Sunday, May 20, 2012

Effective Web Design: The Essence of Planning

Internet is becoming a center of interest for the wide range of individuals. Did you ever notice how the web changes through time? Today there are now plenty of web designs. Experts are trying their best to put certain web sites attractable for every user. Designing a web site is one of the techniques to gain more clients. Before you can have a successful web site you must first create a plan. Always remember that planning is not only important in creating a successful website but also in any other common investments to which time and other related resources will be dedicated. Like any other plans, you made for yourself, to create a good web design you must have a checklist. This checklist will help you in providing reference in the development of your design plan.

As you read along the topic you will be able to learn the following steps. This is the definition of purpose, identifying the audience, planning the content, planning the structure, planning the web pages and planning the navigation. Each step will be discussed further.

Let us start with the first step which is to define the purpose. Within this step, you must identify the specific topic of your web site. Stick with that topic and not to something else. Decide on the accomplishments you want to have for your website. It’s either if you are going to have a web site for communication of information, education, entertainment, selling products, etc.... You also need to know the purpose of your website. Set your general and specific goals.

Next step is to identify the audience. You may set some client’s profile to define the goal of your audience and their needs. The effectiveness of your website regarding the usability to clients will greatly depend on the design itself whether it renders the need of the clients. You can have a suggestion area within your site so that visitors can comment or suggest the kind of output you have. Feedbacks are very important because this can be a tool that can be use for modification. After identifying the audience and the purpose of your web site the next thing you will do is to have a general objective. Make sure that the following objectives and your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bounded.

The third steps would be the planning of the content. This includes choosing of certain contents that will meet your website’s objective. Remember to select the content that is related to the topic you have. Do not choose those cutting edge contents just because you can. For you to create a unique content you may compose it with yourself. This will save time rather than having a problem with the copyright rules.

The fourth step would be the planning of the structure. Within this step, you have to make the best way to structure the information in your website to achieve the established objectives. Selecting a theme for your structure would be a good idea. The content must fit appropriately within the structure where it can be utilized most effectively. If in case resources are limited, just focus on those things needed for your audience.

The fifth step is to plan on the web pages. In this phase, you really have to organize the information. Secondary and tertiary pages must have a good visual connection to the home page. This is important to prevent color disturbance. There are some people who get easily irritated with those changing colors. Make sure that your design is an eye sight friendly. You may use a uniform color format and a constant page layout.

The sixth step would be the planning of the navigation. User based designs is very important since it is them who will utilize not you. You may gather some surveys to generate new ideas that satisfy the users. You may create a navigation system that will be easily understood by the user. You also have to make sure that the navigation elements will match the web site’s mood and theme. Always put your navigation elements somewhere predictable. Do not use the hiding bar or the push to open method since this can take time for your visitors to use. You may use direct buttons for the users convenient.

Always remember the two most important things.  First, is to consider the audience and second is to make sure that your output is relevant to your general objective.

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