When deciding which colors (your palette) you'll use on the site, you need to ask (again with the questions):
- Do the colors you pick work well with the goals of your site?
- Do the colors exist on the 216 universal-color palette?
- In an old browser, will you be able to read black type on the background color you picked?
Colors are to Web pages what fonts were to desktop publishing in the '80s. People think that just because they have 216 colors, they should use them all. Use a limited palette: A few colors can go a really long way. Be smart about the colors you pick. Don't think in terms of your favorite or least favorite colors. Just make sure they support your message and tell your story.
The other big question with color is readability. The type should sit comfortably on the background color. It's more than an issue of high contrast. White type on a black background is readable, but if you try light grey type on black, the end result is more comfortable to the eye. If you go for a lot of contrast and then back off a bit, you'll probably end up with something subtle that's a little more complex and interesting. Of course, you can never go wrong with black type on a white background. It might not be the flashiest way to go, but it's bulletproof.
Readability part two: The bigger the type, the easier it is to read; the longer the line length, the more difficult it is to read. As a basic rule of thumb, use the tag or a table to shorten your line length. I'd also think twice about setting body copy in anything smaller than . After all, you want people to read your writing. Also avoid making entire sentences links. It's cleaner and simpler to link off one word or a short phrase.Why I love blockquotes, part two: White space is your friend. White space doesn't necessarily need to be white - it can be any color you want, but it should be blank. Eye relief is the concept here. Don't be afraid to leave some space around a GIF. Fat margins around body copy work nicely as well. White space helps the reader's eyes rest on what's important - whether that's an image or words. It helps unclutter your design and focus your concept.
I'll close with another idea that isn't new or mine. My former boss once said to me, "Keep it simple, stupid." (Hopefully, this wasn't directed at me.) Focus your ideas. Make sure everything on your page has a really good reason for being there. Make sure you spend as much time picking out your images and colors as you spend on your copy. Make sure the level of technology you decide to use works with the overall goals of your page. Keep it simple. Keep it smart.
Let's finish by stepping back from specifics and looking at some general thoughts and practices that are always good to keep in mind. Always start with paper. Don't jump straight into Note Pad or FrontPage without having a clear idea of what you want your page to look like. When you work on paper, forget everything you know about what HTML can and cannot do. Come up with a good look; then try and figure out how you can program it. Keep things organized! Plan your site navigation in advance and keep your file structures and hierarchies clearly intact. Develop these habits while working on small sites. That way, when you begin doing big sites with lots of content, you won't lose your head. It is also evident to end users when a site's structure is well organized. While sites may still function if you just save your file in any old folder and throw up a link, both your productivity and your site will suffer!
