| Just like taking a drive down main street anywhere in | | | | there are different mediums for presenting information |
| the world and you're bound to run into something so | | | | such as text, video, audio, and interactive means. |
| unsightly that makes you just cringe, this same thing | | | | Choose the appropriate method for delivering your |
| has probably already happened to you on the Internet | | | | message effectively. Videos are a great way to show |
| (more than once.) | | | | or demonstrate something, however they are harder |
| Internet eyesores, once thought to have been declining, | | | | to get indexed by search engines unless you include a |
| are now rising once again. The glitzy, gaudy, and loud | | | | transcript. So if you choose audio or video, make sure |
| manifestations of creations by early web publishers | | | | you provide the necessary information for those that |
| and My Space users are taking a new form in the | | | | may not be able to access that content for whatever |
| web 2.0 era and here are some things that you can | | | | reason. Keeping your content organized by the use of |
| do to ensure that choosing the right template will keep | | | | categories, sections and articles are great for content |
| you out of the wrong side of the Internet tracks. | | | | management systems and can be found in |
| 1. Colors - Needless to say that everyone has their | | | | WordPress, Joomla, or other current blogging software |
| own personal tastes, however if you are building a site | | | | and Content Management Systems (CMS.) Ensure |
| to attract visitors you need to carefully consider what | | | | that your content is easy to read and well formatted. |
| type of visitor you are trying to attract. Just like animals | | | | 6. To customize or not to customize - If you purchase |
| and insects in the wild, if you have the wrong colors, | | | | a template, make sure you know the difference |
| your site can be a deterrent to would be readers and | | | | between a standard template (which has default stock |
| customers. There are several sites on the Internet that | | | | images and sample content) and a customizable |
| can provide a comprehensive list of color theory and | | | | template (or professional template) which is customize |
| effective web usage. | | | | based on your specific needs and is usually a standard |
| 2. Layout - Having a nice layout is Feng Shui for the | | | | template which is then modified to suite your liking. |
| web. Where you decide to put things and the | | | | 7. Gadgetry - Many templates now come with module |
| arrangement of content can be very inviting just the | | | | and add-ins that enhance the visitor experience with |
| same way a bowl of milk is to a kitten or it can be like | | | | fanciful slide-shows, whiz-bang menus, news feeds, |
| walking into a dark forest where the next step could | | | | friend updates, etc. Be wise in your use of gadgetry |
| lead to disaster or leave your visitor lost. If you look at | | | | so you don't clutter, confuse or take attention away |
| some of the top websites on Alexa.com, you'll see | | | | from your visitor initial purpose of visiting. Facebook is |
| there are various and effective layouts for the type of | | | | an example of a cleaner alternative to MySpace, |
| content you are trying to present. Ask yourself what it | | | | however with more application add-ons, some pages |
| is exactly that you wish to accomplish with your | | | | are once again trending towards web noise by adding |
| website and how a new visitor would find your most | | | | too much that brings to little to the visitor. |
| important content. If your good stuff is right out front, | | | | 8. Usability - There are several companies that |
| the visitors might not venture to other areas of your | | | | specialize in providing a Do It Yourself (DIY) temple |
| website, conversely if your visitor has to hunt for that | | | | solution where you can design everything your self |
| content, they may never find it and leave. Choose your | | | | and download the finished version. Take advantage of |
| approach carefully, keep it simple until your testing tells | | | | their trial offers to make sure that designing a template |
| you otherwise. | | | | is something that you want to take on yourself or |
| 3. Flexibility - Having a website that allows you to | | | | simply outsource to a professional. |
| change and tweak module position, colors, and even | | | | 9. Price - This is usually a factor and relates to all of |
| the layout will save you a lot of time and money when | | | | the items above. What can you expect to pay? That |
| it comes time for changes. Be ready for change. What | | | | depends on what you need just like in any industry, but |
| is cool and hip today may not be the greatest thing | | | | there are some things you can do to make sure you're |
| tomorrow just like flashing banners, pop-ups, long | | | | not on the short end of a purchase. Buy from a |
| loading flash intros. | | | | reputable site. Use a distinguished and highly rated |
| 4. Speed - You need to make sure you site loads fast. | | | | developer from sites like or other e-services sites. You |
| Having a template with code that is compliant with | | | | should send a quick email to or contact the support to |
| today's Internet standards as set by the World Wide | | | | see what kind of response you get and whether it's |
| Web Consortium (W3C) will save you lots of time and | | | | timely, courteous and answers your questions before |
| hassles when making sure you site is compatible | | | | you buy. See what others say, find feedback or check |
| across multiple browsers. Keep load times short by | | | | out the sites forums if they have one to see if it's a |
| hosting images on another server or services provider | | | | helpful and active community. Make sure there is a |
| such as Flickr,YouTube, ImageShack, etc. Keep | | | | clear refund policy and read the terms of service |
| gadgets, widgets and other components that don't add | | | | before you buy in case there are any trouble ahead. A |
| to the visitors experience at a minimum as each item | | | | great company will help you out when you run into |
| adds to the load times. | | | | problems and will resolve matters quickly. |
| 5. Content - All of the prettiest colors, cool layouts, and | | | | The next time you look at your website, ask yourself if |
| speedy load times will not mean much if you don't | | | | you're on the right track or heading full speed into an |
| have the appropriate content. Content is King on the | | | | oncoming train wreck. Hopefully by following these tips |
| Internet and without it you are simply taking up web | | | | here, you can save yourself some heartache and |
| real estate. Not all content is created equal and while | | | | make the most of your time publishing on the Internet. |