Ever since one-click web publishing has become a trend, everyone join in the bandwagon of web designer enthusiasts. With the help of online tools and software specially made for web designing, the website you always picture in your mind can be a reality in no time at all. Even if you’re a newbie.
First things first. You need to know the basic idea behind a website before making one. You don’t want to stare at your computer all day not knowing where to begin. Every venture needs some planning. Designing a website is no exemption.
You can start conceptualizing your design with these things in mind:
1. What are your website’s objectives?
2. Who would be your potential clients/ visitors?
3. What image do you want to project for your site?
If you come up with a definite answer to all three questions, then you’ll start to come up with some images in your head that you want to add in to your site. Step two is to get the right tools. You can choose one software from these big names in web designing:
Microsoft FrontPage - if you’re an avid user of Microsoft Word then you would definitely know your way around FrontPage. By far, it’s the most popular web design tool because of its user-friendly features. It has a basic HTML and WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) editor with drawing tools and photo gallery that you can readily use. It is ideal for anyone who wants to setup a site for personal use or even for a small business. Although it won’t pass the standards of expert programmers because of its limited code readability, newbies can definitely have a head start with this software.
Macromedia Flash – this software is used for varied web applications, and of course, animation. Here, you can use ActionScript 2.0 to give your visitors a more interactive experience. You can also add in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to your pages. JavaScript and XHTML can also be integrated in your web design. Online games are actually produced using Macromedia Flash. But don’t get intimidated with the highly technical-sounding terms. Tutorials come with the software package and online tutorials abound. It is not hard as you think it is.
Adobe Photoshop/ Image Ready- originally made for photo editing, Adobe Photoshop already made it’s way into the web design industry. You can manage your design elements in layers and sets so you don’t have to redo the whole design when you want to make revisions with your work. Photoshop can really unleash one’s creativity with many filter and effects option that you can experiment with. Licensed software can be a little pricey at $649.
Whatever software you intend to use, adding in your personal style to your designs would definitely make your site more appealing.
There are basic guidelines you need to follow when making a site. Below are key features of what your website should have:
Easy on the eyes – white is a common background for text layouts. This makes them more readable, although most designers do away with white background because it has become too ordinary. You can definitely try to use other warm colors.
User-friendly- visitor should not have a hard time navigating through your website. You don’t want to get your visitors frustrated when they’re looking for the right link to click.
Branding – be consistent with all the designs in your entire website. The specific design or style you put in your website should become your own “brand”. You should be remembered for it. Visitors would surely recall your site.
Fast loading time- you don’t want to your visitors to wait a whole hour for your website to load. Remember that the close button is just one click away. Optimize your web design for a quicker download time.
With enough know-how your website can be definitely be one of your proud works. Whether for business or for your personal pleasure, with just a little effort and a truckload of creativity your website would definitely create a following.
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