A good web site requires certain key components to be successful. It must have these elements or it is destined for failure.

First and foremost, a successful web site must have a purpose1. The purpose to fulfill your audiences' wants and needs. When you get down to it, there's really only three different things visitors want.

If you can't satisfy that basic requirement, you'll have a web site that only you will want to see.

Quality content2 is another must. Original content is best; however, at least make sure it focuses on your audience. The best way to get people to come back to your web site time and time again is by having relevant content they need, and then updating this content on a regular basis.

A clear and consistent navigation3 is necessary if you want a prosperous web site. Good navigation will help your audience surf your site with the greatest of ease. Bad navigation will only hinder and frustrate a visitor and may cause him or her to not return. Properly executed navigation should be dependable and obvious. It should be able to tell your visitors: where they are, where they've been, and how to get home.

An accomplished web site should separate content from presentation4. This means that the subject matter is managed independently from its appearance. This saves on bandwidth, improves download times, and improves accessibility. Looking forward, it dramatically reduces lag time for site maintenance and the eventual redesign.

Forethought of information architecture5 is also needed. It can be defined as the observance of designing clear, understandable communications by giving care to structure, context, and presentation of data and information. Practicing good information architecture allows a site to be logical, intuitive, have the ability to progress freely, and be represented by a coherent flow chart.

Abiding by the W3C standards compliance6 help ensure that everyone has access to the information you are providing, and also makes web development faster and more enjoyable. Standards compliance isn't just for the visually impaired. It also makes it possible to make your site available through varying medias like mobile devices, TV, screen readers, print, etc. Also, search engines can do a better job indexing sites that follow the standards.

Use of semantics7 is also a vital part. This entails the use of logical labeling of document structures in hierarchical order. Semantics involves using elements that are appropriate to content meaning rather than its presentation. Assignment of appropriate element types also structures a document. For example, headings break a document into sections, and paragraphs separate the sections into sub-sections. Using semantic markup enables contents to be more readily distributed to computer programs, media devices, and even other languages.

A web site designed with accessibility and usability8 in mind means people—potential customers—with disabilities can view your site. It also benefits people with "temporary disabilities" such as a broken arm and older people with changing abilities due to aging. Also, an accessible Web is essential for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Not following accessibility and usability practices may constitute a violation of the ADA laws and other governmental laws pertaining to accessibility. We can evaluate your site and increase accessibility.

Search Engine Optimization9—SEO—is preparing a website to enhance its chances of being prominently ranked in results of a search engine(s) once a relevant search is undertaken. If you have followed the principles of correct web design as mentioned above, you're halfway there. However, there's more to be done if you want to be found on the Web. Aside from the previous, submission to search engines, affiliate links, keyword placement, site stability, advertisement, and a slew of other indeterminate factors need to be taken into account. Identifying these "factors" are the most perplexing tasks to accomplish because search engines won't explain what will improve ranking. As soon as web designers figures it out, the search engines will change what they're looking for. We can help improve SEO for your company.

Last but definitely not least, security10 is another factor required. It involves providing security against break-in to the server, break-in to your site, and break-in to the computer where personal information could be compromised. It also means personal information gathered on your site is encrypted and safe from spamming, phishing, and criminal hackers.

All of the aforementioned principles should be used in creating and maintaining a successful and manageable web site. Contact us for more info.