WebTech 101   Introduction to Website Design

In today’s increasingly online society, not only is it important for virtually every company to maintain some sort of presence online, but also for a number of career or socially oriented individuals to set up personal web pages as well. Whether an entrepreneur trying to launch a new product, an aspiring artist attempting to get his or her name out there or blogger looking to share insights with people of common interests. Perhaps the greatest problem with the mass exodus from a brick and mortar centric society is that many novice website owners simply aren’t savvy in effective website building techniques or strategy methods. In order to be effective, a website must be a well thought out tool to advance personal objectives. What key considerations are most vital to your success?Originality Whether a site is a transactional page or merely a forum for entertainment, it will be competing with a lot of similar clutter out there on the web. This may affect your very business model, as you might realize the need to diversify your product line or range of service if using the internet to expand your business’ horizons beyond local markets. Even with less optimization efforts, offering a unique product will grow a following via organic resources such as word of mouth. On the contrary, if your site is just one of several hundred interchangeable websites leaving visitors no incentive to return, even high volumes of publicity will do little attain long lasting success.Navigability No matter how refreshingly original your site may be, if it is difficult to read, maneuver or make sense of your ideas will fall on deaf ears, or simply be inaudible to even the most keen listeners. This can be as simple as basic design elements such as font size, font selection, kerning, page symmetry, texture (yes, there’s such a thing in the digital realm) or color choice. Furthermore, your pages within your site should be presented in a logical manner, making it easier to get from the home page to and from any additional tier 2 page, or jump directly from tier 2 page to tier 2 page.Credibility Particularly important for transactional and informational sites, a professional look can help to give credence to the words on your page. If your website appears to be an amateur it will reflect poorly on your level or service or expertise.