The Top 10 Web Site Design Do's

1. Do learn HTML before attempting to create web pages.
   Don't attempt to create web pages by hand until you've learned the necessary HTML coding skills. Bad HTML code will make your site look extremely unprofessional because things won't be displayed properly, and it can also cause various usability problems. You may not even know about them, but your visitors probably will.
   
   At least half of all business web sites that we visit would be much more effective if they had been designed by a "professional" who possessed basic design and HTML coding skills. Sprite was wrong, image is everything. Your web site can't look like it was designed by someone who learning HTML yesterday, even if it's true.
   
   
2. Do maintain a consistent look and feel throughout your site.
   A site is never "finished" because you'll be constantly updating and adding to it as time goes by, but before you get started it's important to decide on the general layout and theme because you need to maintain a consistent look and feel throughout.
   
   The easiest way to accomplish this is to make an HTML template file which contains all of the items that will appear on every page of your site -- standard images, headers and footers, links, etc. -- and then use it to create each individual HTML page. This will save you time, and ensure that all of your pages start out with the same foundation.
   
   
3. Do provide a practical and usable navigational system.
   One of the most important items that your web site must feature is a good navigational system. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- it can even consist of simple text links -- but it must remain uniform throughout your site and allow the user to move around and get the information they came for without getting lost or confused.
   
   Among other things, it's important to realize that visitors won't always arrive at your main page. No matter where or how they enter your site, the user should be able to easily determine where they are, what else your site offers, and how to get to it.
   
   After working on a web site day in and day out for months, you know every inch of it inside and out. But your visitors won't. Therefore, you need to incorporate a navigation system that is immediately recognizable, and practical. At the very least, each of the main pages should include links to all of the other main pages within your site.
   
   If your web site consists of many pages, it wouldn't be a bad idea to offer a site map. This is just like a table of contents that you'd find in a book and should be represented in a simple outline-style format. And don't forget an internal search engine as well.
   
   Also, use simple and understandable URLs because many visitors will try to figure out the structure of your web site by looking at the URLs that are visible at the top of their browser window. Stick with URLs and filenames that are relatively short yet meaningful, and avoid using case-sensitivity or strange symbols at all costs.
   
   
4. Do offer valuable information, tools, and resources.
   Not many people will visit your web site just because they have nothing better to do. Whether it's a listing of homes for sale in their area, stock tips, or information on the latest money-making opportunities, the average visitor is looking for something in particular - and only if they find it will they have a reason to bookmark your site or do business with you. If a visitor feels you've wasted their time, they'll never be back.
   
   There's no such thing as offering too much for free -- as long as you keep your web site organized. Whether it's valuable information, downloadable software, resources, tools, or a combination of them all, always remember that you should first give in order to receive -- and that the more you give the more you'll likely receive.
   
   
5. Do provide fresh content and updates on a regular basis.
   It's a proven fact that most prospects, no matter how qualified, won't buy from you on their first visit. This means that you should do everything you can to encourage future visits, and the only way to do that is to provide ongoing benefits to the user.
   
   If someone visits your web site today for the first time, then returns in a month and it still looks exactly the same as it does today, chances are that's the last time you will ever see them. You absolutely must update your site at least once a week -- adding fresh content or updates so they have a reason to return. Make sure you tell visitors how often your web site is updated, otherwise many will assume that it's not.
   
   
6. Do something to capture a visitor's attention immediately.
   This is one of the most important yet overlooked keys to developing an effective site that turns visitors into buyers. You absolutely must do something -- anything! -- to grab a visitor's attention and interest within seconds of their arrival.
   
   If you don't make it immediately obvious how the user will benefit from exploring your web site in detail, most just won't. Generally speaking the best way to do this is to incorporate benefit-packed headlines near the top of all of your web pages.
   
   
7. Do everything you can to encourage visitors to "Opt-In".
   Starting an opt-in mailing list is a must. Because the majority of visitors will have to be exposed to you and your products numerous times before they will be ready to do business with you, you need a way to follow up with them once they have left.
   
   It's so important that there is an entire tutorial on doing just that in this section of the site. It's one thing to encourage repeat visits, but if you get a visitor's name and e-mail address you'll be able to send personalized follow up messages in the future. And that is powerful, because then you won't have to rely on them remembering you.
   
   
8. Do encourage feedback, interactivity, and community.
   This is another big one, and we can personally attest to the benefits of asking for and acting on feedback. One thing that many people seem to forget is that it's the visitor who has to like what they see at your site. Unless you're the one buying your own products and services, your opinion doesn't really matter at all. Fortunately, you'll receive lots of valuable feedback if you simply ask for it.
   
   Here's a real-world example. About a year ago we launched a new site, and initially used a frames-based layout. We were aware of the potential problems, and spent lots of time tweaking the site to be as friendly as possible. However, after asking for visitor feedback we discovered that many visitors hated it. And the scary thing is that unless we asked it would have probably taken awhile to figure out what was wrong. Everything looked and worked well for us, but a significant number of visitors had serious usability problems - so we redesigned the entire site and immediately our sales skyrocketed.
   
   
9. Do provide your full contact information in plain view.
   For some reason at least half of the web sites that we visit make it almost impossible to determine who is responsible for the site we're visiting -- and how to contact them. Either devote an entire page to your contact info and include a link to it on all main pages, or include the information in a footer at the bottom of each page.
   
   At the very minimum you should include your full company name, a physical mailing address, your phone number, and any and all e-mail addresses that a visitor can use to contact you. If you list more than one e-mail address for things like support, sales, webmaster, etc. be sure it's clear which should be used for what.
   
   
10. Do remember the reasons you're creating a web site.
    If you're running a business online, your web site's most important job is to sell your products and services - unless it's strictly a support or information site. Anything that detracts from this should be avoided like the plague. Rather than getting caught up in technology, remain focused on the goals that you're trying to achieve with your site.