One common problem with web design is that there is so much new technology to choose from that it can become tempting to over complicate a website with new-fangled techniques that only serve to confuse the viewer rather than impress. It can also be tempting to over simplify the design of a website to make it easier to develop even if this sacrifices usability. A lack of focus on content in favour of visual imagery can also be a turn off just as too much content without anything visually stimulating to look at can cause a reader to become bored. Creating a website that ticks all of those boxes is what is really important so here a compilation of some tips has been put together to help you avoid the common pitfalls associated with web design.
Use simple technology that works
Firstly, don't try to impress the viewer with the latest technology. They might not have the software needed to access your site if you do so use something that is usable and accessible from any system or mobile phone. If your viewer has to download software just to look at your site then chances are they simply won't bother. Whilst it might be exciting for the designer to use new technology in their designs, the viewer could be put off completely.
Try not to use frames and too many scroll bars
Secondly, avoid using frames in your website development. It might be really easy for you if you do but it can look really confusing because of the multiple scroll bars and if your visitors become frustrated then they may well just navigate away for the sake of something easier to use. A simple design that displays information and content in an accessible, user-friendly way will attract the most attention and encourage further visits in the future.
Don't use flashing imagery
When designing the content of the site it is probably also best to avoid too much over stimulating content in the form of flashing images, animations and blinking text. This can affect the visibility of the text and make it hard to read. Sticking to basic text with some colour and imagery will work better.
Use colours that match
If you are in the process of considering what colours to use then imagine how you would dress or paint your house. Web design is no different in this regard. For your site to work together well, use colours that match and sit well together. Colours that are mismatched and contrasting can be hard to look at and may be off putting for the visitor. Your site should be aesthetically pleasing to create an overall image.
Do your visitors know where they are and how they got there?
If you have lots of links in your site then it can become easy for a visitor to end up on a site that is so far removed from where they wanted to be that they have no idea how they got there. If your content covers too many topics with lots of tabs then they could end up reading about information that is entirely irrelevant. Your reader should know how they got to the page they have found themselves on and how to get back to where they started with relative ease.
Break up the content so it is easily accessible
Avoid reams and reams of text because if your reader has to scroll down then chances are they will simply look elsewhere or assume that there is nothing interesting or worthwhile that needs reading. If you have important information that you want your visitors to read then break up your content into different pages so that they can jump to the information they are looking for quickly and know how to find it without having to rifle through paragraphs of text.
Avoid navigation problems
Use tabs and a menu bar to help your visitors navigate their way around your site with ease. Your visitors may want a particular piece of information and may not just be browsing so you must make it easy for them to find what they are looking for. Break up your content enough so that information can be found easily enough to get to without complicating navigation.
Don't reinvent the wheel
There are certain conventions that you should stick to so that your readers know what they are dealing with. If you have lots of links, for instance, then the convention is that links that have not yet been visited are in blue, and links that have been seen are highlighted purple. Visitors are used to this convention and it helps them work out what content they have already looked at so that they don't have to remember the title of the link. If you try to break with this tradition you will only serve to confuse your visitors and they may give up and navigate away in favour of a site that is easier for them to use.
Avoid stale content and out of date information
One of the most important things to avoid is stale content. If your site has not been changed for a very long time but all of the information is still accurate then it may still be interesting to new visitors but not to those that have already visited the site. Worse still, is if the information you have on your site is out of date and old, referring to topics that are no longer current. This can give the impression that you as a business are out of touch too and can immediately turn a visitor way, with the assumption that you may not even still be trading. Change your content and ensure that it is current and up to date for the greatest impact.
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