Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Looking online for web design tips can be tough and unsuccessful. Much content is out there, but some of it is useless. Use the professional ideas and tips provided here, and you'll be glad you did.



When you design a web page, always choose the graphics that are appropriate for your purposes. Keep in mind that bitmap files are quite large and typically do not work well, but PNGs work okay. Use a GIF instead if the image contains over 256 colors and PNG for test buttons and screen shots. JPEG images can be used for photos.



Don't use splash pages for your site unless required by law, and especially don't use a Flash intro. Most people just want to get to your content as quickly as possible, and don't care to look at useless splash pages. If you have some amusing content that you absolutely want visitors to see, integrate it into the homepage instead.



Learn web design shortcuts and make good use of them. There are many shortcuts that can be used when designing your website. Learn as much as you can about shortcuts. There are lots of HTML codes that can help you make changes quickly without going through the upload process.



If you want to build an excellent website, give Adobe Dreamweaver a try. Even novices can understand this program quickly. With this program, many features can be added, several layouts and templates can be made, and sites can be tested before being loaded on permanent servers.



Use images wisely. Bitmap images do not tend to fare well for internet use, and some GIFs do not work well with lots of color. Image size is important as well, as larger images may make your viewers have to wait for them to download. Choose smaller images, and use them sparingly to make your site more manageable.



Every page of your website should have a way to return to the main page, or "home." This ensures that when users navigate deeper into your site, they always have a way to start over if they lose place of what got them to the page they are on currently.



When you design your website, remember that you do have have to fill up every bit of space. Using every pixel available to you can make the website feel overwhelming or cluttered. Try to create a good amount of space within your site's content, this allows your visitors to clearly see the page and give them a much better viewing experience. Even empty space in some areas serves just as good a purpose as content.



Avoid frames at all costs. Just don't use them. While they can make it simple for your menu or header to appear all throughout your site, the address bar won't change on each page. This can make it impossible for your visitors to link to any specific page on your site.



Do not use pop-ups on your site. PPC ads are often necessary, but pop-up ads just tick visitors off. People will refrain from visiting your site if this occurs. Simplicity is key when it comes to ads. You do not have to rely on pop-ups.



Begin by creating smaller websites that allow you to gauge your strengths and weaknesses, and how to improve upon both. Create the basic pages of a website, such as Contact Us and About Us, and add items as you go along.



Even if you know how to design sites for the web you still have much to learn. Everyone today is using mobile devices so this means that there is a higher demand for making sites mobile compatible. Start learning how to build mobile sites so that you're knowledgable of how to build various types of websites.



Even if you know how to design sites for the web you still have much to learn. Everyone today is using mobile devices so this means that there is a higher demand for making sites mobile compatible. Start learning how to build mobile sites so that you're knowledgable of how to build various types of websites.



Even if you know how to design sites for the web you still have much to learn. Everyone today is using mobile devices so this means that there is a higher demand for making sites mobile compatible. Start learning how to build mobile sites so that you're knowledgable of how to build various types of websites.



So now that you have a better idea of what to do when it comes to web design you should start to feel a little more confident in the subject. Web design is just like anything else, the more you learn the easier and less overwhelming the subject seems to become. Apply all that you learned today and success should follow.