Strategies in Simplifying Web Design Interface
Whether you are looking at a person, a place, or the screen, simplicity catches our eye. In the virtual world, it is not just the appearance that attracts users to check out the website. Rather, it is in the relief they get when they are not given a hard time loading the particular web page. Despite the beauty and complexity in web development, we can’t deny the fact that a simple website is simply irresistible.
Creating a web design that is simple can be a daunting task. Even if web designers do not have to exert that much effort, it is difficult to beautify a simple page layout. Being too simple has its advantages — the website contains lengthy words, without too much graphics which can be unattractive for many visitors. Even if the page is fast to load, if the layout is unattractive, it will not work for most people. So, here are some strategies that can be used in creating a web design that is beautiful, yet neat and simple.
Modal Windows
Do you remember the window that pops up every time you visit a site? Before pop-up blockers were created, these windows simply pop up on top of the main browser window with animated ads that can be quite annoying. Users had to fight through a lot of windows in minute’s interval. In fact, most people close the site just to stay away from those windows.
Now, there is another breed of the same kind that does open a new browser window. Instead, it appears within the current window above the content. This is called modal window. It usually shows a small window with dark sides as not to show the content given below. This is used to shift the attention of the visitor to the modal window instead of being distracted by the content.
So how does this help in simplifying the web design? In comparison to pop-ups, modal windows do not need to open a new page. Opening a new page is not really worth bothering for most users since it can just add to the load of the web server.
Hover Panels
Having a page with a lot of controls can make it very difficult for users to find what they are really looking for. It is a known fact that not all of the controls are useful, and some of them are used less than the others. So, the easy way in simplifying your page while increasing the accessibility of controls is through hiding them in the default views.
A good approach in achieving this is through hiding controls, and once the user hover the mouse over some areas, the controls magically appear.
Frequently Used Controls
Another great way of hiding controls is using JavaScript, while showing a few of the controls when the user clicks something. In other words, you hide them from default view, and if they click a button, the other controls will be revealed. Not only will this increase the simplicity of your web designs’ interface, but will also make it easier to use.
Wesley Epperson enjoys writing for BuildaJoomlaWebsite.com which offers building websites with joomla and joomla video as well as a host of additional products.
Author: Wesley Epperson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology