Design Web Site Graphics
With "Loading Time" In Mind

 


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Many business owners seldom stop to consider how much Web site graphics design and loading time play in their overall strategy for Web site development.

But Web surfers, on the other hand, really hate to wait around for a Web site to load! And, they stay poised with index finger ready to CLICK! on to the next site.

Keep in mind...

There are a number of things that might cause Web site graphics to load slowly...

• too many images,
  
  

• very large images,
  
  

• peek Web traffic times,
  
  

• slow modems,
  
  

• and slow servers (especially on secure sites)...

...are probably the most common reasons.

Do-It-Yourself
Web Site Graphics Design

There is probably no effective way to measure the amount of traffic lost due to slow Web site graphics loading. You probably already know that it's the size of the graphic's FILE that creates a part of the problem.

But, designing your Web site to load quickly is completely under your control...

Of course, you could use graphics software applications like the ones offered at NetMechanic™. But for many, even this small additional expense adds to an already strained budget.

But like a lot of folks, maybe you want to do it yourself!

So, here are few hints that might help you manually reduce the size of your Web site graphics file and help your Web site to load faster.

• Compare the graphics file size in different formats, i.e. GIF, JPEG, etc. Sometimes there is a considerable difference in file size based on format. Usually, you will not notice any difference in the actual graphic quality.
  
  Note: Use the JPEG format for most photos and images with more than 16 colors.
  
  

• Add a little transparency to the graphic image. The quality may still be acceptable for the application.
  
  

• Crop or cut the graphic down to a minimally acceptable size.
  
  Note: Simply reducing the size of graphics on the Web page, WILL NOT reduce the size of the graphic's file. So, be sure to save the re-worked image to a new file.
  

• Make the background of your graphics design transparent if it suits your application. This one can be a little tricky. So again, work on a copy.
  
  

• Try dividing very large Web site graphics into sections. Collectively, the sections will add up to the same size file. But, a 40K graphic divided into 4-sections reduces the size of each part to only 10K. These four smaller files of 10K each will load a lot faster than a single 40K file.

One more thing about
Web Site graphics...

If you have a "super fast" computer set-up, customers with average system speed might experience a much slower loading time than you.

For example, if you are set-up on a cable-modem system, your computer will load Web site graphics a lot faster than the average surfer's machine.

Try loading your site on a co-worker's or friend's machine that has average speed. You could have a loading time problem and not even know it.

Another important note: Don't forget to clear your computer's cache memory before you test your Web site's loading time. Since visited sites and their graphics are normally stored in your computer's cache, you will need to clear the cache to see the "real" loading speed, the same way a first time visitor might see it.

Final point...

Using a SIMPLE Web site design will decrease loading time.

Don't let your enthusiasm to show off your graphical design skills cause you to miss out on potential SALES!

This brings us to the next phase of Web site development. In this section you will learn ways to increase you site's conversion rate (visitor to sales ratio.)

Increasing your conversion rate will save a lot of advertising dollars. Click here to continue...

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