Being part of one of the most successful websites to ever exist in this funky town known as the world wide web is quite the proverbial feather in this world-renowned web columnist's cap. I've detailed the many fringe benefits of this vaunted position in many of my previous articles. The fabulous parties, exotic trips, numerous awards and the discount coupons for any fast food establishment imaginable. Who do I have to thank for all of these wonderful perks? God? My parents? Myself? My agent? All those other people I've failed to mention but you know who you are? Well maybe, but no. If there is one person I should thank for all my success it would have to be the website itself. Yes I know a web site is not a person, but if it were, I would firmly shake his or her hand and say, "You're the best. Thank you very much." Because that's what keeps people coming back. I'd like to think it was of all our weekly, scintillating articles but I know deep down that's not the truth. It is the cosmetic appeal of the very website itself that keeps drawing our visitors back to the home page. The subtle elegance of our logo in combination with our handsome pictures and the carefully placed buttons. The borders of blue, the inspired use of white space, all dancing together in a waltz of website goodness. It's hypnotic. It sends the distinct message… "Yes master, I must come back to the beautiful website known as BoldOpinion.com."

But the proverbial email question I receive is how? How do I do it? Can you give me any tips on how to design a site as beautiful as BoldOpinion.com? What steps do I have to take ensure that I can create a site as eye catchingly lovely as yours? Any hints that you can give me, so that I can create a site almost identical in magnificence and steal all of your dedicated readers from you? Would it be all right if I stole your design, called it BoldOpinion2.com and literally sucked the success right out from under you? Well if you're looking for some insight on the creation of successful website design my friend, you are reading the right column. This time and this time only I will divulge some of this world-renowned columnist's secrets to designing a successful website.

Music - What better accompaniment to surfing a website than music? Once you open your homepage, music must be playing. It should be a short little ditty that is looped, so that it will play endlessly no matter where you travel within your site. Also, there should be no possible way to turn the music off. Why would anyone want to turn it off anyway? The more 'poppy' and catchy the music, the better. You might want to try using the first ten seconds of Madonna's "Like A Virgin."

Pop Up Windows - The more the better. Get as many pop up windows as you can going. People love them! There's nothing more I like better than surfing someone else's website and having a window pop up right in the middle of the screen letting me know I've won a prize or I can get some help getting my debt consolidated. Well thank you very much pop up window, I really appreciate it. Banners and pop up windows means fun for your readers and more cash in your pocket! They'll keep coming back for more!

High Resolution Pictures - The secret to any successful website is putting up lots and lots of pretty pictures. Preferably, the pictures should be of the highest resolution possible. Sure they might take quite a while to upload onto your screen but it's worth it! After waiting five or more minutes for it to finally display your readers will be glad they waited. When they see how beautiful you're pictures are they'll be more than happy to go to another page on your site, which I recommend, have even more pictures! Remember, on the world wide web, people are very patient. They are willing to wait for quality.

Moving Things - More importantly than pictures are things that move. Little animations in the corners of your web page that constantly challenge your attention from the main content of the site. Get some savvy programmer to change you mouse cursor into a shooting star that trails stars around when move your mouse. Something creative like that. It's fun! People love it. Moving things keep people coming back to your site to watch the things that are moving and possibly see some more new things that are moving. It's a definite hit maker! Put em' all over the place if you can! Variety is the spice of life!

Use some or use them all. I guarantee they will pay off in spades. So when you finally reach the top of that mountain named "Successful Website", I'll be in the chalet waiting for you. We'll sit down by the fire, drink hot cocoa and regale each other with stories of our internet success. And when the sun slowly begins to set on Mount Successful Website, you will raise your mug of cocoa and say to me, "Thank you world-renowned web columnist, thank you for making all of my world wide web dreams come true." At that point, I'll pat you on the head, wipe the tear from your eye and say, "My friend, that's just what successful internet people do." Then we'll get into our separate magical internet toboggans of success and slide all the way home. Or something like that.

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