The Internet has certainly changed the face of commerce, with it becoming more and more difficult to find a business with out a website. Thus, there are a lot of businesses looking for a cheaper, easier way to gain their presence on the web. Realistically, with the advent of numerous user friendly website development programs, almost anyone willing to devote a little time can develop a website. However, websites designed with out an understanding of web standards and technologies are often poorly designed and problematic. Also, businesses often realize that their site requires features that are beyond the capability of the novice website designer.

So, what makes one website stand out as superior to another? The fact is, efficient website design is a science. The architecture behind a well designed website is beyond the scope of the article, however, there are certain attributes that are key in efficient website design. Here are 6 things to remember when designing a website.

1. Have a targeted market

Understanding and defining who you are marketing to should be the first step in developing your website. The market of a website should dictate the look and the language of that website. A website designed for a law firm will naturally be dramatically different from a website designed for a rock band, from the ground up. The website should be representative of the companys principles and preferences. Failure in this area may take away from the credibility of the company.

2. Have a definite focus

Keep the focus of each page to a minimum. Dont try to fit everything in on one page. Separating subjects into different pages will help keep your website more defined and organized. A website with poorly organized, or poorly categorized, content can often look overwhelming and will discourage the reader from remaining on your website.

3. Content is King

The content of your website should be your top priority. Text that describes your company, your products or services, your companys vision, and so on, in a concise, easily understood manner is key. I recommend that you write the content for your site before you ever start in the design process. Have as many people as you can proof read your content to ensure that it is sensible and flows well. Ask others questions about the impression of your company they get based on the content. This may shed light on the way the website should look and behave.

4. Keep it consistent

Generally, the language and look of one page should be very similar to that of the other pages in the website. You dont want the users to feel as though they are bouncing from one website to another.

5. Make website navigation clear and simple

Keep in mind that if a user has to search too hard for information on your website, they wont search at all. Theyre more apt to search for a simpler website. The terms used as links to navigate a website should be brief, but descriptive of the content they lead to. I also recommend that most websites include more then one navigation section (i.e. if you designate the left side of the page as a navigation area, consider placing a less apparent navigation section at the bottom of the page).

6. Design for speed

You have a maximum of about 30 seconds to capture the attention of your visitors. This time decreases dramatically if your site is slow to load. For this reason, graphics used should be small or optimized. Also, while features such as Flash, audio/video, and animations certainly have their place, they should be used in moderation on most websites.

Implementation of these tips will move your website in the right direction.