Optimal website design is the art of logical navigation.

It will offer consistency while providing useful, quality information that is attractive to the eye and easy to understand. A well designed site will lead your viewersto the starting point and direct them throughyour site without confusing them.

While there are many ways to design a website there area few basic design principles that will help you createa site that is user friendly and attractive.

1. Use lots of white space.

Don't feel that because you have a whole screen you need to fill it up with 'stuff'. Your page should follow a clean outline. Include your site name at the very top. Below that, list the subject of your page followed by information on your topic. Leave adequate space between each section.

Don't cram a lot of pictures and ads on your site. If you havean ad, keep it off to the side or subtly intersperse it betweenyour text. The idea is not to overwhelm your reader with alot of advertisements.

It's best to keep your text on a white background. If youdo choose a colored background be careful that your text doesn't blend into the background making it difficult to read.

2. Don't use animation and flashing objects.

As advertisers we feel the need to get our viewers attention. This is important but we need to do it gracefully. Flashingobjects and scrolling images distract your visitors and take away from the content. If your product is better demonstratedwith animation, music or some other multi-media, allow your viewer to select the option. Don't force it on them.

3. Include an 'about' link.

Allow your viewers to find out about who you are and what you are about. Include a biography and some backgroundon why you are in the business you're in or why you created your website. By helping them to get to know you, they will find it easier to develop a trust. If they can like you and trust you, they will feel a lot better about doing business with you.

Always include your business address, phone numberand email address. This also lets viewers know thatyou welcome contact and are serious about your business.

4. Include a 'Privacy' Link

Reassure your visitors that you follow privacy guidelines by including a 'Privacy' page. This is particularly importantif you are collecting names and email addresses. Visitorswant to know that you will not sell or give away their information.

In these days of rampant spam, your privacy policy needs to beprominently displayed. Many viewers and business partners won'tdo business with you unless you have it.

5. Always keep your links in blue.

Internet surfers have long been accustomed to seeing links in blue. It's simply an expectation that viewers have. There's certainly no law that says your links must be blue,but people prefer consistency, therefore it's good practice to keep your links consistent and recognizable. If they're not, you may lose out on clicks.

6. Keep navigation consistent

The navigation scheme you create on your index page shouldbe done the same way throughout your site. Don't force yourviewers to relearn each page of your site. Keep your navigationbars, colors and fonts consistent for each page.

7. Use Understandable buttons and links.

Title your links appropriately. Don't use cute or misleading names. For example, if you have a link to 'cameras' don'tlabel the link 'hotshots', label it 'Cameras'. Your viewersdon't want to waste time figuring out what things are.Be clear with your text or you could risk losing your visitor.

8. Focus on the 'YOU', not the 'ME'.

Make it obviously clear to your readers that you are inbusiness for them. Encourage feedback, provideuseful information and keep advertisements to a minimum. Your objective should be focused on what you can dofor your reader? Convince them that your main interest is how you can deliver what it is they're looking for?

9. Make sure your page loads fast.

If viewers have to wait for a page to load they will clickelsewhere. If a page doesn't load in 8 seconds you could lose 1/3 of your visitors. Here's a great free tool tohelp you check your website's load time:

http://www.1-hit.com/all-in-one/tool.loading-time-checker.htm

10. Use a site map.

A site map will give visitors a "guide" on viewing your site, especially with larger sites. it's a road map for your visitorsto follow. Sitemaps are also popular with search enginesand are often recommended to help ensure indexing.

About the Author

Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support industry. She has moved her expertise to the world wide web helping businesses find trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase sales. You can contact Elizabeth at mail@pro-marketing-online.com or visit her website at http://www.pro-marketing-online.com

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