Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Can They Use Your Website In A TV Broadcast About Scams?
When you designed your website, you probably dreamt about how wonderful it would be if one day a popular TV program featured it, and you would become famous overnight, and make lots of $$$. Well, practice shows that your dream for your...

Simplify Your Web Site for Clarity and Ease of Use
There are plenty of web sites out there in which basic elements of design are ignored. The viewer may experience overkill and frustration, instead of gently receiving the message or information. Here are some simple ways to help clarify your web...

The Topic Of Your Website
The first thing you will have to deal building your website has nothing to do with the web design itself, it's me related to content writing but it must be defined and will effect the rest of your actions. So first of all you need to decide what...

Web Source Web Design Tips - Adding An Image Background To Your Tables
You can add an image background to your table cells by adding BACKGROUND="yourimage.gif" to your tag. About the Author Shelley Lowery slowery@web-source.net Tip provided by: Web Source: Your Guide to Professional Web Design and...

Webpage Tips
As a working mother of two, I must admit that sometimes my house isn’t ready for company. Yes, you might trip over a few pairs of shoes when you walk in and you might have to wait for dinner while I dig around for some frozen pot pies and some clean...

 
The Core Elements of a Successful Website

It seems to me that many of you who are new to building websites are having trouble figuring out exactly what makes the difference between a website that's effective and one that doesn't produce results. For example, I recently received this from Sybren Design Chronicles reader Marvin Baerg:

This is a suggestion for an inclusion of an article on site design tips. It would be great if you could give some URL's of "excellently" designed sites with the reasons WHY they are superior, in order to give a model to those of us who are still amateurs at web design . Maybe also a not-so-good-one, but then again, that may be construed as slander.

I told Marvin that was a great idea, and that I'd love to do an article like that—and that's what this article is. However, instead of focusing on the sites themselves, I'm going to focus on the aspects of the sites that make them so great. So, let's begin.

First, there are always five core elements to a successful website: global navigation, clean and attractive design, effective sales copy, appropriate text formatting, and value to the vistor. Let's explore each of these in more detail:

(Please note that with each element I explain, I may give an example of a good site and possibly a bad site. In no way are these examples meant to be an insult to the site owners or reflect upon the quality of their products. I'm simply pointing out what is, in my opinion, good design and bad design.)

Global Navigation - It's absolutely vital that your visitors be able to quickly and easily navigate your site and find what they need. In order to provide for this, a site must have a navigation system that will allow them to reach the main sections of the site immediately, and it must always be available and recognizable to the visitor.

Good Example: www.sybren.net. I'm probably a little biased here as this is my site, but really, note that no matter what selection you make or what part of the site you're in, you can always get to the "main" parts of the site with one click.

Bad Example: www.magic-city.net. Note that as you move through this site, you have to constantly return to the home page in order to navigate to other pages.

Clean and Attractive Design - A site that reflects a professional appearance is essential. While it's not absolutely vital that your site be designed by a professional, keeping it organized and free of clutter is imperative.

To do so, make a logical outline of how you think your site's pages should be organized and then build (or rebuild) the site around that outline. Also, remove anything from your site that isn't generating results for you. It's just making your site cluttered.

Further, spend some time in your graphics program to learn how to create attractive graphics for your website.




Good Example: imc.sybren.net. I don't have to say much here -- just look at the site: It's just very appealing and nice looking!

Effective Sales Copy - The sales copy you write is extremely important to the success of your site. It should be written with your target market in mind. (Note that if you have a content-based site, this should be replaced with good content instead.)

To make your sales copy work, focus on benifits to the customer, not on features. Also, incorporate testimonials. Additionally, unless you're extremely good at writing sales copy, short copy is usually better than long.

Good Example: www.roibot.com. Note the effective use of testimonials and how the focus is placed on benefits, not features: "1 Submission Expert to Keep Your Pages Fresh in the Search Engines"

Appropriate Text Formatting - If you format your text incorrectly your site will, quite frankly, look silly. Throughout your site, try to keep your use of font styles, sizes, and colors consistent as well as avoid too much bolding. This is best illustrated with examples:

Good Example: www.howstuffworks.com. Click on several of the articles on this site and notice how they are consistently formatted the same. Your content should be formatted consistentely as well.

Bad Example: www.business-opportunity.net/fort5000.htm. Notice all the different sizes, colors, and overuse of bolding throughout the text. (By the way, this example is taken from an article written by Ralph Hilliard of WordNet.net)

Value to the Visitor - In order for your site to be valuable to its visitors, it must provide something that they need (be that a product, service, or information). Because not everyone will be interested in what you're offering, the most effective way to make your site valuable to your visitors is to target your marketing efforts to the right group of people—instead of trying to create a site that has a little bit of something for everyone.

