Designing web pages must be done with some basic principals in mind.
People don’t read, they scan!
The majority of internet users today simply scan pages. They are always looking for the most relevant and interesting things on the page. Web pages have to be designed with this fact in mind so that the user stays engaged and interested. Shorter columns broken up by interesting links, pictures, and videos on your web page’s topic will help the user to scan the page more effectively.
Usability is key!
People that will be viewing your web page don’t want to have to take the time to try and figure out how it works or how to navigate it. If your web page is not user friendly then you will lose your audience. Make headings bold and links obvious! Provide visuals or tutorials for difficult tasks on your web page to take the guess work out of how to use it for your visitors.
Focus your audiences attention!
To help focus people’s attention, try to bold face certain things that you want them to focus on or remember. If you are advertising that your site is free try making your website name smaller and highlight the word free. The more you help to focus attention, the less users have to guess at what they are looking at or what they should explore on your website next.
Keep it simple!
Your primary task as a web designer is to keep your website simple and to the point. That’s not to say that you can’t have a little fun with color and graphics but people rarely go to sites to enjoy the design. Usually, people are trying to find out information and they want it fast. So while bold face print and text size make a difference in how easy it can be to navigate your web page, you also don’t want to overdo it.
Use the right tools!
While many websites offer free web design tools, their options are rarely customizable and your page ends up fairly generic which isn’t the best approach if you’re looking to attract a broader audience. Some great web designing tools to check out are: Adobe Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop. These tools will give your web page a more personalized and professional feel that will make the user feel more comfortable and confident in your service.
Resources:
http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/top-five-web-design-tools/
http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing-tutorials/9-essential-principles-for-good-web-design/
http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/