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15 Website Elements That Attract Visitors
Here is a quick list of components that make a website attractive. They are listed in layers of attractiveness beginning with the "must" haves, to "nice to haves." 1. State the website's purpose up front and clearly of the site. Do this as quickly...

Is your web site ready for its visitors?
There’s a great interest among the Internet entrepreneurs about how to promote their business on the Web. There’s always a quest for new and innovative ways of promotion that promise greater results at lower cost and in shorter time. Yet with all...

The Newbie’s Guide to Small Business Web Design
You've got a concept for a business, are excited about putting it out on the Internet, know a little bit about computers and the Internet, but know nothing about building a web site, or web design. You can still be highly successful and save...

Web Hosting: Shared or Dedicated - Which Should You Choose?
Before you begin your search for a web host you should first determine whether you need shared web hosting or dedicated web hosting. A shared web hosting account is an account on a web server that hosts other shared accounts. The number of...

Website Template usage, beyond what you already know.
When it comes to search engine ranking "cute won't cut it". While search engines can generate a mind staggering volume of traffic what they feed off specifically is content. Search engines utilize software known as crawlers or spiders. Unfortunately...

 
Web Design - 7 Key things to avoid

A search for "web design" on Google returns more than 325 million results. So how do we start eliminating all these so called designers? Here are a few of the most common shortcomings.

Watch out for:

1. Templates 2. Subdomains 3. DIY Hosting 4. High Renewal Costs 5. Poor Coding 6. Inaccessible Design 7. Advertising / Self Promotion

1. Templates

Watch out for designers offering you a choice of templates. This not only means that they're doing no new design work for their fee but could also have an affect on your search engine ranking. If the search engine robots see the same layout, background images and styles over and over again they could penalise your site for being a copy of another site. Best avoided.

2. Subdomains

Watch out for design services offering you your own domain where the address still includes a reference to another company. You should have a domain in this form - www.yourcompany.com. Watch out for www.yourcompany.hostingcompany.com or www.hostingcompany.com/yourcompany. These forms mean that they are putting your site in a folder of their own site and it doesn't carry as much weight. It's an easy way of them saving money and giving you a lesser sevice.

3. DIY Hosting

Watch out for anyone who does their own hosting. If their server goes down it could mean that your site disappears. Servers can be left on for long periods of time but do need to be restarted occasionally. You don't want your site going down - there could be someone in the middle of using it. If they claim to offer hosting find out if they outsource it to a professional company. This is much safer.

4. High Renewal Costs

Watch out for hidden costs. It's quite common for design companies to offer you a full all singing


all dancing site for a great price only for you to find that it will cost you half of that again the following year. There are always ongoing costs to a website, hosting and domain name renewal. If there are no ongoing costs quoted, monthly or annual, be wary.

5. Poor Coding

Watch out for poor coding. HTML, the language of web pages, is developing and changing all the time. In fact, HTML is on its way out to be replaced by an enhanced language called XHTML. Look at a page the designer has done or their own site. View the source code and look at the section between the head tags (the word "head" in between angled brackets). Any mention of "style" or a ".css" file is a good sign. Now look at the section between the body tags. If you see lots of tags in angled brackets like "font" or "td" then the page coding is showing its age.

6. Inaccessible Design

Watch out for inaccessible design. This is very similar to the last point. It's important that your site can be used not only by PC users but also by the visually impaired, people using palmtops, PDAs and mobile devices. You can't afford to reduce your audience by having an inaccessible design.

7. Advertising / Self Promotion

Watch out for the design company using your website as a means of marketing themselves. Whilst having a discreet link to their company site at the foot of the page is quite fair and reasonable, be wary of any additional links or advertising. They could be making money selling advertising space which you're paying for.
About the Author

Chris Smith works as a web designer, developer and internet marketing consultant. For further information on high quality, good value web design please visit his site - Professional Web Design

 

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 ...
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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…
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Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
Articles and news on web standards, accessibility, usability, and other things related to web development and web design.
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Anil Dash: Web Development Trends for 2006
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  • 10 helpful tips to follow when switching web hosts

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  • about web applications

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  • aesthetics and web marketing

  • are web graphics stealing your money

  • asp web hosting

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  • a webmasters toolkit and tricks

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  • 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

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  • building websites using web templates

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  • business benefits of the web standards

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • top mistakes first time web developers often make

  • top ten fonts for website design

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  • translate your web site and expand your market

  • translating your web

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  • user lab to host west midlands web accessibility workshop

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  • 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

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  • 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