HTML5 Tips For Web Designers

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the programming language responsible for structuring web content and controlling the overall appearance of a website. HTML serves as the framework for all other programming languages as it is utilized by all other programming languages in order to help control the way content is displayed to visitors. With the release of HTML 5, webmasters now have even greater control over their content and can design websites more efficiently. However, there are several important things to keep in mind while developing websites in HTML 5.

1. Keep It Responsive

One of the most important aspects of HTML 5 and modern web design practices in general is to ensure that every website that you design is able to adjust itself to the user’s screen size and that content is structured in a way that all users can access the same information without significantly impairing the appearance of the website. Responsive web design also consists of displaying content in a way that can be viewed by all platforms and operating systems.

2. Keep It Simple

While flashy slideshows, pop-up media, and other fancy layouts are visually appealing, they have a way of confusing visitors who are just trying to find information as quickly as possible. Exotic media may also not be displayed properly on mobile devices, which is another reason that webmasters should strive to keep their websites simple enough for users and search engines alike to quickly find what they’re looking for.

3. Make It Mobile-Friendly

In keeping with a simple layout, a mobile-friendly website should display all of the same information that a regular website contains, but in a way that mobile users can access the information without having to scroll through hundreds of options. Mobile-friendly websites should also be responsive enough to adjust themselves to the screen size of any mobile device and allow mobile users to access on-screen items via their device’s touch screen capabilities.

4. First Impressions Are Everything

While websites should be kept simple, webmasters may feel a need to spruce up their homepage with a little “flash” here and there, which is perfectly fine. New visitors that come to your website will usually decide whether they like your website or not within 5-30 seconds. Your visitors expect to find information fast, be entertained by a nice layout, and have access to social networking features without having to look around too hard.

5. Keep Everything Connected

In addition to social networking, all of your website’s pages should be connected to each other in some way or another and visitors should have access to your site’s most important pages at all times. For example, your products and services should all be listed on a Products/Services page, even if they have their own dedicated pages, and your most important pages should be showcased in your navigational menu. Another option is to activate “breadcrumbs” on your website so that visitors always know where they are and can quickly jump back to a different section if necessary.

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