Tips for Web Design

Web Site Redesigns, E-Commerce, Maintenance, and Consultation

Page consistency
All the pages should look the same as the others. It will make your site flow more smoothly, with no abrupt changes in style. Don't ask for drastic changes in style or color with every page.

Quick-loading images
The bigger the image, the longer it takes to download. Keeping visitors waiting for a picture is not acceptable. Limit the use of animated pictures, as they slow down the loading process.

Avoid using animated clip art
Yes, it might have been popular a few years ago, but animated clip art is, in reality, cheesy.

Stay away from Excessive Animation
It might look trendy to have sites that are all animated, but a) this hurts a Web page's chances with the search engines and b) is more difficult to update. While Flash is nice when used in moderation, too much can hurt your site.

Good Web site Content
While dynamic layout will draw visitors to your page, lack of content will not bring them back. Use as much useful information as you can when describing your products or service, while keeping it brief and concise. Don't keep your visitors guessing.

Keep it simple
While it may seem logical to add as much as possible to a page, the bottom line is that clutter confuses readers. On the flipside, don't just have one sentence or try for that minimalistic approach. The one line that you think describes everything about your site may not mean anything to a reader.

Use your domain name as part of your email address
Nowadays, since many people change Internet service providers more often due to better prices or service, it's better to use your domain as an email address. Even if you don't use Webmail or Outlook to view and respond to email, an email such as info@yourdomain.com (rather than companyname@bellsouth.net, for example) can be forwarded to whatever email you choose. Not only does it keep you from having to print new stationary whenever you change your email address, it's also easier to remember, and you won't have to change it on every page of your Web site.

Be in Charge of Hosting Your Own Site and the Domain Name
Don't allow anyone to have control of your hosting account or your domain name. Pay for both yourself, and have the login information for both handy. That way you don't have to depend on anyone else in case of anything. I don't offer hosting, and I don't register domains. (I will help you if you don't know what to do.) You will be billed directly for these from the respective companies.

Don't turn your Web site into a flea market
While there are countless Web site promotions offering percentages for various products sold from your site, the truth of the matter is that, unless your site receives millions of hits a day, exhibiting these items will not only fail to bring substantial revenue, it will make your Web site lose its focus.

Renew your domain name!!
Too often, folks who purchase a domain forget to renew it when required. If you get a renewal notice, heed it and renew the domain name ASAP. I will not receive such a renewal notice, since I am not the registered owner of your domain name. If you fail to renew your domain, you stand a strong chance of losing it. If you used an email address that is no longer available as an administrative contact, you must make it your business to make sure when it expires -- before it is too late.