Over the next year, we will very likely see an abundance of new trends in web design. A lot of this is also due to the fact that there are more ways of connecting to the Internet than there ever has been. Gone are the days where Internet browsing was restricted to computers. Today, many people get online with tablet computers, ultra-portable netbook computers and iPhones as well as other mobile browsing devices. To reach the largest audience possible, web designers are going to need to expand their outlook and start getting involved in new areas. Following are some of the most significant trends that we can expect to see over the next year.

Touch-Screen Browsing

Touch-screen browsing is nothing new, but it’s about to get a whole lot more widespread. Touch-screen browsing is no longer going to be restricted to mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones.

Touch-screen monitors for desktop computers and laptops are already starting to make an appearance. In 2012, Windows 8 will also be upon us. Windows 8 introduces a whole new interface style inspired by the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 operating system as well as other mobile operating systems. Although most desktop users will continue to use a keyboard and mouse for some time, touch-screen input is inevitably going to take over. Internet Explorer 10, which will be shipped with Windows 8, will use the new “Metro” interface for full-screen browsing optimized for touch-screen input as well as keyboard and mouse input.

Many websites are already being optimized for touch-screen usage and web developers will want to get involved if they don’t want to get left behind.

Typography

It wasn’t so long ago that web designers were, for the most part, restricted to using only a few different fonts and standard, repetitive designs were the norm. For many years, this has made the majority of websites look rather similar in their appearance in many respects. The typography trend is one which has been growing over the past couple of years and there’s little chance of this changing in 2012 with the increasing popularity of dynamic fonts and font replacement technologies.

High-Definition Media

More and more people are connecting to the Internet with ultra-fast broadband connections. This has given rise to a demand for higher-quality content such as high-definition video and large, quality images and other graphics. With compression, rendering and optimization better than ever before, there’s no excuse for using low-quality, blurry images in a website.

High-definition media is already becoming standard and, to leave a good impression on their visitors, web designers need to keep up with the times. With this being said, it’s also still important to consider the large number of web users who still access the Internet through slower connections. Any site which is particularly graphically-intensive should also have a low-bandwidth version to accommodate as many surfers as possible.

1. Web space. You need a domain provider to host your web space on their server. There are a number of cheap providers around, and you can usually obtain a decent amount of storage for just a few dollars a month. A Google search for web hosting will bring up a number of options and you need to look for a price within your budget, with a host that is not so small it will get overloaded if you get floods of traffic (which is what we all hope for). Once you have signed up for the package, you can choose a domain name (which may cost extra) and you then have your web space.

2. Create the website. Most people have heard of the website design program Dreamweaver, which is a good resource if you can afford the price tag. However, there are more basic programs that can create a reasonable web-page for anybody with design flair. If you have Microsoft Office installed on your machine then you are likely to have the program FrontPage. This is a basic web-page creator that will fulfill the needs of most users. You may need to be a bit creative, but, for the novice, this can be an excellent tool, and there are plenty of websites offering various resources to dress up your page. Just be aware that less is more. An overcrowded web-page can send traffic elsewhere quicker than the blink of an eye.

3. Uploading your web-page. Once you have your web space, and your finished pages, it is time to upload all the information to the server. Typically, this involves signing into your ISP account (details of which you would have been given at sign up) and logging into your web space. This is often more tricky than it sounds. Once you log in there will be a folder hierarchy and you need to place your content in the right place for it to show. The host will usually have a control panel where you first access your website and this should tell you which folder you need to use. This will be your root folder. You need to place your homepage (the first page you wish the public to see) in this folder and make sure the server knows this is the homepage (the host will usually give instructions on how to do this). Once the website address is entered into the browser the homepage is the resource that will be collected from the server. If the homepage is located in the wrong folder the server will not be able to find it and your website will not load.

4. Images and Data. You need to be aware that if you have any items like jpegs, gifs or data files that need to display as part of your pages these need to be copied across to the server separately. The page design will just place holders where pictures, or data files, are to be displayed. The server will then link the separate files into the form so they need to be on the server for them to be available. It is usual practice to set up separate folders for the pictures, or data files, within the web space, but you must ensure all links from the placeholders point to the correct directory and file. Making sure that the hyperlink for the resource correctly indicates the location of your item ensures this happens. If the links aren’t correct all the user will see is a box with a red cross in the corner. So make sure to preview the pages before you go live.

