Learning the basics is the only way you’ll become successful in web design. Many sources are out there to give the novice designera a place to start — and this is one of those sources. Keep reading for a selection of web design tips and tricks.

HTML5 video is set to become the next standard for displaying videos on the web and naturally, you should offer both a way in which users can stream your content through an HTML5 format as well as another format such as flash for those who have an older browser version.

Don’t force users to install strange BHOs. Many tech-savvy users won’t do it. Common offenders include unusual video players, image viewers, and platforms for interactive games. For most standard use cases, there is a trusted plugin, such as Windows Media Player or even Flash) that will do what you want without driving away users.

Create an easily scannable website. Tests have shown that the majority of online readers avoid reading everything on a page; instead, they just scan it for information that is of importance to them. Having text in certain areas to create a more bold appearance will catch the attention of readers who quickly scan each page. Put your most vital information near the top. This will make your visitor’s time on the site more satisfying because everything is quickly accessible.

Use a tracking service, rather than displaying your visitor counter for all to read. Many websites still display their counters, yet they do not serve any real purpose. There are many high quality tracking services available, and some are even free. Use these instead of showing off how many people visit you.

Resist any temptation to use pop-up windows when you design your website. Although you may think they are helpful, many people think they are annoying. When these windows pop up on the screen, you are likely to frustrate your visitors to the point that they are determined never to return.

Make text easy to ready by using colors that contrast or backgrounds that are easy to read text on. When your text is harder to read because the background or text color creates eye strain or portions of text that are unreadable, site visitors are less likely to stick around.

Make sure your business logo is well-designed and prominently on every page of your site. Your logo is a key component of your brand, and it should be one of the first things people see when they go to your website. If you can’t come up with a good idea for a logo, there are design firms that will make you one at relatively low cost.

As mentioned earlier, in order to produce attractive websites that work properly, it is important to have a good knowledge of standard web design concepts. With so much quality data on this subject available, you may have a hard time knowing where to begin. What you’ve read here will get you started and help you to figure out where to go next.