Web Page Design Overview - Text and Graphics
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III. Text
Condense your text
Edit your text to the minimum that you need to get your message across. Use white space to break up areas of text and avoid sections that contain only long paragraphs.
Use headline typefaces sparingly
Normal typeface looks more modest. Otherwise, you risk overkill. Don't use all caps or overuse the bold and italic styles.
Make sure your text is readable
Whatever color or texture you choose for your background, don't let the background overwhelm the text. Instead, select a background that subtly complements your text. If your visitors can't read the text, they won't stay.
Choose a high-contrast color for your text
For example, use light text on a dark background or dark text on a light background. Avoid using green text on a red background or vice versa. Red and green have the same value (lightness or darkness), so people who are red/green color blind cannot differentiate between the two. If you expect people to print your page, consider using standard black text on a white background.
Be consistent
Don't mix and match fonts or colors. Decide on the font style, size, and color and use the same style consistently, even on subpages. The same guideline applies to textured and colored backgrounds. They can unify your pages as long as you are consistent with your choices.
Proofread your text carefully
Nothing destroys the professional look of a site more than typos and spelling mistakes.
IV. Graphics
Avoid using large images
The larger the image, the longer it takes to load the page. The longer it takes to load the page, the more likely your visitors will go somewhere else.
In general, you should avoid using a graphic larger than 30KB. You should also try to limit the total size of your images on one page to less than 40KB. Web browsers are usually set to automatically display images. Don't make your readers wait too long to see them.
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