Effective Web Design, Do’s and Don’ts

There are a lot of websites that I visit while looking for inspiration or just when casually perusing the web that are like nails on a chalkboard for my visual cortex. So I decided to compile a list of things to consider when developing your own design or when thinking about how an effective web designer could create your website.

• Make sure you choose correct contrasting colors; green and red, despite being great Christmas colors, are poor friends when it comes to font relationships. Throw the gray background with red text out the window unless you want to give your Uncle Ben a stroke (he has been through enough already).

• Make sure you spread out those fonts; line-heights are just like people…they do not like it when you are in their bubble. It will make it so much easier to read since spreading out the spacing between lines will put less strain on the client’s eyes.

• Size does matter! No one likes small font so make sure your font is legible by even the oldest of individuals.

• Splash Page
  • If your website has a page before the actual content of your website is presented, and this page contains nothing but a logo and an enter sign, there are a couple things you need to think about. For starters, get ride of the full flash website and/or update your site because it was most likely designed in the late 90’s or early 2000’s.

  A.D.D. Distractions - Too Many..

• Fonts - If you have more than three fonts on a page, you have commitment issues.
• Animations (especially .gif) - Mid 90’s gif animations are pitiful as well as overly flamboyant flash animations.
• Images/Photos - No need to take up so much real estate with dozens of pictures; spread them out…this isn’t a “See Spot Run” book.
• Colors - Stick to a color theme, no more than three colors (slight variations in hue is acceptable, but do not overdo it)

Overused Layouts

• Déjà vu should never be going through your viewer’s mind upon first entering your website. If you are not trying to sell a product (forums, fansites, causal blogging, etc.) then a template design is fine. However, when you are trying to create brand identity and awareness, having the same layout as your neighboring competitor is the wrong path to take (here and here).

Favicon If you have no knowledge of a favicon, it is usually the sleek-looking icon that can be found in your bookmarks or next to the address bar for your favorite websites. This is something that everyone should have on their site. If you do not have one or do not know how to make one, you need to learn. It is a great way for users to be able to easily distinguish between other websites on their favorites list as well as free promotional real estate for your site, so take advantage.

Travis Simpson
Webflo Studios, Senior Web Designer
E-mail: travis.simpson@webflostudios.com
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