Do's and Don't's of Web Design
Do's and Don't's of Web Design
Submitted by iJeff:
Do's:
Do use doctypes: http://www.alistapart.com/articles/doctype/
- doctypes help tell the browser what kind of page it's rendering, among other things -- check the link for more info.
Do validate your pages: http://validator.w3.org/
- validating your site's pages will help ensure that it has a better chance of rendering the same in all browsers. it also helps eliminate glaring errors in your code.
Do use CSS: http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/ , http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp
- CSS is versatile and easy. used properly, it can generate faster loading sites and high modularity.
Do have a header that's relevant to your site, impresses the user quickly, and where text is easily legible.
Don'ts:
Don't use pop-ups.
- they're annoying, users hate them. ergo, they won't look at them anyway. so why bother?
Don't use frames.
- when frames are used (or iframes for that matter), a user cannot choose what frame to bookmark (usually) when he/she hits a bookmark button in their browser. Thus, a particular page they're on could be potentially lost.
Don't use tables for non-tabular data.
- tables were meant for tabular data. database-type stuff. numbers. etc. don't use them for layout, use happy CSS.
Don't include excessive flashy stuff.
- javascript cursor follower thingies, flashy gifs, scrolling text -- if you don't need it, you won't need it. it'll only give the user a headache.
Don't have a tacky color scheme: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
- it may surprise you, but a nice color scheme goes a long way. a subtle matching up of text color with a background color can really impress a user, if only subconsciously.
Don't use anti-aliasing with pixel fonts. ugh.
Submitted by jadedchron:
Do's
-Make your navigation clear
-Use harmonic color schemes
-Make text legible (black on white)
-Consider the visitor's resolution and computer setup
Don'ts
-Have your visitor download fonts, special viewers, etc..
-Use a bunch of animated gif's
Submitted by LIFT:
Do's
-do use the same page layout and colors
-do use the same navigation on all pages (don't move it round), and don't place it on the right side instead of the left side .. after all in english you read left to right, top to bottom and not right to left, bottom to top. Unless you are creating this in a language where this is standard.
Don'ts
-DO NOT copy some one's design, although it may look simular since there are a billion designers out there and eventualy it will all look simular .... please DO be creative.
-do not use dark text on a dark background, or text that is neon ... if you have to use other designers color themes as a guide line.
-do not use huge images that take 5 minutes to load, learn the art of tiling images and create your design so you re-use images ... once an image is downloaded it will be automaticaly place on the web page since its already in the viewers temp folder.
___________________
I've got a girlfriend! WOOT.
Last edited by Jeff, April 3rd, 2005 04:40 PM (Edited 1 times)
December 13th, 2003 
