Thanks for taking the time to continue.

I am going to cover some basic information about website design.

Some may argue these issues and that is their right, but I am not just typing to type. I have studied website design since the introduction of the internet. The world wide web was so intriguing to me when I saw my first web page, that I decided to find out how it all worked. I have looked at thousands of websites from all over the world, read many forum topics and better yet, visit the pro sites to gauge trends and fads.

Just remember that your web page or site is an expression of your creativity. Yes there are certain standards but those are in behavior not creativity. The internet will criticize and/or praise, but really, if someone doesn't have the right to creative expression ... then it should just be unplugged.

Let's begin ...

Okay then, let me say this, Yes I can design a website for you in the standard white background with an image here and there, scatter some relevant advertisers and make your site look like ninety percent of the websites out there but, only if that is what you request. Color in websites is being used more now and is better accepted.

Is black on white easier to read? That is debatable. That depends on many things. Coding in Notepad, I look at black text on white all day and most of the night, everyday, and it does certainly wear on my eyes. Besides, Why not break the cycle and offer some color.

Color requires a little sense of ... color, and the ability to make combinations that work. Pink and lime green may not seem like a combination choice, yet if designed right those colors can become focused to create a theme. Color is generally strayed away from for a few reasons.

The basic reason is that color requires work. It needs to be thought out and not everyone is good with color combinations. Color does require a bit more work but, don't let that stop you from using something other than none.

Let's continue ...

Text, you need some to at least explain what someone needs to do when visiting your website.

How much you write determines what you have to say and in how many words you can explain.

Why so small?
Small font size is becoming an issue. Text is too small to read on larger screen sizes. The problem is that even when you try to increase the font size with your browser options, you can't, because the creator has mandated the size. The page may not look the same if this action is allowed. This issue should have thought about at the initial layout. This is a poor design method. Why make visitors strain their eyes to read your content? It's a good way of sending people off to another site that won't give them a headache trying to read the fine print.

One more important issue regarding text. Select a font that is easy to read.

Let's continue ...

Is that image pixelated (blurred) or is it time to see the optometrist?

Images add the visuals. We as humans use this sense the most. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a 1000 words". If it looks pixelated, then I guess the words it is describing are not really clear either.

These handy visuals make it possible to see an example of what is being offered on your website. Text is the worst when it comes to images. Text will pixelate badly if you resample (re-size) your image.
Text as an image is necessary though, if your logo or namesay tends to be a certain font and you want it displayed properly.

The two buttons I created above are a simple example. When creating an image it is generally wise to make several different sizes that can be altered seperately. When it comes to resampling your image will pixelate.

Just remember that if you are using an image for a web page it does not have to be set at the same settings that are necessary for print and vice-versa. I cannot recall the times that my wife came home and told me how someone wanted a gif they found online printed as a 8x10 or similar.

One more important issue regarding images, make sure that it is not a huge file in byte size as well as actual size. Although internet access speeds have increased, there are not enough words in that image for someone to wait very long to see it.

Let's continue ...

That's why they call it the WEB.

Linking is what makes the internet so vast. If there were no links, there would be just pages that would need to be found. Linking is fine and generally a good way of having your site found. Link to pages that have relavent material to what your site is about. Linking is also a vital part of how your page will rank in the search engines.

As I mentioned earlier about color blindness, there is a problem with text links. No, the underline is not attractive but it serves a function that outweighs the appearance. There is a link somewhere in this paragraph. Did you find it?

This kind of camouflaging is pointless. Your link may be overlooked. If the link is there it was established to perform an action. Be prepared to have it overlooked if you resort to this type of link.

Unless the text link is set in a defining means such as the main menu and tabs as I've done here, use a method that shows it is a link. Any text link that varies slightly in color is going to be hard to find. This relates back to the text size, this only makes it worse.

Links that don't retreive the information, generally result in a 404 error. You've seen them and probably went on your merry way to another website more than likely. I try to include a custom error page that will point to a page within your website. This will hopefully offer another chance of your visitor not leaving.

When it comes to linking I do not mislead the visitor to some page that has no relevance to what is expected. Within the status bar one can conjure any information, and you'll be none the wiser as to where that page is really going to send you.

Don't click, just watch your status bar for the message. Must have status bar visible to see. Here is an example of cloaking a link.
Now go ahead and click on this link about a concept car.

Browser toolbars give us options as we surf the internet. When someone builds a website that elimates any of the browser toolbars, they are generally up to something not in your favor. I will leave a website instantly if this is the case. For this reason I do not build sites like this at all.

Let's continue ...

Resolution - relates to screen size and color density.

How you set your resolution determines a great deal on how you will see things on your monitor versus someone else.

The main problem is that there is not one standard resolution. The computer you use at work may be different than your home or laptop. If you have an older TV and rent a new DVD, you know what I'm taking about. It even happens in the photo industry. What you expect to print as a 8x10 is really a cropped 8x12.

New monitor sizes added in with the old format are adding more issues to deal with. As I mentioned earlier, I have a large widescreen monitor. I enjoy the extra space that it offers, especially when designing graphics. The way something looks on that monitor compared to my old 19 inch CRT is incredible. Where on my new monitor things seem too far spaced, the old one looks too crammed.

You've more than likely have seen how alot of websites have their material generalized in the center with major amounts of space on either side or to the right. The designer did not want to compensate for the varied screen resolutions, so they just narrowed the contents to be seen in a standard format on all monitors. What a waste of space.

Here's another common problem that results in a bottom scrollbar, scrolling back and forth just enough to be annoying. The designer made an image or table the screen width and never compensated for the browser scrollbar. If you see this on a website that offers website design, steer clear. Chances are they apparently don't know enough about website layout.

With the wider screen formats I have not noticed those annoying choices we used to have to make. Remember "Best viewed at ...certain size mentioned". Most people didn't understand what resolution they were using, let alone how to change it.

Personally, and if the option is there, I set my color density to the highest possible color that is offered. You will see a noticable difference in the images and colors.

Let's continue ...

Where did your site rank in the search engine?

Much of how your website is found is through search engines.

Linking with relavent content on other sites improves that rank. Link farms that just allow links to be posted, don't work.

Adding specific key words that will add value to the search content is a part of website building. Without meta tags to describe what your website is about is like well, not having a reservation at a restaurant. You probably won't get in.

SEO - Search Engine Optimization, is a full time job. There are people that do just that alone for a living. My thoughts on search engine results may not amount to a hill of beans, but here it goes anyway.

If you don't pay, you will be behind those that do. If you are promised that your page will rank on the first page you either paid, or have an extremely rare product.

Take note the next time you search for something. There are literally thousands of result pages. Most people will only rifle through about three of those search pages before moving on to different search words.

Best bet ... include your website address on all of your literature.

Let's continue ...

Thank You for taking the time to read what preceded.

Websites are the chance for people to convey messages. Whether that message is good or bad, contains all text or images is really up to what that person decided they wanted to share.

I know several people who have

• gone to school
• spent lots of money
• studied for exams
• got their piece of paper

and can't build a website that looks worth all that money for a piece of paper.
I say this because I am self taught. Like I said prior, there's a difference in creating a website and designing a website.

I know that was alot of information to read. All of what I wrote is from experience. I don't claim to know all, but at least what I wrote about is genuine. I did not copy this information from another site and display it here to pretend it was my own.

I thank you again for allowing my perspective on what the internet is, was, and who knows what will become.