The best rule of thumb for web design with graphics may be taking the "If you don`t NEED it, don`t USE it approach." If your website represents a company whose business is driven primarily by catalog type sales, then you will definitely NEED graphics. Options for the use of graphics will be presented. However, if your website is providing information to your users regarding best practices for web design you may need fewer, or no images in order to get the information conveyed to your users.

Nearly all websites require at least a few images, even if they are only the logo or banner announcing who you are. Many website designers over use images, do not provide alternative text or use the wrong type of graphic for their site. It is important to know how to provide alternate text for users who cannot or choose not to view images, ensuring that your information is reaching them correctly. It is also important to understand the types of image files available for use on websites.

Alternate Text or ALT tags

ALT tags, containing alternative text, are meant to display information to the user when an image is not displayed. If you have determined that you need to place a graphic on your website, you most definitely want to tell readers who cannot view the graphic what is contained in the space. Otherwise, you may not be delivering the information in the way that you intend.

Another reason to consider adding good alternative text is that often times, visually impaired users will use an audio program to "read" them the content of your page. So you should definitely include more than just a one word description of a graphic that you believe is important information for your readers.

If your site simply displays an art or photo gallery, you may not need to be as concerned about the content of your ALT tags. However, you should at least give a good description of what is contained in the image.

More information is available on this site.

Types of Graphic Files

Most prominent among images are the .jpeg and .gif image file types. Photographs, maps and other images where a large array of colors are necessary to display the information correctly should be .jpeg files. Other images such as banners, logos, buttons and `clip art` type graphics are better displayed as .gif files. The major difference between the two graphic file types is the number of colors that they are able to display. A photograph will most likely require the display of more than the 256 colors displayed by a .gif file. However, that cute little snowman that you place on the site for winter most likely displays fine in only 256 colors. An individual user can set their web browser and monitor to display only certain numbers of colors in images, and considering this fact it might be to your advantage to work primarily with 256 colors when designing graphics for your site.

Another difference between the two files types is the file size. A smaller file will load faster for your user, so if possible you should use a .gif image.

One other thing to consider is that .jpeg is a poor choice for graphics that have large solid blocks of color. These images may appear "grainy" to your user if their browser does not display all of the colors used in the graphic.

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