Web site design do's and dont's

10 things you should do when building your site

1. Make your front page stand out - Your front page is the most important on your site. Make it your most creative to get visitors attention right away so they'll stick around.
2. No Broken Links - Make sure you check your site before you upload so there are no broken links.
3. Optimized Graphics - Your graphics should enhance your page not slow down your page. All bloated images should be scaled down before uploading your site.
4. Content - Your site should be as informative as possible, make sure you have plenty of information pertaining to your area of expertise.
5. Easy Navigation - Visitors should be able to find any part of your site with ease and not get lost in the process
6. Contact Pages - Post your e-mail, phone and fax information on every page of your site to make it easy for your visitors to get in touch with you.
7. Your own Search Box - A search box will make it much easier for visitors to find what they're looking for.
8. Spelling - Make sure you proofread each page and correct any spelling errors on your site.
9. Search Engine Optimization - Your pages should be formatted for the search engines properly before you upload your site.
10. Color Scheme - Build your site around a two or three color scheme that is easy on the eye and appealing to the eye.

10 things you shouldn't do when building your site

1. Have ten different types of colored text - This is very annoying.
2. Navigation that makes no sense - Show your site to some friends before you upload your site and try to let them surf around. If they get lost change your navigation scheme
3. Flashing and unecessary animations - Don't have any crazy graphics unless they serve a specific purpose.
4. No contact information - Make it easy for your visitors to find their contact information.
5. Free Backgrounds - Make sure your background is a solid color or just white, don't use crazy designs for your background.
6. Scrolling - Make sure your visitors can see most of your pages right on the screen. Don't make them have to scroll to find your information.
7. Awards - Do not put them on your site period.
8. Strange Links - Avoid links or linked GIF's that go to site that have nothing to do with what your site is about.
9. Overusing JavaScript - Don't use JavaScript unless you have a clearly defined role for your script on your site
10. Keep it Simple Stupid - If you remember KISS it will make your programming experience much easier.