Avoid using frames. Most sites have abandoned frames on their own as better alternatives have become available, but there are still sites out there that are trapped in 1996. Alternatives to navigational frames include fixed-position navigation panels, having navigation in multiple areas (e.g. left and bottom) or simplifying page structure so that navigational links are never far away.
Be wary of web hosting companies who claim that they offer unlimited bandwidth to their customers. Usually there is something that is written in the small print that is far different than that. In many cases people end up having problems when it comes to fair use policies.
Include a link to the homepage on every page of your site. One of the best ways to do this is to make a graphic title for your page that can be included on all pages. Web users are used to clicking on a graphic to return home so there won't be a learning curve to navigating your site.
Always ensure you are giving meaningful feedback, as this is what creates the communication between a website and its visitors. For example, if an action taken by a visitor results in an error, do not simply display "error occurred."� Instead, provide a message that explains what happened and how the visitor can correct the error by taking a different action. Without this feedback, visitors are more likely to grow frustrated and just give up by leaving your website.
Always take outdated information and content off of your website. You will lose the attention and credibility of your readers if the promotional offer on your page expired months ago. Users want to spend their time on sites that are cared for, and leaving up old information shows a lack of attention to the site. Mark a calendar for when you will sit down and update your website, being careful to take off anything that is not current or relative anymore.
Organize your links and avoid putting too many links in one area of your site. Doing this can confuse visitors and make them leave your site. If you do have many low- to mid-importance links, emulate the "blogrolls" seen in many blogs and tuck them away in a column on the right side of the page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOfhmzNLWzY
Where you can, recycle certain pieces of your site like navigation bars and logos. Not only does this help with creating some sort of brand consistency to your website, it also helps speed up the page load times for your visitors. Web browsers will cache these pieces upon first load, making them quicker to reappear the next time they are found on a page.
Keep your user interface tools easy to use and consistent. Keep all underlined text clickable and allow for a change of color of links already clicked. Friendly, consistent sites keep visitors coming back for more.
Make certain that your website displays well at all screen resolutions. You can do this by utilizing percentages for the width and height of the elements on your webpage, as opposed to fixed pixel dimensions. In addition, a page that displays properly at a lower resolution, will generally work well at higher resolutions. Prior to making your website public, you should test it at various resolutions to ensure that all of your visitors will have a comfortable experience.
The overall success of your website is ultimately determined by it's appearance and functionality. A good design is integral to attracting consistent traffic to your site. But, shoddy design may prompt visitors to quickly depart from your site, never to return. If you want your website to be successful, try the tips you just read.
