Recommended Affiliate Programs
Optimal
Website Design
By - Elizabeth McGee
Optimal website design offers your viewers a logical flow while making your
website interesting and easy to understand. It will lead your viewers to the
starting point and then direct them through your site without confusing them.
Here are some excellent tips that can help you develop a user friendly site and
please your visitors senses. Give your site a chance before they get away.
1. Use lots of white space
Don't feel that because you have a whole screen you need to fill it up with
stuff. Your page should follow a clean outline. Include your site name at the
very top. Below that, list the subject of your page and below that, expand on
your topic. Leave adequate space between each section.
Don't cram a lot of pictures and ads. If you have an ad keep it off to the side
or subtly intersperse it between your text. The idea is not to overwhelm your
reader.
2. Don't use animation and flashing objects
As advertisers we feel the need to get our viewers attention. This is important
but we need to do it gracefully. Flashing objects and scrolling images distract
your visitor and take away from the content. If your product is better
demonstrated with animation or some other multi-media, allow your viewer to
select the option. Don't force it on them.
3. Every page of your site should contain an 'about' link
The Internet can be a rather cold and quiet environment. If someone can come to
your site and find out about who you are and what you are about, they can feel a
little better about doing business with you or taking advice from you. Always
include your business address and phone number and email address as well. This
lets viewers know that you are serious about your business and that you welcome
contact.
4. Include a 'Privacy' Link
Viewers like the reassurance that you have a policy that follows privacy
guidelines. They want to know that you will not sell or give away their
information. In these days of rampant spam, your privacy policy needs to be
prominently displayed. Many viewers and business partners won't do business with
you unless you have it.
5. Always keep your links in blue
Why does that matter you might say? It's an expectation that viewers have along
with the links being underlined. There's certainly no law that says they need to
be as such but people spend a lot of time on the Internet and it's good practice
to keep your navigation consistent and recognizable. If it's not you may lose
out on clicks.
6. Keep navigation consistent
What you do on your index page should be done the same way on the rest of your
site's pages. Keep the colors consistent. Don't force your viewers to relearn
each page of your site. Keep your navigation bars and links the same for each
page.
7. Understandable buttons and links
Title your links appropriately. Don't use cute or misleading names. For example,
if you have a link to sports equipment don't label the link 'Great Outdoors',
call it 'Sports Equipment'. If you have a link to 'cameras' don't label the link
'hotshots', label it 'Cameras'. Your viewers don't want to waste time figuring
out what things are. Be clear with your labeling.
8. Focus on the 'YOU', not the 'ME'
Make it obviously clear to your readers that you are there for them. What can
you do for your reader? What benefits are there for your viewer? How can you
make their life or business more profitable? Request feedback on their success.
Find out what they want to know and offer it to them.
9. Make sure your page loads fast
If viewers have to wait for a page to load they will click elsewhere. Here's a
site that will help you determine how well your page loads. If a page doesn't
load in 8 seconds you lose 1/3 of your visitors. Here's a great free tool to
help you check your website's load time:
http://www.1-hit.com/all-in-one/tool.loading-time-checker.htm
10. Use a site map
A site map will give visitors a "guide" on viewing your site and also
eliminate confusion, especially with larger sites. It's a road map for your
visitors to follow while they are on your site. Sitemaps will also increase
rankings and placement within the Search Engines.
Copyright © 2003-2004 http://www.pro-marketing-online.com/ Adlite
Enterprises All Rights Reserved.
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Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support industry. She has
moved her expertise to the world wide web helping businesses find trusted tools,
enhance customer service, build confidence and increase sales. You can visit
Elizabeth at her websites at: http://www.pro-marketing-online.com/
http://www.homenotion.com/
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