Recently, though it is something I have had no training or experience in I have produced a couple of web pages. When I started this I did not have the slightest clue how to go about this project and only because I could not get anyone else to do it for the buget available (zero $). I have managed to get fairly basic web site up and running, nothing flash or particularly memorable but it does the job it needs to and it gives me a start point to learn some new skills (if anyone is interested it is here ).
The company I work for is also looking at its present web site and have decided that the present effort is very ordinary and it would be a good move to upgrade it to present a much better first point of contact for potentual customers, and have started some preliminary work with a web design company.
A good web presence is a very important part of promoting a company and is often the first point of contact for new customers. When I am looking for parts for products we manufacture, a supplier that has a good web site that I can easily find the data I require to select their products, their products are more likely to be selected.
As I see it, a good web site has to be well programed to load quickly be easy to navigate, yet catch your eye and have the right style to go with the image your company wants to put out into the market place, a balance between the art and the science of design.
As I am not very knowlegable on either of these things as they apply to good web design I am interesed in geting a good meaningfull discussion going on this subject as there are many in the TR membership with much experience in this area. It would be great to know what tools they prefer design philosophies etc.
When I started my project as I did not have a clue how to make a start I used Open Office’s wizzard to create my first page, but found it did not produce very good results, next I tried Quanta Plus, which was better, but now I use just a text editor and a bit of learning and write the code directly.
It would be great to get some opinions on the topic of good web design, possibly see some examples to go along with some of these points of veiw. both the good and the bad.
