BASICS

If you decide to go ahead with a web design project (either on your own or with the help of a web designer) there are a few basics you should know about before you take the plunge.

Layout & Navigation: 
Although this may sound like a simplistic feature to consider, it is important that your layout is clear and easy to follow. You should make sure your most important pages or pieces of information are placed first in line, whether it’s on a single page or a navigation bar. Navigation is a related point to think over – do you want your visitors to move around your site using a fixed navigation bar, a series of ‘Forward’ and ‘Backward’ links, or perhaps a system of frames?

Graphics and Beautification: 
Many people get caught up in making their site look attractive without considering if it’s practical. Large image sizes are okay for people who have fast internet speeds but they certainly won’t be appreciated by dial-up clients. Images are also shown differently in different screen resolutions, meaning that a design which looks great in 800x600 will look silly or out of proportion in any other resolution. It is also crucial that your graphics don’t get in the way of navigation, as there is nothing more frustrating than getting to a nice-looking site but not being able to find your way around.

Gadgets and Codes: 
There are lots of great plug-ins, add-ons and widgets which you can use in the design to make your website a more exciting and engaging place to visit. Games, polls, freebies, forums and comments-enabled posts are some of the more common