Designing a Web Site

It takes only seconds for a website to create an impression on you. Both good and bad. As soon as you open the page, you see immediately, whether it's easy or too confusing to use, is it too busy, where you don't know what to look at first. Is it all links that don't give you any real direction.

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions.

If it takes, you, only seconds to make the decision, as to whether you like it or not, the same holds true for most viewers. Think about this as if you are the customer, not the owner. Take the time to look at a lot of websites. See what you like and don't like and put it all into perspective for your own website. That doesn't mean copying exactly what someone else has done, but it will give you ideas as to what's good and bad.

Your home page, for the most part, will make or break you. This is the front door
to you and your business. Your website must convey what you are all about. It must be attractive and easy to understand all within a matter of a few seconds. And in addition, it must be easy to navigate.

Appearance is important, because this is what is creating the viewers first impression, but you must put this in context. You can create the most beautiful website in the world all the images, the flash video, the sound, etc., etc. But if the site doesn't tell the viewer anything about your business, it doesn't entice the potential customer to want to know more, and if it isn't people friendly, it isn't worth anything. Unless of course you want to win an art design contest.

Finding their way around your website should be easy, simple, uncomplicated and orderly for the viewer. Clarity is imperative. The pages should flow smoothly just as they would if you were writing a story or a book. And, just like a story, there is a beginning, a middle and the end.

Remember, we're not just designing a single page, we're designing an entire website, therefore, everything should be consistent. Each page should have somewhat the same layout or concept as the rest of the site. For example, if we have a logo, which is being used for the name of your business, we want that logo to be the same throughout the website. If we start with menu buttons on the left side of the home page, we want the same layout throughout the website in order to maintain consistency.

If we're on page 2, for example, we do not want to have to go back to page 1 in order to get to page 4. Finally, if you have a large number of pages on your website a "Site Map" is an important addition. In not only helps the viewer navigate the site, it also puts it in logical order. In addition, another big plus is that it helps the search engines navigate and crawl through you website.

Although there are many important aspects to your website, content is probably the most important. Simply put, content is the driving force of your website. This is how you get your message across to the viewer. Without it, all is for naught.

If your website has been created to sell products, this must be conveyed in an easy to understand and navigate manner so as not to confuse the potential customer. He/she needs direction, and it's up to you to give him/her what he needs.

If you are offering a service, it's up to you to find the potential client the information needed about your company to create enough interest and desire for him/her to want to contact you for more information.

Regardless of what the purpose of your website, it's the content of that site that must tell the viewer everything he/she needs to know, in order for them to know what you are all about. It's up to you to present enough information, in an orderly manner, for them to want to use your services, or buy your product. If this doesn't happen, you've wasted your money and our time.

This is an area that is commonly overlooked by website owners, as well as designers. What we are talking about is the time it takes for your website to appear, or load, from the moment you click on it until you actually see your site, or, even a page, on your monitor.

The more technical enhancements, graphics, flash videos, etc., you have the longer it will take for your website to load. In this day and age, we want instant results.

Basically, the average viewers don't have the patience to wait. Your pages should take less than approximately 10 to 15 seconds to load. The longer it takes the more customers you will lose. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have graphics, sound, etc., but it should be kept within reasonable limits.