The Internet is built on connections. These connections bridge one computer to many others.  As a result we can access an abundance of information quickly and easily.

To get around the Internet we click on links.  Now think of these link in the same way the synapses of the brain are formed.

With website design one of the most important feature that is required is a way to link from one page to another.  Having a dead link is like crashing into a brick wall.  It stops you in your tracks.

As a web designer I make it a point to include a link on nearly every page I design.  These links are important.  If there were no links there would be no other place to go and get additional information.

A website had different kinds of links.  There are unspoken standards of design that should be followed for better usability.  Messing with these convention can have a negative effect on the user.  And as a designer I don’t want to see that.  Understanding the rules of convention that need to be followed is the first step in understanding.

When you look a typical website you can imagine it is like a book.  A book holds several pages.  These pages are often categorized in chapters.  A web page can be likened to pages of a book.

The two types of links: Internal and External

Let’s begin with Internal links.  These are the links that join content within your website.  If we look at the book example.  The Index or the Table of Contents of a book contain internal links that connects a page to another page in the same book.   On a website Internal links connect pages to other pages in the same website.  This allows a visitor to access the about us page from the home page though an internal link.

The other type of  link is the External link.  This link will move you from the current site you are on to another site.  In the book example this would be similar to a citation or reference.

Layout Conventions

Over time more users and website are added and certain assumption about the location of certain links.

One of the most common location for internal links is either horizontally across the top or vertically along the left margin of the page.  In nearly every case this will be the main navigation to the website.  Designer thought these area to be the most natural position for this grouping on links.  As a result these area are prominent in graphic design of the page.

You will also find internal links toward the bottom of the page.  This area is called the page footer.  Here you will find links of secondary importance or are more informational.

Within the body of the content you will usually find External link.  There are no set rules for this it is just a convention that has come out out common use.  The location of the link could be within the body text or as a reference note at the end of the content.

Keep in mind these ideas are only convention and not set in stone rules.  Designer have a lot of freedom to adjust the layout.  These variations can make surfing the web more intersting.  The important thing to remember is to not confuse of alienate your visitor.

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When it comes to the concept of design it is difficult to nail down the best by using a singular standard.  Design is an art and what is good or bad art is hard to define.  Design is fairly subjective and is vulnerable to the likes and dislikes of the user.

Now come the concept of optimal web design.  What exact does optimal mean?  It means “the most favorable or desired form of any particular subject”.  How does this relate to the subject of optimal web design?  Perhaps we can say that it is a design that best satisfies the tastes of the masses, while at the same moment works within the limitation of the function.

This now beg the question.  What is optimal web design?  You can say that a website is optimal when it provides maximum usability to the visitor while providing operational viability.  The balance for the designer is to provide results for both the client and for the end user.

When designing it is important to keep the end user’s experience a priority.  The site needs to be friendly to them.  It needs to be easy to use and navigate.  It needs to provide useful and pertinent content.   The content has priority over the look and feel of the layout and artwork is secondary.

There is nothing wrong with a simple white background or very clean and simple lines in a website.  Perhaps even a reduction in unwanted images that cause long page loads is needed.   Keeping essential elements like page title, navigation and content  is necessary.

The use of pictures need be be used sparingly.  Only those that reinforce the content should be used.  Don’t use picture to only decorate the page.  This will be distracting to the site user.  Although pictures are helpful they need to be used wisely.

Your site’s navigation needs to be simple, organized and consistent.  This makes moving though your site easy and predictable.  This will only help your visitor to get to the content they want.

Include in the design a way for your visitor to gain access to basic information regarding the website.  A good start is to include an about us page as well as a privacy policy for the website.  These element help foster your relationship with your visitor.

Having a consistent layout is rudimentary in creating an optimal web site.  You will need area reserved on the page for these four areas common to most every website.

• Header
• Navigation
• Content Area
• Footer

Finally, while aesthetics play an important role, creating an optimal web design is still one that best methods for better usability in a website.  Form and function need to work perfectly together to create a positive user experience.

Need A Web Site?

Custom Web Design for Small Businesses by professional and experienced web designer and developer.

Here is what I can do for you…

• Innovative Web Design
• Graphic Design Logos
• Maintain Your Website
• Data Driven Content
• Flash Applications
• Build Shopping Carts for Ecommerce
• Custom PHP Applications and Programming
• WordPress Installation & Customization

Get an affordable, attractive great website today. Hire Me For Your Web Design Solution. View my portfolio at http://portfolio.mediatunes.com

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The image on this page may be used in accordance to the Creative Commons License by churches and other nonprofit organizations for the purpose of backgrounds for projected computer presentations. This image is intended to be used to glorify God as background images to lyrics of Christian praise and worship songs, as well as hymns.

You can use this image in Power Point, Media Shout, Easy Worship, Sunday Plus software or some other presentation software to project song lyrics to a screen

If you use this image, I would appreciate it if you would contact me and tell me how you are using them.

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by John Pape Jr is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

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