KISS is a handy acronym that is a good general admonition for many things in life, particularly things of a technical nature. KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. When it comes to matters technical, it is often the case that the more complicated a thing is, the more difficult the thing is to use or adapt or deploy or maintain. This is a perfect admonition when applied to your web pages.

There are many reasons why you should keep your website as uncluttered as possible, and as simple as possible. One of the most important is the audience for your website. If your website is intended to be a destination for all comers, you must recognize that a very large part of your audience is still using dial up access and slower, less capable machines.

While it is true that high speed access has become widely available, there remains a significant portion of our internet population that either chooses to remain on dialup because of price or usage patterns, or who still are unable to connect to the internet except by dialup. There are few things more irritating than having to wait for a website to slowly paint your monitor from top to bottom as it oh-so-slowly loads. It is even more irritating when that website has cute little animated graphics that continue to repeat and repeat and reload endlessly.

Graphics (photo’s, clip-art, etc) can be a site killer if overdone. While “overdone” is somewhat subjective, if the site’s graphics or photos are huge files or even anything more than a few thousand bits, you are potentially setting yourself up for trouble.

A worrisome concern is the security hole you may be creating with the use of cgi scripts or other scripts that are subject to exploitation by hackers. Operating systems, especially Microsoft Windows, are under constant attack by hackers who create and exploit software “tools” to find and attack internet connected computers. Unfortunately, in more than one instance a software security “patch” released to solve one problem has caused new problems or in one case “unfixed” a problem addressed in a previous patch. The fewer software gadgets installed on a server or incorporated in a website, the fewer targets for a hacker.

All of this information might lead novice webmasters to think that only very plain websites are safe, and that is not the case. Caution is the watchword when designing a website. The finished product should perform all the functions needed to fulfill the purpose, but no more than what is necessary. Resist the temptation to add unnecessary graphics or functions.

Websites are visual in nature. They are, or should be, more than simply a fancy electronic version of a printed document. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) allows for a variety of interactive tools including the ability to post files and documents that can be downloaded to the end user with a click of the mouse.

As with e-mail, websites are an effective tool for group communications, as well as marketing tool for businesses and individuals selling products or services. Unlike print advertising, new offerings can be added or deleted virtually at will, and in real time. Newsletters can become true news letters that can be updated as events unfold.

Caution in this case must be more practiced by the consumer of the website services, again because of the vulnerability of internet based communications tools. Poorly designed websites can be hacked, information rerouted or stolen, computers hijacked and compromised. A newspaper or magazine, once printed, can be used to line the bird cage, kindle a fire, or swat a fly, but it cannot be easily altered or, from an information content standpoint, easily misappropriated.

This is not to say that print media is the horse and buggy industry of the 21st century. Far from it. The role of print media will evolve hand in hand with the new electronic media just as it has done with radio and television, and more so. For example, almost every newspaper has an electronic or web based version that complements the print version.

For many companies posting websites, the website will be their primary “publication.” By keeping a KISS approach in mind, taking well defined precautions, and keeping their websites current, web developers can minimize problems and can assure visitors that their “web visit” is safe and secure. When developing your online presence, remember to KISS your website.