As a webmaster, you want to keep your visitors content so they'll come back again. Below you will find ten common mistakes made by webmasters that may deter people from returning.
1) Poor Color Choice
There's one important thing to keep in mind when designing your web site, and that is always keep it simple. More is not necessarily better. Your web site should contain no more than three colors. Also remember that your body text should be a contrasting color from your background. There's nothing worse than trying to read yellow text on a pink background. It may look cool to you, but cause your visitors to go cross-eyed.
2) Confusing Navigation
If your visitors cannot find their way around your web site, they'll leave...plain and simple. Your navigation should be logical and consistent on every page. Studies have also shown that web surfers prefer the standard left or right side navigation over other layouts.
3) Inconsistent Font Face and Size
Just like your navigation, you'll want your font style and size to be consistent. If your home page text is in Arial font, size 10, make sure the rest of your pages adhere to the same font style and size. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and you may need to use a smaller font for disclaimers, terms and conditions, etc. However, in most cases, you should use the same style on every page.
4) Long Paragraphs
This is a common mistake made by many webmasters.
To make your web pages easy to read, remember to break up your paragraphs often and use subtitles. Most people will skim when trying to find what they're looking for so when your paragraphs are small and separated by logical headings, it will make it much easier on your visitor's eyes.
5) Misplaced or Lack of Contact Info
Don't make people search for contact information...especially if you're selling goods and services. Always have your contact information visible on every page of your web site. Hidden contact information looks fishy and makes people leery of doing business with you.
6) Long Page Loads
If your web site does not fully load within 10 seconds, your HTML files are too large. Check your graphics. Are you using too many? Do they need to be resized? Make sure your multi-color graphics (photos) are saved in JPEG format and use GIF files for solid colors and poster art. Also remember to use table height and width tags in your HTML code because your text will load before the images. Animated graphics also slow the page loading time tremendously.
7) No Meta Tag Info
Meta tags are HTML code invisible to the human eye but read by many of the search engines. While these don't have as much of an impact as they used to, many search engines still rely on this information when displaying your site in the search results.
8) Use of Frames
Frames can become somewhat of a burden. Many search engines do not list pages with frames, they don't allow visitors to bookmark certain pages, and they can cause printing problems.
9) Scrolling Text
The marquee tag is a cool feature, but many overuse it. Although the idea of scrolling text may seem appealing, remember that not everyone will find this idea entertaining. If you do decide to use it, make sure you clearly evaluate whether or not it is adding value or enhancing your page. There are some instances where this feature works, but there are many where it doesn't. Use it very sparingly.
If you have a sentence or two that you feel is very important to your readers, don't make them wait eons for the message to scroll across your screen -- just use plain text and save the scrolling text for the less significant messages or perhaps sub-titles.
10) Wrong Resolution
The average web surfer surfs with their PC screen set to an 800 x 600 resolution. If you create your web pages to fit a 1024 x 768 resolution or higher, keep in mind many people will have to scroll left and right to see your entire page. I don't know about you, but I find that quite annoying.
If you want your web page to be displayed correctly in all resolutions, create your web pages with tables and use percentages to define your table widths instead of actual pixel values. For example, if the table width is set to 100% instead of "800" then it will take up 100% of the screen no matter what the PC resolution is set to.
About The Author
Lisa Irby is the author of 2 Create a Web Site -- a site that encourages you to plan accordingly and GET THE FACTS before diving into the web site creation process.
http://www.2createawebsite.com
Villa Park executive chauffeured services .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareOver the course of the last decade, the Internet has... Read More
1. Assemble a web site development plan that is integrated... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More
If you'd like to create/maintain a website, having some HTML... Read More
Whenever singer John Mayer sings his romantic song, "Your Body... Read More
Then it was a choice among crayons, paints and palettes... Read More
An "include" file is a piece of code that can... Read More
My mother used to take me along when she visited... Read More
Here is a quick list of components that make a... Read More
You've got a concept for a business, are excited about... Read More
From my personal experience of around two year as home... Read More
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More
(1) Create a Direct Response Website, with the minimum number... Read More
Making a successful online business can be a long and... Read More
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
This article is the result of a conversation I had... Read More
Setting up a survey on your site is extremely simple... Read More
The "Wow" factor that accompanied the introduction of streaming media... Read More
Tips to brand your websiteInclude your logo in all pages.... Read More
One product, one long web page: this kind of web... Read More
Hire a designer or a programmer for your website is... Read More
Your web site should always adhere to standards!A professional web... Read More
There's no doubt about it - the first page your... Read More
If you are going to have a web presence for... Read More
limousine airport Itasca ..Design sells. It's something that all of us know, but... Read More
There are several graphic software packages available to help you... Read More
Since I made the switch 6 months ago to a... Read More
1. Assemble a web site development plan that is integrated... Read More
Creating an appealing, functional, and effective Web site is much... Read More
Why is the quality of your text layout and design... Read More
By following feng shui guidelines and techniques, you can build... Read More
Do you remember playing with the jack-in-the-box toy as a... Read More
Selling on the internet is a challenge. There is no... Read More
When it comes to marketing your website, you should really... Read More
Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More
Copyright 2005 Robert EvansSetting yourself up to earn a steady... Read More
One of the challenges of moving a web site up... Read More
You have probably viewed many Flash-based components while surfing the... Read More
For online businesses with their main goal of selling products,... Read More
On the internet we don't deal with face to face... Read More
Even if you're not an accomplished webmaster you can still... Read More
Many people today are tired of the Microsoft software that... Read More
Do you want to use unsafe web colors without offending... Read More
The time it takes to load your site can make... Read More
Not all links are created equal.While all of your links... Read More
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More
When a prospect lands on your website will he or... Read More
Have you heard of 'Babel Fish'?It's a service provided by... Read More
Everything you say and do says something about you. This... Read More
Web Design |