6.) Improve site’s navigation using icons

Site navigation is an important aspect of web usability. Making use of unique XP style icons can really make your site appealing at same time adding to easy navigation. Some businesses that offer XP style icons are http://www.icongalore.com, iconpharm.com etc. Icongalore.com offers best XP style icons at costs as low as $3/icon.

7.) If your site has too much content ensure readability

Poor readability can cause your users to leave. Poor readability occurs due to use of small fonts, poor color combinations, long sentences, repeating background images and improper headings.

Tips to improve readability

a.) Make use proper font size. Generally a font size of 10 to 12 would ensure fast reading b.) Make use of proper font types and make sure to use only one font type through- out page. Verdana or Arial fonts are best for online reading c.) Avoid using long sentences. Break your long sentences into shorter and interesting ones d.) Avoid making use of static and repeating background images e.) Give proper headings and provide strategic links f.) Keep your content free flowing and explain you point by providing proper bullets. Shorten your paragraphs in two or three g.) Avoid justifying your content

8.) Test your site before launching

Testing your site before loading is very important. You should pick up information like site load times, navigation, information availability, content, browser compatibility etc while testing.

a.) Test to see if your site loads in all browsers b.) Test all links and see if they are working c.) Test for site errors if any d.) Test for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors e.) Test site load times

9.) Check your server log data

You server log data is perhaps your best information source to improve your website’s usability. You weblog can give you information like keywords used most often to reach your site, website downtimes, pages most visited, exit pages etc. By studying your weblog you can find out pages that a particular visitor accessed and page at which he exited. This can help you optimize popular pages and give special attention to pages that seem to have most exists. Overall studying server log on a daily basis is very important.

Editing images and graphics

You would require PSD files in order to edit images and graphics like change image color; add/remove image layers etc. PSD files are those created using Photoshop and can be edited using Photoshop, ImageReady, imac or other image editing software programs. You can also change images to your liking. The best place to look for quality images for your templates is ‘gettyimages.com’.

Editing content

If you only need to change/insert content of template, you can go for editing index.html file. The index.html file is provided by all template providers and can be edited using Html editors like FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Golive etc. You can also edit content using text editors. Index.html can also be used for removing/replacing images, changing links, adding meta-tags, adding alt texts, adding title and changing image sources.

Editing layouts and styles

For editing layouts and styles you would require a CSS style sheet. A CSS style sheet is a document that lets you make changes like text color, text/paragraph spacing, headings, links etc to multiple pages. Always ask your template provider to give external CSS style sheets as they are easy to edit. CSS can be edited using any HTML or text based editors.

In case you find editing part difficult you can make use of web template customization services that are provided by most template providers.

Domain registration and hosting

Domain registration and web hosting are crucial for your website to appear online. There are many template providers who offer allied services like domain registration and hosting. Some even provide services like content development and search engine optimization. So be sure to buy templates from template vendors who offer these additional services. Some template providers like buytemplates.net offer template related services irrespective of where you actually purchased template from.

Where can I find quality web templates?

The internet is filled with websites that offer web templates. All that you need to do is insert a keyword like ‘corporate web templates’ in google or yahoo! to get a SERP crammed with web template providers. But finding quality templates from this crap is a bit difficult. A template many look glossy on your screen but may contain bad coding and low grade graphics. Some may be cheap but will have bad or no service associated. So how to find best web templates in this heap load? The best way is to ask your-self these seven questions before making a buying decision.

Questions to ask before buying web templates

1.) Are templates conversant with my company objectives and goals? 2.) Will they appeal to my end users? 3.) What kind of support does web template provider offer? 4.) Does web template provider offer complimentary services like hosting, customization, SEO etc? 5.) Is template compatible with all editing software programs? 6.) What kind of files does template vendor offer me? 7.) What are membership options available?

Best web template providers online

Some of best web template providers online who offer high quality web templates at affordable costs are www.buytemplates.net (Buytemplates.net offers quality templates at affordable rates. They also provides allied services like template customization, content insertion Search engine optimization and web hosting), http://www.templatemagic.net(offers quality affordable templates), designgalaxy.net (this site also offers logo designs, flash intros, Photoshop designs and PowerPoint templates along with web templates.) and interspire.com (This site is a must visit for anyone looking for free website templates. Their free templates are of good quality and are updated regularly. You can also get hold of free newsletter templates and logo designs here)