Proselyte-Graphics Web Design

Designing Just For Internet Explorer

It is no longer acceptable for a website to function, in part or whole, only in Internet Explorer. While this is still a problem in many over seas sites, in America, and in growing numbers around the world, browsers like Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome are gaining popularity. If a site only functions in IE, or if the site hinges on Active X Scripting, you may be alienating half or more of your potential visitors. Additionally, phone and mobile browsing (such as iPhones and Blackberries) are on the rise, meaning that sites designed around IE quickly catering to a minority.

It is worth mentioning here that Internet Explorer, especially before version 8, does not properly render HTML as the WC3 standards define. This means that even if a site looks proper in the all the browsers mentioned above, it may look strange in IE. We work hard to make sure sites look proper in IE and in properly rendered environments.

UsingTables For Layout

Many older sites use hidden tables to layout the structure of the site. This causes numerous problems for modern browsers, as well as making the site download slowly. Many table laid sites will not scale well with font size or resolution.

These days, modern browsers support CSS, a method of designing the page that makes them more flexible, complex and beautiful, as well as being faster, and supporting tools for handicapped and blind readers. CSS layouts are easier to update, and they reduce costs for bandwidth and redesigns. Another great benefit of CSS is that it helps search engines better find your content.

Old Style Search Engine Optimization

In the past, search Engine Optimization included tricks such as hidden text and blank pictures full of keywords.

Today, most search engines are trained to ignore these tricks. Additionally, many ignore the meta tags that were a popular, legitimate way to drive search engines to your site. Even more extreme, some search engines will not index your site if you use the afore mentioned tricks. There are ways to make your site more accessible to search engines these days, but older methods are no longer adequate.

Designing for Computers

The Internet was originally a computer-focused venture. Early computers had small screens. As technology developed, however, the size of the average computer screen grew. Web designers started making websites for larger screens. However, today, there are smart phones, wide screen monitors, tablets, MP3 players, game consoles, even televisions which can view the web. Each of these devices has a myriad of screen sizes. It is no longer acceptable to assume that the viewer will be using a computer with a large screen, mouse and keyboard. Designs must make allowances for many screen sizes. This also means we must restrict certain technology, such as Flash, which is incompatable with some devices.