Design: CSS Websites

Here are some of the best practices in building a lasting website design:

1. The Code, The Core

There is no better way to keep your website design stable and as strong as launching it on the internet with an unbreakable code. It takes a good programmer to be able to master two common website tools, HTML and CSS, but here is what you need to know: you do not have to be a programming geek just to have a website design that can last for ages and generations.

Only too rarely can you find someone who has studied CSS and HTML and yet fail to make their sites impactful and successful.

Here are a few tools to help you along the way:

a. validator.w3.org - To check your HTML & XHTML mark up
b. jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ - To validate your CSS code

2. Layout vs. Purpose

Let's get it straight: these two important things should perfectly complement each other.

• If you are creating a pitch page try to keep it as a 1 column layout
• The cardinal rule for websites that requires scrolling is not more than 1.5 pages length
• Start from eye-level and Keep Layout Centralized
• Navigation should be bold and obvious.

3. Design, Design, and Design

Launching your final website design can be as easy as a single click. What happens after the click could make or break everything that you have worked for in the past two months or so.

• If you need help in color selection, try colorlovers.com

• Strong Colours: Bright rich colors visually attract attention. Use them to divide section and highlight important element just like sign boards.

• Rich Surfaces: Proper use of drop-shadows, gradients and reflections help make visual interface feel more matured and polished Web 2.0 feel. The best areas to create this effect would be on important content and your navigation menu.

• Gradients: Web 2.0 designers simply love them to help soften the surface area with an illusion of a raised surface area. One common gradient combination is to use white-to-blue, which creates an aerial perspective as if the background fades into the background. You should also note that gradients work best when used with areas of flat tone or color.

• Reflections: Realistic effects of water droplets, shiny surfaces and polished acrylic buttons have been very popular recently to create that "Ipod Feel". This is usually created by a light source above the tabs which when combined with diffused glow help creates a plastic effect. Strong white highlight can also create a carbon-fiber appearance which adds to a level of polished professional feel.

• Cute icons: Bubbly "Pop Up" Icons has always been used to project easily recognizable meanings in a graphical manner. A hallmark of most popular web 2.0 sites, especially when you are highlighting specific "wow" factors of your product or services.

• Bold logos / Touch Screen Logo: Keep your logo work visually in its main context. Ensure that it is recognizable and distinctive represent your brand's personality and qualities on first look.