Basically, web user habbits aren’t that different from shopper’ habits in a store. Web users glance at each new page, scan some of the text, and click on the first link that catches their interest or vaguely resembles the thing they’re looking for. In fact, there are large parts of the page they don’t even look at.

Most web users search for something interesting (or useful) and clickable; as soon as some promising candidates are found, users click. If the new page doesn’t meet a users’ expectations, the Back button is clicked or they go elsewhere and the search process is continued.

• web users appreciate quality and credibility. If a page provides users with high-quality content, they are willing to compromise the content with advertisements and the design of the site. This is the reason why not-that-well-designed web-sites with high-quality content gain a lot of traffic over years. Content is more important than the design which supports it.
• web users don’t read, they scan. Analysing a web-page, users search for some fixed points or anchors which would guide them through the content of the page.

User Expectations

Web users are impatient and insist on instant gratification. Very simple principle: If a web-site isn’t able to meet user’ expectations, then the company hasn't considered it's user expectations properly. The higher is the cognitive load and the less intuitive is the navigation, the more willing are users to leave the web-site and search for alternatives.

Web users don’t make optimal choices. Users don’t search for the quickest way to find the information they’re looking for. Neither do they scan web-page in a linear fashion, going sequentially from one site section to another one. Instead users satisfice; they choose the first reasonable option. As soon as they find a link that seems like it might lead to the goal, there is a very good chance that it will be immediately clicked. Optimizing is hard, and it takes a long time. Satisficing is more efficient.

User Goals

Web users follow their intuition. In most cases users muddle through instead of reading the information provided. The basic reason for that is that users don’t care. “If they find something that works, they stick to it. It doesn’t matter to them if they understand how things work, as long as they can use them. If your site visitors are going to act like you’re designing billboard, then design great billboards.”

Web users want to have control. Users want to be able to control their browser and rely on the consistent data presentation throughout the site. E.g. they don’t want new windows popping up unexpectedly and they want to be able to get back with a “Back”-button to the site they’ve been before

Building a website and putting it out to the world wide web should serve it's purpose to your visitors but how does it serve you? unless visitors know how to specifically find you, your presence on the web is probably wasted.

Websites have a variety of functions that can serve you in more ways than one as a website owner putting these functions to use is a step further to creating a better web presence.

Know your audience and their goals

Who's coming to your site? This may sound simple but it's surprising how many organisations aren't aware of this information.
Run an online survey on your site to find out more about who your customers actually are and where they are coming from. Break it down into a clearer segmentation to give you a basic view of how your visitors interact on your site.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Good usability and good search engine optimisation (SEO) go hand in hand.
Tailor your site to what your audience is thinking and that's what they'll type into the search engines! Try the Google AdWords Keyword tool - it shows what's been searched for on a given URL in the previous month.

Another valuable addition to your website is Google Analytics, which lets you analyse your website statistics. Site maps are also something search engines love rather than scanning your site for information a site map will allow a search engine to pull all of your pages in one hit.

Keywords and Descriptions

Make every link, page title and page description count towards your keywords arrange them so as the keywords you have applied in your site match your links and your page titles, make sure you have those keywords in your page information take a small portion of your site introduction and add it into your page description. You may not be familiar with these terms they are areas associated with the back end of your website ask your web designer to implement and pay particular attention to these areas.
Turn your images into advertising slogans by adding alt tags, these are text that can be added behind the image which when moused over will appear, your visitors may not take too much notice of it but search engines certainly do.

Remember your web designer is the most important part of how your visitors are going to interact on your website, keep in mind a web designer does not know as much about your business as you do so its very important to make sure your web designer understands how your business works and the key factors of your products and services.
What you think may work for you is not neccesarily the best approach, many website owners build websites that suit them you need to remember your website is not there to attract you its there to attract a variety of people who all think differently what's good for some is not enough for others you are never going to find the right balance but if you can keep 80 percent of your visitors interested that's a really good start.

Audience

When beginning a design or print media project, it is important to think about the experience of your audience. At the most basic level comparing media design with web design the web is interactive and print pieces are usually not.

The aim is to get your audience to stay on a page long enough to get a marketing message across. You are often faced with a limited area in which to achieve this, such as a one-page magazine ad. In some cases, you are trying to catch their attention and have them dive deeper into your product, as with a book cover or the first page of a brochure.

Layout

print design requires a clear and effective layout, decide on design elements like shapes, lines, colors, type, etc to present content to your audience.

The variables with the space required to create your design:

• Your space and design measurements need to be exact.
• You can be dealing with anything from a business card to a billboard.
• You know the space allowed from the start and that your finished product will look the same to everyone who sees it.
• You must have bleed and safety areas to guarantee good print results.

Another major factor is how you actually achieve your layout. whether you are a graphics designer or not, the final piece will be delivered as-is to the printer, though you must make the final print job appear as intended.

Dealing with color can be very tricky in print. It is important to understand each of the color models and spaces, such as RGB, CMYK and HSV. Below are some of the choices, issues and concerns when dealing with color in print.

• Consider the difference between your colors on screen and on paper.
• Again, a “proof” can help ensure you are getting the desired results.
• You often choose “spot” or “process” colors for your printing requiremenys. These are colors you choose from a palette and identify with a code that you provide to your designer or printer.

Keeping up with the latest technology is necessary in print design it is important when working with graphics programs for the likes of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, Corel Draw . Most graphic designers know the latest advances in design processes and will help you to achieve the best results.

Get rich quick schemes are out with 2009. In 2010, it’s all about building your business from the ground floor-up. That includes looking at your online efforts from the perspective of a brick and mortar entrepreneur.

You want to know which titles you’ll wear in the business – will you just manage everyone working for you (meaning freelancers and service providers)? Will you have a hands on approach to the graphics or content? Or will you oversee the marketing and advertising development for your products and let outsourced professionals handle all the rest?

You need a plan, and part of that plan is to evaluate each of your opportunities to see which business model would best suit your personal preferences and your financial needs. It might be info product creator, software developer, service provider, membership site coordinator – there are many options for you to consider.

Many people were taught how to build AdSense sites for awhile. No one ever told them it isn’t as big of an income as an info product site for the same amount of work generating traffic to the domains. You can’t just trust the judgment of someone else – you have to take responsibility for checking out all of your options and making the best choice for you.

For the 2010 year, you want to look at things a bit differently. Rules are being implemented left and right – with the FTC, with article directories – even with third party affiliate marketplaces like ClickBank.

So everything you do needs to be above the board. Long gone are the days when blackhat tactics were something to envy. Now it can potentially end your business in a flash – nothing no smart entrepreneur would do to risk their livelihood.

Start with a niche that won’t get you into trouble. Yes, some of them stand to help you make a fortune, but is it something where you’ll have a lot of trouble posting content online?

Then move on to what you can learn – and from whom. Are there ample guides to teach you about this marketing strategy? Do the marketers teaching it have good reputations or will they be instructing you to “get away with” things that might jeopardize your business?

Don’t risk it! Pursue something that is ethical and that provides you with happiness in addition to the financial success you’re after. It’s not all about the money. Sometimes the joy you get out of building your business is what can sustain you through the years until you achieve the highest level of accomplishment you can imagine.