Home Page Web Design Mistakes You Must Avoid
Web design is an evolving skill where most learn from the mistakes. However, there are a few mistakes that can be avoided right from the start. One of the major errors is the placement of large banner ads on the home page. Banner ads of 468 x 60 pixels can reduce download time significantly. It also increases the file size and potentially leaves less room on the home page since they are generally placed at the top, forcing the web designer to clutter the page or have less content on the page. Large ad banners could also have the potential to drive visitors away from your site.
Your main objective is to promote your website, which is defeated when there are large banner ads on the home page. The golden rule is to have smaller ads and not distract the visitor's attention away from your web content. In addition, too many banner ads on the home page is also a mistake that some websites make. Having more than 5 or 10 can cause an increase in download time and the page file size. Having too many banner ads can annoy the user and has a negative effect on the eyes. Moreover, surfers are aware that ads produce revenue and numerous ads will not portray your website as a professional one. For the most part, surfers ignore banner ads and are then likely to take less notice of any of your content. Your advertising click through rates will also take a beating. Therefore, it is prudent to have only a maximum of three banner ads with optimized graphics on your home page.
Have you ever tried to read a web page jam packed with content? Most people that come across such a page are likely to skip it. This is one of the biggest mistakes that web designers can make on the home page. Content is king, yes, but too much of it on the home page is likely drive visitors away. The key is to refrain from promoting every item on the home page. Instead, keep it updated with fresh content for the most popular features rather than numerous features that your website has. Similar to graphics, too much content can increase download time significantly. Too much of text and graphics makes it difficult for the user to search for the most useful content. A couple of paragraphs on a page is more than sufficient. Visitors are more likely to read your home page thoroughly in this case.
Providing too many options on the home page also causes confusion. Your web design will only be effective when you give the surfer less to do. Too much of scrolling is not what surfers like, so keep it short and simple, and provide links to other pages instead. This comes to the main point which is to encourage visitors to remain on your website by providing sufficient links to other pages rather than to other websites. Minimize links to ad banners and news related to other sites.