Thursday, July 12, 2007

How to Choose a Web Site Designer

It seems that everyone from the 15-year-old kid to their Grandmother is able to design a web site these days. You could also build the site yourself using a word processor or other web site program; however if you choose this route, plan on spending quite a bit of time learning, to get your site to look professional.

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Friday, July 6, 2007

Simplicity is king in Website Design

We like to be complex in many aspects of our lives. We desire the latest electronic gadget, the most advance technology in our new car, the state-of-the-art digital camera. However, when it comes to web visitors browsing habit, nobody has time for complexity and we all want to find what we want online in the shortest possible time.

What does not mean for web design companies? Why do some web design companies still propose complex web design solutions to their clients? We live in an age where nobody’s got time. We are busy or so we like to think. So much information, so little time. So we zap through web pages expecting to find exactly what we want as quickly as possible. Why not? There are so many web pages out there. The average web surfer spends less than 10 seconds on a web site. If the web design is the least bit complicated or non intuitive, we are off to the next web site. If 10 seconds is all you have to impress your online customer, what sort of web design do you require to make an impact? The most flashy? May be not. Try simplicity and familiarity. If you want to impress busy people who are short of patience and time, try the simplest web design you can put together. It is not surprising that Google is one of the most successful web designs in the world. How many people use the advanced search button on Google?

The simplest Web Design solutions work. His does not mean that the back end of the web site need to be simple. You can have the most complex content management system; the most comprehensive feature set in your web design, but keeps the front end, the interface as simple and intuitive as you can. Simple can mean different things to different web designers. Where do we start when putting together a simple and effective web design? Try Google heat map guide on where to place adsense on a web page. Granted it is disputed but it is a starting point for positioning the most relevant and poignant information on your web page. Next try a simple navigation, vertical left or horizontal top. Many people like fancy stuff. There is nothing wrong with a bit of flash on a web design. However, avoid changing too much from the conventional paths. We all talk of change and recognise its benefits but we are animals of habit and we would rather go along the same easy path rather for hunt for new ways of getting somewhere.

This principle applies in web design. Online visitors are used to navigating in a certain way. Change the path on your web design and you could make it too hard for your potential clients. Keep it simple, keep it short and familiar. True, it does pay to design complex features into a web design. The more gadgets and flash, the more web design companies can charge for your web design. Some web design customers even want complex designs. It’s instinctive to think that the more money you spent on your Web Design, the more it will pay back. This is not always the case. Sometimes the simplest features, the more basic web design yields the most benefit.

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Website Design for Corporate Companies

One of the basic principles of marketing is market segmentation. Matching the right product and services to the right market is critical. This certainly applies to the web design business and industry. There are obviously several market segments in the web design business, let alone the IT business in general. There is on the one hand the lower hand of the market i.e. the discount web design market. This web design market consists primarily of small businesses and one man bands who have either just started their business. We are here talking of companies or individuals who have a limited budget to spend on their web design, so price is definitely an issue. On the other end of the market there are the corporate companies who have the budget but have very different needs in terms of web design. Trying to sell to each one of these web design markets requires a different approach. How do we then sell to corporate companies?

A large and medium business looking for a web design company will probably use similar keywords if they are using search engines. Web design and web site design are the most popular keywords, so go for these in your adwords campaign and search engine optimisation. Corporate web design customers will however expect to find a potential web design supplier whose web site design projects a corporate and professional look.

The supplier’s web design look and feel is therefore a key factor. After all and like it or not, first impressions count. What is this corporate web design look and feel? If you are not sure, look at some of the corporate web sites. Look at Nokia’s web site for instance. Professionalism is obvious. Well groomed design, a bit of flash animation, not many colours. Certainly no spelling or design mistakes. The corporate web design requires particular attention to details.

Obviously the products or services on offer through the web design will to a large extent determine this look and feel. Corporate identity and the company’s ‘voice’ needs to come across loud and clear through the web design. Use of colours, logos, trademarks, corporate figures on the web design will usually achieve this corporate look.

Whilst budget and discount web design companies would show their prices on the web site, corporate web sites need not show your web design prices. Remember we are not necessarily selling to a price sensitive audience here. Showing your price on the web site might actually put potential corporate customers off your web design services. Price it too low and your potential corporate customers might think that your web design services are not good enough. You would be surprised by what some companies are wiling to pay or have been charged for web design work. Although your potential customers will want to have an idea of cost from the outset, I would not actually show my price list on my corporate web site.

Once the customer goes past your web site and decides to enquire about your web design services they would expect to be greeted by a professional team. Make sure your sales team, even if it’s just you, come across as being professional. Corporate customers expect to treat with corporate web design companies. These might not necessarily be large companies but professionalism and track record is a must. Telephone manners, the quality, value and timelines of your quotes are crucial. You have no room for error when you are dealing with people who expect to pay for an excellent web design product and service.