There are some other things you can do, like giving away freebies such as newsletters, eBooks, or articles, but that's a whole different subject. :)

Hopefully the brief overview above of these vital elements of a strong website will get you started in the right direction. However, in all honestly, this wasn't truly comprehensive. There's much, much more to it (as I'm sure you've probably discovered at this point), but you'll have to figure that out on your own, because I'm done here. :) Best of luck to you!

About the Author

Need a killer website for your business? Need someone to market it? Micah Cranman designs and markets attractive, compelling, and results-driven websites for small businesses and organizations. For more information on how he can help you develop a powerful web presence, visit his site at www.sybren.net.

 

Web Development
This web summarizes the complete life cycle methodology for web development: planning, analysis, design, implementation, promotion, and innovation.
www.december.com
 
Web Development
Professional Web site design, graphic design, and Internet development services.
webdevelopment.com
 
Web Developer's Virtual Library: Web Development Tutorials and ...
News, tutorials, and reference material focusing on technical web development topics.
www.wdvl.com
 
Open Source Web Development Tutorials - Dev Shed
Open Source web development tutorials, forums, and tools. Topics covered include PHP, Apache, mySQL, Zope, Roxen, Jserv, Zend, XML, DHTML, and Javascript.
www.devshed.com
 
WebDeveloper.com
Hello all, I am new to web development. I have an understanding of website development, but no scripting experience. I have heard of JavaScript, PHP, ...
www.webdeveloper.com
 
LevelTen Web Design | Professional Website, Flash & Graphic ...
Offers logos, web sites, multimedia presentations, and custom media. Quote form. Based in Dallas, Texas. [Requires Flash]
www.leveltendesign.com
 
Web development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For larger businesses and organizations, Web development teams can consist of ... Since the mid-1990's, Web development has been one of the fastest growing ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Web Design - HTML XML - Web Development - Web Site Design
Web Design and HTML are all about creating a great Web site. Use Web development and Web site design to build Web sites that customers return to over and ...
webdesign.about.com
 
Agile Web Development with Rails—Second Edition
Dave Thomas, Mike Clark, David Heinemeier Hansson, Leon Breedt, Thomas Fuchs, Andrea Schwarz; Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2006, ISBN 0977616630.
www.pragmaticprogrammer.com
 
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - Welcome to CYGAD’s WebDevelopment! - The ...
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - The finest Resources for WEB-Design, WEB-Master and WEB-Developer!
www.webdev.cygad.net
 
Web Development Bookmarklets
Includes tools for viewing and testing CSS styles, viewing scripts and variables, and showing the structure of a document.
www.squarefree.com
 
SGI - Freeware - Web Development
Links to freeware web development tools, browsers, software, etc.
www.sgi.com
 
Webmonkey: The Web Developer's Resource
Resources for web site developers including how-to guides, code libararies, server technologies and authoring resources.
www.webmonkey.com
 
Web Development Tools - Web Developer's Journal
Tips on Web page design and development, HTML, graphics, scripting, favicon, development tools, Java, sql basics, building web sites, and much more for ...
www.webdevelopersjournal.com
 
Web Developer's Handbook | CSS, Web Development, Color Tools, SEO ...
Web Developer's Handbook is a list of essential web-sites, which make the life of web developers easier. Compiled and updated by Vitaly Friedman.
www.alvit.de
 
Ceonex Web Development & Web Design - Full Service Digital ...
Web design, web development, online branding, application development and other full service business solutions focused on prospect conversion and customer ...
www.ceonex.com
 
Cayenne Web Development - web design agency, Oxfordshire, UK
Specialist web design agency based nr Banbury, Oxfordshire, offering a complete website design and development service.
www.cayenne.co.uk
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
When I visit a website, especially if it’s the site of a competitor or a prospective client, I like viewing…
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
Articles and news on web standards, accessibility, usability, and other things related to web development and web design.
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Anil Dash: Web Development Trends for 2006
Here, then, is a random assortment of new web development trends to be ready ... Web Development trends 2006: Überblogger Anil Dash maakte (een paar weken ...
www.dashes.com
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 helpful tips to follow when switching web hosts

  • 10 shocking secrets nobody will ever tell you about having a successful business web site

