When designing your webpage, follow these five website design rules to optimize your website's performance.
1) Do not use splash pages
It is important to steer clear of superfluous text and/or images when trying to optimize your website's performance. A splash page's only purpose is to serve as a pretty introduction to your website. It takes a long time to load if you've got a lot of graphics, only to say "welcome" or "enter here." It doesn't normally contain any pertinent information about your website's content. Instead of splash pages, stick with the important content that shows a visitor your site's value.
2) Refrain from banner advertisements
Most visitors to your website have trained themselves to ignore banner advertisements. They can appear either as a waste of webspace or a desperate attempt to make money from your visitors. They are rarely appealing to anyone, so it is best to avoid them. Strategically placed affiliate links are an extra way to make money with your website, and they are much less invasive.
3) Have simple and clear navigation
The navigation menus you use are vital when you are optimizing your website's performance. Your navigation menus should be easy and simple enough for even a child to understand. Complicated Flash menus and dropdown menus can detract from your site's content and also make website design more difficult. There is never a good reason to make your site difficult to navigate, no matter how attractive it may look to you. Keeping things simple will help keep visitors from leaving your site and will also save you time.
4) Make it clear which page the visitor is on
If visitors to your site become confused, they may leave your site, even if their original intent was to purchase from you. If your site has several pages, be sure that the pages are clearly defined and that each page has a specific purpose. By doing this, the navigation process will be seamless.
5) Website Design and Audio
When trying to optimize your website's performance, it is important to avoid excessive amounts of audio. If you do have audio on your site, make sure that the visitor has control over both the volume and/or provide a mute or stop button that is easily located and works immediately. Remember that some of your visitors may be at work or in another public place where the audio might be a distraction to others.
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