Thanks to my boredom, I've come up with yet another rant. Just what you all wanted, right? Well, in my search to get a new layout for this site, I wandered across a site that had links to awful webpages. I've seen quite a few bad sites and laughed at them and I'll even admit my first webpage was pretty bad-but not that bad. Seeing those sites got me thinking about how many badly done sites there really are. Now don't go thinking that I'm typing this rant with a 'holier than thou' attitude-I'm not. I'm merely pointing out the truth as always.
Now what kind of sites do I deem 'bad?' You've seen 'em. The ones that look like they were thrown together in 5 minutes with little to no html skills whatsoever. The ones that have full color backgrounds upon which is text you assume is there but can't really tell because it's too hard to read. There's always the ones that also have a million different animations going or so many images to load you wait for half an hour just for the main page to load. Then how about the StIcKy CaPs and bizarre mismatched colors that give you a headache. My favorite is when almost all of the listed problems are used-makes for a hideous site. And the people that make them just don't seem to realize they're bad. The site just sits there taking up webspace that someone else could be getting better use out of. And in some cases I've watched a site sit for years with the same crappy layout. I've also noticed that series such as Sailor Moon and WK suffer from many sites in this area due to the fact they are so popular and there's hundreds of sites to begin with. It's great if somebody has some decent content, but at least put it on a site worth looking at.
Ok, so here's a few tips of mine created from prior site-building experience, common sense, and MANY hours spent on the Internet.
1) Don't get me wrong, page builder programs are OK but don't rely on them. They just don't achieve what a little basic html can do.
2) If you can't make your own web graphics either surf the net for free graphics places (they're everywhere) and all they might want is a link back to them. Or you can even ask webpage owners if they'd be willing to make some for you-don't go stealing already made graphics and then editting them saying that you made them. (I am one of those owners that will make graphics for anyone who asks!)
3) If you absolutely have to have an image for the background, at least lighten the image since the full-color version is in most cases too bright to put text on.
4) Avoid all the animated images. A few sprinkled here and there are fine, but pretty soon too many of them slow the loading of the page. Those bouncing images are pretty obnoxious too and tend to be worse than a little animated gif. Also avoid background music unless it can be turned off by the viewer.
5) Make sure your text is readable. Don't use 20 different colors in one paragraph or those annoying StIcKy CaPs. Use a color and font that suits your site as well as showing up clearly against your background.
6) Be creative!!! The same recycled info and pics is boring. Include things that are going to keep your guests coming back and recommending your site to friends!
7) Most importantly, design a site based on what you like to see on other people's sites. In my case I love lots of pics, especially rare ones, as well as a lot of humor. These ideas spawned my numerous galleries and most of the Insanity section. Also design your site layout from what you like. Do you like navigation a certain way? Frames or not? Bright colors or not? Yet again, if you need help htmling some things search the Internet-the info you need is out there somewhere.
I've also provided some links to pages that do provide tutorials and whatnot on html and graphics.
Webmonkey
HTML Goodies
Idocs Guide to HTML
Dynamic Drive
Quadzilla
www.bratta.com
Photoshop Lover
Eyes On Design
Rae Studios
Cheap Reseller Hosting 