5. FTP Programs. You will need to use FTP protocols to upload your content. Although you can do this through the control panel it is often easier to upload with a separate FTP program. There are many freeware versions on the Internet so choose one that is fairly easy to use as this can get quite complicated. You need to set the destination folder in the program settings, which will be the root folder as specified earlier, and then you need to tell the program which files you want to upload to the server. Again, if you have image or data files that need to be placed elsewhere, you will need to change the destination folder.

Once all your files are in place you just need to test the domain name by typing it in your address bar, as you would any other website, and check that your web-pages show up correctly. If not then you need to check that your homepage is set properly. This can be a frustrating process so, if all else fails, most hosts have an online help-centre where you can chat to an operator via a small chat-box. They can easily guide you through the first stages to set the website up correctly. Once the domain name shows the correct web-page then you’re away.

This is just a basic outline of the process but will enable any budding webmasters to get started. Of course, nobody will find your site without a bit of help. For this you need to register with search engines (so they know you exist) and maybe do a bit of advertising if your budget stretches to this. However, these are large and in-depth subjects and need to be discussed in another article.

Mobile websites should load fast and display simple graphics. If your website is Flash heavy, it will be problematic for most smart phones and will not load properly. Many of the images used on websites tend to load slower in mobile browsers. For mobile sites you want to use very few graphics, and more text links. If your website loads too slowly, users will click away and look for information elsewhere.

While smart phones offer more capability than other types of devices, your website should be accessible to all mobile phones. Minimize scrolling through your pages as much as possible. You should also have smaller amounts of text on the page and use links to allow your visitors to access additional content.

Make sure the most important information is the easiest to find. Users should be able to easily locate your contact information, location, directions, and anything else that is important to your business. They should not get lost in a sea of web pages searching for the information they require.

You do not need to create a new domain name for your mobile website. Instead, concentrate on promoting and branding one URL. You can place mobile website code into your traditional website, so your site can sense when mobile browsers are connecting, and forward them to the mobile version.

Another important aspect of designing your mobile website is to test it on a number of devices. Different phones such as the iPhone and the Android will display your website differently. In addition, larger tablet devices like the iPad have their own display requirements. You want to make sure your site looks and works well on a variety of devices.

Your mobile website design should feature the most important aspects of your current website. By offering immediately accessible information first, you can easily reach those mobile visitors who are looking to buy your product or service. The mobile version of your website will play an increasingly important role in how your visitors reach you.

Website owners who want to create or redesign a quality website will often begin by visiting the design showcases of elite web designers. Those who do are often impressed by the sheer ingenuity of the web design elite. A good designer can turn a staid website on the benefits of actuarial accounting into a destination visitors will find delightful and view as authoritative. Other designers encourage sales with light and airy designs that can alter a visitor’s mood. Still others make the most internet business in the world seem fun and absorbing.

But before you hire a high-end web designer, you should be aware of one extremely common and crippling problem: most do not design websites with advertising in mind. Talented, high-end designers are mainly concerned with the look, feel, and mood of a design. They may also focus on a website’s usability. But advertising? Advertising is an afterthought. Designers will often not incorporate advertising space into a mock-up until the very end of the design process. Sometimes, they will neglect to incorporate ad space into a design completely.

This is often the fault of the customer, not the designer. A customer may tell a designer he is building a finance website that will include a blog, a stock ticker, and space for material from regular columnists. The designer, accordingly, will create a website with these components, plus a header, footer, and menu. Sometimes it is only after the design is completed that the customer looks at the design and begins to wonder where he will put his ads.

Professional design schools are also to blame. They teach students to focus on navigation, content, colors, footers, and other usability design elements and may as a consequence completely ignore the importance of advertising. In addition, high quality designers may feel that the advertising or product placement aspect of a website is less interesting and exciting than its colors, its ‘flow,’ or its background graphic.

The solution is simple. A savvy entrepreneur must communicate the importance of advertising to the designer clearly and unambiguously throughout the collaborative process. When he does, the final design will yield better results.

When speaking with your designer, do not describe your website as a mere finance website. Tell the designer you are building an AdSense or affiliate marketing internet business. Then refer to the website as an “AdSense-driven finance website” whenever you discuss the project. Candidly explain that the business will fail if the design does not direct the attention of viewers to advertising. The principle is simple: a designer will design differently for an “affiliate marketing carpentry website” than he will for a “carpentry website.” Insist throughout the process that the design direct the focus of visitors to advertising or affiliate links.

