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Web Page Services
Perhaps Some Useful Web Page Design Tips
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Rules For Designing A Web Site
What You Should Include On Your Site
What Someone Expects To Get From Your Web Site
Graphics, Image Maps And Other Thrills And Frills
Features To Avoid
How To Come Up With Ideas For Your Own Web Site
THERE ARE NO RULES!!!
That is the good news. The bad news is THERE ARE NO RULES!!! Now this may not be of much help, but remember, the World Wide Web is a relatively new “print” media. There are very few limits or boundaries as to what you could include on a web site and how to present it. The design of a web site is limited solely by the creativeness and imagination of its designer(s).
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
Web sites run the gamut from small, simple and sleek to large, complex and bulky. You could include whatever information you wish (as long as it is not illegal) on your site any way you want. Your site could be a simple one or two page display or a multi-page Goliath or anything in between.
NOTE: The information provided here is to serve only as a guideline to help those who are relatively new to the WEB. It is only the opinion of C-B-T. There are many opinions as to what is the best way to construct a Web site. Ultimately, the decision as to design, size and information to be included in a site is that of the owner of the site. If you wish to comment on anything in this section, please send email to
webdesign@c-b-t.com.
LOCATION, LOCATION and LOCATION!!!
In real estate these are often touted as the three most important things to look for in a house. On the WEB, it is INFORMATION, INFORMATION, and more INFORMATION!!!
SKY WRITING
Unfortunately, many web designers are falling prey to the notion that the more graphics and animation they include on a page, the better. With the advent of JAVA, Shockwave, animation graphics and other endless new features, web sites have become more ostentatious than ever. More designers and businesses are forgetting that when someone browses your site, they are mostly interested in information about your product(s), service(s) or organization.
??????
Think about how often you were interested in making a purchase or using a service of something you knew little about. Usually, the first thing you would want is a brochure or other document explaining not only the product(s) or service(s), but the company, its reputation, etc. A customer or client should feel more comfortable about your company or organization after they have reviewed your site. The more information they could walk away with, the better for both them and you.
THAT’S JUST ABOUT RIGHT
Providing the proper amount of useful information will provide your customers with the data they need to make an intelligent decision about your product(s), service(s) or organization. Also, it should help alleviate the problem of having to repeatedly provide the same information over and over again to different customers. Conversely, including too much information or data that is of relatively little use will only confuse or even intimidate your clients. You should include only as much relevant information that would be useful, no more no less.
COULD YOU SEND ME SOME LITERATURE?
Any material that you would include in a brochure or small catalogue would be useful to either a potential client as well as an existing one. Since web space is relatively inexpensive compared to other media, you could easily include details and descriptions about your products and services that were previously cost prohibitive to do elsewhere.
COULD I BE OF ASSISTANCE?
If a customer walked into your place of business without any knowledge about your product(s) or service(s), what would you tell him/her? Try to anticipate the type information they would want.
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
It could be good idea to include a section of useful hints and suggestions regarding your product(s) or service(s). For example, if you restore antique furniture, you might want to provide instructions on the proper care of various wood finishes. Remember, if you think it is useful to your clients, put it on your site. Your web site is not just for new clients, but for existing ones.
ANY QUESTIONS?
A FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section should definitely be a part of your web site. This section alone could provide a wealth of information to your clients. Keep a log of questions that customers repeatedly ask and be sure to include them. Be sure to include questions that are not repeatedly asked (why not, remember web space is cheap -- your time wasted answering questions is not).
PRETTY BUT ANNOYING
In a nutshell, graphics should enhance a web site, not overshadow it. There are too many sites on the web where designers have indiscriminately included graphic images that serve no useful purpose and are downright distracting. Not only are they of little use, but often make it difficult to maneuver through a site. This is especially true of Image Maps.
WHICH WAY DO I GO?
Often, an individual browsing a page has a difficult time trying to decide where to link to next because an image map is obscure and cluttered with too many links. There is nothing wrong with image maps per say. They could give a page a sharp look. The problem with some image maps is that when you click on them you have no idea where it will take you. An image map should not be an unnecessary adventure for your client. It should provide a clear and quick manner for them to maneuver around your site so they could glean the information they need. Make sure your image maps are clear and concise.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
Most web surfers are still using 14K modems. If you include too many large graphics, the long download times might frustrate an impatient customer and cause them to click off your site. Include only those graphics that give your site a distinct, professional appearance. Some of those graphics could be:
- your company logo
- bullets for lists
- background image or color to give your pages a snappier appearance
- any icons or images that would give your pages a more pleasing tone -- but don’t overdo it
FRAMES
Why? Simply because they make a page too difficult to read. Let’s face it, when you bring up a page on your screen it is small enough at that. Breaking it up into even smaller pages on the same screen just exacerbates the problem. Also, many browsers still do not support frames so your pages may look funny to some of your customers.
EXCESSIVE LINKS TO OTHER PAGES
While you should definitely include links to other sites that could be useful to your customers, try not to over do it. You want to keep your customer at your site. Giving them too many links could be an unnecessary distraction. Also, large amounts of links clutter your pages.
CLUTTERED AND AMBIGUOUS STRUCTURE
Many pages now use words, phrases and links that are obscure and difficult to decipher. No one should have to try to interpret your pages. Your visitor should be able to instantly understand everything on your page. Your page should have a clear layout without a lot of confusing and cluttered bits of information, images and links. Many people still prefer to see things in a hierarchical structure. There is nothing wrong with a good top/down design. An individual should be able to quickly find what they need and where to go to next. Make it as easy as possible for them.
IT’S ALL OUT THERE
The simplest method is to review other web sites. There is an ever increasing number of sites being added to the Web daily. Use one the many search engines such as
Yahoo
or
AltaVista
to find sites that cover your area (good to know what the competition is doing). However, do not limit yourself to reviewing sites that deal just with your product or service. While that is a good start you may be overlooking some clever and innovative designs at other sites.
WHAT DO I LOOK FOR?
When you are browsing these sites, think about what you like and dislike and jot them down. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What makes you go back to a particular page or site?
- Does the web site give you a good impression about the company or organization? If yes why? If not why not?
- What pages do you dislike and why?
- What pages do you click off quickly and why?
- What pages might induce you to want to buy their product or service?
- Does the site give you the information you need to make an informed decision?
These are just some questions you could use as a guideline. Remember, you are dealing in a medium that is very different from magazines, newspapers and for that matter television.
People must go out of their way to view your site. Make sure that it is worth there while when they do!
Rules For Designing A Web Site
