Best Web Design

Eight features of good Web design
What makes a good Web site? Below are eight features to consider when developing a new or revamped company Web site:

1. Simple layout. Don’t force your clients to search for content – make it obvious! Simple, clean, straightforward. Their time is important too – if they can’t find what they’re looking for within seconds of visiting your site, they’re going to leave.

2. Content, content, content! Your Web designer should make the SITE look good, not make the Web designer look good! Another of my favorites is, “just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD!” See again #1 – make it easy for your clients to find the information they want. Communicate your message – don’t decorate it.

3. 3D, Flash, effects, etc. Use sparingly. Again, refer to “just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD!” There must be a reason for effects – and “I want to show off my skills” is not a good reason – unless the site is a resume site, then all bets are off!

4. Central orientation. Today’s content is most often found at the center of the screen – left-aligned layouts are not nearly as common as they used to be. Center-aligned sites look more balanced and clean.

5. Neutral backgrounds. Light background, dark text. Black text on a light background is easiest for the eye to read. Whatever colors you pick, make sure the content is clearly legible. Remember – not everyone coming to your site has great eyesight. Keep those of us with reading glasses in mind when you design!

6. Color. Use it sparingly to highlight important content. And not EVERYTHING is important!

7. All-caps. STOP over-using them. People can’t easily read paragraphs of all-cap text – which is exactly why books and newspapers are not published in all caps.

8. Whitespace is a good thing. Use it. You eyes don’t read cluttered content. They need some clean whitespace to identify what is going on.