Wise internet entrepreneurs explain that they expect all design mock-ups to feature space for advertising from the beginning. Some designers may nevertheless provide an initial mock-up that does not incorporate ads and explain that “I wanted to just get the basics down, we can add the advertising later.” In this case, firmly explain that the ads are “the basics” and will be the lifeblood of the website. A website with an ineffective header or navigation menu might succeed. But it cannot succeed if its design does not direct proper attention to its advertising.

Finally, remember that you, not the designer, are the final authority on how your website will look. You are paying the designer, and have a right to a design that meets your specifications. Respect the designer’s expertise, but do not allow him to create a design that is more artistic than useful.
Internet marketers that follow these simple guidelines will find profits and communication improve markedly.

People are more likely to buy from people they like. Include some content that reveals the human side to your organization. Consider including biography pages of yourself and key members of your team. Many visitors want to learn more about your company before they do anything else, so an “About Us” page with information about the real people behind your website is key to establishing a good relationship with potential customers.

Many businesses still make the fundamental mistake of not publishing the actual prices of their products or services online. Research has shown that this only frustrates potential customers, and they’ll go elsewhere to find the information they need. Transparency is crucial in today’s marketplace. If a consumer can quickly find the relevant information, they’re more likely to take further positive action.

Consider uploading more videos to your site. Consumers are more comfortable than ever before with visual communication. If your team is constantly being asked a particular question, make a video to address the problem. When you’re introducing a new product, service, or special deal, put it on video to grab the attention of visitors. With links to a YouTube channel, you can tag and index each video to optimize your website for Google and other major search engines.

Creating a business blog is another powerful way to enhance your website for visitors and the search engines. Blogs can generate more traffic to your website and ensure that visitors return to your site in the future. As well as improving the experience for visitors, a blog is an easy way to add fresh content, which should increase your SEO power.

Make it even easier for people to come back to your website by providing a bookmark link. People can then find your site more quickly and share relevant content with others. Having a presence on Facebook or Twitter can also generate more leads. Once you’ve created an account, don’t forget to include a link to these social networking sites on your website.

Instead of having one page for testimonials (which people may ignore), include a brief testimonial on every page of your site. This can be a more effective way to motivate prospects to take action. Whenever you receive a compliment from a customer, ask for a testimonial. Video testimonials are also a powerful way to build confidence in your company.

To make your pages appear more professional, try incorporating icons into your primary content. An eye-catching button can be a compelling call to action. Explore sites such as iStockphoto for icons that will make your links more powerful than simple text.

One of the biggest mistakes made by businesses is making it hard to find contact information. Check your navigational structure to ensure your phone number, email address, and physical address can be easily found. Even better, include your contact details on every page of your site. Remember that people can enter your site on any page.

Make sure your strongest content is in the upper left-hand portion of each page. Studies have shown that people tend to look there first. Putting all your important content and navigational links above the fold (before the user has to scroll down) will improve your website’s usability and help to keep visitors on your site.

If you don’t have a search box yet, it’s worth considering adding one to your site. If your website has many pages, a search box can make it so much easier to find the relevant information. Similarly, a breadcrumb trail and a site map will also enhance the usability of your site.

There are numerous ways to enhance your website for the benefit of consumers and the search engines. As well as implementing some of these suggestions, listen to what customers have to say about your site by asking them directly. And then take action. Keeping your website up-to-date and relevant to your target audience is important to the success of any business.

For the person seeking to learn website development using Web 2.0 applications, the task is daunting. PHP offers a good starting point. A helpful book that walks the reader through the process of building a blog website with PHP is Practical Web 2.0 Applications with PHP by Quentin Zervaas (2008). This book explains high-level design and steps for downloading and using all of the software to design and build the site. The following article works from Zervaas’ introductory framework to explore Web 2.0 and PHP concepts.

Zervaas notes the challenge of pinning down a definition of Web 2.0 design, but he selects four common features – (1) standards-compliant HTML and CSS, (2) Ajax for a rich user interface, (3) sharing data with web feeds and services, and (4) using social networking applications.

What is high-level design?