The corporate web design market is certainly a lucrative one. If you are used to servicing the discount web design market, you need to think twice and prepare for a different web design package offer. You will need to invest into designing your own web site for a more corporate look and feel. You will also have to look into training your sales staff and your internal communication processes so that you come across as a corporate web design company yourself.

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Importance of Content in Web Designing

Content available on a web page is nothing but the information or products, which you want your visitor to come and see or purchase the products and any images that is been used to assist that objective. Written information is one best way and is very easier to read for visitor when it is broken up into short, concise paragraphs. You further need to do your best to use high-class grammar and spelling. Run your information by using spellchecker in a word document before your page is uploaded. You don’t need to retype all, just use your right mouse button for copy and paste.

Any time you willing to use images or graphics in or around your content information or products descriptions try to use as small images as possible. Also, refrain from using too many images on any one page because both larges images and too many would considerably slow down the loading time for the web page. You need to remember that your visitor would only wait for about 30 –40 seconds for a page to load before they become impatient and goes for another search.

Using image resize tool for uploaded images is a good idea to resize bigger or smaller images. These tools are adequate for most resizing requirements; however, extreme resizing from very large to very small image or vice versa could be a bad idea because it may result in loss of some detail in the image. One can obtain better result if you resize them first using a quality image-editing program on your computer and then go for uploading your websites.

It is good idea to break up your products into various groups within your catalog to help your pages from being affected by too many images. Even if you sell only one type of products but you have 50 variations of it, you could still use multiple pages by organizing them into categories; for example “Product Name 1”, “Product Name 2” etc.

Lastly, there are various things you could add to your website to spark it up. Things like banners, flashing or graphics, animations or colored text, etc. There’s a saying when it comes to web designing world that is, “Just because you could add something, it doesn’t mean that you should.” Remember as you choose items to put on your site and it would in-turn help you to keep your website looking professional.

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Small Business Websites: 10 Steps to Success

Tips on Designing Your Small Business Website

There are all sorts of websites out there, and clearly some of them are working much harder than others. How can you be sure your website will be a champion?

The key is website planning and strategy. Think of your website as an employee and make sure you hire the right one. If you approach this project with clear goals in mind, you will be rewarded with a lucrative asset to your business. What’s most important? The questions below will get you started.

1. What are your specific business goals?

How could your website help you achieve them? Need to increase sales through cross selling? Your website could educate customers about using your products or services together for greater value. Need to reduce time spent in customer service on the phone? You can promote your website as your primary customer service centre, helping to redirect queries that can be easily solved. A little time spent planning a job description for your site will result in a website that works harder for your money.

2. Who is your target market?

What are they looking for in your type of business? Your website will have to appeal to them and speak to their needs. If your site clearly addresses your customers’ needs, visitors will spend more time there and will be more likely to become paying customers. How can your website add value for them? If you need ideas have a look at competitor websites and imagine you are their customer. Identify what they have done well and capitalize on their mistakes. Look at other websites that you like. How did they make such a good impression?

3. What do customers like best about your business?

Is it your high quality products? Your value for money? Your speedy customer service? Your friendly staff? Whatever it is your website should reflect those aspects of your business. They are what set you apart. If you’re not sure why people come back to you consider undertaking a customer satisfaction survey to find out.

4. Do you have identifiable branding that represents the unique personality of your business?

If not, develop a branding identity that will set you apart from competitors, starting with a logo that communicates the character of your business. The visual design of your website is an extension of your brand identity. Be sure your website is dressed for success and represents your business as nothing less than credible and professional.

5. Do you have the time and skills to prepare your own content?

Be realistic here. Your written text should be concise, focus on customer needs, and use language that your customers understand. If writing isn’t your thing, consider hiring a copywriter to massage your copy or even write it for you. Make use of images and video where it will be useful to customers. If you don’t have quality images at hand, consider hiring a photographer or buying stock photography. Don’t be tempted to cut corners and compromise quality just to save a few bucks. The impact of your content is critical to your website’s success.

6. How can you take advantage of interactivity?

There’s no substitute for experiencing your product or service in person, but as this may be your only chance to make an impression, make the most of it! Establish what your customers are interested in, give it to them and lead them to action through the interactive nature of the Internet. Engage them with online competitions, printable discount vouchers, product demonstrations, live help, customer feedback surveys, etc. Interactivity can also be a great way to build your customer database or gather market research about your visitors.

7. What is a realistic budget for your website?

To plan and implement a website strategy you’ll need to invest upwards of a few thousand dollars to do it right the first time. Think carefully about your budget. Does it seem reasonable given your business goals? Think about the bottom line benefits in terms of potential cost savings as well as revenue potential.

