chrisswanson11
11-20-2004, 02:25 PM
I am looking for advice on what I should do reduce the load time of my websit. Also, to enhance the design to portrait a more sophisticated, professional image. I had the website designed by a company who used one of their templates but I am realizing that I would like to change how it looks at the same time, improving the load time.
Any suggestions on where to go for advice or any specific ideas on design?
Nick W
11-20-2004, 02:41 PM
You can probably get some reasonable advice right here :) I'll start you off..
Use a strict doctype (http://www.alistapart.com/articles/doctype/) and use XHTML (http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/) and CSS (http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/)
Stick to a tableless design (http://glish.com/css/) - dont be :eek: scared, it's easy really :)
As part of all of the above, cut out all unecessary tags like <font> for example
Use the HTML Validator (http://validator.w3.org/) to help you do this with your strict doctype - you dont have to validate fully unless you can, but it'll help you find the crud in the design
Think TEXT - think information and ask yourself which of your graphics, flashing knobs and showy whistles are really needed to communicate that information and to sell your product
Stick all CSS and JS in external files - it'll increase server load on the first call but reduce page download time on subsequent page views for users - always a good thing - aswell as that, it will push your conent nearer the top of the codeflow..
Think about using a decent content management system (http://drupal.org) and incorporate all of the above when tweaking the templates to taste.
Well, that will give you something to think about perhaps. Go ahead and get a bit more specific if you like, i'll try to help, and im know there's a few others out there that will too :cool:
Nick