This term refers to the cycle of developing software. The high-level design includes all of the relationships and roles between the software’s major components. Later, in the design phase, the developer will spell out the details of the software architecture (or design), including each individual component of the application.

What is standards-compliant HTML and CSS?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has outlined the requirements for web software that is standards-compliant. You can find and review these standards at W3.org.

What is Ajax?

Ajax stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. This process is used for the design of dynamic web pages. Using Ajax, the web software can retrieve data from a server without synchronization, and the display and functionality of the web pages are not changed. Think of this process as the power to upgrade a website behind the scenes while the web page functions normally.

What is sharing data with web feeds and services?

This is a concept you already know if you have seen a blog with Google AdSense content. This third-party functionality (a web service) feeds advertisements continuously on a site or blog. Blog owners and users do not have to do anything for the service to post ads.

What are social networking applications?

These applications are websites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and blogs. The users can interact with each other in a rapidly changing Internet space. The web site provider offers many options for communication through interactive applications.

As you explore your options in designing a website with the principles of Web 2.0 design, consider the value of PHP. You should also learn how to build your site step-by-step while considering security and legality issues, especially if your site engages contributions from multiple users and includes information from third-party services.

2. Include an Image of Actual People Showing off the Product
Every landing page is based around a different type of product. You may be promoting and selling a tangible item, like a home gym, or an intangible item like a webinar subscription. Whatever your product may be, make sure you include an image or two of people using the product or people experiencing the results of the product. Think of it this way: An effective landing page for diet pills always has a before and after of a person’s body.

3. Turn Paragraphs into Bulleted Lists
A common rule within the world of web page design is “less is more.” Keep your text and information to a minimum. Only list the information crucial to the purchase of the item. Don’t have a block of text that is more than three lines high. Take that block and put it into a bulleted list. Listing information makes it easier for the visitor to read it and process it more quickly.

4. Limit the Number of Links
You surely don’t want to give your visitor somewhere else to go (through a link) after you have finally managed to get them to your landing page. Only include links within your site that will lead a visitor to something that you want them to see, not away from your site.

5. Fast Loading Time
The majority of people don’t practice patience- especially when it comes to websites. Make sure your whole landing page takes no more than three seconds to load. Flash websites take longer to load. You may want to consider removing Flash elements or large images if your website is taking too long to load.

6. Emphasize How to Buy the Product
One of the worst things to do on a landing page is to leave a visitor trying to figure out how to buy the product. Implement large and easy-to-read buttons that lead visitors to the check out page. Make the purchasing process as simple as possible. People do not want to go through brain surgery in order to purchase a product.

7. Always Use Please and Thank You
Are you grateful for your customer’s purchase? If so, then tell them! Implement a “Thank You” page that they will be directed to after completing their purchase. Almost all successful websites use “Thank You” pages to not only thank their customers, but also to up-sell them. For example, your page might say, “We appreciate your business so much that we are willing to give you another year of the product for only $4.99! Click here to redeem this offer.” This is just another way to squeeze a few extra bucks out of a customer that is willing to buy!
Don’t let your landing page fall behind those of your competitor’s. A landing page doesn’t have to be fancy and have all the bells and whistles to be effective. In fact, the simplest landing pages are often the best. You can even create a free business website to act as your landing page and no one will ever know the difference. Keep this checklist in mind as you continue building and adding to your websites.

Understanding the Syntax Rules of XML

***Please note, we have added an * asterix between the < > in order for the tags not to function and be viewable.***

The first line of an XML document, called the XML declaration, is optional. It gives the version of XML currently being used (either 1.0 or 1.1, although 1.0 is the most common), as well as the character encoding.

<*?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?*>

The above example describes version 1.0 of XML and its ISO-8859-1 character set (one of many potential choices).

The rest of an XML document invariably contains nested elements, or pairs of tags, inserted throughout. Each element is comprised of one pair of tags, called a start tag and an end tag. The start tag is formed by putting a term in angle brackets. The end tag is formed in the same way as the start tag, using the same term, except this time there is a slash directly after the first angle bracket and before the term.

example start term: <*rule*> example end term: <*/rule*>

Everything in between the start and end tags is called the content.

<*rule*>Everything in between the start and end tags is called the content.<*/rule*>

Everything in between the <*rule*> and <*/rule*> start and end tags in the example above is considered the content. A full element has a start tag, content, and an end tag, just like the example.

