Rules of Website Design

10 Commandments of Website Design

What makes a "good" website? Besides content, of course, design principles play a HUGE part in the quality of a website. Design not only catches the readers eye, but it maintains the connection between the reader and the page. When one encounters a poorly designed website, one often loses interest in the message that the website is trying to present.

The rules listed below describe the traits of quality website design:

1. Simplicity is golden

-The most important rule in all of the design characteristics has to be SIMPLICITY. In this definition of the term, one recognizes that simple doesn't mean basic. By keeping your site simplistic, you adhere to the information that the reader needs and you eliminate all excess.

2. Keep it consistent

-Similar to the repetition principle of the "C.R.A.P." acronym, it is essential that your website stay consistent throughout its pages. By using the same color palette and fonts for headings, sub headings, and paragraphs, the readers eye can easily navigate to the information they are seeking.

3. Choose a memorable URL

-A website address is an investment (both literally and figuratively). It is a literal investment because you must pay money for your website to go live at the address of your desire. When you choose a name for a website, you are committing to your brand. 

When choosing a domain name, make sure to:

*Avoid using punctuation- it confuses the visitor ("is that a underscore, or a hyphen?")

*Beware of similar existing website addresses, some are trademarked

*Keep it simple, once again. 

(Starbucks.com vs. WeSellCoffeeAndBagelsAndCakePops.com)

4. Contrast text color with background color

-By contrasting the text color with the background color the eye is better able to read the words without straining. Though this may seem like an obvious guideline, don't forget that this becomes more tricky with brighter colors.

->Just because the colors contrast, doesn't mean it is easy to read.<-

5. Navigation

-Your page should be easy to -> navigate. By having a simple menu bar, as seen in the image below, the user can quickly see which page they are currently on and which page(s) they can explore. This is especially helpful for returning users who know exactly what information they are looking for.

(smashinghub.com)

6. Require minimal user info

-When requiring members to "sign in" or "sign up" to continue, keep the information you initially request from the short and simple. Add an option for users to personalize their profile at another time, so that they aren't immediately turned-off by too many personal questions.

Below is an example from Stikkit.com that asks users for 3 simple pieces of information.

(http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/)

7. Create links in your site, and MAKE SURE THEY WORK

-Have you ever been to a site where the "click here" pages lead you to an error page? It is absolutely ESSENTIAL to avoid this mistake in your website design. By having misguided or broken links, you lose credibility with your viewer. This can result in a loss of trust which can cause a loss of profit consequentially!

8. Have a polished, professional logo

-Companies like Starbucks, Shell, Safeway, and many others all share a trait that makes them recognizable, even from miles away; a logo. By creating a logo for your website, you make it easier for users to recognize your brand and become familiar with it. By posting your logo on the top left of your website, it often becomes the very first thing people see. It is also smart to link your logo back to your home page, just in case users become misguided on the page.

9. Check the pages functionality on the web and mobile version

-Be sure to preview your site any time you make changes to ensure the site looks good when users are browsing from a laptop or computer. Additionally, many people browse the internet from a handheld device, but not all sites offer a mobile-friendly version. This can result in major loss of potential visitors, as many people browse the web on their phone and can become frustrated when the site does not function on a small screen. By creating an app or mobile-version, visitors will stay on your site longer and potentially recommend your site to others because of the ability to browse on-the-go.

(http://mac.softpedia.com/blog/Amazon-Mobile-iOS-2-3-1-Offers-Delivery-Alerts-308573.shtml)

10. Finally, be creative and have fun with your site!

-The idea of starting your own website can feel daunting. You may be thinking, "How and where do I begin?" Website builders such as Weebly.com or Wix.com offer many design templates free of charge that can get you started. These sites are extremely user-friendly, and allow you to modify your design with a simple few clicks; no html coding knowledge is required. While being creative is key, don't be afraid to take ideas you see on other sites and incorporate them into your own page!

Sources:

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/167-the-dos-and-donts-for-picking-a-url.html

SmashingHub.com

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/

http://mac.softpedia.com/blog/Amazon-Mobile-iOS-2-3-1-Offers-Delivery-Alerts-308573.shtml

http://www.wcbsprintservices.com/category/logos/