The Studio Source.com

I spend far too much time online. I do a ton of research, and I see a lot of websites. Some of them are inspiring, some are cringe-worthy. There are a number of problems I encounter frequently, so rather than rant about poor design, here’s a list of 15 tips.

1. The golden rule for website design: build for your user. It might be pretty, but if it’s hard to navigate your site, it’s not effective. Ask someone to test it thoroughly, preferably someone who isn’t tech savvy. You want to communicate your message quickly and clearly.
2. Consistent navigation. There’s a navigation menu at the top of the page. I click on a link and land on a page with no navigation menu. Or a link on the page to go back. Flaky.
3. Current content. Your site might be a simple calling card, but copyright 2004? Fix it. Is your News page sadly out of date? That tells me you’re not doing much. Update it or ditch it.
4. Finish before publishing. “Under construction” is not a confidence builder. If part of the site isn’t ready, add it later. There are countless pages with “coming soon” messages that sit idle for months. Or longer.
5. Watch design trends. There are way too many websites out there with a design sensibility that expired in 1996. If you have your own domain and want to do it yourself, there are lots of WordPress blog themes that are worth a look. (This site uses Redtime, enhanced by professional graphic design). If you don’t have your own domain and are desperate for an online presence, Facebook, MySpace or Blogger are all options to consider.
6. Beware eye candy. If I have to click on three different pages with some version of your logo before I hit your content (yes, this has happened), I’m not a happy camper.
7. Use whistles and bells with discretion. Smart designers give users the option to skip the fancy Flash intro. If you use sound, please include the option of lowering the volume or turning it off, even if you’re a musician.
8. Check links and image files. Links to other pages can disappear without warning. There are link checker services and tools available online. At the very least, make sure images load properly on your own pages.
9. Take good pictures. If it’s out of focus or muddy, don’t use it. Learn how to use a digital camera, or find someone who’s good at taking photographs. There’s lots of how-to information online.
10. Proofread. Run a spell check, then read your copy over carefully. If you’re not a spelling champ, get someone else to have a look. If your eyes are square from re-reading what you’ve written, find a fresh set. Speaking from experience, it’s easy to miss mistakes when you’ve been looking at it too long.
11. Test on more than one browser. Some tricks and hacks are browser-specific. Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer are a good place to start. There are also browser compatibility testing software and services online (try “test site on different browsers” in your favourite search engine.
12. Guard your domain. Some businesses (and individuals) let their domain names expire, even though it can cost as little as 10 bucks a year to keep it current. Some of these domain names get snapped up by businesses selling “premium domains” at ridiculous prices. Keywords in these names are sometimes used for advertising purposes. Then there’s the old reliable “can’t find the server” error message. Are you still in business? There’s dirt cheap web hosting out there. At least put up a calling card page with contact information.
13. Make your intentions clear. Are you selling something? If so, where and how? Business to business sites are a little different than business to consumer. If you’re selling to individuals, make sure they know how to find you and how to buy. If you say you accept Visa and Mastercard and don’t list prices or have an online portfolio or shop, how does someone buy from you? If you do mail order through phone inquiries, make it clear. If you sell services, tell your users how to get in touch with you. Make it easy. Your potential customer can be gone in one click.
14. Be consistent with your brand. Your website or blog is a big part of your presence and makes a strong impression on your visitors. If you can’t afford a professional designer, keep it clean and simple. Have a look at how the bigshots do it and adapt an idea or two for yourself.
15. Keep your end user in mind. This is worth repeating. Marketing is about engaging with your audience. Your website is part of the plan.

Possibly related posts:

1. Rule your online domain – make your website work for you
2. How to write your bio and About page without driving yourself crazy
3. The ins and outs of your first impression (part 2 – look outward)