I’ve been designing web sites for small businesses and work at home moms for nearly 5 years, during that time I’ve seen a lot of bad web site designs. I created a list of my own Do’s and Don’t s when it comes to web design. This is not a complete list, but one that I try to follow when I’m creating sites for clients. If you’re unsure about how to go about creating an effective web site, read on to get some ideas about what can make or break your web site.

Don’t: Use FrontPage or other WSYING editors, or graphical editors. These editors usually create messy HTML code that is not as easily read by all web browsers. They are also more likely to create both visible errors and other errors that may prevent your visitors from navigating your site effectively.
Do: Use clean HTML and CSS to design in a way that is W3C compatible. Using clean coding ensures that your site is usable by more users and accessible by those with disabilities as well. Dreamweaver or hand coding are your best options. Clean coding techniques also promote great SEO results!

Don’t: Over do your design! Too many colors, fonts or flashy graphics may turn off your visitors. Not only will it be harder for your visitors to understand the purpose of your website, it may be hard to load for those on slower internet connections.
Do: Keep it simple! Pick a color palette and stick to it. Work adequate white space into your design and use the “Z” approach in your design to make sure you are directing your visitors correctly. White space is the negative or blank space between elements. The Z approach refers to the path your eyes naturally follow when looking at a site. They scan across the top and then diagonally to the bottom left and across the bottom of the screen.

Don’t: Use confusing navigation. Navigation that changes from page to page or is not clear at first glance will only confuse visitors and make them look elsewhere for the products or information they are looking for.
Do: Keep your navigation consistent throughout your site. Every page should be accessible from each page. You do not want your visitors to have to make more than 3 clicks from your home page to find what they are looking for. Chances are, if they have to click around, they are going to click away from your site to one that is better organized.

Don’t: Forget about SEO, Search Engine Optimization. Poor SEO will make your web site hard to find and could ultimately hurt your site.
Do: Work SEO into the design process right from the start! Provide lots of space for text and great navigation. Use your keywords and link with them when you can. Provide alt tags for all graphical content and don’t forget your meta information.

Don’t: Put advertisements on your business web site or construct your web site to look like a giant advertisement. If you use a lot of Google advertising or advertising your visitors may get the wrong idea about your web site, not to mention they may follow one of your advertisements away from your site causing you a sale! Don’t over do the link exchanges either. (this does not apply to informational blogs)
Do: Keep any advertisements to a minimum and only when appropriate or necessary. If you have to link to another business site make sure to use affiliate links so you can get credit for anything the visitor purchases there, make advertisements worth it. If possible, contain these to their own section or page. When designing your site make sure it doesn’t look like a newsletter or just one big advertisement or your visitors may not take you seriously. Link exchanges sound like a good idea but may hurt you in the long run if your site turns into a big link directory to other sites.

Don’t: Open your own web site pages in new windows. Don’t use all kinds of pop-up windows either.
Do: Remember to keep your site flowing as smoothly as possible. Don’t make your visitors toggle through windows to find content. Only open new windows if the visitor is leaving your site.

Don’t: Use an Enter page, also known as a Splash page. The use of a Enter page adds yet another click your visitor has to make to get to your products. With little textual content on Enter pages they are also not very ideal for SEO.
Do: Create a well organized home page that clearly states the purpose of your site, the products you offer and with clear navigation to other areas of your site.

Don’t: Use clip art, graphics or photos that you do not have permission to use. Graphics on sites that offer digital scrap booking look enticing, but using such graphics may cause legal issues for you or your web design clients. Also don’t use product pictures from other sites to represent your own products.
Do: Create your own graphics or buy the rights for the use of graphics on your commercial site. Many product manufacturers offer stock photos for their product for web sellers to use, just ask!

July 12th 2009