You’ve heard the old saying, “it isn’t rocket science” which means that it’s not difficult to understand. Designing a highly attractive website that will promote your message or sell your product isn’t that hard either, even for someone who flinches at all the big words like “optimize, analytics and HTML.”

Don’t let computer-speak stress you out!

Use the Right Colors

How hard can this be? You know when you look at your site and try to decide whether it’s pleasing to the eye? That’s all there is to it! In the early more crude days of the Internet, you used to see websites where the color (rusty red) made the black type almost impossible to read. Though this failure is rare today, you still need to judge your content for its ease of readability. In general, lighter colors are preferred, and cool colors (light green or beige) are often easier on the eye.

Use Text That Gets to the Point

We’ve all known pompous people who drone on, endlessly, when they talk to us. You know, the kind of person who doesn’t say it in five words when they can say it in ten. Websites are no different. Your text should make the point you want to make and do it quickly. Be succinct. That means, mean what you say and say what you mean. The longer you take to make your pitch, the more chance your visitors will get bored and leave your web page. Remember, people do not read much beyond a few hundred words of copy.

Scrupulously edit your copy to make it free of typos and grammar mistakes. If you’re not an editor type, get one you know to help you.

Graphics that Carry a Punch

Use of the right graphics on your site is important because they break up the monotony of line after line words. Use of three or four graphics is recommended, but don’t overload the page. Think of a balanced design. Look at the page with a close eye and focus on keeping it to just one item, print, graphic, or photo, and restrain from overwhelming the user.

Eye Catching Photos

The old saying a picture is worth a thousand word definitely applies. An interesting photo that appropriately symbolizes your message can result in super-heated numbers of visits and generate interest in your product, which is especially important if you are a web retailer. Always make sure the photos you use have copyright clearance for you to use them.

Use Common Sense

You don’t have to be a “techie” to understand that if you never change or update your website with new products or information, visitors will tune you out (nothing new to see). A website is an evolving process and it is always a work in progress. Keep changing it. Change is good. If you have something new for the user to see or learn, they will return to your website. Also, a web page that is so loaded down with fancy graphics and intricate photos that the page takes 25 minutes for the average medium to slow computer to load-will cut your visits disastrously. Design a page that loads reasonably quick and provides a streamlined experience for the user.

Keywords and SEO

Entire books have been written about designing websites that are sought out by search engines. You can study these techniques, but there is lots of information available for free on the web as well. Good keyword research, quality onsite SEO practices and effective offsite SEO will come together to provide exceptional search engine rankings for your website. Use keywords in the title of your page and throughout your copy that are representative of your products or services.

John Pentry is a dedicated writer, marketer, and Squidoo enthusiast. Check out one of his most recent articles at: http://www.squidoo.com/socialmediamarketing45.

John Pentry is a dedicated writer, marketer, and Squidoo enthusiast. Check out one of his most recent articles at: http://www.squidoo.com/socialmediamarketing45.

Author Bio: John Pentry is a dedicated writer, marketer, and Squidoo enthusiast. Check out one of his most recent articles at: http://www.squidoo.com/socialmediamarketing45.

Category: Internet
Keywords: social media,marketing,advertising