With the explosion of the Internet, web design has become fundamental to a company’s online business strategy. With e-businesses competing for the attention of the hundreds of thousands of web users out there, having a top-notch site is a must. The site will be people’s first impression of the company, so it not only has to draw them in, it also must hold their attention. Let’s look at the top ten things that designers must keep in mind when they are creating new websites.

#1  Make It User-Friendly

This is number one because it is the most important. The site must be designed so that it is easy to use, so that it actually helps the user succeed. If things are difficult or confusing, users will turn away. They have too many options to fight through a confusing site.

#2 Not Make It Polarizing

Do not make the site too unique. You want it to stand out, but making it so that some people hate it and some people love it is a good way to drive off half of your prospective clients.

#3 Use Simple Text

Fancy texts are hard to read, especially on a screen. They also make the site look like it was designed by an amateur. Use the basic, traditional font styles. They are traditional for a reason.

#4 Use Colors, But Not Many

You cannot ignore colors or your site will not look up-to-date, but do not use too many. Pick a color scheme of three or four different colors and try to stick to it at all times. Use other, bright colors only for the purpose of occasional highlighting.

#5 Provide Information

People often give up when they cannot find the information that they want on your website. They rarely call to ask questions. Provide everything that they could ever be looking to find. If you really want to draw them in, you must give them the things that they are looking for.

#6 Reduce Work For The User

Make the site simple. Make it easy to find the links and easy to navigate between pages. Remember that it has to be easy for a person who did not design the site, who does not know it inside and out.

#7 Remember That People Do Not Read Traditionally Online

Instead of reading across, they scan all over the page for the keywords that they want. Place related information in places where they will see it.

#8 Cater To All Internet Speeds

Using too many pictures and videos means that users with slow connections will be alienated. You can use some of these, but do not use too many.

#9 Not Overdo The Technology

Just because you can make flashing graphics and hundreds of animated GIFs does not mean that you should. Keep these things to a minimum or the site will look cluttered and chaotic.

#10 Use Short Blocks Of Text

People do not want to read whole pages of information. If they did, they would read books. Try not to put up blocks of text that contain much more than one hundred or one hundred and fifty words.

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