Web Page Design Tips

Overview With the advent of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editors and other Web authoring tools, the task of creating a Web page has become quite simple. However, designing a high quality Web page can be much more difficult. Luckily, there is no shortage of Web design tips, tutorials, or advice on the Internet. Web page design resources range from simple tips and guides, to advanced tutorials and certification programs. Sorting through all of the information might not be necessary if you understand a few simple principles of design. 

Web Page Design Resources Web page design and layout resources are abundant on the Internet. The Web Design Group’s site www.htmlhelp.com is a good Web authoring resource. This site serves the purpose of “promoting the creation of non-browser specific, non-resolution specific, creative and informative sites”. Many resources including FAQs, tools, design elements, and HTML help, can be found here. Another site, goodpractices.com, offers similar design resources as well as information on cascading style sheets. If you are looking for a portal to Web design advice, try this Yahoo.com directory page that includes links to Web page design sites.

Web Page Design Tutorials and Learning Guides Web page design tutorials offer advice on such topics as using color, fonts, sounds, graphics, and new Web technologies. The following list contains links to the best tips and tutorials available for the beginning Web page designer.

• www.webmonkey.com/tutorial/tag/web_basics
• www.pantos.org/atw/35252.html
• aware.hwg.org/tips
• wdvl.internet.com/Authoring/Design/Basics
• www.webreference.com/authoring/tutorials.html

HTML Tags For a comprehensive list of HTML 4.01 tags, refer to www.webreference.com/html/reference/specs/. Another good list of HTML 4.01 tags including descriptions, can be found at www.w3.org/TR/html4/index/elements.html.  

Additional Links Are you looking for examples of well-designed Web pages? Visit either this Web page or www.time.com/time/2002/tech/best to view some of the top-rated Web sites. Take a look at the top 101 Websites from the fall of 2005 at this PCMag Web page. The ratings are based on design elements and ease of use. To see examples of sites that are poorly designed, visit  www.webpagesthatsuck.com.