Very often web designers forget one thing, web design is not just about innovative concepts and beautiful images with eye candies.
A web site will be visited and utilized by users. The following are 10 important points you want to note before you begin your web site
1. Set goals and know understand the objective of your web design
What is it trying to achieve?
Wow the audience?
Design a simple web user interface?
2. Design Consistency
Many web pages has more than 10 types of fonts with 20 types of sizes. Ever seen this type of web design?
Use CSS to help maintain a consistency through out your web design.
3. Font Type
Use readable font for your audiences. After all, you are trying to let your audiences understand about this web site that you have designed.
4. Important information at the top of the page
While if important words are positioned at the top of web pages, it helps in SEO, this is not the main factor. You want to convey your message immediately when the page loads.
5. Links
Make sure your links is clearly visible. Do not use the same text and font and color for links.
6. Usage of images wisely
You want to limit the download time of your users. Do not load too much graphical images on one page. It turns user away. Remember, web page design involves users, usability is a significant factor.
7. User Resolution
Consider the resolution of user's screen. While a designer usually works on huge screen 1200 x 1024, not all internet users enjoy that luxury.
8. Headings
Use proper heading to let user know which section they are reading now. Just like a book, you would not read an entire book without knowing which chapter you are in.
9. Navigation
Ensure your navigation is clear cut and precise. Do not design a navigation that users will not understand.
10. Design for your targeted audiences, ask for feedback before you finalize your web design with your users.
Good looking or bad looking design can be subjective however, a user friendly web design can never be disputed. It can be tested if a web site is user friendly or not.