Besides text content, an XML element may also include attributes. An attribute is a name and a value paired together, placed in the start tag directly after the element name.

<*term number=“1” type=“technical”*>Attribute<*/term*>

In the above example, the element name term has 2 attributes – number=“1” is an attribute, and so is type=“technical”. They are both included in in the start tag right after the element name (term). In the number=“1” attribute, the name number has the value 1. In the type=“technical” attribute, the name type has the value technical. The complete XML element describes the function of the text – that there is a certain number (1) of terms being described, and that the type of term is technical. Attribute is the 1 technical term being addressed.

**Keep in mind that although the number 1 is a quantity and that the term technical is a measurement of quality, in XML they are merely supposed to stand for the terms they describe, not function as the terms themselves.

The values of attributes must be put in either single or double quotes. In the above example, the “1” and “technical” attribute values have been correctly placed in quotes. Each different attribute name may only be used once in any given element. In the previous example, the attribute names term number and type have each been used only once.

Elements can include other elements inside of them.

<*termlist*>
<*term*>Element<*/term*>
<*term*>Attribute<*/term*>
<*term*>Name<*/term*>
<*term*>Value<*/term*>
<*/termlist*>

In this example, the element termlist contains three term elements. The element termlist is also known as the top-level root element, or document element. XML that does not contain a top-level root element is formed badly, and is considered malformed.

Incorrect XML Example:

<*term*>Element<*/term*>
<*term*>Attribute<*/term*>
<*term*>Name<*/term*>
<*term*>Value<*/term*>

Without the top-level root element termlist, the term subelements are badly-created XML.

More Differences Between XML and HTML

XML is different than HTML in many subtle but crucial ways, so it follows that there are some tasks that are better suited for XML than HTML, and vice versa – for instance, with XML it is a much simpler task to access crucial document information than with HTML, which would sometimes require an excess of so-called markup language red tape.

HTML doesn’t have to have a closing tag, but XML does (except in the case of the XML declaration, which is not considered an element, so the usual rules don’t apply).

example of correct HTML: <*p*>A correct HTML paragraph doesn’t have to have a closing tag
<*p*>New paragraphs can start without old paragraphs having a closing tag.

This is incorrect XML, however.

example of correct XML: <*p*>A correct XML paragraph has a closing tag<*/p*>
<*p*>If XML doesn’t have a closing tag, then it is wrongly constructed<*/p*>

HTML isn’t case sensitive, but XML is.

example of correct HTML: <*Rule*>The capitalization in ‘rule’ here is inconsistent, but fine for HTML<*/rule*>

This type of mixed capitalization works for HTML, but is considered incorrect XML.

example of correct XML: <*rule*>The capitalization in ‘rule’ here is the same in both the start and end tag<*/rule*>

HTML tags can be used in different orders (or nested improperly), but XML tags need to be used exactly symmetrically without overlapping (or nested properly).

example of correct HTML: <*b*><*i*>Go to the store, Jimmy!<*/b*><*/i*>

This is fine for HTML, but the <*i*> tags overlap with the <*b*> tags, so as HTML, the above markup fails.

example of correct XML: <*b*><*i*>Go to the store, Jimmy!<*/i*><*/b*>

HTML tags get rid of any white space purposely included in a document, whereas XML preserves all white space.

Original text: Don’t use HTML to do the following thing: preserve space

HTML version: Don’t use HTML to do the following thing: preserve space

XML version: Don’t use HTML to do the following thing: preserve space

In the above example, white space was intentionally included, which the HTML version is shown as incapable of preserving. The XML version is successful in this respect.

With these basic tenements of the syntax of XML and its differences from HTML under your belt, you should have a firm idea of how to create and use basic, valid XML.

Orientation
A logical starting point is the orientation. This usually takes the form of a meeting, where the scope of the project is determined. What would you like to achieve with your publicity, what are your concrete and indirect goals, what is your target market, what is your budget? All these questions, and more, influence the final result. Based on this, a proposal to the client is drawn up.

Proposal
The proposal outlines the cost of the design and production of the project from start to finish, including third party costs, like photography or illustration, as well as printing if desired. Because there is no set design at this stage, printers and other executors can’t make an accurate price. It is common for the initial design to develop and change during the course of the process. For this reason, it is advisable to leave the final executing or printing costs out of the initial proposal. A separate proposal is made when the design is set and ready to be carried out.

