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Website Design Fundamentals by James Wallace Ok, sure, we've all seen the "cool" sites with lots of animation, Flash! sound effects, and really neat Java effects. And we were probably impressed. But the truth is these things are not what good site design is all about. While graphics and multi-media effects can get you noticed if used appropriately, your web site will be far more effective if you concentrate on the fundamentals of good web design. 1. Get to the point! Don't spend 23 paragraphs rambling about your company's philosophy and how many years you've been in business, etc. and finally at the bottom of the page tell visitors what you're selling. Put all pertinent information including links, contact information, description of your product or service, and how to order in the first screen of your home page. 2. Grab attention! No, I don't mean by glib catch phrases and hype, but in a creative way get the attention of site visitors. You have 7 to 10 seconds to get the attention of a web surfer or you've lost the sale. 3. Intuitive navigation is a must. Don't be fooled by all the sites out there with complicated nav. menus. It's a sure bet those sites are not going to attract customers in the long run. Remember the purpose of navigation is to enable your customers to get around your site and find what they're looking for. 4. Put your best selling product on your home page. Even if you have a products page for this purpose, statistics show that net surfers are more likely to buy something located on the home page of a website than an item of equal value placed on a separate page. But be careful, put too many products on your home page and the potential customer may leave without purchasing anything! These are just a few of the fundamentals of good web design. There are many other factors to consider, such as writing good copy, optimizing graphics, feedback forms, whether to use a shopping cart, etc. Unless you're prepared to devote hours of your time on an ongoing basis to studying web design and creating and maintaining your website, you may be better off trusting a professional. James Wallace |
