Above the Fold – the area of a webpage that can be seen without scrolling down.
TIP: Keep the important information above the fold, but fear not adding copy below the fold is ok to keep the website content rich and to be an authority on its subject.
ALT Tags – is text on non-textual elements, such as images [.jpeg /.gif].
TIP: ALT Tags are a must, it provides further detail for the image, especially for graphics turned off and text only browsers, and it helps visitors with slow connections to allow site visitors to make navigation choices before graphics are fully rendered. Note search engines index alt text.
Animated GIF – is a graphic that creates the effect of animation by rotating through a series of static images.
TIP: Animated GIF Banners and buttons work easily and are fully supported.
Cascading Style Sheets [CSS] – style tags used to format style and structure on web pages.
TIP: I recommend using CSS for font style, color and size to provide consistency of the over all look of the website, and cleans up the source code.
Email – is the transmission of computer based messages over the internet to other computer set up to receive the email.
Favicon – is a small icon 16 x 16 pixel that identifies a bookmarked website in a browser.
TIP: It is definitely worth creating this small little “.ico” file, this way if a visitor bookmarks your site it will stand out more prominently on their favorites list.
Flash – is multi-media software developed by Macromedia, Inc.
TIP: Flash has it place but this designer keeps it to a minimum, using it in a smaller capacity or in the lower level of the site where I am not as concerned about search engine optimization. Small flash movies can load and run without having to download a player.
Frames – is a way of dividing web pages into two or more independent parts.
TIP: Although most web browsers support frames, I generally choose to avoid designing in frames, because of printing and linking difficulties.
Home Page – is the main page [index.htm] of a website. It the most important page of the website.
TIP: Home Page should be designed to be fast-loading and easy to navigate, this page most of the time is your only chance to make a good impression.
Navigation – is the link menu that allows movement from one webpage to another next.
TIP: Good navigation is essential to good user experience. My standard location for the main navigation link menu is above the fold and on the left column; other navigation links of less importance can be below the fold or on the right side column.
Shopping Cart – is where a website’s product catalog can be sold online.
TIP: We offer Quick Shopping Cart™ interface or custom solutions.
Splash Page – is a page appearing before the home page of a website.
TIP: Splash [or flash] pages have their place for sites that are focused on branding, but for most sites it lessens the user experience.
Web Brower – is a software application that allow for the browsing of the World Wide Web.
TIP: When designing your website take time to view the finished design in all major browsers to make sure your design and functionally works correctly.
Web Design – is the act of selecting and coordinating text and graphics to create the layout and structure of a web page.
TIP: Web Design has great impact on promotion phase of your web presence. It will control how your visitors find the site, how long they use the site, if they will return to the site and how often the buy or register at the site. Take great care in the initial planning of you site
Website Usability – is the ease in which visitors are able to use a website.
TIP: Usability is a great concert during the promotion of a site, because good and bad user experiences impact directly on profitability.