1. Reduce the
size of your graphics. Making your page load as
fast as possible is extremely important to keep your visitors. When
a website takes to long to load they will go elsewhere. Graphics
can be optimized to reduce the size. Try to use the Web Palette
whenever possible. Use jpeg for photos and gif for almost everything
else. Large image files look good but are you compromising the functionality
of your web page?
2. Easy Navigation.
Making your website easy to navigate helps visitors
find what they are looking for. Be careful not to have "dead
ends" where a visitor can't find their way back to where
they came from. Be consistent in your placement of navigational
tools. Placing main page links on every page helps the visitor navigate.
3. Add Online
Resources. Give something that will interest your
visitors. Online resources are a great way to keep visitors coming
back. A great example of this is the 3D text maker from Xara. You
can place this tool on your website giving your visitors a reason
to stay.
4. Add a "What's
New" or "Latest News" section to your index page.
This works great for you and your visitors. When you add something
new your visitors will see it. There is a mutual benefit to this,
both to you and your visitors. Allows you to announce your changes
and updates and lets the visitors see and use what your latest additions
to your website.
5. Maximize your
wording. Your main page should be a window to your
website. It should give brief information on what your site is about.
Get to the point on your index page. What is your website about?
6. Prioritize
your information: Important information should come first closer
to the top. Don't place minor information
near the top of your website. Your visitors will read the top information
first and are less likely to read what's at the bottom of
the page. First decide which information is the most important on
your website. Then focus on having people see it.
7. Page size:
2-3 pages lengths is okay, but anything more you should compact
the information. People generally don't like
to scroll down if there is an endless scrolling amount. They give
up and focus on what's closer to the top. If your page is
too long divide it up into several pages with shorter information
clips on the main index page leading to the second page.
8. Avoid background
text contrast. Black letters on white backgrounds
is usually the best choice. Bad contrast between colors can be an
eye soar. You should try and keep your main text area simple in
color. I've seen many website where the text and background
color ruin the website. The information might be good but the contrast
is hard to read especially for longer text documents.
9. Avoid too much
animation. Too much going on distracts people and
annoys visitors from what it is you are trying to accomplish from
your website.
10. Use tables
and fonts effectively to properly space out your website.
Your website spacing is important to the look of your page. Plan
it out properly and use table to get the look the way you want it.
"Sometime simpler is better!"