  • 10 things you should be monitoring on your website

  • 10 tips for better web site usability and profits

  • 12 essential web site design tips

  • 12 tips for creating an artist website that sells

  • 13 ways to destroy your website

  • 15 website elements that attract visitors

  • about web applications

  • adding flash 4 to your website

  • add graphics to your website without losing your mind

  • aesthetics and web marketing

  • are web graphics stealing your money

  • asp web hosting

  • attract buyers to your web sitewith power words

  • a custom icon for your web site

  • a webmasters toolkit and tricks

  • a website design checklist

  • a web site to have or have not

  • bad web design activex

  • basics of web design principles

  • beginner guide to web hosting

  • beyond web usability web credibility

  • bring to life your ideal web pages

  • building an effective furniture sales web site

  • building a successful web site what not to do

  • building the website of your dreams not your nightmares

  • building websites using web templates

  • building web sites using web templates

  • building your own web site here are two critical points to consider

  • business benefits of the web standards

  • business web site content strategy

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building all in one package nightmares

  • can they use your website in a tv broadcast about scams

  • can your web site win the tour de france

  • cheap website design dangers of cheap web design for your business

  • cheap web design

  • checklist for a successful web site design

  • choosing the right website designer

  • choosing the right web site designer

  • choosing your web design

  • cookies how to improve your website and learn from your visitors

  • create and deploy a website from start to finish

  • creating your first web site part 2

  • creating your own website for free

  • creative offline website marketing techniques

  • custom web site design strategies

  • designing a successful web site

  • designing professional web pages

  • designing your web site for all browsers

  • determine your popularity on the web

  • developing and optimizing your website let flash help you

  • developing an effective physical therapy web site

  • developing your website 10 tips for getting started

  • developing your winning web site strategy

  • dirty web promotion tricks 1 legitimate and malicious javascripts

  • do not drop your web site off the search engine cliff

  • do you really need a website

  • do you really need a web site

  • easy steps to website development and promotion

  • ecommerce web design solutions

  • effective web design

  • eliciting constructive website feedback

  • empower web clients increase your profits

  • find a hidden fortune in your website stats

  • first rate tools for your web authoring

  • five core elements to a successful website

  • five pieces of information you must include on your website to generate sales

  • flash deadly sins that can kill your web business

  • focus your web site or get out of business

  • forums should you have them on your website

  • four easy steps to establishing a website

  • free website templates top 10 things you need to know

  • getting professional website a cheap and easy way

  • getting your own web site quickly and cheaply

  • get it all with good web content

  • get your web site noticed

  • good web design the importance of navigation

  • good web design what is it

  • graphics for the web gif format

  • graphics for the web plug ins

  • hiring a custom website designer

  • how a custom designed website can help your business

  • how do we know when its time to redesign our web site

  • how much does a website cost

  • how not to be ripped off by your website designer

  • how to build a website

  • how to build your own website more steps

  • how to choose a website designer

  • how to choose a website design company

  • how to choose a web site designer

  • how to create a professional website in less than a week

  • how to create a website in less than a week

  • how to design and setup a website

  • how to find good web hosting

  • how to get more hits on your website

  • how to hire the right web design firm

  • how to keep your visitors 10 times longer on your web site

  • how to make your website a big hit

  • how to prepare images for your web site part 1

  • how to prepare your project before you order website design

  • how to save money on a website

  • how to set up a professional website on your own using web templates

  • how to set up your own website

  • how to shop for a web design firm

  • how web design can affect search engine rankings

  • html tips easy ways to make your website sizzle

  • if its done its done for make your website part of your business before you build

  • if you build it they will come not without web marketing

  • increase sales with easy to read web pages

  • increase the efficiency of your web design business

  • independent consultants take over web design

  • index

  • initial factors of web page construction

  • interactive content blogs forums and feedback what does your web site need

  • in search of webhosting first understand the industry

  • is there benefit to green in web design

  • is your site too slow why image optimization is critical when you create a web site

  • is your website legal

  • is your web site ready for its visitors

  • is your web site unfriendly parts 5 6 of 9

  • is your web site unfriendly part 2 of 9

  • learn from the masters of web design

  • make your artists website sell

  • make your website scream with excitement with java

  • make your web site super sticky

  • making better web graphics that grab your attention and load fast

  • making the business case for web standards

  • manchester united top of the web accessibility league

  • maximising web site viewability browsers

  • maximising web site viewability resolution

  • microsoft and webmasters

  • mini site or content based web site

  • mobile accessibility your website in the year 2005

  • my mother never had a website

  • my top ten list of extremely annoying web page design elements

  • new customizable javascript menu for web applications

  • new support for website and graphic design firms

  • now you have a web site have you ever heard of accessibility

  • optimal website design

  • optimized web page template

  • optimizing a website with flash

  • overview of web content management systems

  • part ii planning a website

  • pegasus infocorp pvt ltd offshore professional website design and software services provider based in india

