Guy McLaren

Best designed websites

I have seen many of the best designed websites never appearing on the Google pages. Use of Shockwave Flash, Javascript and Ajax on a website may win awards, but do awards satisfy the business owners need for sales? I believe that website design not unlike the advertising industry has become yet another artistic masturbation forum. The sites are designed to impress web designers, advertising executives and win website design awards. Are best designed websites actually any good for a commerce oriented business?

Website design awards

Most website design awards are awarded for outrageous and interesting design, The efficacy of the website is rarely taken into account when the ajudication takes place. It is my belief that web designers and advertising executives are not really the right place to go to for advice about business. Do these people even understand that sales = profits and that this is the lifeblood of a business.

Best websites

Here at guymclaren.com we know that the best websites are those that give results. Rather than spending your budget on magnificent design layouts and impressive artwork, we advise using the budget to get results. There is no denying that a pretty website looks good. There is no denying that a best website needs an element of design. Unlike print design there are really only three good layouts for a website. Navigation on top, navigation left or navigation right.

Website design

I have been designing websites since 1996, I tried all the artistic onanism and even won a website design award or three in the past. I was involved in the layout and setup of many websites including Richard Branson’s Virgin net. With all my experience comes the realisation that KISS is still the right principle. CSS can make the site appear a little more interesting and that is why we use elements of CSS. CSS can also make a site top heavy and slow to download and that is why we avoid many elements of CSS.

Flash and animated graphics

All these do for websites is add the so called wow factor and destroy the speed and efficacy of a site. Animated graphics are preferable to flash, but should be avoided if possible. When adding a flash movie to your content give the visitor the choice of activating it or not. Many people when faced with the downloading bar of a flash intro, just move on to another website. Do you really want possible clients going to the opposition?