Some of most god-awful sites I’ve ever seen have used frames. To be fair though, I’ve seen some that used tables that were just as bad.

Frames require what is called a "Frameset" page. This is most important thing. If it’s layed out weird, then frames will either A.) Not work at all, or B.) look hideous! The Frameset page is just what it says, a framework for rest of site. In each section (or Frame) there is a complete webpage, even if it’s just a graphic. The Frameset page tells browser WHERE each of these complete pages goes. So if you have a page with lots of information crammed into a narrow frame what you get is frustrating for visitor at best.

Good rule of thumb… Keep it Simple!!! Some of most annoying framed pages I’ve ever seen are ones that have a bazillion different frames. And when I say a bazillion, I mean anything over say three, at most four. The human eye can only handle seeing so many little sections, and especially on Internet! When I go to set up a framed page I ask myself a few questions.

1.Is it easy on eye? In other words, am I dizzy looking at it. 2.Does it make sense? Is general layout reasonable. 3.Could effect I’m trying to achieve be accomplished using tables instead?

If answer to first two questions is yes, then go ahead and set it up. However, if there is a shred of doubt, try option Three.

Tables

Tables have their own quirks though. The biggest one that I’ve seen is browser compatibility factor. Netscape and IE see tables very differently. I’ve found that to overcome this annoying problem to do a blend of tags that both read.

Basically what tables are is a series of rows and cells that allow one to neatly organize information and images, rather like those shadow boxes that you use to display knick-knacks.

Indeed, when you are developing your web site, you do it strictly LOCALLY on your computer. That's a great difference to how it will come out ONLINE to your visitors. (In fact, that's what makes difference between a professional web site designer and someone who is carving out his/her own web site. The pro's of course are subject to same discrepancies - but they are aware of them. The amateur is happy when his/her web site design is looking well on own computer - disregarding that it might be looking very differently to a visitor!)

Some of main differences between local and online web sites are following:

Load Time:

Many surveys among web surfers show that load time is one of main deterrent factors for NOT entering a web site and turning to another one instead. Professional web site design will always try to have contents on screen within first few seconds. Additional parts of your web site can be loaded during following 20-60 seconds - but during that time visitor should already have something to read on screen! (Preferably, of course, something to make his/her mouth water what is yet to come.)