Web Design Checklist for the New Year

By Candice Pardue

Use this Web Site Checklist to Get Your Website in Top Condition for the New Year!

As you start a new year, don't forget to take a second glance at your web page design and your Web business as a whole. The new year often means new beginnings - even on the Web!

Depending on what type of online business you have, you may or may not need to change products or methods of selling. Is your business related to the ever-changing market of technology? Or, is it a business that remains steady no matter what the technical world does? Consider these questions and others as you follow the New Year web design checklist below, and get your website in top shape for the New Year!

1. Clean HTML Codes

One thing that will make your web design life alot easier is to go through the HTML code of your web pages and "clean up" the HTML codes. Perhaps there are functions you don't use any longer, but the code is still embedded in your web pages.

Or, maybe there are features you added to your web pages that don't seem to bring results. This is the perfect time to clean up those codes and get your web pages organized from the inside out!

*NOTE: There are programs available today for HTML Cleanup and Validation such as HtmlCodeCleanup.com that can help you find errors in your HTML quickly and easily.

2. Re-read your Website Presentations

Now's the perfect time to go through and re-read your website presentations. Make sure the reading is pleasant, short and to the point. If you have a long-winded sales presentation, break it up into short, 3- to 5-sentence paragraphs so it doesn't seem overwhelming to the reader. Don't be afraid to leave some white space in your pages.

Remember, website surfers are usually in a hurry. They want it "yesterday" so make your products easy to access by offering a "Jump Here to Order Now" link in several places throughout your presentation.

See a Graphics Example Here

*Notice when you visit the link above, the presentation is long. There is a link just before the heading "Why Beginners Learn Graphic Design so Quickly with the Graphic Design Training Course" where readers can "View Course Options Now" or they can continue reading. This gives those in a hurry to order quick access to the order options. I created this using a Web page "anchor" or "target" link that links within that same page.

3. Renew Expired Offers   Throughout the year, you've probably offered many "special offers" for various occasions. Check your web pages to be sure there is no wasted space with expired offers. But wait - don't delete these pages! Simply change them to a similar valid offer. You might be surprised at the search engine traffic these pages might be receiving!

4. Check for Broken Links and Graphics

I don't know how many times I've went through my own website and found broken links and graphics that I didn't realize were there. And, I'm supposed to be teaching web design, right??? This usually happens when I get in a hurry and design lots of new web pages at once. I might fail to go back and check the pages for errors.

It's a good idea to go through and check all of your web pages at a different computer than your own. Why? Because your browser has a memory "cache" that keeps your web page images and files so that broken graphics might show on your computer even though they're not actually working on your website for other viewers. Also, be sure all your links are working properly so your site visitors can navigate easily.

5. Examine Web Page Layout

While you're checking for broken links and graphics, examine your web page layout as well. It's important that the web design flows naturally. Here are some web design tips to help with layout:

a. Place your web logo at the very top middle or left-hand top corner of your web pages.

b. Avoid placing links on your main selling pages that go to another website. If you must have an outside link, use "Java" link code to open the link in another Web browser. This way visitors don't have to actually leave your website altogether to visit another.

See this page for instructions:

Open a Web Page in a New Window

c. Avoid too many large graphics. They will slow your web page loading time - especially for those visitors who still use "dial-up" to access the web.

d. Make sure your navigation links are included in the same area on every web page to keep a uniform design throughout. Visitors expect your site to be easy to navigate.

6. Create Excitement

Once you make changes to your web pages, email your clients and let them know of the changes you've made. This gives you a reason to contact them, and gives them a reason to visit your website once again!

Use this New Year web site checklist to get your website in shape for the new year. With the right website design, you can enjoy online success throughout the year!