Your audience is the main reason for building a website. Without someone to view the pictures, graphics, words and hundreds of pages of information, you might as well spend your time playing golf. With this in mind, your audience, customer base, targetted traffic, whatever you want to acknowledge them as, request you follow three simple rules when they visit your site. The designers three responsibilities are simplicity, speed and security.
Simplicity
In terms of navigation and style of the site, simplicity is the best way to go. If the information a visitor needs can only be found by clicking on three seperate links, then 9 out of 10 times they will go to a site that they can get the information by just one click. Navigation is extremely important because 1) everyone is not an expert internet user, 2) people want what they are looking for, five minutes ago and 3) everyone is not using DSL or cable.
In regards to simplicity, keep these tips in mind:
Speed
Now, I love flash intros just as much as the next guy, but most internet users are still using a 56k modem so this means higher load times. Your index page should be designed with the idea of making a great first impression, but not so impressive that it takes three minutes to load over the phone line. Keep only the pictures and graphics that are most important to allow users to get there foot in the door. Remember this holds for all of the pages found on the site as well.
Security
Most of the internet websites designed today are built with the idea of selling a product or service. A customer will shop online with someone they feel safe with. This is how Amazon.com and the like have lasted so long. Their customers are confident that when they make a purchase, that there credit card information is safe. Therefore, they keep going back for more purchases.
If the url for the webpage where purchases are made does not contain "https:" or the link to verfiy that they are a secure site, then the customers who do the most online shopping will recognize the fact that the webpage is not secure and move on to a website that gives them the security they need. My advice is if you wish to sell products but don't want to spend a lot of money to set up a merchant account, then try vendors like Paypal or BidPay. If you do not wish to deal with a third party, then contact Verisign or Authorize.net.
Alternatives to Cough Syrup
Even though there are billions of dollars spent every year in the US on over-the-counter cough syrups, most such medicines do little if anything to relieve coughs say the ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians). According to the nathion’s chest physicians, cough syrups generally contain drugs in too low a dose to be effective, or contain combinations of drugs that have never been proven to treat coughs.
Unveiling the Secrets of Your Bridal Gown
Your wedding gown is more than just a dress; it's a reflection of your personality, style, and the contours of your body. It's a statement piece that speaks volumes about who you are on your special day. But what exactly is your wedding dress conveying? Is it in harmony with your character and does it complement your body type to perfection?
Watch Out For That Scam
The IFCC (Internet Fraud Complaint Center) received over 200,000 complaint submissions for 2004, an increase of 66.6% from 2003. The total dollar loss from all referred cases exceeded 68 million dollars, an average loss of $894 per complaint. There are many types of internet frauds that exist including auction, email, foreign investment letters and online dating.
