Basic Web Design Rules that Still Work!

Web design can literally impress your site visitors. It is one of the factors that give your site visitors reason to stay and be converted to customers. There are basic rules and strategies in web design that you have to master if you wish to come up with a site that works for your customers and visitors.

These rules encompass the elements of web design including the layout, fonts and graphics. Following these simple rules will definitely give your site an effective design. Furthermore, it will make your site more attractive to yield a greater number of repeating visitors and staying customers.

Basic Rules of Web Design

Rules/Strategies for Layout

• Use white space in your layout. It has a positive effect on how your content will be viewed by your site visitors. White space is actually an aspect of layout that must always be considered.


• If you will be using graphics on your site pages, consider them to be actual elements of the layout.


• When creating a layout, always think of using the standard layout. By standard, it means simple. Avoid complicating the layout – this will only annoy your visitors. Stick to what is simple – a layout that will bring your visitors to the actual content of your site.

Rules/Strategies for Fonts

• Avoid changing the fonts of your page. Aside from the fact that it will not add attraction to the overall design, it may also annoy some of your site visitors. If you need to change the fonts, limit it to 2 or 3 different styles.


• Always look for fonts that belong to the standard font family. Fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Verdana and Geneva are some of the standard fonts. Using fonts like these look well even on different browsers.


• Use Serif for headlines and Sans-Serif for text. This is due to the fact that Sans-serif fonts can easily be read on computer monitors.

Rules/Strategies in the Use of Graphics

• Do not even think of overloading your page with graphics that do not carry any relevance to the page’s content. Use only graphics that are related to your content.


• If you are to use graphics as an element of your web design, be sure to use small images (not the size but the file). A large graphic can take forever to load for those who still use dial-up connection. Think of them instead of the few online users who are already using broadband connection.


• Avoid using blinking or moving images. They may be slow to load, at the same time; they can be annoying to some.

Now you know the simple rules and strategies to be able to come up with an effective web design. Whether you are a web designer or online business owner, it is always advisable to have a better understanding of these rul2es to ensure a more attractive and appealing site!

An effective web design is one that works with your customers not against them. Need an effective web design? We can help you, please see our Web Design Service or apply for a free Web Design Analysis.