Pilgrim Web Design is committed to excellence. We believe that having a poor-quality web site can be worse than having none at all. But what makes good web design? These are the principles which guide our design decisions.

...compelling content
If you have nothing to communicate, you don't need a web site. We see too many sites on the web which contain useless or redundant content. Web users do not return to these sites. An effective site begins with content that captures the user's interest, either because it is useful, intriguing, or entertaining.

...attractive appearance
Although compelling content is the foundation of an effective site, appearance should not be overlooked, as even the best content can be undermined by an unattractive layout. Attractive appearance cannot be precisely defined, but it must skillfully incorporate color, shape, and balance. The appearance of the site should also establish a look-and-feel, a sense of continuity throughout the various portions of the site.

...intuitive navigation
Users should not have to struggle to navigate a site or wander aimlessly, lost in the maze of links. This is another good way to chase users away from a site. To ensure that the navigation is as intuitive as possible, we give usability testing a high priority in our design process.

...compatibility
At Pilgrim, we test our sites extensively to make sure that all essential features work for the majority of users, given the wide variation in platform, monitor, and browser setups they represent.

...quick loading
Web users tend to be an impatient lot. Studies have shown that a slow loading time is the quickest way to turn a visitor away from a site. Pilgrim's rule of thumb is that a web page should take no longer than 20 seconds to load. We use a variety of techniques to reduce loading times, from size-conscious graphic design to preloading page elements.

...judicious use of technology
Animations, plug-ins, sound, Java, and other special effects: it is possible to use these technologies and techniques to enhance the usefulness and attractiveness of a site. However, it is much more common to see them used gratuitously, merely because it's possible, which adds nothing to a site except loading time. Our designs are content-driven (what do you want to communicate?), not technique-driven (how can we use this cool trick?).