5 Most Common Web Design Mistakes

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your ... Below are five of t As you're designing your new web site, you'll be tempted with web designideas that could turn into fatal mistakes.
This is especially true ifyour web site represents your business. Below are five of the mostcommon mistakes to avoid at all costs...1.
Too Many GraphicsHaving too many graphics (particularly large graphics), can cause yoursite to load entirely too slow. Visitors will get impatient and oftentimes click out of your site -- never to return.SOLUTION: When possible save your graphics as GIF files (gif.htm)rather than JPEG (jpg.htm).
Also, reduce your graphic in actual size asmuch as you can without distorting the graphic or picture.2. CountersA visitor counter or hits counter should not be seen on your site unlessyou have trememdous traffic.
The reason for this is visitors reallydon't want to know which visitor they are, especially if they're visitornumber four. There's no benefit toyour visitor, nor is there any benefit to you.
The only way showing acounter is advantageous is if you've had millions of visitors and wishto display the popularity of your site or would like to attractadvertisers with the large numbers.Otherwise, you can use this space for a benefit-packed headline thatleads your visitor to another part of your site.SOLUTION: Most web hosts offer web statistics that reveal dailyvisitors, hits, referrers, etc. This feature will let you know how manypeople are visiting your site without the whole world seeing theinformation.
If you're just starting out, make sure your web hostoffers this free service.3. BannersLimit your banners to the bare necessities.
Why? Because banners aregraphics that can slow loading time and are a turn-off for many surferson the internet. For most, "banner" is just another word for "ad" andthey avoid clicking on them.SOLUTION: If you do have a banner or two, place the banner at the verytop or bottom of your page.
Or you could place a small banner in yoursidebar. Most people will look at the first picture they see and thenstart reading below the picture,so any writing or links that are above the banner may remain unnoticed.Also, the banners on your site should be related to your product orservice.
Remember, everything on your site should work together tobenefit your target customer.4. Scattered Web SiteWhen designing your site, make sure it has a pattern that leads yourvisitor.
Get several people (friends or relatives) to visit your siteand watch them as they navigate. Notice the places where they stop (asif they're finished) and also links that they click on.
Organizing yoursite to lead visitors is very important whether you're leading them tobuy something or just to click and go to another place in your site.Customers are silently begging to be led.SOLUTION: Take a look at the flow of your site. Design it in a fashionthat always continues like this...Make sure that graphics don't get in the way of your lead.
If thevisitor stops in the middle of the home page to click on a graphic orbanner before getting to your sales page, they may never return. You'vegot one chance to get the visitor's attention and keep it.
Make themost of it.5. GeneralizationThe most effective way of selling on the internet is to personalize yourweb site to reach your target audience.
Many web sites are general andtry to reach everybody. The reality is that you can't be everything toeverybody.
The businessowners who are successful on the web normally have very specificproducts or services that target a niche market.SOLUTION: Make your site as personal as possible. As you're writing,pretend that you are face to face with the customer.
Present your website in such a way that the visitor feels like he just walked into astore in his hometown. Also, stayfocused on your target customer (one who would be interested in "your"product.)These five mistakes should be avoided at all costs if you want to buildan effective and successful web business.Design your site to sell! Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .