When it comes to your website design, extra attention should be paid to every detail to make sure the design achieves its purpose. Here are a few rules of thumb to make sure your website performs well.
1) Avoid the use of splash pages
Some website use a 'splash page' as an introduction to the main site. While the splash page may be very attractive, it wastes the readers time and they are likely to click the exit button immediately.
2) Banner advertisements can be distracting
The decision to seek more information about a topic should be the reader's. You can help them make the 'right' decision by placing strategically worded links in the body of your articles.
3) Your menu system should be easy to use
Make it easy for your visitors to move from page to page on your site. Do not use complicated or hard to understand menu systems. Readers have little patience if they get lost and will quickly leave your site.
4) Make it clear where the reader is on your site
It is easy to get lost on any website unless there are sign posts to guide one along the way. Make sure your guests know which part of your site they are in on every page. Don't let them get lost or confused because confusion means "abandon ship"!
5) Audio and video should be used cautiously
Use sound carefully. Tastes vary, and you need to make sure not to annoy your potential customers with unwanted audio. If you believe audio will improve your site by all means use it but provide some easy to find control over it -- volume or muting controls. Nothing makes me hit the exit button faster than sound blasting at me when a page loads! Videos usually have to be started by the viewer. You may want to use the same technique with sound.
1) Avoid the use of splash pages
Some website use a 'splash page' as an introduction to the main site. While the splash page may be very attractive, it wastes the readers time and they are likely to click the exit button immediately.
2) Banner advertisements can be distracting
The decision to seek more information about a topic should be the reader's. You can help them make the 'right' decision by placing strategically worded links in the body of your articles.
3) Your menu system should be easy to use
Make it easy for your visitors to move from page to page on your site. Do not use complicated or hard to understand menu systems. Readers have little patience if they get lost and will quickly leave your site.
4) Make it clear where the reader is on your site
It is easy to get lost on any website unless there are sign posts to guide one along the way. Make sure your guests know which part of your site they are in on every page. Don't let them get lost or confused because confusion means "abandon ship"!
5) Audio and video should be used cautiously
Use sound carefully. Tastes vary, and you need to make sure not to annoy your potential customers with unwanted audio. If you believe audio will improve your site by all means use it but provide some easy to find control over it -- volume or muting controls. Nothing makes me hit the exit button faster than sound blasting at me when a page loads! Videos usually have to be started by the viewer. You may want to use the same technique with sound.
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