| If you're going to do a website you'll want to do it | | | | content hidden behind. Don't make your users |
| right. After all, what's the point of having a | | | | work! It will only frustrate them. Be clear. Don't |
| website if you turn people away once they get | | | | use clever terms instead of straight forward page |
| there? There are so many things you can do with | | | | or section names. "Holla" is not as effective as |
| a website (and some less than cool), so let's talk | | | | "Contact Us". |
| about what you should and should not do. | | | | 4. Flash intros are so 1996. They had their time |
| | | | and place. Don't do it. This falls in to the category |
| 1. Don't theme-out your website. Sure your | | | | of not making your users work. If they have to |
| favorite thing in life is golf, but does that mean | | | | click simply to get to the actual content of your |
| you should have a golf-themed website? Not | | | | website you may lose them. Don't discount the |
| unless your business is a golf-supply store or | | | | number of people using DSL and dial-up. Your cool |
| you're a golf course. What would a golf-themed | | | | flash intro might load slowly and users will not wait |
| website say to some one who visits your law | | | | around. |
| practice's website? It says "I'd much rather be | | | | 5. Skip the music. Ethical or not, people surf the |
| spending your money playing golf than helping | | | | web at work. Sure, maybe they do it on their |
| your cause". | | | | own time, but does that mean they don't mind |
| 2. Less is more. Your visitors will need to be able | | | | when they happen upon a website with techno |
| to find their destination quickly. Too many | | | | beats blaring at them? Unless you're a band your |
| elements on a home page can overwhelm and | | | | website doesn't need music and nothing turns a |
| they may hit that back button far quicker than | | | | visitor off more than music (ok, maybe it's |
| you'd like. Make sure your navigation (menu) is | | | | second to the Flash intro). |
| easy to spot and detailed enough. While users | | | | 6. Offer them something right up front. Do you |
| aren't likely to read the text on your home page | | | | sell products on your website? Put your most |
| don't make the mistake of skipping text on your | | | | popular product right on the home page with a |
| home page all together, but don't over do it. A | | | | shopping cart buttons right there so they don't |
| basic description of your business that is keyword | | | | have to click anywhere to buy. Photographer? Put |
| rich will serve you best. | | | | a gallery or a handful of photos right on your |
| 3. Skip the mystery meat. Some websites try to | | | | home page so people can start looking without |
| be clever and will use simple icons for menu items | | | | clicking. Instant gratification should be the name of |
| that when you hover over them reveals the | | | | the game. |