The concept of web design is focused on building the front end of the web page, and with providing the visitors to that web page with a pleasurable and profitable online experience. How this interface is designed can make a huge difference in the success or failure of any web based business, so it is essential to get the web design right the first time around.

Anyone who has even considered building a website has no doubt heard of HTML (hyper text markup language) and it is true that HTML is the language of the Internet. During the web design process, the web designer uses HTML to control how the web page will appear on the end user's web browser screen.

When designing a new web page, or when redesigning an old one, it is important for the designer to remember that although Internet Explorer still holds a commanding market share it is no longer the only game in town. The remarkable popularity of alternative web browsers like Firefox and Opera mean that web designers must make sure that the pages they create load and operate as intended not only on Internet Explorer but on a number of alternative web browsers as well.

It is important as well for the web designer to make sure the web page operates properly, and looks great, on a number of different screen resolutions, monitor sizes and color depths. For instance, many new laptops use a widescreen format with a longer screen, and not all web pages have yet been redesigned to take advantage of this widescreen format. It is important therefore for all web designers to keep up with the ever changing technology to make sure their pages work properly no matter what the size of the screen, the color depth or the screen resolution.

All who work in the field of web design must also be familiar with the many tools and languages that are used in the field, including such popular names as ColdFusion, ASP, PHP, Macromedia Flash and more. As more and more ways to surf the web, from cell phones to portable video players, hit the market, it will become even more important for web designers to use the latest technology to build the best possible web sites for the end user.

After all, when it comes to surfing the web, it all boils down to the experience of the end user. If the user of the web site is not satisfied with his or her experience, they will not return, and no web based business can survive for very long without a steady stream of repeat customers.