What type of website is right for me?

Show and discuss different styles of web site

Your website may have great information, it runs ok and has top search engine rankings - but does the web design look good and reflect your businesses professional image?

The design of the website must be appealing and inviting to prospective customers.

Think of your website the same as you would your shop front or signage. If your shop front does not appeal it's unlikely you'll get any customers. It doesn't matter what you have inside because nobody will even get inside!

• The home page design needs to reflect your product or service in an attractive way.
  
• It must capture the attention and insure they browse deeper into the website.
  
• The design needs to reflect your company's service or product.
  
• The colours, layout and overall design should give the user a first impression that leads them further into the websites content.
  
• There should be clear page elements defined in the design that highlight the goal e.g.:
  - Product purchase
  - online subscription
  - request for information
  - making an enquiry
  
• The design of the web page is essential in making the end goal call-to-action prominent and clear.
  
• If your business is more corporate and serious like a law firm you probably would not want to use a hot pink design with floral background.
  
• If your business sells flowers and chocolates for weddings, a hot pink web design may be better suited.
  
• The design of a website is very important in generating business.
  

The content, the functionality and the sales pitch all go hand-in-hand with the web design and if the design does not compliment the others you'll find you won't get as many sales.

Design Considerations

• Create a lighter design.
  
• Do not overuse either JavaScript or Flash as they affect the major functionality
  
• don't make important information accessible only through a JavaScript on an image file or a Flash animation.
  
• Important text should be available as text and not images,
  
• Don't use colours that cause strain to the eyes.
  
• To generate repeat business make visitors' stay over as pleasant as possible.
  
• Choose colour combinations that do not challenge visitors or they will tire and stop coming.
  
• The background behind the text is best set far lighter than the text, and vice versa.
  
• Plan the navigation system. For a site with multiple pages include prominent navigation
  
• Don't let your navigation depend on images, JavaScripts, or Flash animation.
  
• Try to create a text-based navigation bar.
  
• Show and discuss different styles of web site
  
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allow the creation of excellent navigation bars.

Follow these basic web design principles and you will have a good website design.

Your site design should create a good user experience for visitors.
It is not there to indulge your design and artistic urges.