Use Of Graphic Design To Increase Website Useability

There can be no argument about the importance of design in attracting Internet users to a particular web site. No one would bother to explore the contents of a site if it does not contain eye-catching graphics that can please the visual sense of the users. With so many kinds of web sites existing online, it is extremely challenging to attract users and keep them interested in the site.

But a web site developer does not simply apply graphics freely on a site. Graphics should be used in the correct manner, or else, users might get turned off because the graphics featured just overwhelmed or confused them.

While it is true that attractive design is important for reasons that need not be explained, the choice of design must be carefully considered against the fulfilling the needs of users. When done successfully, it could be safely said that the web site has achieved its goals.

Graphics used in the Internet is inextricably linked to multimedia. Multimedia is a combination of graphics, text, sound, and animation to express a message to users. The multimedia features that will be incorporated to a web site should be dependent on the content. In general, multimedia and graphics should serve as supports to content, and should have precise, instructional purpose.

According to research, animated images can facilitate the transfer of learning in a positive way if it is utilized to show a vital part of the concept that is being illustrated. On the other hand, animation can serve as a barrier to user recall and performance.

Here are the guidelines in incorporating graphics to web sites:

1. Justify the usage of the graphics
The most obvious problem that can be seen on web pages is the over-usage of graphics. The main downside of this is that complicated, unnecessary graphics can take a long time to download, and this, of course, will not sit well with users. The graphics to be applied should support the transfer of data and should also be in relation to the accompanying text.

2. The difference between graphics with text-redundant data and those containing information that is non-redundant is that the former facilitates and ushers in the learning process, while the latter does not either help or slow down learning.

3. Consistency should be a priority in graphic design

4. Web pages should be marked up so that text will be downloaded before the graphics. In this way, the users will know immediately if the page has the information that they are looking for, and if not, they will be able to save precious waiting time knowing that they do not need that certain page.

5. The loading of graphics should be controlled as such that loading will commence from top to bottom, and the users scrolling down the page will encounter said graphics.

6. The downloading of pages should be fast in order to save users waiting time, and in order to reduce the chances that they will get frustrated that they will abandon plans to download. Here are several ways to achieve fast download periods:

-Keep the physical size of the graphics to a minimum
-Images should be combined in order to minimize the number of server connections. Remember, the more connections that exists, the slower the download time will be
-Decrease image resolution
-Limit the colors that will be used for the images
-Limit the use of animation

Animation is very much a part of web graphic design. The primary difference between web text and graphics and contents that are print-based is the dynamics. Moving displays attract the attention of users as long as the frequency of the display is regulated. Too much animation display can irritate and distract users. An animation that is perpetually moving can destroy the readable quality of the web page.

The usage of blinking texts should be avoided. It has long been regarded as an overused feature and the latest browsers no longer support it.

In designing a web site, there always exists a conflict between the desire to have total control over the appearance of a page and the need to permit users to establish their own preferences. The general appearance of the page should be made by the designer, but there are certain elements that users should have control over, such as color and text background, and the option whether to display graphics or not.

It takes a considerable amount of effort to establish and maintain the attractiveness and efficiency of a web site. If the guidelines above will be followed, all the efforts of web designers will bear desirable results. They only have to remember that the benefit of the users will always be the basis for everything.

Webdesign Barcelona and Basel: professionalism and cost-effectiveness for website efficiency

We may state it with no reason of doubt: Open Source Commerce is an unbelievably opportune opening for e-commerce development. Its merits are in its particularities that make it possible for online shops to be organized in practically very little time and with no costs at all, since we are talking about Open Source software programs. In other words, osCommerce covers successfully and in more than affordable limits the fundamental needs of online shop setup.

Moreover, the more beautiful aspect of it all is that it goes beyond basic dimensions of online stores organization, a fact which makes us entitled to say that osCommerce covers more than the fundamentals of e-commerce necessities. Of course, professional Webdesign Barcelona and Webdesign Basel providers make certain they can offer their present and potential customers the auspicious features of osCommerce. This means that Webdesign Barcelona and Webdesign Basel requirements are met successfully with the solutions offered by such online shop managements programs.

We were stating that such a program goes beyond the basics; this happens due to the fact that this online management software program can be customized so as to fit the requirements of practically any enterprise that opts for setup through osCommerce. Customization has been made possible owing to the versatility of the program, which means that it can be developed in order to successfully comply with the diversity of online business needs.

As a result, this is one program that will offer an incredible amount of advantages, ranging from consistency and suitability with each of the top preferred Internet browsers, and an offer of a multi-lingual package (these languages are English, Spanish and German, precisely those needed for Webdesign Barcelona and Webdesign Basel purposes) to the guarantee of safe deals and a diversity of shipping possibilities. And there are many more features in between.

However, a point where the customers have the occasion to witness the professionalism of Webdesign Barcelona and Webdesign Basel teams is in the setting of the templates for website design. Their skill is seen in how they manage to incorporate and coordinate with the program's features the features of template systems. This is one issue occurring due to the lack of such systems in the initial structuring of this online shop management software program.

Therefore, when you look for an experienced, skilled website design team, make sure they know how to manage template systems and manually coded designs. Basically any website design team will offer you the advantages of osCommerce, because it is available for everybody's free use. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean that this is all that is needed by efficient website design.

Take a look at the background of a web design team. Check out their portfolio; it is the first item that will provide you with a clue of their expertise in handling web design issues. You could also find some recommendations from previously completed design projects. Take your time to do your research: it is one very useful "homework" detail.

Your final test - prior to hiring the services of website designers - will be in the first contact you make with design service providers. Their first reactions and suggestions to your requirements are generally sufficient to give you a valuable hint as to their professionalism.