The first thing your visitors notice will be the design of your website. A bad first impression can mean visitors just hit “back” right away, so you have to design your site correctly the first time. The following advice will help you to get people to want to stay on your site.
Does your site pass the NoScript test? You want to activate NoScript after downloading the extension on Firefox so that you can read your site. You will need to do this to ensure the functionality of your site.
Include an easy way for visitors to search your site content. A search box is essential. If you don’t have a search box, they’ll just go to the next site. The ideal placement is the upper right hand corner of your page.
Avoid using a lot of graphics. Having graphics are good for anyone who wants an attractive and professional site, but an abundance of them makes your page look cluttered. Don’t use graphics as a decoration for your site; they should be used to make it look professional. Your site will be easier to navigate too if you keep the graphic clutter to a minimum.
Be aware of your background. Many sites make use of background images in the animated GIF format. Sometimes this provides an excellent effect; at other times it can make the text of your page illegible. Pick a background that meshes with your site, not against it, and your viewers will have a much easier time understanding what you want to say.
Ensure that you’re including a method of receiving feedback from your site’s visitors. This way, if something is missing or they don’t understand how to use your page, you can fix it accordingly. One way to make sure that visitors re-visit you site is to give them a feeling of involvement.
White is perhaps the best option for background color. White backgrounds not only make the text easy to read, but also make your site appear more professional, as white is the standard background color for corporate sites. Complicated background designs on the other hand can be distracting, and can make your website feel less professional. Backgrounds should be simple and subtle.
People tend to notice site designs almost immediately, which can decide whether they leave or stay. Therefore, first impressions are as important online as in face-to-face communication. The tips provided here should help you deliver the type of web design that engages and keeps visitors.