8. How can you promote your website?

First and foremost, put your domain name on everything! Letterhead, invoices, signs, sales tags, whatever you can. It’s much easier to remember a website address than a phone number. To attract new customers via the Internet you’ll need to harness the search engines. Search engine marketing involves optimizing your website so it’s visible to customers searching for your type of business. If you are in a competitive market, you may need to budget for comprehensive search engine optimization for your site. If you’re looking at search engines as a major source of new customers you may also consider adding ‘pay-per-click’ advertising to the mix.

9. Will you manage your own updates?

Keeping your website fresh provides a reason for visitors to return to your website. If you plan to make regular content updates, consider investing in a Content Management System costing as little as a few hundred dollars. It makes more sense to pay your website developer for ongoing development rather than simple changes to content that you can make yourself.

10. How do you know if your website is a champion?

After your site has been live for several months, quantify the gains generated by your website and identify the impact your investment has made on the business. Using software tools you can establish which parts of your website are performing well, and which parts need tweaking. A website strategy is never really complete. You can always improve on the status quo. Set a regular schedule for review and don’t forget to budget for strategy changes and ongoing development.

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Rules Of Website Design

Have you ever wondered if what you know about web design is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on web design.

When it comes to your website, extra attention should be paid to every minute detail to make sure it performs optimally to serve its purpose. Here are seven important rules of thumb to observe to make sure your website performs well.

1) Do not use splash pages
Splash pages are the first pages you see when you arrive at a website. They normally have a very beautiful image with words like "welcome" or "click here to enter". In fact, they are just that -- pretty vases with no real purpose.

Do not let your visitors have a reason to click on the "back" button! Give them the value of your site up front without the splash page.

2) Do not use excessive banner advertisements
Even the least net savvy people have trained themselves to ignore banner advertisements so you will be wasting valuable website real estate. Instead, provide more valueable content and weave relevant affiliate links into your content, and let your visitors feel that they want to buy instead of being pushed to buy.

If you don't have accurate details regarding web design, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

3) Have a simple and clear navigation
You have to provide a simple and very straightforward navigation menu so that even a young child will know how to use it. Stay away from complicated Flash based menus or multi-tiered dropdown menus. If your visitors don't know how to navigate, they will leave your site.

4) Have a clear indication of where the user is
When visitors are deeply engrossed in browsing your site, you will want to make sure they know which part of the site they are in at that moment. That way, they will be able to browse relevant information or navigate to any section of the site easily. Don't confuse your visitors because confusion means "abandon ship"!

5) Avoid using audio on your site
If your visitor is going to stay a long time at your site, reading your content, you will want to make sure they're not annoyed by some audio looping on and on on your website. If you insist on adding audio, make sure they have some control over it -- volume or muting controls would work fine.

If you've picked some pointers about web design that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.

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How to Make Your Website

Hopefully, you have basic idea of what you want out of your website. The next step is to put it into some sort of order. Where do we start and where do we finish? It is a simple question, but the answer takes a lot of perspective and planning.

Assuming that you know what you want to include on your website, a simple organizational chart can put the layout into some semblance of order.

"Home" page is the front door or gateway into your website. One way or another we got the customer/client to open that door and come in. Now that they have taken that first step, we cannot afford to lose them due to confusion and not knowing where to go next.

A simple, uncomplicated flow of traffic from your major categories, to your sub-categories and from there, to each of your adjacent or lower levels makes it easy for the non-technical (and that happens to be most internet surfers), to get around your website and not become confused. On top of going from one category to the next, they must be able to maneuver with ease within each of those categories. You want to direct them to where, you want them to go next and not be jumping all over the place.

The layout that you see in this
CHART will become the basis for our navigation system. This is a major piece of the puzzle, which we need in order to put everything together. In essence, this will be your flow of traffic.

Organizational Chart.

This type of a chart is as basic as can be. For all practical purposes, this is your road map. You are starting at Home and going to your first stop. This could be Products, Articles, Services, etc. Within each of these secondary categories, you have their own sub-categories, each of which should be relevant to its primary category. It is important to maintain the continuity that you want and not have the customer jumping all over the place.

No Excuse for Poor Planning.

A poorly planned website is one that does not permit you to navigate from one page to any other page on your site. For example, if you are on Page 4 of a site and want to go to Page 2, you should not have to go back to Page 1 in order to get to Page 2. There must be a smooth flow of traffic throughout the website.

If this is not poor planning and navigation, I do not know what is. There is no excuse for it. All it takes is a few minutes longer to properly layout your map. Regardless of the size of your website, assuming that it is more than one page of course, being able to move around your website easily is imperative. It is one of those little things that frustrate the customer and probably cause them to leave.

