My Website Tips
1. Learn all you can!
When I first started building my website, I didn't know anything. I had to use a basic editor, which pretty much does everything for you. But I'm the kind of person, that if someone else knows something, I want to know it too. :) So I began to read all I could about HTML. Places like HTML Clinic and Lissa Explians It All were a big help. These sites helped me to be able to put up my own links, pictures, backgrounds and text without relying on the basic editor. So, my advice to you: learn to write your own HTMl, don't rely on basic editors or page builders.
2. Learn Tables
I love tables! I know it's dorky, but I do! :P With tables you can put stuff where you want it, and it enables you to be more creative with you layouts. Once you mastered the basics, you'll be ready to tackle tables. Webmonkey has a great tutorial that really helped me.
3. Learn CSS
What is CSS? Cascading style sheets. Did you notice that the colors of my scroll bar match the colors of my site? I did this using CSS. You can also use it to add cool effects to you links. And so much more! You can use it to define your tables or the margins of your page. It is a great tool to learn. Again, Lissa Explains It All is where I learned CSS.
4.Fonts Rule
I am a font addict. ;) But I've learned that it is best to use a common font for the text of your site. Fonts like tahoma, comic sans ms, arial, and verdana are some of my favorites. You can always use that cool font you found in your graphics, that way everyone can see it even if they don't have that font on their computer.
5. Continuity is a good thing.
Meaning, you don't have to have a different web set for every page of your site! hee hee It took me a long time to learn this, but having the same graphics throughout your site actually looks more professional. Plus, it will load faster if each page doesn't have to load different graphics.
6. Keep Navigation Simple
You don't want visitors to get lost when they visit your site. If you have several pages, it is probably best to divide them up into related catagories. Example: ME YOU WWW. Of course, you can come up with more original names for your catagories. :) Also, make sure that yout navigation is accessible from all your pages, so that your visitors do not have to use their browsers back button.
7. Give credit where credit is due
This one should be self-explainatory. If you use someone else's stuff, give them credit for it! Always read their terms of use and abide by them. It's not hard to do and it is the right thing to do!
8. Have lots for your visitors
To keep people coming back you need to have some content. The kind of content is up to you. I am a fan of Winnie the Pooh, so that is what I made my site about. So make your site about something you enjoy, whether it is sports, movies, poetry or whatever. Have lots of information about your topic and update as frequently as possible. This will let visitors know you care about your site.
9. Get Inspired
Visit other great sites and learn from them. Now I'm not saying steal their ideas, that is wrong! And illegal! But hopefully it will inspire you to make your site the best it can be. Also, check out peoples FAQ and credit pages. You can usually find great tips and links to helpful sites.
10. Targeting Your Links
Please! Please, if you are using frames or i-frames, have all links leaving your site open in a new window. There is nothing worse than being stuck in someone's frames. Personally I like for all links leaving a site to open in a new window. That way I can still visit your site as well as the new one. But new windows are a must for a site using frames.
Here is the code to have links open in a new window:
11. Font Colors
Now I admit, I'm not the best judge of colors. My sister says I'm color blind, but there is one thing I do know. It is easier to read a light-colored text on a dark backgound or a dark-colored text on a light background than it is to read a dark-colored text on dark backgound or light-colored text on a light-background. :) Understand?! :) The best clue is: if it is hard for you to read, then it will be hard for your visitors to read.
12. No Right Click Code
I'm not a big fan of the NRC code. (Yes, I am using it on this layout, because many of the graphic artist's that I am using require it.) The reason I don't like it: I like to right click! And not to steal someone's graphics either! :) I right click to refresh a page, show a picture if a graphic doesn't load, or open a link in a new window. This is what most people use it for. Besides, if someone really wants your graphics, there are lots of other ways of getting them. I don't recommend it, but if you are going to use it, please have all links leaving your site open in a new window. People (meaning me) won't get so annoyed then. (I apologize to anyone I've "annoyed" with this layout, but the graphics were too good to pass up. *grins*)
13. Embedded Music
I don't really like it. I'd much rather listen to my own music. But if you are going to put music on your site, here are some tips to keep it from annoying your visitors. Always have a way for your visitors to turn it off. Never have music on your splash page. A splash page should load quickly and it usually takes forever for music to load. And always place the code for music near the end of the page, that way your visitor won't have to wait for the music to load before they can veiw your page. Hope this helps. :)
14. Have fun and be yourself
You're going to get good comments and bad about your site, but the bottom line is that it is YOUR site. If you like it and enjoy working on it, don't worry about what anyone else says.
