How To Design a Good Website

• Your Web site should be well organized -- Create an outline before beginning the design process.
• Web design tips Every graphic on a web page should be necessary -- Each graphic should relate to the text on that page, to the message being communicated, and to the audience.
• Web design tips Background color should be easy on the eyes -- Some colors hurt the eyes and visitors to your site will leave quickly.
• Web design tips Colored text should contrast with the background so that it is readable -- Don't lose sight of the fact that text on a page should be able to be read.
• Web design tips Do not center all text on a page -- A large amount of centered text is difficult to read.
• Web design tips Keep your copy short -- People don't have the time or patience to read large amounts of text from a computer monitor
• Web design tips Keep width of text to about five inches -- Wide columns of text are difficult to read.
• Web design tips If using audio files, or movies, give viewers a choice whether or not to use them.
• Web design tips Don't use blue for regular text color -- Blue usually denotes links and can confuse the reader.
• Web design tips Don't underline text for emphasis -- Underlined text usually signifies a link.
• Web design tips Use motion sparingly! -- Motion should only be used when necessary to convey a message!
• Web design tips Check readability of text -- Cut it and paste it into a Word document. Check for grammar and spelling.
• Web design tips Always ask WHY you are putting certain information on the web -- Keep information short and sweet. If you want to give your viewers more information, create a pdf file for them to download.
• Web design tips Always have contact information on your site -- Put your e-mail address, phone if necessary in a prominent location on your site.
• Web design tips Use links to other sites that are relevant to yours -- You don't have to reinvent the wheel. There is a lot of information on the web that is relevant and can be helpful to visitors to your site.
• Web design tips Include the webmaster's e-mail address on the contact page -- Viewers can report missing links or other problems. Nothing is more frustrating than links that don't work.
• Web design tips Make sure your site is accessible to everyone regardless of the browser they are using -- There are no standards-no common denominators for the internet yet. Viewers have different equipment--modems with low baud speeds. Keep this in mind when including graphics and some of the bells and whistles you would like to use.
• Web design tips Do not forget that your web site can be viewed by anyone, anywhere -- If you are trying to reach a global audience make sure your graphics can be translated and understood internationally.
• Web design tips Check out your site on different browsers -- Colors will look different on a Mac than a PC.
• Web design tips Look at other sites -- you can get ideas for your site: good design, good navigation, graphics by looking at other sites.
  

Source : http://www.graphic-design.com/