Think Like a Customer.

Just stop for a minute, sit back and think like a customer/client. When you are surfing through a website, consciously or unconsciously, you are thinking “how easy, hard, or confusing this website is to navigate”?

Usually in my talks, or articles you will hear or see me repeat, innumerable times, "Think Like a Customer". Very often we become so engrossed in what we are doing that we do not sit back and look at whatever it is through another persons eyes. A different perspective is imperative. Always get someone to give you an objective opinion and/or proof it for you. For a moment, you must stop looking at it under a microscope and give it a panoramic view. You will be amazed at how much you have either missed, left out, or should be corrected.

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Wednesday, July 4, 2007

How you choose a Website Design Company?

Everyone knows that today is the age of internet. Every successful company knows that a web site is an essential marketing tool. Whether you're in the business of selling widgets, soliciting volunteers, or building your brand awareness, a carefully executed internet marketing plan can reap a tremendous return on your time and money. so that’s why they people making, and updating their business website according to the time and technology.

Depending on your web design budget and you needs. The first thing you need to do is determine your goals and objectives.

Specifically:

  • Who is your target audience?
  • How will your target audience find your website?
  • What do you want them to do once they're there?
  • How will updates be made to the site?
  • What is your timeline?
  • What kind of return on investment do you expect from the site and how will you measure it?
Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing the best web design company for your site is extremely important. Now it’s time to find the right web design company for your needs. Go to Google and search for web design firms and you will see how many results show. Start at the first web design result on work your way down. Examine the portfolio to see if there is anything equivalent to the web design layout you are imagining. You will be able to tell immediately if this web design firm is right for your company and its look and feel. Find out if they have the staff available to work on your entire web design needs and that they know the programming necessary to complete the job in a timely manner. Ask for references, a top end web design firm will be glad to offer up references on the web design work performed. Most web design references will be glad to talk to you about the quality job your potential web design company did on their web site.

When searching for a company, here are a few key questions to consider:

  • Does the company's portfolio reflect the kind of aesthetic that you are looking for
  • Does the company work with clients in your industry? Have they previously created a site similar to what you want in scope and function?
  • Were they responsive to your query, or did it take them four days to return your call?
  • Were they friendly and helpful and take time to find out about your company and your needs?
  • What kinds of guarantees do they offer for their products? What kind of support is available?
  • Do they have a thorough testing process? What are the terms of the contract and who owns the final design, source code, and intellectual property?
Now that you've found a couple of different companies, and have a couple of proposals in hand, you'll want to take some time to compare them carefully and check references. Call several of the company's clients and ask the following questions:
  • Did the company meet your goals and objectives?
  • Did they follow up after the launch, or disappear once the check was cashed?
  • Does the site function properly?
  • Are you happy with the design?
  • What does your target audience think of the design and functionality?
  • Did you get the return on investment that you were expecting?
A Professional Web Design Agency may cost more in the short term but you are trying to satisfied their customer but you must Remember, when it comes to your business and your companies exposure on internet, so take your time to finding a good web design company. Your future may depend on it.

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Sunday, July 1, 2007

Are you designing it right?

Every company or organization is uniquely defined by its logo and a logo represents the company and the products/services related with it. When it comes to buying of products and services, people generally relate the logo with the products. Originality plays an important role in logo designing. For a good logo, colors, fonts and a meaningful icon are a deciding factor. A thorough research backed with creative thinking and supported with deep designing techniques goes into making a creative logo. A business with an innovative logo will have an edge over other businesses.

The logo is used in a variety of activities including:

· Representation of business, products and services
· Online promotion of company and products
· Business branding
· Business identification

Some companies do not support the concept of logo or even if they do, the logos are either badly created or copied from some other company. This only leaves the company with bad reputation. A bad logo is not done with good thinking and not much of the time is spent in designing it.
A good logo designing requires good designing skills accompanied with lots of research. Logos demand a high price because of the research and skills and involved, also logos separate a company from its competitors. A logo designer plays key role in branding the product with the company.

A good logo should have the following:

1. It is simple: Don’t overcrowd the logo with text and circles instead leave an imprint on the onlookers mind.
2. Unique: Brand recognition is created with a unique logo.
3. Consistency: Colors, fonts and layout, all these elements contribute to good-looking logo.
4. Immediate impact: This aspect of logo designing is very crucial; the logo that is created should leave an impact on the visitors. An effective logo grabs the attention of an onlooker.
5. Suitable: A company selling sports goods online must have an effective “sporty” logo. The logo should be related to the sporting goods and colors play a vital role here.

Thus, the logo forms the foundation of your business and helps in the overall promotion of the services.

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