| Using a web site template right out of the box is a | | | | site template. |
| very common mistake new web designer's make. | | | | 1. Navigation - Menu issues |
| One of the cool things about the web is that it's so | | | | 2. No Sitemap |
| visual. Using a web site design template can save any | | | | 3. Ignoring the fold position |
| new web developer a lot of time and effort. But like | | | | 4. No H1 or H2 designated headline and sub headlines |
| any tool, you can get into trouble if you don't pay | | | | Graphic, pull down, popup or other methods of |
| attention. | | | | displaying menus can look good but sometimes |
| Color combinations, layout, and graphics are the key | | | | confuse the user and are invisible to the search |
| design elements in any web site template. Each web | | | | engine bots. These are two good reasons to use a |
| site should be designed around the subject matter, | | | | text menu somewhere that show all necessary |
| ease of use, and accomplish any special goals or end | | | | navigation links. |
| result. A lot of new web site designers get lost in the | | | | Sitemaps are important for the same reason as |
| visual effects, which can have negative effects on | | | | above. Both users and search engines can see a |
| user friendliness and search engine optimization. | | | | snapshot of everything on your web site and get to |
| If you look at some of the most popular web sites, | | | | it quickly. This improves your chances to get indexed |
| the common element is simplicity and ease of | | | | quickly and gives the user that two click ability. |
| navigation. There are few dancing bears, flash intros, | | | | The fold position is where the bottom of the monitor |
| or exploding special effects. And almost everyone | | | | breaks off the view of the page. All important |
| has text navigation for the most part. They may | | | | information should be displayed above that line if at all |
| have some very well designed graphics, and a few | | | | possible. Don't make the user scroll if it's not |
| design elements but keep it simple for the user. | | | | necessary. Any navigation, special links, attention |
| User friendliness and easy navigation should adhere to | | | | getters, or critical information should always display |
| the two-click rule. This is a simple rule that implies any | | | | above the fold line. |
| user should be able to find what they want on any | | | | H1 and H2 designate important info to the search |
| given web site in two clicks. With the short attention | | | | engine bot. A common good search engine |
| span and impatient attitude of most surfers, you | | | | optimization is to put your keywords in the first |
| need to give them what they want fast. You | | | | headline that the user sees. Of course the headline |
| normally only have about 5 seconds to grab their | | | | should also induce the reader to continue to read the |
| attention. | | | | web page. |
| I use templates a lot to save time and effort on a | | | | It's pretty easy to fix all these issues during the initial |
| new design. Some I've developed myself, some I've | | | | design stage. Even though I've created 100's of web |
| bought that give me at least a 70% solution. They | | | | sites I still use a checklist. The devils in the details and |
| may have some graphics that go with my subject | | | | everything you can do to make it easy for the user |
| matter and/or some colors and layout that suit my | | | | and the search engines, the more successful your |
| purpose for the web site. But they also may be | | | | web site will be. |
| missing some key elements. | | | | A web site template can be a big time saver but you |
| Most web site templates have great visual effects | | | | need to insure that the end result has all the |
| and good color combinations. But many lack several | | | | necessary features both users and the search |
| important elements for both users and our friends | | | | engines. Make your web site both user and search |
| the search engines. Here's a list of common mistakes | | | | engine friendly by making these small changes or |
| I see all the time when a web designer uses a web | | | | additions. |