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8 Ways To Improve Bad Website Design
By Ayat Shukairy (c) 2007

Introduction

You're website reads well and you're proud of it. But, you've
tried and tried to create something that looks good too, and
you can't seem to get it together. You're waiting for rave
reviews but none have come your way. Your website is a flop.
Not to worry. You're not alone. You want to fix it but you
don't have the big budget you need to hire a great web
developer. Check out some simple ways you can improve your
website and get it into better shape, now!

1. Balance your page

When users enter a website, their focus first starts at the top
left of the page, and hovers there before slowly tracking to the
right. Contrary to what many think, the web user is focused more
on the text of the page, rather than images or graphics. This is
where balance comes into place.

Balance will not only make your page more visually appealing,
but it will make your page easier to read and items easier to
find. A good layout will help the objects on your page to flow.

2. Keep it simple

Less is more. Clean your website up by removing all the
unnecessary visual elements. This will allow important items to
stand out. Leave some white space on the page. The illusion of
space is visually pleasing, as well as easier to navigate.
Otherwise, your visitor will get whiplash by darting their head
from left to right in an attempt to look at all the information
crammed on your screen. Or worse, they'll click on out of there
in a hurry.

3. Fix your fonts

The size and type of font you select will have an effect on how
your reader takes in your information. What font should you use?
San-serif fonts such as Arial and Verdana are popular choices
for on-screen reading. And keep the size in mind too. The font
size should be no smaller than 10 points and no larger than 14
points. You don't want the reader to be able to read the
information from across the room, but you don't want them
squinting and leaning closer to the monitor either.

4. Clean backgrounds

Go subtle. The background textures and colors you choose have
the ability to gauge the overall appeal of the website. Lots of
texture and graphics in the background can be distracting, and
the more texture you add to the background, the less noticeable
your text and images become.

If you're going to use a color on the background, make sure
there is a significant contrast between the background color
and the text. Strike a good balance, or you may compromise the
readability of the text. Make good choices. You will rarely go
wrong with black text on a white background. It's crisp, clean,
and easy to read. Be cautious when using darker and brighter
colors such as red or yellow. They cause visual fatigue and the
reader will lose their focus on the text.

5. Graphics

Graphics are often overused on webpages. We often clutter the
pages with objects that look cool but serve no purpose other
than to increase the download time. Here are some instances
where you can use graphics to enhance your pages:

• Logo – Your logo is your brand recognition and it adds visual
  appeal to your webpages.

• Title bars – The title bar lets your visitors know which page
  they are on.

• Horizontal rules – Graphic lines are often used to separate
  categories or sections of a webpage.

• Background images – Are used to add visual appeal or make a
  web site easier to navigate.

• Photos – Personalize a website and make it inviting.

• Navigation icons, such as `home' and 'back' enhance a page
  because they are familiar and users anticipate seeing them.

5. Easy navigation

Create a toolbar with links that are easy to navigate. Position
the toolbar in an area that makes sense. Web users often look
for the toolbar across the top or down the left hand side of
the page. Going with the norm will create a sense of
familiarity and facilitate the ease of navigation. And don't
forget a link to your homepage. It's often forgotten but very
important to point your users to your home page. Check out
www.invesp.com for an example of easy and well structured
website navigation.

6. Text readability

You have great copy, but are you displaying it effectively?
Make your pages easy to read. Break up blocks of text and
create short paragraphs.

• Consider the key points on each page and create headings and
  subheadings.

• Only use one or two fonts. Select one font for your headings
  and subheadings and another for the body text.

• Highlight key words and phrases by bolding or using a
  different color. Be careful when selecting colors, and don't
  use every color in the rainbow. Many, such as yellow and pink,
  don't stand out well if you've selected a white or black
  background.

7. Scrolling

Horizontal scrolling? Yikes. That needs to go, now! Users hate,
hate, hate to scroll left to right. It's disorienting and
annoying, so if you've got it, lose it.

Vertical scrolling is ok if you have to have it, but consider
moving larger blocks of information to another page and
providing links. There's also the danger of missing vital
information that falls below the screen if a user decides not
to scroll down to view it. So if you've got to have a scrolling
page, try to keep all your important information above the fold.

8. Make it quick

We all get impatient when it takes more than 5 seconds to
connect to a website. Users want to make contact, and make it
quick. Ensure that your pages load as quickly as possible.
Eliminate unnecessary graphics, especially flash graphics...they
can be time hogs. You need to make an immediate impression, and
the only impression you're leaving as your page slowly grinds in
to view is "this page sucks"...if they're still there to see it
at all.
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As the Director of the http://www.invesp.com/writing-services
writing department, Ayat has become an expert at increasing
conversion rates for clients. Her team of writers provide
copywriting services, as well as
http://www.invesp.com/seo-articles  SEO writing services.
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