e industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your desi

What Do Your Readers Really Want?

Have you ever visited a website that really has some cool stuff on it? I have. Maybe the graphics are particularly impressive. Perhaps there are things moving in and out all over the place? How do they do that?

Who cares?

Once you get past the fancy pictures and moving gizmos (which takes just a few seconds) what is left? If there is nothing else to keep you on the site you are gone in a flash. So, I ask the question again. “What do your readers really want?” The same thing you do. And that is… the message.

Keep that in mind as you design your website. Your design is the palette upon which your message is painted. It is not the message itself. It should never overshadow the message. It must support it… present it in an appropriate way.

The Best Designed Websites Make A Positive Impression

That is not to say web design is not important. Of course it is. It supports the message. But that is all it does. It supports it. It helps create an environment where your message will get heard.

Busy, flashy things are distracting and unprofessional. They shout to your visitor, “There is no message here! We just gave you cool stuff to look at!”

Your best designed website should immediately put your visitor in a relaxed mood. Online reading is difficult enough as it is. Don’t add to the problem. Create an environment which will put your visitor at ease and subtly support your message. How do you do that? Start by…

Keeping It Simple

Creativity is great. But don’t overdo it. Simplicity is usually the best approach. If you don’t believe that simply visit a few of the top sites in the world. Sites like Google or eBay or Yahoo. Each of these companies can afford the best designers in the industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your desig

u on the site you are gone in a flash. So, I ask the question again. “What do your readers really want?” The same thing you do. And that is… the message.

Keep that in mind as you design your website. Your design is the palette upon which your message is painted. It is not the message itself. It should never overshadow the message. It must support it… present it in an appropriate way.

The Best Designed Websites Make A Positive Impression

That is not to say web design is not important. Of course it is. It supports the message. But that is all it does. It supports it. It helps create an environment where your message will get heard.

Busy, flashy things are distracting and unprofessional. They shout to your visitor, “There is no message here! We just gave you cool stuff to look at!”

Your best designed website should immediately put your visitor in a relaxed mood. Online reading is difficult enough as it is. Don’t add to the problem. Create an environment which will put your visitor at ease and subtly support your message. How do you do that? Start by…

Keeping It Simple

Creativity is great. But don’t overdo it. Simplicity is usually the best approach. If you don’t believe that simply visit a few of the top sites in the world. Sites like Google or eBay or Yahoo. Each of these companies can afford the best designers in the industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your desi

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That is not to say web design is not important. Of course it is. It supports the message. But that is all it does. It supports it. It helps create an environment where your message will get heard.

Busy, flashy things are distracting and unprofessional. They shout to your visitor, “There is no message here! We just gave you cool stuff to look at!”

Your best designed website should immediately put your visitor in a relaxed mood. Online reading is difficult enough as it is. Don’t add to the problem. Create an environment which will put your visitor at ease and subtly support your message. How do you do that? Start by…

Keeping It Simple

Creativity is great. But don’t overdo it. Simplicity is usually the best approach. If you don’t believe that simply visit a few of the top sites in the world. Sites like Google or eBay or Yahoo. Each of these companies can afford the best designers in the industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your desi

icult enough as it is. Don’t add to the problem. Create an environment which will put your visitor at ease and subtly support your message. How do you do that? Start by…

Keeping It Simple

Creativity is great. But don’t overdo it. Simplicity is usually the best approach. If you don’t believe that simply visit a few of the top sites in the world. Sites like Google or eBay or Yahoo. Each of these companies can afford the best designers in the industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your desi

e industry. Nevertheless their design is simple and serviceable.

None of these sites jumps out like a loud used car commercial. They are subtle, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. So that is where you start…

• Keep your site uncluttered
• Use plenty of white space
• Provide clear, easy navigation
• Use headlines and subheadings to draw your reader
• Write in short paragraphs using short sentences

All of this is part of your design. Why? Because all of it supports your message and makes it easy and enjoyable for your reader to get to the point of your message.

Design Your Site To Fit Your Message

Consider the personality of your ideal visitor. If you are creating a website for business people or lawyer types keep the creativity to a minimum. Think of the documentation they are used to reading. Sharp white pages with simple black print. It speaks of professionalism.

But what if you have a site dedicated to throwing parties? The mood is much more festive. Add a little color to the background. But make it subtle. Colorful backgrounds make reading more difficult.

Is your website about dream vacations? Plenty of pictures of people having fun in exotic places are what you need. The pictures help carry the message. They help set the mood. Your overall design can reflect the warmth of a Tuscan village or the coolness of Caribbean water.

Design Plays Second Fiddle

Design is important. It supports the message and lets it shine through. The design is not the glory of your site. It sets the proper mood. It points in the right direction. It leads the reader along. Then it gets out of the way.

If you are hung up simply purchase a template. They are inexpensive and all set up for you to begin the important work of communicating your content. Keep your focus on your message.