So, you've got your Internet Marketing idea off the ground and now you need a killer web site. What the heck do you do now? Don't panic just yet. I'll give you a couple of tips to make your site stand head and shoulders above the crowd. More importantly, these tips could actually help you make more money!

OK, let me give you my opinions on great web site design...

1. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid.

This is one of the rules I live by and it applies to web site design as well. The more complicated your site is to use, the more likely someone will leave before finding anything useful --- or worse yet, without buying your product or service.

2. The Need For Speed

Design your site to load fast. Most people still access the Internet with a 33.6 modem or less. Here's a good rule of thumb... the total size of the page, including graphics and HTML, should be less than 40 kilobytes. The reason behind this seemingly arbitrary size is that most people will leave if a page takes longer than 15 to 20 seconds to load. And a page that is 40k or less will load on almost any modem connection speed within this "magic" time limit.

3. Three Clicks to Gold

Your site should be designed so that a user is never more than three (3) clicks from their desired end result. Read that last sentence carefully - the emphasis is on what the user wants, not on how you want to lead her around by the nose. Remember, people on your site are probably looking for specific information, so make it easy for them to find it.

4. Never, Never, Never Use Frames! Period. Ever!

If you don't know what frames are, don't worry. Just don't ever use frames on your site. Search engines throw-up on frame pages. The frames take up valuable screen real estate that can be put to better use. And your users will have trouble bookmarking a specific page on your site. Have you ever seen a great web site that used frames? Me neither. Enough said. In fact, I hate frames so much that all my HTML pages use a small piece of javascript code that breaks the browser out of a frame. Send a blank email to framebreak@wiredmarketer.com and you'll get a reply with the instructions. It's such a small piece of code that it's easier and more efficient to deliver in an email message.

5. Simple and Intuitive Site Navigation.

If you use graphic buttons, make them easy to understand! If you want to link to the products section on your site, put the word "Products" on the graphic button. Make use of the ALT tag - it's there for a reason. If a user has graphics turned off, they can still see a text description that says "Product". Also, give your users a couple of ways to navigate your site. For example --- a graphic navigation bar at the top or side of the page and some small text links at the bottom of the page. And make sure your navigation scheme works on ALL of your pages.

6. Consistency is Key.

Your site should have a common look-and-feel across all the pages. You don't want to confuse your reader. Consistency will make it easier for your users to find what they want on your site. This also makes updating and maintaining your site much easier!

7. Use White Space Effectively.

Again, this goes back to the KISS principle. Ever seen one of those sites that try to cram too much information onto the screen? Do you ever go back to visit those sites? Use your screen real estate effectively. Oh, and notice that I said white space --- never use a black background on your web site. Ever tried to print a web page with a black background and white text?

8. Don't use cool technology just because it's available.

Each and every piece of technology you use on your site should be in response to a SPECIFIC problem or opportunity you encounter. Don't just throw some java code on your site because it looks cool and scrolls a message across the page. And don't use technology that requires some other piece of software to run (i.e., browser plugins like ShockWave) --- unless this technology is appropriate for your target audience.

9. Hire the best web designer you can afford.

If you aren't an HTML coder or you don't want to buy a WYSIWYG editor, hire great talent! Make sure you hire someone who is knowledgeable on UNIX (or Windows NT) and more importantly on CGI programs (the guts that drive your site automation).

10. There is no Rule Number 10.
See Rule Number 1 again! (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Bottom line... A good, simple web site design is worth it's weight in gold and will keep your customers coming back for more! Just follow my Ten Cardinal Rules for Web Design and you should be head and shoulders above your competition.