5 Rules of Thumb in Website Graphic Design

By John Neyman, Jr.

When it comes to your website, extra attention should be paid to every minute detail to make sure it performs optimally to serve its purpose. Here are seven important rules of thumb to observe to make sure your website performs well.

1) Do not use splash pages

Splash pages are useless. These pages are the very first thing that you see when you enter a website. They have flashy images or words that try to draw you in, but in reality all they do are attract attention. In the grand scheme of things they have no value what-so-ever, so just ignore them and do not use them. They will send possible clients away, and in a business, that is that last thing you want!

2) Do not use excessive banner advertisements

Even the least knowledgeable people have trained themselves to block out banner ads, so do not waste your time or internet real estate! Rather, fill up that space with content and possible links to go with the content, instead of useless advertising. Make your customers feel welcome, not forced in!

3) Have a simple and clear navigation

Always give people a short and narrow path around your website. Make it look good, but do not add all of the complicated dropdown menus or flashy fake links. Just give them the upfront so that no matter who comes along, they can easily get your product with no hassle. Make your website easy to use.

4) Have a clear indication of where the user is

When visitors are deeply engrossed in browsing your site, you will want to make sure they know which part of the site they are in at that moment. That way, they will be able to browse relevant information or navigate to any section of the site easily. Don't confuse your visitors because confusion means "abandon ship"!

5) Avoid using audio on your site

If your visitor is going to stay a long time at your site, reading your content, you will want to make sure they're not annoyed by some audio looping on and on on your website. If you insist on adding audio, make sure they have some control over it -- volume or muting controls would work fine. - 32522

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