Basic Web Layout

[MitaDC]

Hey guys, I am just looking for some good ideas for my site, like how it should be layed out etc... what people like to see, what people don't like to see, what is annoying etc. Any help would be appreciated!

[rastorize]

Don't like to see: frames, ads, too much Flash (a little is perfectly fine), outrageous colors, embedded music, gigantic images, scripting errors, animated gifs in moderation (if at all - use Flash instead) - that's all I can think of for now...

I'm a big fan of Flash -

Here's an example of an incredible Flash site: http://www.2advanced.com/flashindex.htm
Check out their portfolio section for some incredible desigsn - maybe it'll spark some ideas.

http://www.theory7.com/splash.asp?w=...&hasflash=true

[cryptoguy]

Whoa! That is pretty amazing flash. I would say depending on what the site is about, the design/layout should be different and unique. So what is the site about?

[brandon184]

The issue is that people see a site like 2Advanced and all of a sudden think that making an ENTIRE site in Flash is a GREAT idea. So they do it, even though they don't know nearly enough to accomplish the task coherently. Stay away from using excessive amounts of flash - for a lot of good reasons.

Brandon

[large_nostril]

I agree with what everyone else said with four additions. Don't use frames unless you have to. Use web standards. The webpage should render properly regardless of whether I'm using IE or Mozilla based browsers. And please don't abuse DHTML. Just because you can make stars follow my mouse doesn't impress me the slightest and I can guarantee I'll never be back to that site. And don't force any kind of music. Not even in Flash. (That includes rollover sounds, bleeps, pops, bangs, quacks, etc.) If I want music, I'll get out good ol' Winamp or Windows Media Player. Other than that, basically keeping the site clean, simple, and functional is best. Don't be afraid to add eyecandy and such, just don't abuse it.

[MitaDC]

cool thanks, this is for my company, I was gonna use a dreamweaver template but I am not gonna now. . .