Creating a website might seem intimidating however these days there are limitless tools for even the least internet savvy of users. There are a multitude of free website hosting services and most offer templates which allow you to simply insert your text and images while the template completes the more complicated web design elements such as placement, links, colors and fonts, and more.
Before you begin creating your website, consider some basic elements of web design which will help you in making a website that others will find pleasing to the eye and easy to read.
First, choose colors which do not clash or offend the eye. Black backgrounds can be not only annoying but can also hurt the eyes, especially when combined with a bright colored text such as hot pink or bright yellow. There are so many websites from which to get information that most web surfers will not stop long at a site that is not easy for them to peruse.
Choose a font size that is appropriate for most readers. Too large a font will result in an amateurish website which is difficult to read because the reader will need to scroll through more often to get to the bottom. Too small a font and you will lose anyone with vision problems, aside from the fact that having to lean in to the screen to read is highly annoying to any web surfer. Good web design means that your website is accessible and easily viewed by almost anyone.
Resize your images before uploading them to your web hosting account. Huge pictures are a good way to frustrate web surfers who are on a dial-up connection and those with smaller screen resolution. Your pictures should load quickly and be of a size that does not take up the entire screen. Approximately 500 pixels at its widest point is a good rule of thumb in web design for the size of your images.
Use your web host’s tools. Don’t be afraid to test out all of the web programming tools that your host has to offer. Most are point and click and make it easy to incorporate entire color themes and interactive elements into your website. Let your choices reflect your personality – there are contemporary, romantic, eclectic, and professional looking designs available.
Protect yourself – do not ever publish your full name, address, phone number, location, or children’s names on a public website. In this day and age it is easy for anyone to look up your personal information using just one piece of data obtained from a website. Particularly with identity theft concerns, it is wise to protect as much information as you possible can. Only give out your personal website address to friends and family whom you want to keep updated on your activities and easily share photos with.
The internet can seem like a large and confusing place, however with a little research and a lot of creativity you can create a website design that is attractive, functional, and fun.