TIPS FOR A BETTER WEBSITE
There is no 'elevator' to 'success' you have to use the 'stairs'. I work round the clock to make my website popular so you can learn from a few of my ideas and mistakes
There are some things that SHOULD to be included in every
website. If you integrate these tips into your site your
visitors will "thank you" for it later:
1) Navigation: Keep it SIMPLE, and make sure it's
consistent from page to page. No matter where you place
your menu bar -- either at the top or down the side --
always include a small text menu at the bottom of every
page. If you're one of those people easily impressed with
Flash, don't design your navigation with it. There are still
some people who don't have or want the plug-in, so they
won't be able to navigate your site. Besides, search engine
spiders can't read it, so won't be able to spider the
individual pages of your site if the navigation is done in
Flash.
2) Privacy Policy: With all of the concern over privacy on
the Web if you collect any type of information from your
visitors (even if it's just an email address) you need to
include a privacy policy. There are many online templates
that will help you to create one easily. Once made, post a
link to it on every page of your site.
3) Contact Information: Nothing drives me more insane than
having to search through an entire website just to send the
owner an email. Post your contact info at the bottom of
every page of your site, along with your email address.
Don't make me fill out a whole form when I just want to
send a simple comment. Include your email address, hotlinked
and ready to go.
4) Logos & Graphics: Please keep your graphics down to a
reasonable size. No one wants to wait two minutes while your
huge, beautiful logo loads onto the screen. If you must use
a lot of graphics to get your point across, I've got one
word for you: Compression.
5) Fonts: Remember if you stray from using the standard
fonts that everyone has installed on their computers (such
as Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman) the viewer won't see
your fonts as intended. Your users' computers will display
your site in their default fonts. Stick to standards. If you
must have a certain font used you'll have to turn it into a
graphic to maintain its look.
6) Make It Sticky: Include interactive features if possible.
Once you visit become a member of Bravenet, you will be coming back for more and this site will become your habit. Don't say that we didn't warn you about it :)
7) Newsletter: If you're going to have a website you need
to offer a newsletter, You need to
start collecting a list of your visitors' email addresses so
you can keep in touch with them. Ezines help to keep your
site fresh in the client's mind and helps to establish
trust and credibility. For more on how to start your own
ezine see http://www.ezineuniversity.com
8) Browsers: You'd be amazed at how differently your website
appears in different browsers. Make sure you take a peek at
your site in Netscape and Internet Explorer. Recent stats
show IE has about 80% of the market share, but you'll still
want to make sure the other 20% can view your site without
any problems.
9) Resolution: This is a highly debatable subject. "What
resolution should I design for?" The norm these days seems
to be 800X600 although there are still a small number of
people limping along in 640X480. Look at your site in
different resolutions to get an idea of what I'm talking
about. If you don't mind letting the small majority scroll
right and left, I say go with 800X600 (that's what I do) and
it still looks acceptable to those surfing in mega
resolutions of 1024 and higher.
10) Index Page: This may seem like a given, but I'm going
to mention it anyway. On the very first page of your site
(the homepage) the first paragraph should answer the "5
W's"; basically telling them who you are and what you're
offering. You'd be amazed at the number of websites that
leave this out; making me think "what do these people do,
and what's in it for me?" You need to answer these questions
and do it fast. Surfers are a very impatient group. Stop
them before they click away.
If you remember the above 10 pointers when putting together
your next website, you'll create a winning site that
visitors will want to return to, and not run away from in
frustration.
Some More Do's and Don'ts.
Keep your colors sane - A pink background with bright florescent
green letters is probably not the best way to win friends. Use
all of the colors you want, but it's best not to make your pages
resemble an LSD nightmare.
Keep down the page size - Remember most surfers are still using
dialup connections. Thus, you need to keep your pages small
(including graphics). Thirty to fifty kbytes per page is about
the right size.
Don't use ActiveX controls - Personally, I will immediately
leave a site which asks me to download an ActiveX control. Why?
Because ActiveX depends upon the surfer trusting the person who
created the control. How would I know if this thing is safe? I
prefer the Java security scheme, which is much better defined
and safer (in my humble opinion).
Include Meta Tags - Meta tags are used to tell the outside
world, especially search engines, all about your pages. You
should include the appropriate meta tags on each and every page.
These tags need to give a description, copyright notice, author
name, language and search keywords. In addition, it is a good
idea to include the RSAC rating for content filters.
Include a descriptive title - Be sure and write a short, keyword
heavy, very descriptive title for each page. Search engines rely
on these titles in determining how to index your site. Be sure
your title is accurate and honest as well.
Avoid lots of moving things - An occasional animation is great
and can turn a boring page into an award winner, but don't go
overboard. In general, more than three pictures per page is
excessive.
Avoid using pop up and pop under advertisements - You really want to annoy your
visitors? Popup advertisements are a good way to get people
really unhappy. It's a good idea to never throw an ad up in
front of your visitors - that is, if you want them to come back.
Why NOT to join Webrings
The Free Search Engine Page Add your Site Here
A helpful color chart