Forum Moderators: mack
KISS does not mean boring web pages. You can create stunning sites with smashing graphics - but you should build these sites using simple techniques - HTML & CSS, for instance. If your new to web design, avoid things like Flash and Javascript, especially for elements like scrolling news tickers etc.
How important do you think applying KISS is in successesful web development?
If you are an artist, graphics artist, flash developer, etc. then obviously you want your site to be "flashy" to the eye otherwise you may not interest your clients.
I think it is hugely important but I also don't think simple means 'don't do anything fancy'.
I see it as 'don't make things more complex than they need to be'.
On the other hand, there is a lot to say about simplicity. 95% of the sites in my niche are flooded with wild graphics, poor ad placement, bad flash animations, a billion "cool php things", etc. My site, while it doesn't really contain better content than my competitors, has a very simple design, is very easy to navigate, and the page sizes are on average 10x to 15x smaller. Visitors can find the content they want fast without sifting through crap. Keeping it simple, in my mind, is the sole reason why I get more traffic than competitors.