  • pitfalls of web redesign

  • planning a web site

  • planning a winning website

  • plan your web site for profits

  • printing your website the right way

  • quality web site language

  • quick web site start up and promotion guide

  • rotator

  • search engine optimization and web site usability

  • sell your freelance web services to businesses that dont have a web site

  • should i make my own web site

  • should you bother learning html to build webpages

  • simple steps to finding a web designer

  • simplify your web site for clarity and ease of use

  • spice up your web site with javascript

  • starting your own website c cheryl a crossan 2002

  • steps of a project for a freelance web builder

  • switching web host

  • tapping into the visual stimulus of your web site visitors

  • templates website templates free website template newwebimage com

  • ten basic steps for building a web site that works

  • testing your web application a quick 10 step guide

  • the 4 deadly sins of business web design

  • the 8 most important website design principles

  • the core elements of a successful website

  • the critical importance of good web graphics to internet marketing profits

  • the future of web design what is dotnetnukee

  • the ideal web design firm

  • the importance of web standards

  • the need to have website design services

  • the newbies guide to small business web design

  • the new fa‡ade of web designs

  • the pros and cons of using templates for your business website

  • the straight truth about web site building tools

  • the topic of your website

  • the top 5 roadblocks to web accessibility

  • the top seven strategies for website success

  • the web site is not the end all of internet marketing strategy

  • this is why your website isnt making you any money

  • tips for choosing a web developer

  • top 10 ways for web designers to find new clients

  • top 10 ways websites makes me suffer

  • top mistakes first time web developers often make

  • top ten fonts for website design

  • top ten things to ask yourself about your website

  • translate your web site and expand your market

  • translating your web

  • user friendly website hints tips

  • user lab to host west midlands web accessibility workshop

  • use cgi to automate your web site

  • victoryvisions the php mysql company complete website development company

  • want a sticky website that sells forget content

  • weave your own web

  • webjunxsion is foraging its way through the muddle

  • webpage tips

  • website accessibility

  • website accessibility explained what you can do

  • website designing web site design new jersey newwebimage com

  • website design info part 1

  • website design info part 2

  • website design strategies for internet marketer

  • website design website development flash design services

  • website development become your own expert

  • website maintenance what does it take to manage your website

  • website template usage beyond what you already know

  • web accessibility and your business

  • web accessibility making your pages friendly to people with disabilities

  • web accessibility myths

  • web accessibility the basics

  • web analytics getting it right

  • web content case study

  • web content how much should i pay

  • web designers beware

  • web design 7 key things to avoid

  • web design for the no talent artist

  • web design integrating e commerce

  • web hosting shared or dedicated which should you choose

  • web hosting to switch or to stay

  • web page real estate 101

  • web site designing pillars part2

  • web site design focus focus focus

  • web site design things you should avoid

  • web site monitoring is a global necessity

  • web site must haves

  • web site optimization how to optimize pdf files for web sites

  • web site optimization how to speed up your web site by minimizing your gif and png image bit depth

  • web site start up and promotion guide for professionals

  • web source web design tips

  • web source web design tips adding an image background to your tables

  • web source web design tips cascading style sheets

  • web source web design tips close a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips creating an automatic drop down navigation menu

  • web source web design tips decreasing a websites load time

  • web source web design tips dont forget your meta tags

  • web source web design tips highlighting free for all links

  • web source web design tips how to make your background image stationary

  • web source web design tips open a new window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips open a web page in a new window

  • web source web design tips open a window on page load

  • web source web design tips reload a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips selecting the perfect background for your website

  • web source web design tips using an image to create a line

  • web source web design tips using meta tags for search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent browser cache

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to redirect

  • web standards part 1 what are web standards

  • whats really going on with your web site

  • what color is your website

  • what to avoid to make your website design effective

  • why a css website layout will make you money

  • why dot coms fail a webmasters perspective

  • why hire a professional to design your web site

  • why not to use web design templates

  • why resources added to a web site increase revenue

  • why use a web design template

  • why your business needs a website

  • why you need a web site

  • writing benefit driven web copy 4 steps to more sales

  • writing for the web four steps you cant ignore

  • www hosting web development empathise and create not bad p websites

  • your web site do it yourself or get serious

  • you too can have an amazing website