There are ground rules that should be followed when developing a website. The following are a few basic tips that are easy to understand and do not require a lot of technical skills or expertise to execute.
Always develop a user-friendly navigational system. Be sure that your navigational system follows these guidelines:
Follow these Guidelines
- Your navigational system should be placed in the same place on every page. For example, you have a vertical navigational system; keep it the same throughout the site and page. The home page should be the only page on your site where the menu is placed differently.
- A navigational system should be simple and easy to use. Avoid designing a navigational system with animation and Flash. You can design your graphics for your navigational system that are meaningful and make the menu more user-friendly.
- When your website is visited, the text links will be in either of the three states, i.e., current, active, and visited. Use appropriate web color conventions for text links.
- Current is the state a link is in the first time your site is visited. Pick an appropriate web color that blends with the rest of your site design.
- Active refers to the state a link is in immediately after it is clicked by a visitor. A bright color will be a good choice to signify that the action is performed. Many websites also use what is referred to as a mouseover effect, which means that when a visitor places their mouse over a link on your site, it changes color. This active color is often chosen for the mouseover effect.
- Visited refers to a link that has already been visited. You can use a dull color to indicate that a link has already been visited.
- The link to the home page should be easily accessible on every page of your website.
- Don’t rely too heavily on JavaScript – If you plan to use JavaScript to control essential areas of your Web site, make sure your backup plan includes an alternative way for all visitors to access these areas. Use of CSS (Cascading Style Sheet will make it faster and more dynamic.
- Developing a Professional Online Presence –Since your home page is probably the first page the visitors will see, it is vital to design a professional home page and carry this design theme throughout your website. Have an introductory section that tells the visitor about the site and its benefits.
- Make the first fold of your home page as attractive as possible. If you are developing a community website, make home homepage dynamic.
- Using graphics throughout your Web design can create interest and draw visitors into your website.
- Choose user-friendly colors and fonts.