Website Tips

Posted 24 June 2009

The following are tips that I have figured out as I compiled this website, and some that I have learned from others. Honestly, I'm going to assume that you've at least passed middle school English (or whichever language your site is in). The internet is no different from real life: language still exists. I'm also assuming you're not ignorant of HTML, CSS, or websites and that you probably have one or want to have one.

CSS and HTML

Your CSS should be well laid out and organized. I suggest using a simple editor such as Notepad++. It helps a bunch and allows you to keep track of broken tags, minimize parts so that you can focus, and other features. Plus most of them are open source and thus free.
It might be helpful to use a CSS reset so that your website more or less looks the same in every browser. Each browser has its little quirks.
You should write code that validates. It should not only validate but it should also make sense so that anyone can understand it.
Your code should have comments in it. This is helpful, especially with larger projects, to keep track of what does what.
Don't try for the quick fix if something breaks. Try to resolve the problem. This will keep your code manageable and clean.
Use id for things that are unique. Class is for things you use repeatedly.
Honestly, online tutorials are you friend. I suggest W3Schools. By reading through that site, I basically taught myself HTML. Library books are bad either and might help you more.
Firefox has a bunch of developer tools such as Firebug, which shows source code and highlights the elements. This can help when you're studying another site or working on your own.

Content

Try to write content that no other site has. At the least, try to make it entertaining in a general sort of way. For example, if you write episode guides, you could say what you like about it, or make your guide exceptionally comedic. For example, Pokemopolis.net has episode guides that try to make everything out as very adult, content wise. They're enjoyable to read.
You should not just post what you write as you write it. Instead, you should let it sit so that in a few days, you can look at it with fresh eyes, similar to how a visitor would see it. This can help you to catch simple mistakes.
You should make your content readable. Don't just have one huge block of text. Break it up in paragraphs and use headings as necessary.

Layout

Your layout should be simple, somewhat related to Pokémon, assuming it's a pokémon fansite, and easy to use.
A menu should be readily accessible. Otherwise visitors can't get to your content.
Your layout should at least look good in the popular browsers - Internet Explorer 7 and 8 (screw IE6 for all I care), Firefox 2 and 3, Chrome 1 and 2, Safari 3 and 4, and Opera 9 (and soon to be 10). Seriously, screw IE6. Just drop it and offer people a link to Firefox or Chrome or IE8 on your start page.
Really, 800x600 is no longer used by most people. The lowest resolution now is generally 1024x768. However, I find it rather vexing to have to read a line of text 1400 pixels long. As a general rule, 960 is a decent size for a fixed width layout.