With the wide reach that the Internet enjoys today, only a fool and his business are not represented on the World Wide Web. Running a website offers the opportunity to establish a global presence, the chance to conduct business and/or advertise to the far corners of the globe without having to leave the comfort of your office or home at a fraction of the cost that it would take to travel the world. But when we stop to analyze why some web companies are raking in the dough while others are struggling to make ends meet, we find that it all begins and ends with the way their site is designed. Of course, the quality of products and services offered does matter, but those aspects come into play only when the first hurdle of navigating the website is crossed successfully – which is why it pays to pay attention to the design of your site so that customers are tempted to stay longer rather than leave even before they’ve had a chance to take in the sights and experiences you’re offering. Here’s a mixture that throws up the perfect website:
Ease of Navigation: In this day and age of speed, no one likes to be taken on a roundabout route when there are shortcuts that work just as well. Your site must be easy to navigate, both for the experienced web user and the first time visitor alike.
Speed: If you’re planning to wow your visitors with a whole lot of graphical fireworks, think again. While the visual razzle-dazzle may generate some appreciation, the extra bells and whistles only serve to slow down your site’s loading time. Impatient visitors do have a host of similar options that they would rather try out rather than wait with bated breath for your site to load.
Visual Design: Go with neutral colors and print that’s easy on the eye rather than opt for fanciful shades and stylish calligraphy that are hard to decipher. The accent must be on user readability and not on imposing your whims and fancies.
Functionality: This one’s a no-brainer; you’re establishing an online presence to further your business goals, not to just while away your time. So spend less time and space on useless prattle and get down to business in as few pages as you can. Make sure your site name is relevant to the contents you offer.
Maximum Uptime: This one’s the responsibility of your web host, so make sure to choose one that’s reliable and has adequate redundancy to prevent downtime due to power outages and loss of connectivity.
Minimal Intrusions: While ads are well and good for generating you an extra income, remember that the more pop ups and ads your site generates, the less favor it’s bound to find with visitors. And with the proliferation of pop-up blockers these days, it’s no use putting these into your design in the first place.
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This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of best web design colleges. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.
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My company is evaluating a new technology called i-Vo. I was wondering what you and your readers would think. I’ve been a concerned as it is an intrusive technology, but with a personal message for visitors. You can check out an example at http://www.ivoweb.com. Please let me know what you think.
Comment by Jon — September 23, 2008 @ 5:41 pm