Make Your Website Easy to Read

Too much content placed haphazardly throughout a web page will make it not only difficult to understand and read, but may even turn off a visitor before they have a chance to see what your site is about.

Heritage Internet Technologies has a few simple tips for you to keep in mind when creating your website.

Guide the Reader
Your site design should guide the reader to the important content. We read from the upper left of a page to the bottom right. Text should be used in a way we typically read, excessive text boxes should be avoided. Graphic elements should be used to direct the reader to the most important text on your page, your call to action.

Add Movement to Your Page
Another way to promote good page flow is through a simple animation. Using a simple animation like a Flash Element or Flash Banner can help direct a visitor to your site to important information or promotions. HIT Web Design has several options that can add that special touch to your site.

Keep it Simple
Have text that is concise and easy to read. If you have too much text on a page consider additional web pages, or Divided Files (Divided Files make it possible to hide text on a page until you select the appropriate tab). Do not overuse capitalized words or punctuation in ways it is not properly used, this can actually make your text harder to read. Use pictures and graphics that add to the concept you are trying to convey throughout your site.

By keeping the design simple and guiding the reader to the important content through proper placement of text, graphics, and simple animations, visitors to your site will find your site easier to use and pleasing to look at.

Increasing Website Accessibility by Adding Links

Almost every website has a link of one kind or another. It could be a link from one page on the site to another (from a home page to a services page). It could be a link to another website. Links can help drive users to the right place. A “Click Here to Order Now” link can take a customer to your order page.

There are three things to consider when adding website links to your site: choose the right links, make sure the links works, and keep the number of links to a minimum.

1. Choose the Right Link: When deciding what links to put on your website, you should choose links that will be resourceful for your visitors. Choose to link to companies that you do business with or ones that complement your business. Having links that help your visitors is a great way to keep them coming back to your website. For example, if you own a landscaping business, you may want to link to a company that builds swimming pools. Don’t be afraid to email other businesses and ask if they will do a link swap.

2. Make Sure the Links Work: Clicking on a link that takes you to a wrong page or doesn't work at all can be very frustrating. Making sure you're imputing the correct link and that it works properly is important for customer satisfaction.

3. Keep the Number of Links to a Minimum: You do not want to overload your website with links. It can confuse the customer. Choose a few links that compliment your website and put them in a location that is easily seen by your visitors.

By following these three steps you can increase your website's accessibility to the public while providing a useful service to your visitors. HIT Web Design offers other ways to improve site accessibility, through site maps, web traffic directors, shopping cart modifications, and many other products.

Website Integration

When creating a website everything needs to be aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. You want people to enjoy looking at your website. One way to do this is through website integration, creating a site that flows together in theme and is visually appealing.

Text is an extremely important aspect of your website. It lets your visitors know your business' contact information, hours of operation, history, sale and specials, and any other information you would like to let people know about. For this reason, choosing the right font is vitally important. You need to choose a font style, color, and size that are easy for your visitors to read. You will also want to choose a font that goes with the theme of your website.

Another important aspect of website integration is text placement. Having text scattered all over the page can cause confusion and is not visually appealing. The text should be limited—too much text can be overwhelming and distracting. It is also helpful to use short sentences and paragraphs.

The last aspect of website integration does not have to do with text, but with the colors chosen for your website. The colors give the overall feel to your website, and choosing colors that are too bright or that clash can be distracting. Colors should be aesthetically pleasing, but also suit your site. Bright and bold colors will be good for some businesses, while others will want to use calming blues and grays.

These three aspects of website integration will give your site the “Wow” factor everyone is looking for, and will increase the aesthetic enjoyment your visitors receive; promoting frequent visits. Other ways to add to the “Wow” factor to your website is by adding flash elements, rollover buttons, and music, just to name a few, all of which HIT Web Design is able to provide for you.

RSS Feeds and Blogs

RSS Feed Drives Traffic to your Site

Want to drive people to your site in droves? Of course you do!

One of the best ways to increase web traffic and web ranking is by distributing news and updates about your business or products that are, in turn, picked up by other websites. If you do this on a regular basis, you can't help but drive people to your site as they see your news items and click to learn more, ultimately ending up on your site. This process is easy, and effective, and is made possible through use of the “RSS Feed” feature. Originally made popular by Netscape, your site popularity can benefit tremendously by integrating RSS Feed into your overall marketing strategy. Writing the code for RSS Feeds is a bit complicated, but at HIT Web Design, we take care of everything, so you don't have to worry.

Blogs Bring Business

Another strategy to bring people back again and again to your website is to incorporate a Blog. Blogs provide an opportunity to constantly update your site with new and fresh material, thus making your site relevant and useful. Blogs also introduce an element of interactivity to your site, and open dialog translates into open doors—more business, more connections, more knowledge, and more website visits. In a list of reasons to blog compiled recently, people gave blogging credit for new jobs, new opportunities to share important information, and the chance to connect with people they considered important. If you are still wondering what value a blog can bring to your website, consider that blog structure matches the “skim and scan” mentality of website visitors, thus providing an easy way for them to get the information they are looking for. If you need a little help with your blog, don't hesitate to consult your HIT Web Design professional for advice. (see HIT Enhancements.)

Informative Writing and Web Writing Skills

Informative Writing

When writing for your website, keep in mind that a new visitor arrives at your site looking for something!

“Of course they are!” you say. “So, what's your point?”

The point is, you want to make it EASY for them to find it!

In other words, visitors arrive at your site with a “skim and scan” or a “grab and go” mentality. If they can't find what they want within seconds, they will move on to someone else's site! Your job, therefore, is to design your home page to capture their attention and then draw them deeper into your site for more information.

Web Writing Skills

Take the time to re-read your own website with a critical eye. If you were a first-time visitor, would you be inclined to linger longer, or would you move on to other sites? The implication for you as you write, or re-write, is that to keep your visitor on your website, you must make your content clear, concise, and interesting. Your challenge is to convey everything your website or product has to offer with as few words as possible and in a simple, easy-to-read format.

Using bullet points, text boxes, and tables along with short text is a good strategy to follow.

Remember, also, that enthusiasm is infectious. Don't be afraid to let your passion show through and describe why you are excited about your product or website.

Finally, a professional writer can help you portray the essence of your site quickly so you can avoid the annoying side effects typical of web writers, such as writer's block, insomnia, over-caffeination, irrational irritability, snappy sarcasm, relentless worrying for no identifiable reason, and screen-strained, bloodshot eyes. (Learn more at HIT Enhancements.)

One last tip: when writing, avoid stereotypical references. It's just annoying.