Website Design Tips and Strategies

Rule Number One is that there are no rules. No absolute ones, that is. When it comes to website design, one size does not fit all.

If there was a rule that applied to almost every website, it would be this one. Website visitors don't care about fancy graphics. Well, that's true in most cases.

But what if you're a fashion designer? Or what if you publish an online art gallery? Chances are, without at least a few "fancy graphics", your website design options are going to be rather limited.

In life as in website design, if you try to please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no one. Well, maybe there is a rule after all.

The design of your website is an element of your marketing.

When your visitors arrive, the look and feel of your website will, hopefully, make them feel as if they've come to the right place. The dreaded alternative is that they'll take one look and hit the "Back" button on their browser.

There's a lot more to website design than color, but it can determine whether a visitor stays, or leaves and never returns.

Thanks to the wonders of HTML, we are free to use literally millions of colors. But let's don't! Nothing says "Keep Out-This Means You" like bright yellow text on an equally bright blue background. Short of cancelling your domain name, there is not a more effective method of eliminating your website traffic.

On the other end of the spectrum are the websites that have as much pizazz as a typewritten letter. You mean I traveled all the way to cyberspace for this?

The old saying "You can't judge a book by its cover" is true. Unfortunately, many people do.

Your website might contain valuable information and fascinating insight. If it looks like it was put together in five minutes, though, some of your visitors won't stay around long enough to find out.

The basics of HTML are truly not that difficult. You don't have to master every complexity of HTML code in order to create a structured, visually pleasing website. A visitor-friendly website will also make the search for content as easy as possible.

When your visitor arrives, they should be able to easily navigate your site.

Pull them into your website; don't expect them to push. Your home page shouldn't be a teaser or an ad for your website. It should be a true index of your site.

That doesn't mean that all of your content has to be accessed with one click. If they don't see what they're searching for at least referenced on the home page, though, many visitors will be off to another site.

Even the largest site can be structured so that visitors can locate the content they seek with a maximum of three clicks.

Nancy Richardson
CreateYourMarket.com publisher

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Quick Tips:

Enclose a business card promoting your website with each piece of outgoing mail.

Ask customers who frequently do business with you for a testimonial.

Promote your website URL offline on everything from bumper stickers to your answering machine message.

Want to reach the highest percentage of your target market?

Advertise in specialty publications including newspaper supplements devoted to a specific topic.

Marketing is crucial, but it doesn't always have to be serious.

Some of the most effective advertising campaigns rely on humor. Don't be afraid to make your customers laugh!

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