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances can influence the final cost. In this case the client is notified immediately, so that they can stay on top of the budget at all times. The proposal is not binding; without an agreement, no fees are due.

Agreement
On receiving written confirmation of the proposal from the client, the business agreement is official. Depending on the scope of the project, an advance payment may be asked for.

Design
Before the design process can be started, the designer will ask for additional information. With the proposal as a starting point, a detailed plan of action is drawn up in collaboration with the client.

During the design process itself, aspects from the client briefing, impressions, and information gathered from research is translated into shape, color, materials, typography, and photography. This is the creative part of the graphic design process.

Presentation
Next, the designer presents the client with a model or mock-up. Presentations are a way for both designer and client to keep the project on the right track. From initial sketches to full-color mock-ups, the client is involved in the design process. The final result of these presentations give the client a good idea of what the finished product will look like. This way of working assures a quality outcome and no surprises for the client.

At this stage, the total cost of the project will be known, when the designer asks the executor or printer to make a proposal based on the final mock-ups. Under normal circumstances, this final proposal doesn’t deviated much from the one made in the earlier stages. On agreement of the client to the model and the final proposal, the production process can be started.

Production Preparation
During the design process, replacement text can be used to create models, but at this stage the definitive text is needed. During the preparation, all material necessary for the design is gathered. This includes photography and illustrations. Often these are sourced from third parties. That is why it is important to plan well, and to make sure all materials are ready in time for the production process.

Corrections
The end result of the production preparation is presented to the client. This is called a ‘proof’. The proof is checked for content errors, so that any amendments can be made before final execution. This part of the process is standard, and the corrections are already included in the final cost. Once the design goes into production, however, changes do bear extra costs. When the final proof has been approved, the design is ready to go into production.

Production
The designer stays involved during the production process to ensure the end result matches the approved design. If any problems were to arise during production, the designer takes an advisory or problem solving role. The finished product is delivered to the client directly.

Evaluation
At the end of the production process an evaluation takes place. The evaluation measures the degree to which everything went according to plan, and identifies any areas that may need improvement. In the case of repeated projects, the evaluation can show where costs may be cut in future.

The graphic design process doesn’t have a directive approach. The stages are described here in a chronological order. However, depending on the circumstances, this order can be rearranged to suit a particular project.

1. Don’t use too many animated GIFs.

Too many animated images on a single page can be a big distraction for your visitors. Sure, animation can be fun and entertaining when used in moderation, but know your audience and know your limits. Most visitors will quickly reach for the back button when faced with a page full of blinking, moving, and spinning images.

2. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to font size.

Another mistake made by a lot of new web designers is displaying the majority of their text using too large of a font size. It’s true that larger font sizes can be great for title areas, but it is best to use smaller sizes when working with the bulk of your text. Smaller font sizes are easier to read and take up less real estate on the page, reducing the need for scrolling. Just don’t take this to the opposite extreme by making your font sizes too small or no one will stick around and try to read what you have written.

3. Avoid using too many fonts.

It can be tiresome to read a website that uses many different fonts throughout its pages. It is best to stick with a maximum of three fonts if you are trying to look professional. Your main body of text should be in an easy to read font like Arial or Verdana. A second font can then be used to separate any title areas. Though it is not necessary to use a different font for headings, it is still acceptable. A third font can be used in your website’s logo.

4. Do not center everything on the page.

While we are on the topic of fonts, it’s also a good idea to talk about text alignment. Many beginner web designers center most or all of their website’s text. This isn’t a good idea because it goes against our natural way of reading. Centering titles or small excerpts is okay, but your main body of content should be aligned to the left.

5. Smart color choices can make all the difference.

When deciding on which colors to use throughout your website, take the time to really think about your color choices. One common mistake found on beginner websites is text that becomes unreadable because of an unsuitable background color. If you have to highlight the text to make it easier to read, then it’s time to consider new colors. If you are unsure, black text on a white background is always a safe choice.

Designing your first website can be an overwhelming task. Luckily, by avoiding a few common beginner mistakes, your website can be a step ahead of its competition. By carefully paying attention to your fonts, colors, and alignments, and by making sure not to use too many animated GIFs, your website will be more enjoyable for your visitors. Something your visitors are bound to appreciate.