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The Do's and Don'ts When Creating a Website


 

There is more to building a website than meets the eye. Below are a few guidelines to help steer the process of creating one of the most important marketing tools you will need for the success of your business.

Don't misuse typography. Using too many fonts will not only slow down your site, it can also be very distracting and even annoying to viewers. Stick to no more than three different fonts. Never use blinking or scrolling text, avoid harsh color combinations and never, I repeat never, use Comic Sans. Ever.
Do utilize (and respect) the power typography. Creative and structured typography can make or break the success of your website. Use font inclusion CSS, such as @font-face or Google Web fonts to style your page, not images.

Don't make users work. Finding information on your site should not require a scavenger hunt, read like a novel, or test the patience of your users. A labyrinth of pages and subpages hinder and hide the content, and risk the real possibility of your users becoming overwhelmed and switching to a competitor's site.
Do keep it simple. Your website should function in a way that offers effortless browsing. A clear navignoation menu and use of breadcrumbs can help guide your users through your site. Also, use white space and an underlying grid structure to effectively organize your content. Let's not forget that design is more than making something looking pretty-- it's visual communication. Proper organization will give everyone who logs on to your site a clear view of your message(s) and product(s).

Don't confuse personality with tackiness. Your site should have personality, and also a touch of class. Distractions, such as page counters, music (even with a stop button), pop-ups, clustered advertisements, and unnecessary intros simply annoy users. Regardless of how cool you think some Web elements are, do not force them upon your site visitors.
Do strive to be trendy. The Web is ever-changing, so it is vital to keep current with the latest and greatest technology and trends. Staying informed can equip you with new advancements in code and features to use to your advantage.

Don't forget your purpose. Having a website for the sake of having a website is a waste of your, and your visitors, time. Although it may seem obvious, content is the true purpose of having a website, and sites with under-appreciated content typically result in a lackluster finished product.
Do create killer content. Devote adequate time and energy to developing intriguing headlines, concise copy, appropriate images and a worthwhile purpose for your site. And don't forget that less is more when it comes to the Web. Users do not want to read a page that scrolls down for miles, so keep your verbiage short and sweet.

Don't rush the process. From the initial idea to the final launch of a site, each step of the creative process is vital to its successful creation. Deadlines are important, but first impressions can be devastating to a site that is underdeveloped.
Do allow time for a test drive. Inviting others to interact with an almost-finished site will allow many glitches to be resolved before launching it to the public. Keep in mind those who are visiting, via alternate browsers and/or mobile devices, so you'll be sure to test on all platforms before launching.

Following these tried-and-true guidelines will give you the best shot at designing a fantastic and effective website.