Keep File sizes to a minimum

If your photos and graphics are larger than 60K, they are likely to make your viewer impatient while they download. Focus in on the subject of your graphic and eliminate dead space around the edges. Reducing the amount of colors in the graphic will also reduce memory. If you have a large graphic for a page, make a small icon of it so your viewer can click on it to see the larger format. If a small icon is not an option then you should break your graphic up into a few pictures that can download separately. Your viewer will then get quicker results and will gladly wait for the rest of the pieces to complete the image.

Interlaced Graphics

Interlaced graphics are those which you see on the Web that appear quickly but look pixelated. They gradually sharpen until the image is clear and offer the viewer an instant image even though it starts out fuzzy. Some designers think this sort of loading procedure looks awful while others think it offers viewers something to look at while they wait. I can't really tell you which is better, but never use an interlaced graphic for tiling a background image. As the image tiles in the background, the browser becomes extremely slow.

Minimize Colors

The fewer colors you use in a Web page reduces memory of graphics and increases download speeds. In your graphics program should be a method for converting and reducing bit depth called indexed color mode. By reducing the bit depth down you reduce memory of the graphic which makes it faster, but also this reduces realistic qualities. It is best to use 8-bit color mode, (256) colors, for compatibility on all monitors.

Add Titles to graphics

Some of your viewers may search your web site with the images turned off in their browser. If your navigation links are graphics instead of ASCII text then it is especially important to include an alternative "ALT" text on your page to help your viewers navigate your site.

Contrast

If you use anything other than a white background or perhaps are using colored type, be sure that you have enough contrast for readability. Look at areas where colors come together and how readable the text is. Text is the most important part of the page and must be easily viewed and balanced within the page.

Choosing Colors

Use a color wheel to help you understand which colors work together and which ones don't. See our color tips for more information.