Some of the basic rules which have to be kept in mind before developing any website are as follows.
Faster Loading: This can be the major turn off factor for the visitors of the website. If the website is dead slow, visitors might not return to it. Your website should not take longer than 15 – 20 seconds to load on the client browser. You may have good design for your website, but the long download time is not recommended.
Clear Navigation: Once the visitor comes to your site, make sure he spends time on your site, for this easy navigation in your website plays an important factor. All the important links must be clearly visible, preferably on top or left and footer of the web page. Try to accompany as many links on the web page because you never know what visitor is looking for.
All Resolution: Your web pages must be able to fit all types of resolution like 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 or higher. It is recommended to use percentages for designing and not pixels.
Browser Compatibility: Design you website such that it looks the same on different types of browsers like Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Fire Fox, and Opera etc. Try to avoid browser dependent designing for example usage of marquee tag for Internet Explorer or blink tag for Netscape Navigator
Readable and professional fonts: Try to avoid using fancy fonts like Comic Sans for plain readable text. Font size and coloring also plays an important role in making the professional website. Avoid using bright colors like pink, yellow and orange. Use a font that gives a professional look to a website and which are available on most of the systems.
Minimize use of images: Usage of images will increase the download time of a web page. Whenever possible avoid bulky images that will increase the download time of the page. If it is necessary to use images try to optimize the size of the images to reduce the download time of the web page.
Use of white space: Do not clutter up the things by place time side by side, try and use white space wherever possible, it will enhance the overall look of the website.
Check for broken links: Before uploading your website to a web server check for the broken links. Using Dreamweaver you can check for broken links by right clicking on any file in the Site Files Window and then click on Check links - Entire Site. If you do not have Dreamweaver you can use tools like Net Mechanic or Xenu’s Link Sleuth etc. |
