Optimal performance is the number one priority in any website design. The existence of large, slow loading flash files on some website shows that some webmaster do not require the basic understanding if what constitutes an optimally designed website.

Follow these basic rules for website design when creating your site and you can be assured of an optimally designed website you can be proud of.

1) Try to avoid using splash pages

The splash pages are the fancy pages you see when you enter a website. These are elaborately fancy pages with lavish designs and images along with words such as “welcome to our website Usually, they are pages of elaborate graphics that includes words such as “welcome or “click here to enter the site. They are merely fancy additions without any real functions at all. This fanciful addition only serves to confuse the visitor who will likely leave your website immediately if loading time takes too long.

2) Use any form of banner advertisements sparing

Although these can be at the foot of a web page, adverts like this are primarily placed right at the top of the page in what is called the ‘header’. Adding banner ads are actually futile efforts to maximize the use of your website as space research shows that people tend to ignore such advertisements. Instead add useful contents and add your affiliate links skillfully into the body of the text so that it would seem like a natural part of your text and not an advertisement.

3) Keep a simple and clear navigation

The best navigation would one that a young child can understand. Stay away from complicated Flash based menus or multi-tiered drop down menus. Any form of complicated navigation will cause them to leave your site for good. Your website design should include the construction a sitemap that will make it easy for them to find what they want.

4) Make it clear where the user is at the moment

Give them a clear view of where they are now and how to get to where they want to be. This way, they can easily navigate the exact section they want. When each link that has been visited is marked in some way form the ones that are fresh, visitors can easily know which is fresh and which is fresh and which is not. If you confuse your visitors in any way they will leave.

5) Make it a point to avoid using audio.

If you want your visitors to stay a long time and read the contents, do not irritate em with your audio. Whenever you decide to use sound, be sure not to let it loop continuously because this a huge cause of irritation to people browsing sites. Adding audios may seem cool but provide some form of user control such as muting ability or volume control so that your visitors can adjust accordingly. If you wish for the visitors to return to your site, learn to apply all these website design rules and you can reap the benefits of long term traffic.