If you choose a background color other than white for your Web site, make sure you choose a text color that is easily read on that background color.

Fonts We recommend using an easy-to-read font for majority of your text, but fancy fonts can be used for headings and subheadings. Take note of several Web sites that use fonts that you like. 4. What You Don't Like It is also important that you take notes on Web sites you don't like. What don't you like about them? Are they visually overwhelming? Difficult to read? Write down URLs of several Web sites that you do not like with a short explanation as to why you don't like them on your "What I Don't Like" worksheet. 5. Site Map Decide on how many pages you would like to start out with. More pages can be added in future as your company grows. Home Page - This is first page of your Web site and it is mandatory. It's also known as index page. It should clearly state what your Web site is about. It sometimes includes a mission statement and contains links to your "inner" pages. This page is your most valuable page, as it is front door to your Web site and will be first impression that your visitors will have of you. Inner Pages - here is a listing of some of most popular inner pages. You can customize this list by adding to it or subtracting from it to meet your needs: ·About Us Page - This is a page about you and/or your company. It may include your credentials or your resume. You may also what to include your picture. ·Links/Resources Page - This page contains a listing of links and resources that are relevant to your Web site and may be of interest to your visitors. This is a good place to list Web sites that you have affiliate programs with. ·Services/Rates Page - This page contains a listing of your services or products and can also list your rates and prices. ·Contact Us Page - This is a page that contains information on how to contact you. Often times it contains a form for your visitors to fill out. It may also contain your address, phone number, fax number and email address. ·Testimonials - This page may contain letters of recommendation or testimonials that your clients have written for you. ·Terms of Use/Disclaimer Page - This page provides a clear definition of how you intend to use information collected on your site. ·Site Map - This is a page devoted to site navigation and contains a detailed map of your Web site. ·Other - Write down any thoughts you have for additional pages.

6. Other Thoughts/Ideas Take note of any other thoughts and ideas that you have for your Web site. Do you want your navigation buttons to change when mouse rolls over them? Do you want a copyright statement at bottom of your pages (recommended)? Do you want a Flash movie added to your Web site? Message board? Polls? Any other special features? Add these to your "Other Thoughts/Ideas" worksheet.

Once you have filled up your journal with your thoughts and ideas, it is time to hand it over to your designer along with copy (text) for your pages.

Your designer will be most impressed with information and clear insight you're able to provide. You'll also save a lot of time by clearing up questions regarding your design before they ever crop up. Just like creating a plan for your business strategy or marketing efforts, creating a plan for creation and design of your site is highly recommended.

Viki is President of Mount Evans Designs offering creative, affordable Web designs, logo creations and ebook covers. Visit her site today at http://www.mountevansdesigns.com

Making MIDI Files A great idea for making MIDI on web, is to use 127 voices of Sound Blaster Live card as your sound card. The reason being is that you know that most people on web will hear your MIDI in same way you heard it when you made it. (Sound Blaster does have more than 127 voices built in that you can access but stick to 127 voice mode.) If you use extra sound banks and have an expensive card that has over 127 sounds, most people on web will not hear extra sounds. One problem though with 127 voice sound card is that older computers with a 64 voice sound card will get a tinny gazzoo sound from your 127voice composition. But these 64 voice cards are now in minority of visitors. Remember then to stick to 127 sounds when making MIDI for web. Using Sound Blaster card is a good idea as most visitors will be using this card and sampled sounds will be same ones that you heard when making MIDI. A common question is "Can an Mp3 or wave file be converted into a midi file. The answer is no. The file would need to be recomposed using midi software. Voices, singing lyrics can not be put onto midi.