Dime Design

In today’s graphic design, one of the most important creative tactics that helps communicate the client’s brand is Web sites.

Although creating Web sites seems like they have become easier to produce because of increases in technology, there are still many simple things to remember during design.

With help from an article by Jakob Nielson, guru of web design, below are ten tips to consider when creating a Web site.

1) Choose one: liquid design or grid
Many Web sites on the internet have two different types of design in one, both liquid and grid. For consistency and organization, choosing one design style and sticking with it is better on the viewer’s eyes.

2) Focus on font selection, typography and color
One of the most important thing to remember when design a Web site is the viewer can be any age. Creating content using easy to read colors and fonts provide readability and legibility online.

3) Utilize style sheets
Using style sheets helps the Web site to have minimal problems when uploaded to the net. Style sheets keep files organized and are user friendly.

4) Write for online readers, not print
Approximately only 25% of text is read online. Cutting text down provides easy-to-read, scannable text.

5) Know your target audience
Create the Web site’s design around your target audience to appeal to them and provide the content that they are looking for.

6) Provide easy navigation
Use necessary navigation bars to organize the site and make it easy for readers to use. Don’t not make readers have to click more than three times to get to a final destination.

7) Usability is key
Make sure that they Web site is not only easy-to-read but also easy-to-use.

8) Keep load time low
Optimize and save pictures for the web by using specific file extensions and medium to low quality. This provides quicker load time on all pages.

9) Remember search engine optimization
Make the site easy to search for by embedding links into content, creating and using headers and titles on pages and utilize tools like Yahoo’s overture to keep track of your web site’s hits.

10) Create simple, modern Web sites
Use Adobe Flash to increase creativeness in a Web site. Simplicity is modern and using a tool like Flash sets your website about the rest.