Making Your Website More Appealing: Using Graphics

Motion graphics such as Flash can be used at the opening sequence of your web site but should be avoided elsewhere unless your company specializes in creating visual media that require motion or animation.

Companies that fit into this category include business involved with

• video games
• film or video editing
• advertisements
• online games
• online video

Even if your company is somehow involved in these activities, animation should be kept to a minimum on your home page, contact page, and “about us” page. Remember that the human eye is drawn not only to light colors, but also to movement.

If your business is focused on creating movement (as in the types of companies listed above), then you can use this to your advantage.  Otherwise, moving graphics or images can distract your customers and prevent them from finding more information about your product or services.  For some individuals this movement can be outright annoying and possibly distracting, causing them to leave your web site long before making a decision on whether or not to do business with you.

Keep in mind that not all consumers have computers that support heavy graphics.  If your effects are too elaborate and your customers have to wait too long for the page to load, this might cause unnecessary frustration and they might leave your site prematurely.

In general, keep your site elegant, simple, and focused on your business.  Unnecessary graphics can distract from the purpose of your web site and dissuade customers from returning.  In place of extensive animation, use colors and static designs that reflect the mission of your company and appeal to your target demographic.

This is the fourth and final article in a series of articles on “Making Your Web Site More Appealing.” 

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at 7:15 pm and is filed under Web Site Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.