I have had many clients tell me “I want a website that looks professional.”

No problem! I hope the website will  look professional, have good, clean code, be fast and aesthetic, be functional, search engine ready, .. and a whole slew of lists the client might not even know exists.

But, what is a professional-looking website? Is it different from a professional-acting website? What about the Search Engine Optomization -ability of the website? Does functionality matter at all? Is what you think is “professional” different from what a Client thinks is professional?

What about the impact of:

• Easy navigation
• Color Scheme
• Good images
• Font
• Good content

• Initial Impression
• Visual Aesthetics
• Usability
• Content
• Code

Here are some links I ran across as I was looking for the answers to these and more questions.

• http://boldperspective.com/2010/the-five-layers-of-good-web-design/
• http://www.leapgo.com/professional-website-design
• http://www.web-designing-india.com/what_makes_successful_business_website.html
• http://credibility.stanford.edu/guidelines/index.html
• http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/05/12/case-study-deconstructing-popular-websites-opinion-column/
• http://www.colombowebsolutions.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-websites-professional-look-and-feel/
• http://www.sooperarticles.com/internet-articles/web-design-articles/what-makes-website-professional-529428.html
• http://www.cleaningtalk.com/f22/what-makes-good-company-website-238/
• http://www.professionalfreelancersnetwork.com/freelancers-blog/icondesigner/what-makes-a-good-website
• http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/2007/12/what-makes-a-photography-websi.html
• http://www.chromaticsites.com/blog/12-steps-to-creating-a-professional-web-design/
• http://www.aksams.com/what-makes-a-website-look-professional-and-elegant/
• http://professional-web-designers.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-makes-for-excellent-website-design.html
• http://www.webstudio.ca/what_makes_a_professional_website_great.php
• http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-get-a-professional-look-with-color/
• http://expertscolumn.com/content/setting-professional-website-your-home-business
• http://stock-files.com/articles/website-design/professional-website-design-makes-it-possible-to-build-a-good-brand-image/