Keeping your web site simple doesn't necessarily mean that you are shortchanging your visitors. Things like simple navigation and
simple graphics actually allow more visitors to view your web pages
and help to keep them there because the pages load faster.
Simple navigation can consist of plain old text hyperlinks, or
some very small graphic buttons arranged in some easy-to-follow
way. Be consistent with the way you have people navigate your site.
Use the same format for all of your pages when possible. Most
people like to be able to figure out the web site's navigation
system in short order. If it takes too long for them to figure out
how it works, they will look for an easier web site to navigate.
Create simple graphics. This means the file sizes need to be kept as
small as possible and use a standard format (gif, jpeg). Using the
same graphics for most pages in your web site will save loading time
for the following pages. Most web browsers cache or "store" a
graphic after it has been used once. This allows older browsers and
slower Internet connections to have good access to your site, and
makes your site appear to load really fast on most systems.
Remember, not everyone has high-speed cable Internet access! This point can't be stressed enough.
The main index page (or the first page someone visits when coming
to your site) should load very quickly and inform them of what the
web site is about. Most people hate waiting 2-3 minutes for a Flash
intro that really wasn't needed. Flash is great for cartoons but really
annoys people that must wait and wait for it to download. It is also
very expensive to create. The Internet is an information
medium and most people are looking for something while they surf. If
your site slows them down, they are more likely to leave than stay. However, if they can find what they want quickly, it actually does
leave a good impression. That is half the battle!
Just because you are keeping a web site simple, does not mean you
can't have tons of great content. So some simple suggestions are:
1. Create the content first. (The hardest part of designing a web site!)
2. Create small (file size) reusable graphics. Reusing the same graphics cuts load time.
3. Make an easy-to-understand navigation system for your site.
4. Create a "standard page" layout for your site. Reusing code
cuts your production time.
These should be your "rules of thumb". All of these
things will help increase the "stickiness" of your site, not
to
mention ease the frustration level of your visitors.
If you think about load
time, site content, and navigation you should end up with a
"stickier" site.
The moral of this story:
You don't always have to use the latest bells or whistles to make
your site stand out from the crowd.
