How To Make Your Web Site Eye-Catching

Contributed by Heather Oviatt

You have been given the task of designing a web site but you know there are hundreds if not thousands of similar sites already out there. Moreover, with each viewer giving each site only seconds to grab his or her attention, you may feel as though you are up against huge odds. However, there are guidelines you can follow that will make your web site stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Watch your spacing
Many sites make the mistake of overpopulating their space. Don’t fall into this trap. Instead make sure that each item on your site has enough space surrounding it so that it can stand on its own and not get confused with something else. This makes it easier for the user to quickly determine what the content of each page is. Remember, if the web site user has to spend too much time looking for the desired content, they will most likely give up and try a different page. Even if you don’t have the content they are looking for, they should leave your site thinking it was built well.

Titles
Title your web site simply and accurately. Try to be a little catchy without getting complicated. A user won’t remember a long or complicated title and therefore won’t be a repeat user except by chance. Put the title in bold and simple lettering and place it where the user will know and see that it's the title.

Graphics and Pictures
Graphics and pictures should also be simple yet bold. You want to catch the user’s eye not drive him or her to distraction. Diagrams should be simple and clearly labeled. Headings should be underlined and possibly in boldface type. Try arranging the content of your site in ways different from the norm. Try using contrasting colors on graphics to see if you can get them to “pop.” However, don’t use more than three colors on any given page; it’s too much.

Pictures need to be cropped and or otherwise altered so that the user’s eye sees exactly what you want it to see. If the original picture is of a car in a field and you’re only interested in the car, try putting the car on a background that’s inconspicuous. This can easily be done in Adobe® Photoshop®, which is a great tool for website design. If you don’t know how to use Photoshop, there are many ways to learn Photoshop both online and in a classroom.

Layout
Once again, think simplicity. The users of your site shouldn’t have to go through several pages to find what they want. Try to make everything accessible from one or two main pages. Users will always prefer an easy to use site over a complicated one, regardless of quality.

Links
Your web site should have as many links as you can fit into it without cluttering its space. Often sites have a separate page for links. You should label each link clearly and accurately so that you don’t waste people’s time. Remember, you want people to like your web site well enough that they return.

Tone
You know the audience you’re trying to reach with your web site. Address your audience in an appropriate tone. Sixteen-year-old boys and fifty-year-old equestrians have very different language expectations. Also, make your tone consistent. This way it won’t matter what part of your site a potential user first sees, they will be getting an accurate representation of your site.

Professionalism
Your web site should look as though you put a great deal of time into it. If you don’t respect the content, neither will the user. Make sure that the site works as it’s supposed to. Make sure that all the information contained is accurate. Check dates, prices, figures, and any other numbers. Check your spelling and grammar. I can’t emphasize this enough. Typos are distracting and off-putting. If there are enough typos, the user might assume that a teenager put up your site instead of a grown adult. If you are doing this site for a business, they will be very unhappy. It only takes one bad job to get a reputation for doing shoddy work.

Enjoy it
Although some of the minutia involved in producing a web site is exhausting, you will hopefully end up with a site you are proud to say you created.

Adobe and Photoshop are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

About the Author:
Heather Oviatt is a freelance writer living in Colorado.

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