Web Site Design

Building A Site You Like

By Bob McElwain

Some webmasters say, "Hey, I like my site. If you don't, tough." In the end, we all have to take this position, for it is impossible to please everyone. Still, it's a good idea not to decide too soon. To put this another way, don't be in a hurry to open a new site. Or to modify one you already have.

The following works for me. Build two pages with different ideas on each. Maybe different borders, different kinds of buttons, maybe one without buttons at all, and so forth. Then ask friends and anyone you can find to answer some questions. Keep it simple, else the results may not be helpful. Something like: Do you like the background on Page A or the one on Page B. Most folks will be glad to answer four or five such questions.

The problem, of course, is they won't all agree. Hopefully, though, on a couple of points, you will get a consensus. And comments may help. Suppose one reply is, "The border on Page A is okay, but I like the one on Page B better." You can't count this as a vote for Page A, but this person is not likely to object to what is on Page A.
One element at http://www.sitetipsandtricks.com over which there was much discussion is the bamboo which frames the left side of the page. I feel it is delightful. Two people suggested this was a bad idea. Most said it was okay, but preferred other options. Only three said they liked it. I decided to use it for two reasons. First, the three who said they liked it were very enthusiastic about it. Second, so am I.

I finally said, as you must at some point, "I like my site." However, I'm open to suggestions. Have you got one?

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