Tips : Web design to be Simple

This but one of the web design tips passed on to me by a mentor.Simplicity? or graphic heavy design? This has been a debate of the web development community for some time now and one can argue his way through either point. However, I'm for the simple design because I simply believe that simplicity is essential, especially when it comes to web sites/web design.


Some web design tips are good while others are not but I dare say that this is one that you have to really get in your head. Lets go through the importance or rather the function of a website.

A website functions to provide users of the web with relevant content or products that they may require

As such, nothing is more important than what is on a certain website. That put, heavy loaded graphics and images are not neccessary in a web design.


I am not saying that its against the law or sinful to do so, but its almost as good in doing so. True that web designers who are adept at digital graphics and imaging would naturally want to show off whatever skills they might have in that department. Not a wrong to do and naturally one could always use an ego boost by that. However, taking from web design tips 1 I have posted, its important to think of the end user first.


Therefore, if the end user seeks to find information regarding 'dancing shoes' for example, it would be really inconsiderate to make him wait for images to load just to read a small section. At which, he only cares about the content and gives no appreciation for the beautiful images set up. A good thing?


Not quite as it reduces visitor satisfaction. Which is a very important thing to ensure they keep coming back to your site for more. An example of a site that adheres to this web design tip and with a beautiful simplistic design would be the following : CSS Zen Garden. It makes full use of CSS to carve up its layout and design and most importantly, its simple. :) It still has beautiful graphic and imagery to compliment its layout, yet still able to keep the design simple, to the point and satisfy visitors.


However, why do I mention that its possible for one to argue the benefits of a graphic heavy site in return despite being in favour of the latter? Well, I have been a victim of the former once upon a time. And I appreciated those beautiful imagery very much. I still do, but after spending more time on the web and receiving these useful web design tips by my mentor, I realised the need for speed and sites which load in 2 seconds or less are in my good books. These sites tend to have simplicity as their theme in their web design/layout.


On the other hand, the increase of fibre optics in the connection around the world has resulted in higher internet speeds for customers and these result in more people being able to appreciate those graphic heavy site. Thus, like I mentioned, the debate can go both ways, with me, and alot other webmasters preferring to stick to the essentials of simplicity.


Never can I, or other webmasters stress the utmost importance of simplicity in web design. Why you may ask? Well there are ALOT of benefits in doing so and I will try to name a few. But it really is up to you if you'd like to follow up with this web design tip.

• Faster page loading times -> Visitor satisfaction
• Beautiful , organised layout -> Visitor satisfaction
• Ease of optimising for the search engines -> Self and search engine spiders' satisfaction
• Ease of validation for WC3 -> Recognized site

There are lots more benefits and they even include gaining income for yourself! You have to try it to experience that benefit for yourself. As you can see, just by keeping your site design simple and to the point, you can gain a lot.


So the next time you feel like showing off your design skills, think about this web design tip for a moment about the benefits and visitors you would be losing by doing so, and keep those skills for your art masterpieces and post them up at deviantart or the likes. :)


That said, I am not your king or emperor to command what you do with your site's design, but my web design tip, as are many other webmasters : Simplicity is essential and that, is one of the very hardcore advice you could ever follow. It might even change your life. Try it. :)


Disclaimer : Take note, that as much as simplicity is essential and avoiding graphic heavy design is good, over simplicity is equally as bad as the latter. Know the limits to these web design tips. :)

Till then,

Jasa, Web Design Tips Tricks