So you are developing a website, and you really want to add cool graphics. But how?

Well, you can run out and buy a bunch of expensive graphics programs and 'dummies' books to learn how to use them.

Or you can sign up for courses, on or off-line, for various amounts of money. But you'll probably be old and gray by time you sort through all mumbo-jumbo you'll need to sort through, or you'll be stressed to max, and opportunity your website originally presented will be long- gone.

Adding graphic images to your site should be easy and fun.

It is possible to:

- find graphics you can use at little or no cost; or - jazz up your own pictures or graphics

Throw mumbo-jumbo commands, books, and classrooms out window. If you just want to find graphics or photos you can use, start by doing a search on your favorite search engine(s) for 'royalty-free graphics.' You'll probably be kept busy for quite awhile chasing down links you'll find. Many of sites that provide these graphics also include instructions or coding to add them directly to your site - so you don't have to be a rocket scientist to jazz up your web pages, after all!

Here's a few things to remember when creating web graphics:

1. Don't Sacrifice Speed For The Price Of Quality

Well, with amount of information that is available with just a few keystrokes or clicks of mouse, why wouldn't you want your business' information to be included?

More and more people and businesses use Internet to find information. Whether it is locally or internationally, Internet is one place where they are likely to find what they are looking for. Unless, of course, they are looking for you or your product and you don't have a site.

Having a website allows your business to advertise 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it is available whenever someone is in need of information on your product or services. The elements you include on your website are a determining factor for how successful a marketing device it will be for you.

For personal websites, you can include everything that your heart desires. You can have a site that shows off your favorite cat or a site that includes everything you ever wanted to know about Limburger cheese. The subject choices are unlimited.

However, a business site should be more refined. Get to point and provide a wealth of information about your product or service. But, ensure that you leave a little to imagination. Inspire them to WANT to contact you for a little for more information, and then make sale!

And, on that note, make sure your contact information is readily available on your site. There is nothing worse than peaking your site visitor's interest and then making them search for a means to contact you. Believe me, many people will simply give up if they can't find what they are looking for and go on to another site in hopes of an easier route.