Common Design mistakes:

Most common mistake—too much text!!!
Remember you have only a fraction of a second before the viewer either hits the back button or flips the page. You need to make an impression, get them to read on or better yet, call. This is by far the most common mistake. Too many words repel the viewer.

Typos
Proofread your text several times. Have others read it also. One overlooked typo can blow many opportunities!

Too cluttered
Less is more. Really.

Ineffective images
A photo or piece of artwork should enhance your page. If it is not an asset, do not use it. Just say no to blurry, improperly exposed, mediocre photos and also NO to tacky clip art—these actually detract from your message! It is also very important to remember that print requires a much higher resolution than web (300 dpi as opposed to 72).

Too much movement and sound on web pages
While movement and sound can certainly grab someone’s attention, it can also be abrasive. Use it subtly if at all.

Unclear Navigation (in web design)
If a user has to click more than three times to find what they want, they usually move on. Too many choices may confuse the user, conversely, hard to find information buried deep within a site is frustrating. Find out what most people want to know, and make sure they can find it. Rule of thumb: Limit navigational tabs to no more than 7. If you have too many categories, arrange them into subcategories. Organizing a website is often the biggest challenge!

Be careful with humor.
It is good to be lighthearted or clever, but humor can be taken the wrong way, so be careful.

Cake decorating approach to design
Some people use photos, icons or clip art to gussie up a page in much the same way a baker might decorate a cake. Amateurs use "decorative" fonts, bright colors, excessive borders etc. Effective design requires a much higher level of finesse. Do not use a baker, administrative assistant or lawyer for that matter, to design your important promotional material. Hire a pro, whose work you like, it will be well worth the investment!

When all is said and done, nothing promotes your business better than your direct contact with potential clients. Encourage viewers to call and/or meet with you. For that matter, call me, Karen Rolnick at 917-971-9679, to discuss your design needs! I will be happy to answer your questions.

© 2009 Karen Rolnick Graphics