Evaluating Web Design

Web design has a particular requirement. Unlike print design, there are many additional variables to consider, such as the visitor's monitor size, and the visitor's browser speed, for example. Your Web site should have no more than three levels of depth for visitors to find the information they are seeking.

Plenty of good content can be buried among poor color choices and contrasts, such as dark blue type on black background, which is a chore to try to read and will discourage your visitors. Flashy graphics with annoying repetition and questionable choices of musical backgrounds may not be appropriate for the visitors seeking information from your Web site.

Your Web site must be user-friendly and organized, with clean pages and links to relevant information. Visitors will have a better experience absorbing your information from a less cluttered page and with proper use of space on your Web pages, visitors will enjoy returning to your site often.

Proper use of keywords throughout your Web site's pages and search engine optimization of your Web site and its content can be accomplished through a professional, experienced copywriter. All the Web pages on your site must be easily found by the search engines, and proper use of META description tags (more than the keyword tags) and a site map, together with high quality content, will enable search engines to easily find what they are looking for.

Graphics and Images  

Studies have shown that the human eye first scans images, then captions, and then the headlines and then the body copy.

A blend of text and images can express more than text alone. Quality stock images that can be retrieved and used for very little or nothing can enhance your message. If you include images and animation on your Web site, be careful not to overwhelm your audience and their limited computing power with the latest software just because it is available.

Your website's function is to attract visitors and convert them to customers. Create a look and feel that identifies who and where your business is, what it's about, and how it can help the visitor with their problems.

Have a clear message with good navigation. Most people don't read the entire webpage, but scan headlines, subheadings, photos, captions, and bold type.

Create a great impression so that visitors return many times. Translate ideas to Web pages. Good Web design will help ideas flow from what the visitor absorbs at your Web site.

Color

Good color schemes translate a mood or highlight an important point or phrase. Some color schemes work best with certain shapes to create certain moods. Choose colors wisely; it projects professionalism.

Using too many colors can be distracting and overpowering. When designing your schemes view color choices on the monitor. It's going to be reproduced or. Make sure your type fonts are legible and readable with the color schemes you choose. The easier it is to read your content, the faster it will be understood. Use just enough variety of typefaces (also known as fonts) to stimulate interest. Keep it simple. Don't overdo it.