Comments, Ideas and information

[Guest sdmuscl4hire]

I am creating a new website to advertise my services using flash and a web creation tool.

 

What I am trying to gain is some other ideas from idividuals who have browsed websites and get some likes and dislikes from you so that I may create a site easy to use and navigate. I too have experienced sites that after 2 minutes closed the browser in frusteration and I consider myself on the experienced level with Web Creation and management. Just ideas or thoughts please.

 

Michael Johnson

[ready182]

Website Rule #1: Not everyone uses Internet Exploder.

Website Rule #2: Not everyone uses the latest version of browser software.

Website Rule #3: Not everyone has a broadband connection.

 

Design your web site for the "least common denominator"; grab your audience with your content; don't rely on the latest "parlor trick".

[Michael]

Rule #4 - don't use things that need multimedia plugins as part of any of your normal web pages.

 

Rule #5 - don't use exotic fonts or weird color schemes and/or backgrounds that make things hard (or impossible) to read,

 

In other words KISS. (Keep It Simple .. Stupid)

 

More generally, go for a nice simple clean and consistant design.

 

Have a menu bar either at the top or the left which is always available and will always let you get to the home page and other important parts of the site from wherever you are.

 

Keep the use of frames to a minimum (or, better still, don't use them at all).

 

Don't do *anything* that will in any way interfere with the use of the "Back" button on the web browser.

[Justice]

I can't say it loud enough or often enough: No pop-ups. No pop-ups. No pop-ups. I hate them. ((Although I have to admit that surfing the 'net has been sweeter since I downloaded free pop-up stopping software from http://www.panicware.com. :7 It takes some getting used to, but it's one of the best things I ever downloaded from the 'net )

[Guest sdmuscl4hire]

thnx for the info, bought it today : )

[Guest tmbg]

Michael, I like easy navigation. There are several sites that use "tabs" at the top of the page as a stationary navigation bar. This way I can easily "flip" through pages (I.E. Rates, Pics, Bio, Travel Info). I also enjoy a site that does use flash and rollovers. I do not like sites that are too heavy on Java as IE does not handle it well.

 

My one suggestion would be to include a brief video clip, maybe you introducing yourself instead of the traditional text bio.

 

Cheers! Ritchie

[+ deej]

Michael,

 

I agree with everything the guys say about browser capabilities.

 

But don't forget human capabilities. ;-)

 

70% of men in the US are color blind in *some* combination. (Don't remember where I got that stat, but it somehow stuck with me.) Readability studies say that black text on white (or pastel) backgrounds are best. You think it's an accident newspapers are printed on more-or-less white paper? It costs more to make "white" paper than to let it stay a natural color.

 

Also, avoid long line-lengths. Again, readability studies show that multi-column layouts are better than one wide paragraph that wraps based on the size of the monitor and the video resolution in use.

 

And DO NOT hard-code font sizes. Let the user decide (through browser settings) what size your text should be so that it's easiest for them to read.

 

And you know this already, but make sure you make allowances for those few (hey they're out there) guys using a character-mode browser. They're only going to see the text. You just never know where the next sugar daddy might come from.

 

I'll look forward to seeing your new site! You're willing to at least listen to suggestions up front which bodes well for a very solid and clean design.

[Guest sdmuscl4hire]

Well what I have so far is an off white page with very few sentences and a video of me talking. Sounds like an award winning site to me :7

[Guest Easy]

Michael.....Just put yourself out there Man. You are H-O-T! You don't need a lot of gimmics! You are warm, friendly, down to earth and NO attitude. Just tell em Man...and show em a pic! Let those of us who love you back you up in our reviews. The reviews are what speak!! I'm happy to SHOUT for you!! :-):9 :9