subject: What Web Design Tutorials Can Teach You [print this page] If you're hoping to make your own website, you may be tempted to jump right in. After all, there are plenty of free and inexpensive website templates available. They make the process of actually assembling a webpage simple and easy. What they can't provide, however, is the know-how required to make your website easy on the eyes, readable and navigable. That's where Web design tutorials come in. They can provide important tips that will help you create the best site possible. Here are a few examples of what good quality web design tutorials can teach you.
Simplicity is Best
Many new website owners want to include as much information as possible when they design their sites. It's understandable; after all, you're probably excited about your business, organization or hobby. Too much information can overwhelm your visitors and make your site hard to sort through. That's especially true if you're using a site builder that allows you to include blogs, social media feeds, animations and other extras.
Be kind to your readers; keep your site design simple and link to your other information. Divide everything up into small chunks. Use short, clear wording in all navigation links so that there's no way to get lost on the site. The result will be a page that viewers can read and understand without feeling lost or confused. Those viewers are much more likely to become customers!
Prioritize Navigation
Site navigation is one of the most important elements of any webpage. It's important to keep it clear and consistent. That means avoiding the temptation to use "clever" wording in the navigation bar. If you run a site dedicated to coffee, using "Something Brewing" as a link to your newsletter may be entertaining, but it can keep visitors from actually finding the newsletter link. If you feel that you must use graphics or text that obfuscates the meaning of the link, build your site with a hover feature that provides readers with the true purpose of the link.
Stay Consistent
Pick one style for your site at the beginning of the design process and stick with it. It doesn't matter whether you design that style from scratch or use a template; it must be consistent throughout your entire website. Changing the look of the site on each page is confusing and can cause your visitors to wonder how many companies use the same site. Think about the message you want to send to readers before you pick the overarching style, then design everything else around it.
Good design tutorials can offer a lot more than just these simple tips, of course. They're the perfect resource to check before you make your own website. Whether you're new to site building or you already have a few designs under your belt, you can benefit from a good tutorial.
