If you set a goal to create a successful website, you need to put in maximum effort to make it appealing to visitors. As the saying goes, “you meet by clothes,” and the first encounter with a website should not cause irritation, difficulty, or any other negative reactions.
The main rule is that design is not the goal but a means to achieve the goal. Visitors coming for specific information should not have to search for it among design elements or focus their attention on them. These elements should facilitate and simplify navigation, making it comfortable, interesting, and attractive. Here are some specific rules:
- Avoid Overloading with Graphics: Do not overload pages with graphic elements, especially if they are downloaded from free servers. Strive to use exclusive graphics to build a good reputation for the site.
- Maintain a Unified Design Style: Keep the design in a consistent style and avoid using too many colors. Color chaos on a page leads to nothing good.
- Avoid Using Frames: If possible, avoid using frames on website pages as they can hinder resource indexing in search engines.
- Use Fixed Width for Tables: When using tables, set the width in pixels, not percentages, because different screens have different resolutions, making the page look different.
- Limit Advertisements: Excessive loading of the site with advertising banners will not be liked by the audience. The benefits of ads should not be compensated by the loss of potential visitors.
- Use Consistent Fonts: Similar to color excess, using a variety of fonts can have a negative visual effect. It’s also crucial to choose the optimal font size, as too small font is hard to read and too large reduces the amount of information readable by the target audience.
- Proper Text Formatting: Format text properly using numbered lists, dividing the text into paragraphs, and using catchy and audience-relevant headers.
- SEO During Design: Consider search engine optimization during the website design phase.
Texts on the website should be clear and well-written. It’s crucial to avoid grammatical and semantic errors. Also, texts should be original because search engines are very good at detecting the original source and penalizing for using others’ texts.
A few words about choosing a site name: the main rule is that the name should be memorable and preferably short. For a site with good service, prospects, and reputation, it is essential not to use free hosting and third-level domains. As the proverb goes, “Free cheese is only in a mousetrap!”
Lastly, all websites share common characteristics on the Internet, the optimization and improvement of which are the key to success. These main characteristics include:
- Loading Speed: Optimize the website components for maximum speed.
- Content Relevance: Ensure that all information is interesting to the audience and fully meets their needs.
- Navigation Structure: Develop a simple and accessible navigation structure for quick searches and site orientation.
- Consistency Between Content and Web Design: Ensure that the content and web design align effectively.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the usability and appeal of your website, improving its chances of success.