Why are you creating a web site? Before starting your project you need to clearly focus on your target audience, who you want to communicate with and what you want to say to them. Once you have clearly answered these questions, the rest of your project will be simpler.

2. Content

Websites need to have clearly stated information. You have a small window of time to capture the viewers attention, be brief and to the point with your content. Nobody wants to read a novel on your web site.

3. Timely Information

There is almost nothing worse than visiting a website that has outdated information on it. Be sure if you provide dated content, that you set a schedule for regular changes or a date to remove it altogether.

4. Quick Downloads

One important issue that you and your web developer should always bare in mind, is that not everyone moves at high speeds on the internet. There are many still folks crawling through the internet with dial-up speeds that are painful to think about. However, these people should not have to suffer further with waiting to download some huge graphic on your web site. Keep graphics at a friendly size. View your site from several speeds to see how quickly your site downloads.

5. Pages That Are Easy To Read

Try not to make text too large or too small. Average type size on the web is 10-12 pt. Make all basic body text one typeface 10-12 pt., while making headers another typeface and 14-18 pt. Try to select typefaces the visitor has on their computer. Fancy and unusual typefaces are not recommended.

6. No Dead Ends

Always give the visitor a way to every page in your site, from every page in your site. Do not let your visitor get stuck on a page without navigation. Make the navigation intuitive and something they can count on every page.

7. Ease of Navigation

The visitor should be able to recognize the navigation scheme within seconds. It is important that navigation be simple and natural something you can count on every page.

8. Use of Frames Not Recommended

We do not recommend frames for several reasons. First, they tend to look a little shabby and unorganized. Plus, it makes the site overall more difficult to navigate and read less easily. Frames use more screen space and they display differently on from monitor to monitor and browser to browser. Most browser don't bookmark framed sites correctly and are not read correctly by search engines.

9. Very Little Animation

Not everyone can see all types of animation. GIF animations are fine. Just don't use them everywhere in the site. Sometimes too many moving items on a page get to be annoying rather than useful. Flash animations are great in many ways, however, not everyone can see Flash animations. So we recommend that you use it sparingly until all viewers are guaranteed to see every feature you provide on your web site.

10. Select a Developer with a Clear Understanding

With the amazing software that is available out there, everyone and their mother is a web designer. Click here to read more about how to select the right web developer for your project.

To get started with your web site development project click here or call Portland WebSmith at 207-332-8066 or email ian@portlandwebsmith.com