Web Design Tips We Use to Create Successful Websites

• Design a clean, simple logo.
• Use it and/or a metaphor throughout the site.
• Avoid forcing users to scroll, when possible.
• Put important information and links "above the fold."
• Use text for text, and graphics for graphics
• Minimize the screen height of your graphics and layout.
• Maximize the screen width of your layout or use WIDTH=100%.
• Carefully crop, optimize, minimize the number and bit depth of all graphics.
• Optimize HTML for speed (front page should download in less than 8 seconds on 56K modem.)
• Create a scalable site structure—create directories vs .html files.
• Think carefully about your site's organization. Design hierarchically for expansion.
• Use consistent, transparent navigation (toolbars top and bottom.)
• Use a database or consistent and streamlined site-wide templates, server-side includes, and cascading style sheets for easy updates.
• Automate as much as possible (site updates w/ RSS, DB, column creation and posting, newsletter creation, etc.)
• Use short, descriptive labels and titles.
• Put important keywords at the beginning of headlines, titles, and headers.
• Links: Don't change the default link, colors, and underline. User's expect underlined blue and purple links.
• Group site areas logically, preferably in groups of 5-7 items.
• Use white space where possible.
• Test on multiple platforms and browsers.
• Use HEIGHT and WIDTH for images to speed display.
• Use ALT text for images.
• For major changes, use a test page. Don't play with the live page.
• Add new technologies and features only if they are useful.
• Don't just link...create original content.
• Experiment, invite feedback, and have fun.
• JavaScript: Test and retest for bugs.
• Place-load JavaScripts at the end of the page, for maximum page display speed.
• Avoid scrolling text and other frivolous stuff that distracts users from your content.