The internet is a huge source of information, which can be fairly difficult to navigate if you don’t know where to start. In this article, I outline a number of tips you can use to enhance your surfing experience.

Use Internet Search Engines

When it comes to finding information on the internet, search engines are always your best option. Rather than trying to guess an internet website address, simply visit a search engine like Yahoo or Google. Not only will it help you find what you’re looking for, but you should also find a plethora of related content also.

Don’t Use the http:// Portion

When entering the address of an internet website into your browser, remember that you do not need to type the http:// portion. So for example, if you wanted to visit a particular website, simply type thewebsite.com and press Enter. To make things even faster, if it’s a .com website, all you would need to type is thewebsite then press Ctrl + Enter.

Bookmark Your Pages

Did you find a great website yesterday, but can’t remember its URL today? That’s why it’s important that you always bookmark interesting websites that you find. When you bookmark a website, you will create a little shortcut in your toolbar, which you can use to return to the website, whenever you feel like it.

The method, in which pages are bookmarked, tends to vary depending on the web browser that you are using, but all of them tend to position bookmarks at the top of the browser window. If you use Chrome or Firefox, then look for a Star symbol beside the address bar, for Internet Explorer it’s the Favourites option. One click should be enough to store that website.

Alternatively you could press Crtl + D on your keyboard, this will bring up the bookmark menu, which you can use to save the web page.

Revisiting the bookmarked web page simply involves accessing your bookmarks, which should be a fairly simple task.

Upgrade Your Browser

All the main browsers out today have their own advantages; however, it’s always best to ensure that your browser is up-to-date, as this will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your web experience.

For example, if you use Firefox, be on the lookout for any popup messages, asking you to update the browser. The update process is very quick, efficient and beneficial. Remember, updating your browser can be the difference between a smooth web experience and a sluggish one.

Use the Zoom In and Out Feature

If the display size is too small or too big, then you should consider using the zoom in or out feature to make things more visibly appealing for you. To utilise this feature, simply press Ctrl+ or Ctrl- depending on whether it’s in or out.

Try a Different Browser

Most computer users tend to use the default browser that came with their computers, which in most cases tends to be Internet Explorer. However, one thing that many people are unaware of is that there are many excellent alternative browsers out there, all of which are free to download and use. The three most popular alternatives are the following:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera

Use Plugins and Add-Ons

All of these alternative browsers also come with their own large community of volunteers; these volunteers spend their time creating plugins and add-ons which are designed to improve the functionality of the browser. There are literally hundreds of different add-ons that you can use, what you decide to go for, should depend greatly on what you’d like to do on the browser, so be on the lookout.

Update Your Internet Security Software

A process that is often overlooked by many, as an excellent internet security tool can be the difference between a healthy computer and one that is bogged down with all kinds of viruses and malicious files. Make sure your antivirus software is in good working order at all times. If it’s not, then download any and all updates, as it will pay off in the long run. If you don’t have any internet security software on your computer, then go out and purchase one today.

Search from the Address Bar

We’ve already mentioned how useful search engines can be to your internet surfing experience. However, one thing that many people are unaware of is that most internet browsers have search engines integrated directly into them. The end user needs only type whatever it is that they’re looking for into the address bar, press Enter and it will search for it.

Within the options menu of your browser you should be able to choose which search engine it will use, Google is usually the default. The other option you have is to customise your browser to have its very own search bar.

This may be an option available in the browser options, or you may need to install an add-on to make this feature accessible. So be on the lookout for that.

Use the New Tab Shortcut

No need for you to put so much effort into opening a new tab, just press Ctrl + Left Mouse Button, while clicking on a link, and it will open it in a new tab. This is a feature that can save you on a considerable amount of time. So get used to using it.

AUTHOR INFO:

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website where he writes extensively on computer related issues and topics.