5 Basic Rules of Website Development

Shadab · # 1 (**permalink**)

Here are 5 basic rules that every web developer should keep in mind while developing a new website.

1) Banner Adverts

Don't fill half of your page with advertisements; or Don't make your users scroll a couple of times to reach your main content. It's a big turn-off. Many web surfers are now 'ad-blind', ie, they just ignore your banners advertisement. So that's a wastage of space on your website. Work on clean and creative ad placements which should be eye catching but NOT too much distractive.

2) Splash Pages

Splash page is the first page you encounter when you visit a website. Usually such pages have a big image relevant to the niche (many a times irrelevant too) with text such as "Click Here to Enter Site", "Welcome to XYZ". So that's one extra click for the user (visitor) to reach your actual site content. This is bad and you can lose a substantial amount of traffic.

3) Navigation Menu

Design a navigation menu keeping in mind all of your visitors. Not everybody would know how to work through Flash, Animation or multi-level DHTML menus. (Flash based menus are not search-engine friendly too) Also not every user would have JavaScript enabled in their browser. So it's best to make a simple HTML navigation menu. Slick CSS (+ div / ul / li) based menus are the IN thing now.

4) Breadcrumbs

(in conjunction with the above mentioned point : Navigation Menu)

Make sure the visitors know where exactly they are, on your website. Don't let the visitors confuse or play the guessing game; it wouldn't take much time for those visitors to hit the X (close) button. A suitable breadcrumb, say... when a user is on an article page, would be like :

Home » Main Category 1 » Sub-Category » Article Name

5) Multimedia

One thing is clear : Rich media content like Audio and Video consumes a LOT of bandwidth. And not everybody has a broadband connection (especially in the 'developing' or 'underdeveloped' countries). So if you ever need to include multimedia content in your webpages, make sure that it don't start streaming automatically on the page load. Also don't forget to include the controls to change the volume and control the playback.

courtneyleigh · # 2 (**permalink**)

tar mate

rayanaga · # 3 (**permalink**)

I absolutely hate splash pages myself.
No matter how good they are, i still hate to click through them.

Although, if its a half-second flash intro that requires no clicking, im good with it.

HealthPerson · # 4 (**permalink**)

Quote:

I absolutely hate splash pages myself.

I will second that. I usually see it as more of a hindrance.

iBlaze · # 5 (**permalink**)

Most of the time i don't really mind splash pages, but it can definitely put a dent in your traffic numbers, that's for sure. However, if you have information that you would like to welcome your visitos with before they enter your site, that can't fit on the homepage, sometimes a splash page can be a good idea. However, in that case, [to keep your traffic targetted more directly to your website] you can just have a pop-up marquee strip or something... just some ideas

Rony · # 6 (**permalink**)

Awesome workdone , am sure this tips and tricks are going to help a lot. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Shadab · # 7 (**permalink**)

Thanks for the appreciation and feedback, guys !

joyti · # 8 (**permalink**)

From my point of view:-
Your web site should be easy to read
Your web site should be easy to navigate
Your web site should be easy to find
Your web page layout and design should be consistent throughout the site
Your web site should be quick to download

jamest · # 9 (**permalink**)

Everyone should definitely follow these rules. Especially splash pages if I go to a site with a splash page I will usually just exit out of it.

arman · # 10 (**permalink**)

Form my point of view :-

Rule #1 : Lay out the Blueprint First
Rule #2 : Finalize your Color Scheme
Rule #3 : Start With The Basic Building Blocks
Rule #4 : Know your CSS and Handle it with Care
Rule #5 : Make Multiple CSS files