When it comes to web design, you often only get one chance to keep visitors from clicking the back button on their web browser. Web design is a lot like going to an interview: you get just a few seconds to make your first impression on site visitors. Depending on that impression, you could convert a lot of paying customers or lose visitors forever.
Here are five simple rules for designing a website if you want to make your first impression a good one.
Rule #1. Avoid using flash banners and advertisements on your homepage. There are few things more annoying than clicking on a website to see cartoon characters and advertisements for other products flashing in front of your face.
Rule #2. Use clear navigation. It’s absolutely critical to make it easy for site visitors to find what they are looking for. As a rule of thumb, place your navigation on the left side of your web page because the majority of people read from left to right.
Rule #3. Develop intuitive information architecture. When visitors are browsing your site, have a clear indication for the visitor of where they are within your website and how to get to other relevant sections.
Rule #4. Pay close attention to loading time. You can reduce loading time by reducing the amount of graphics on each page. A good website design should load under twenty seconds.
Rule #5. Use a font that is common to all web browsers and easy to read. You have to think of your market. If you are selling a product or service that is used by older individuals you may want to increase the font.
Bonus Rule. Make sure the information on your website is up to date and relevant to what you are offering. Current info keeps visitors coming back to your site and builds credibility.
When designing your website look at it from the customers' or visitors' standpoint. Would you want to visit this website? Would you want to purchase a product from this website? If you answer "no" then you have some work to do.
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