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Web Site Design Tips
- CONTENT is the only important element of your site.
- Don't use FRAMES unless absolutely necessary.
- If you must use FRAMES, provide NOFRAMES equivalency.
- Keep text minimal and to the point. Your primary message should be made on the opening lines of the first screen without scrolling down the page or navigating though you web site.
- Use "attention getting" headlines (with heading tags).
- Offer something of value on the web site, such as database, calendar, product FAQ, tech support, news letter subscription, etc.
- Vary font face (with discretion) to use common sans-serif and judicious use of "special" fonts such as fantasy. Keep the font size large enough for easy reading.
- Use different colors on headline text for emphasis.
- Use indented lists where appropriate for easy reading.
- Place redundant navigational buttons or links at the top and bottom of page for easy navigation.
- Place your name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail link on every page.
- Make it easy to request additional company/product information.
- When using pictures, consider value of this extra graphic compared to the increased download time for the page.
- Always provide alt text descriptions within your images.
- Provide title descriptions for links.
- To help minimize use of graphics, colored tables or CSS blocks are an excellent way to add visual appeal without graphic file overhead.
- If you use clickable imagemaps, provide alternative text links.
- If it's not important, don't put it on your web page.
- Don't publish "Under Construction" pages.
- Change page frequently.
- Don't use Entrance or Splash pages to your web site. You have only one opportunity to get your viewers attention. With Entrance pages, you may have wasted your first opportunity to get your message across, and the content of the page will not be indexed as easily.
- Validate your pages using some of the online guides to effective HTML.
- Study other guides and learn from the experience of others to help develop your presentation.