More Web Site Design Mistakes
A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Frances Rhea
Web Site Design That Turns Visitors Away
There are lots of ways to make a great web site design. There are just as many mistakes that new designers make that can cause your visitors to leave as quickly as they arrived. Take a look at some of these problems.
Background Music
Music files take time to download. Most visitors will not wait. If you want to include music with your web site design, code it as an option that can be turned on and off.
If you want your visitor to hear some piece of music (like your band's latest hit or an interview sound clip), create an MP3 and then create a link for it.
Keep Your Structure Consistent
If you get bored with your web site design, do not create a different design for part of your web site. Visitors like things consistent so keep it that way.
Automatic Pop-up Windows
Pop-up windows are used to present ads. These annoy visitors who usually will have a pop-up blocker installed anyway. They will hardly ever be seen!
Use Standard Web Site Design Styles
Navigation links in a circle, or a 3d cube that rotates to find the links only confuse people. Use a left side and top navigation.
Resizing a Browser Window
If your web site design is for a particular screen size, do not use JavaScript to resize the users window. If your web site design requires such precise window sizing, change your style!
Design for 800x600 Resolution
Even though many computers can display higher resolutions the average visitor can display only a maximum of 800 x 600. This makes your visitor scroll to see the page properly.
Vertical scrolling is okay, as long as the pages are fairly short. Having to scroll from side to side is really annoying.
Create a Custom 404 Page
A 404 page is a plain html page. A good 404 error page will look like the rest of your web site. A 404 page should include a link to your ‘home' page and/or a site map.
Web Site Design Site Map
A site map is a web page with text links to your other pages organized in categories. These can be helpful for finding information on your site.
Avoid Centering Everything
Centered text is hard to read. When in doubt, think about how it is done in print. You can center major titles but do not center everything.
Don't Rely on Javascript for Your Web Site Design
About 10% of people on the Internet do not have JavaScript enabled due to security issues. If you use JavaScript for key features of your web site such as drop-down menus for navigation, most visitors will not be able to see it.
If you use a JavaScript menu system provide your visitors with an alternative. If you have simple text links at the top or bottom of your pages, or link to a site map, visitors can still navigate all of your web site with ease.
