Best Criteria for Optimal Web Design

A good website should offer its visitors easy navigation, interesting content, and a logical flow. Here are a few tips for building professional looking websites.

1. Deciding on the Website Structure: First, main sections of the website need to be outlined. The home page should be concise and explanatory to the visitors. The main page or home page should portray the purpose of the website and it should not be overwhelming. The website should be organized with consistency in color and text.

2. Content is King: The content of the website should be relevant and well prepared. Enticing information should be highlighted to draw in the visitor's attention. This tactic will attract the visitor and hopefully keep her coming back to the site again and again. Also use professional and readable fonts. Bulleted lists can also be used to present content in a very straightforward and easy-to-read manner.

3. Color Scheme: Select two or three colors and stick to them. Do not change colors on every page or use background colors that make reading harder. For instance, bright yellow or obnoxious patterns will detract from the content of the website if the visitor has to strain to read the information. Some of the common color schemes are:

• Red, grey and white
• Red, yellow, and white
• Blue, orange, and white
• Blue and white
• Grey, yellow, and white

4. Templates: One option for designing a website is choosing a template. There are many pre-set designs or templates that come as part of website design software such as FrontPage. Also, there are many websites on the Internet that specialize in template designs.

5. Easy Navigation: While designing the website, navigation should be given top priority. Visitors to the website should be able to access information and navigate from page to page easily. Most of the websites place their navigation bar at the top or on the left of the page, this format allows for simple navigation. The navigation system should be consistent throughout the website. Also, it helps if all hyperlinked text is consistent in color to differentiate from the non-hyperlinked text.

6. Use Radio Buttons: Dropdown menus are time consuming for the visitors, also sometimes users may select a wrong item in the menu. If the total item options are less than ten bullets then go for radio buttons. But for listing several items, such as every nation in the world, dropdown menus are the best option.

7. Keep the Site Simple: The home page should contain only 350 to 550 words without any scrolling. The presentation of the home page should be neat and simple. Don’t use long, lengthy blocks of text, break it up with subheadings. Use fluid layouts for the pages in the website, as these pages look good on most of browsers.

8. No Animation or Flashing Objects: Animation objects, graphics, and flashing objects distract the visitors and take away from the content of the site. Use graphics only if it is really necessary as animations and graphics take time to load. If the website loading time is greater, the visitors may lose interest and leave the site.

9. Use White Space: Never fill every inch of a page with content or graphics, it can be incredibly overwhelming to the visitor. Allowing blank space enables the visitor to focus on the important deatures of the page.

10."About" and "Privacy" Pages:Including an "About the Site" page is very important to clueing the visitor in on the main purposes and goals of the website. It's important to include contact information on this portion of the site so that visitors may contact you with comments or questions. Visitor feedback is a great way to improve a website. A "Privacy" page helps visitors to understand the policy and privacy guidelines of the website.

11. Avoid “Click Here”: "Click here" is not necessary for the links and users know to click by the hyperlinked color. For example, a link to information about cameras titled "camera" looks more professional and self-explanatory than "click here."

12. Understandable Labeling: The links and buttons should have understandable titles. Never use misleading or confusing titles. For example, a link to sports equipment should be linked as "sport equipment" and not as "outdoor games."

13. Check for Broken Links: Before uploading the site in the web server, the broken links need to be checked. This can be done with the help of Dreamweaver. Another option is after uploading the site, check it with online tools such as Net Mechanic.

14. Site Map: A site map is really important for professional websites. This will act as a guide to the visitor on surfing the site and also removes any confusion in where to find specific information. A site map is just like a road map and allows a visitor to see all of the features your website offers. A search feature is a must in larger websites, as it helps visitors to get the information they are looking for easily.

15. Cross Browser Compatibility: Check cross browser compatibility of the website with browsers like Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla, and Netscape Navigator, as they constitute most of the world’s browsers.

For further information on web design:

•  Website Designing Guide: This site provides information on writing and design tips including special web style, a writing guide, etc.
• Tips for Making Accessible Websites: This site provides good information on increasing the awareness of accessibility issues in website design and tips for making a better website.
• Optimal Web Design: This site offers ideas for optimal and user-friendly web design.
• Tips for Website Design: This website gives basic and important tips on designing a website. This site explains how simple changes can bring about a huge difference in the look of a page.
• Website Designing: This site gives easy ideas on improving the look of a website and quick tips fora successful website whether you own your own domain or use a web hosting site.