Making your website easy to use

A common misconception about web design is that people want a bunch of "stuff" on web pages. Take it from the most successful website in internet history – Google. People don't want clutter. They don't want web portals with every possible topic of content on one page. They don't want a bunch of crazy Java tools or mind-blowing flash intros.

People want utility, plain and simple. Google has been so successful with this technique. They gave people what they wanted: results. So, how do you make your website easy to use like Google?

1. Design with them in mind
Only include the bare necessities on your pages. Design for the visitor, give them what they want, not what you want. Don't bother with useless page counters or other webmaster tools. Your pages shouldn't have anything on them distracting the visitor from the purpose of your site. If you run a site about cars, why would a visitor care how good your Photoshop skills are? Chances are they've reached your site from Google itself, and have one main interest: content.

2. Content for the masses
There is already enough link farms, web portals, and search engines. If your site is about cars, focus on unique, interesting, content about cars.

3. Make it work
Obviously your site needs to work. This means it should be optimized to load within seconds on a 56K modem. Make sure it's useable in all major browsers and don't mess too much with Java, Flash, or other heavy applications.

A site can never be too simple as long as it has content.

About the Author
Mark is a graphic and web designer currently living in Seattle, WA. His latest project, Ontora, contains this website article and other how-to guides.