Website Design Tips 101- Megatips!

Credits:

Don©Michael Bluejay • Written 2001, Updated January 2011

http://websitehelpers.com/design/

1- Make sure each page in your website has something valuable to offer.
2- Don't distract your visitors with blinking or scrolling text, animated GIF's, or autoload sound.
3- Don't annoy your visitors with pop-up windows.
4- Don't use image backgrounds.
5- Put some thought into organization.
6- Minimize clicking.
7- Limit page length to 2 screenfuls, or 6-7 screenfuls for articles.
8- Include a way to get back to the home page, on every page.
9- Include a menu on every page.
10- Don't use frames.
11- Compress your image files.
12- Don't let flashy multimedia ruin your site.
13- No line of text should be more than about 600 pixels wide.
14- Don't make your page too wide.
15- Use contrasting colors or simple backgrounds to make your text easy to read.
16- Make the text large enough to read.
17- Increase the line spacing (leading) to improve visibility.
18- Don't type more than a few words in ALL CAPS.
19- Never use more than one exclamation point!
20- Use a spell checker.
21- Don't underline words if they're not links.
22- Make links blue or underlined, or both.
23-  Explain what you are linking to.
24- Don't open internal links in a new window.
25- Use descriptive link text.
26- Put your contact info, or a link to it, on top and/or bottom of every page.
27- Test your links.
28- Remove dead external links periodically.
29- Include a "Last Modified" date on top or bottom of your pages.
30- Don't steal content.
31- Don't hotlink to other site's images or MP3's.
32- Don't ask for "permission" to link to a site.
33- Don't ask to exchange links with other sites.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOU WEBQUESTS!!!