Helpful Web Design Tips For Anyone To Use
Do you want to live free and make your own hours while making good money right at home? This is everyone's dream yet few actually accomplish this, you can do this if you get into web design. The advice in this softwarecenter article can assist you towards becoming a great designer of websites.
Avoid using so-called "mystery meat navigation". This involves using unlabeled images or other elements for the site's navigation. In many cases, the visitor has to mouse over the buttons to even see what they do. Navigation is best kept simple. Use text links across the top or along the left side of the page.
Ensure that your website can pass the NoScript test. See if the website is readable. When your site is just a blank page, you have a problem.
Pay attention to the colors on your website to make sure they match. You have to be certain that your text will be readable on top of the background colors you use. In general, a light background with darker text is much clearer than the reverse situation. Ask someone to look at your color schemes to make sure you are choosing something harmonious.
Avoid using frames. Most sites have abandoned frames on their own as better alternatives have become available, but there are still sites out there that are trapped in 1996. Alternatives to navigational frames include fixed-position navigation panels, having navigation in multiple areas (e.g. left and bottom) or simplifying page structure so that navigational links are never far away.
Check your pages for broken links. Few things are as frustrating as clicking a link only to land on an error page. You can either check links manually, or use a program that will scan the website for you to report links that are broken.
Always mark files that must be opened in an external program with an icon. Many sites host PDF files, and less commonly, DOC files, that must be opened in Foxit Reader and Microsoft Word/OpenOffice, respectively. These files should be marked with an icon representing the file type, and a link to download the appropriate viewer if the user does not have it.
Make sure that every action can be cancelled if needed. For example, put a "clear" button on a form, an unsubscribe link on all newsletters and a "cancel" button on orders. Not allowing customers to cancel actions that they do not want to follow through with is unfair, and it is forceful, which may prevent those visitors from returning to your site or making purchases from you in the future.
Don't overuse JavaScript. JavaScript is highly overrated because it can cause issues for some users. Each web browser is different, and each has a new version on a regular basis. Some visitors will have older versions of their browser, which doesn't support the latest JavaScript. Also, many people do not enable JavaScript in web browsers. If they aren't using either or these options, then they will not be able to view your site.
Be sure your website works both with and without the "www" prefix. Some people will type this in before they head to your site as a force of habit, and some may not. You should make sure that customers will be directed to your site either way, or you may have some confused people on your hands.
Looking back on all that you learned about web design software can seem a bit overwhelming. If you're feeling like this then you might want to reread these tips in this article so that you you can retain the knowledge you gained today, because all that you gained means nothing if you can't remember and apply it.
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