 |
Web Design Tips
- Background Images: Use background images with caution.
Light watermarks usually work fine, but dark, busy graphics can
impair the readability of the page. Solid, muted colors are usually
best to use.
- Fonts: Stick with common fonts such as Arial and Times
New Roman. Although there are many fonts to choose from, if the
user does not have a font you choose on their computer, a default
font will be used.
- Long Pages: Divide the information into different pages.
A long and endless scrolling page is difficult to read.
- Sound: Refrain from using sound, particularly embedded
sound files, if possible. If a sound file must be included, make
it a link on the page so the visitor to your page can turn it
on and off. Many people surf the web with their computer speakers
turned off so embedding a sound file that automatically downloads
will unnecessarily increase the download time of the page.
- Hyperlinks: Always use descriptive words for link text
instead of the simple "Click Here!" For example:
Incorrect - This site includes tutorials
for using programs in the Microsoft Office suite. To view the
Microsoft Office 2000 tutorials, click
here.
Correct - To learn more about using the programs
of the Microsoft Office suite, visit the Microsoft
Office 2000 tutorial homepage.
- Page Size: While most Internet users use a screen resolution
of 800X600 or higher, there are still users with monitors set
to 640X480. Design your web pages so all material is viewable
on this small resolution. Therefore, do not create graphics or
tables wider than 620 pixels.
Testing
Since different browsers (mainly Microsoft Internet Explorer and
Netscape Navigator) read webpage differently, preview your pages
in both browsers to make sure the page looks the way you want it.
FrontPage provides an easy way to accomplish this.
- Select File|Preview in Browser from the menu bar.
- The list of browsers installed on your computer will be listed.
Highlight the browser name and click Preview for each browser.
|
 |