 Free Web Design Tools from Summer 2023 Practical Ecommerce Faculty Profile: Libby Perry (Editing for the Web, Web Design - Media Communications bachelor's) Full Sail News 6 great tools for testing responsive design for websites Creative Bloq 11 of the Best Web Development Agencies in New York + Tips on How to Choose the Best Agency Influencer Marketing Hub 38 Web Development Stats You Should Know in 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub Best SEO Web Design Companies Mastering Aesthetics & Search Influencer Marketing Hub The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn't want to make wedding websites for gay couples The Associated Press Wix's new web design platform looks seriously cool Creative Bloq How far does Supreme Court decision on web design for gay couples reach in Minnesota? - Star Tribune 7 Reasons Why Web Development Is Important for All Types of Businesses Business MattersBusiness Matters Supreme Court rules Colorado web designer can refuse business to LGBTQ people Colorado Public Radio |
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