Archive for August, 2009

Understanding the web designer: What your readers are like

August 27th 2009

If you want your online business to prosper, then designing it should be in the hands of experts like the Los Angeles web design firm. This design is aware that the plain website is one that doesn’t get a lot of visitors. If such website does happen to have some visitors, they never come back. So firms like Los Angeles web design are experts on what readers expect from a website. They…

…consider your market. If you don’t have an idea on how your website would cater to your target audience, then the Los Angeles web design company always comes up with ideas for your website. That includes knowledge on what things take up too much download time, what themes work best, etc.

…suggest that pages should be kept short. It is a fact that with minimal scrolling, your readers would grasp what you are actually trying to tell them. That means your website would definitely be effective if it has shorter pages that contain valuable information.

understand the importance of tables of contents. There are some web designers who forget the efficiency of incorporating tables of contents. Tables of contents are ideal for most readers who don’t have the patience at scrolling beyond the homepage.

…push for small images and let you understand how they work better. Images are a good way to explain content or to beautify a website. However, not all readers have enough time to download images. If downloads take forever, websites are abandoned.

…are experts when it comes to web colors. Colors are important and web designers always go for a browser-safe color palette so that most people can actually see what’s inside your website.

…are not a fan of too much text, because they know that readers skim through pages. If they happen to read they expect meaningful content.

…are wary of readers giving special attention to spelling and suggest the use of a spell checker.

…are serious with links and remind you that you should keep your links updated. More so, they ask for links to be annotated so the reader will understand why you chose to display a specific link.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1046360_4.html

Posted by under website design | No Comments »

Four things that web designers ask from their clients

August 27th 2009

It is already common knowledge that in working with a company in whatever field, equal commitment is expected from both parties. San Diego web design, like other web designing firms cannot do the job alone. They are just there to translate your ideas to actual websites. You pay for their expertise and give them directions. If you went through a rough time looking for the best web designer, then understand that your task has not ended yet. A good website is a product of shared effort. If you ask the web designer for professionalism, they ask you for the following:

Trust
The most common misunderstandings that emerge from a professional relationship with a web designer breed from the lack of trust. The reason why you had to go through the trouble of looking for the best web designers is that you only want your website in the hands of the experts. When the actual process takes place, you definitely put your previous efforts to waste if you don’t let them do what they do. That includes stopping the flow of their creativity.

Opinion
Trusting the San Diego web design professionals is not the same as leaving them with all the work. It is your website and that alone gives you the right to ask questions and share opinions. Hesitation in doing so is expected but somehow, this can be overcome if you decide spending time with them as the process takes place. Web designers, no matter how pro they are, will value what your opinion because it is what ultimately matters.

Response
If the San Diego web design company couldn’t anymore wait for you to speak up, chances are he will directly ask for them. That means you should be paying more attention monitoring the progress of your project. Most people who ask for opinions get annoyed when you don’t respond. Since it is your website they are working with, they expect your quick answers and decisions.

Patience and firmness
You can only understand this if you consider yourself as the boss of the project. In fact, there are inevitable times that you clearly are the boss. Well, not only because you pay them but more importantly their actions are dependent on your decisions. As a boss, you should be patient especially when the project is big, but firm as well to demand updates.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1046404_4.html

Posted by under web development | No Comments »

Web Development and Flash

August 27th 2009

At present, no one can match up with the kind of reputation flash software enjoy as the right assortment of development tools
. Because of its swift adaptability and consistent inclusion of cutting edge technologies in it has brought froth many significant changes in the way people move ahead with flash web development India. Interestingly, as the other leading development technologies have been progressing with time, likewise, flash has been adding more tools and technologies in its already enriched kitty. Today, as a comprehensive set of web tools, Flash helps you execute your strategies easily.

Leading organizations that use Flash software have been offering some of the most reliable and innovative web development services by making the most of latest tools and technologies. To create a flash web design India, you require the services of an expert scrip writer, who can make your website interactive and appealing by using all the leading tools. In fact, flash software easily gets along with other software platforms such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Punch Software AS4000, CorelDraw, Freehand, and PageMaker among others. Even if you want to venture into multimedia programming, then again you can take the help of flash software and also use the latest technologies like Dreamweaver, Director, Macromedia Authorware, Fireworks, Macromedia Flex, Macromedia Flash and Sound Forge among others.

Flash web designs have opened up new avenues of growth and development on a bigger platform. You can easily experiment with your designs by complementing them with intuitive animation and special effects. Hence, there is a huge scope to showcase your creativity on a higher juncture. You can also make the most of flash scripting to enhance the overall presentation of your website – in terms of its look and feel. On the other hand, you can also add flash enabled videos, flash intros, flash advertisements, banners and flash logo among others. If your website is endowed with the best designs and intuitive features, then you can obviously expect a growth in traffic.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1050155_4.html

Posted by under WebDesign | No Comments »

How To Get The Most From Your PSD-to-HTML/CSS Provider

August 11th 2009

PSD-to-HTML services are quite easy to deal with: you send or upload image files on a provider website, select conversion and layout options, pay through an online payment system (PayPal, Google Checkout, etc), and get a resulting markup coded. But in order to make the most of it and avoid unnecessary troubles it is better to follow some simple rules.

Properly prepare designs for uploading
1. If you have several files to convert, archive them and give that archive an understandable name, for example, “AnnSmith23June2009.zip” (i.e. “YourNameDate.zip” or “ProjectNameDate.zip”). It can be convenient for you as well, especially in case you need to check your previous orders.
2. If there are files additional to your main .psd image (e.g., custom fonts), don’t forget to send or upload them too.
3. Make sure you send or upload right files. PSD-to-HTML services are very fast, and by the moment you notice the problem with your files your markup may be ready. As a result, it could cost you some money to correct a mistake.

Design slicing, xHTML/CSS conversion requirements
1. Try to explain as accurate as possible what you want to get. Usually an order form on PSD-to-HTML websites has special subsections and items to help you with this task.
2. Nevertheless, if your requirements cannot be described in this way or you don’t have time to use it, don’t hesitate to write down your requirements in a field named like “Notes” or use other communication channels convenient for you: live chat or email.
3. If you are confused with something (”Is that option included? What is the delivery time?” etc), ASK! Sometimes even friends and relatives see things differently. So it is better to ask and to be sure that you and your provider get everything right and in the same manner.

Communication
1. DOUBLE check your email address that you state in the order form of the PSD-to-HTML service.
2. Make sure that your anti-spam filters and email servers are not too overzealous and allow the provider’s emails reach you.
3. It depends on the PSD-to-HTML company but usually they send you an order confirmation (as well as your login and password to access a client zone on their website). If you don’t receive such an email during several minutes, contact them through the order form or live chat — the reason may be a misprint in your email address.
4. Just in case give the provider’s team an alternative communication channel (mobile telephone number, instant messenger ID (Skype, MSN, ICQ), etc).
5. If time is crucial for you, specify the provider’s time zone.

If there are any doubts
1. If it is your first PSD-to-HTML project or you select a company for long-term cooperation, start from a relatively small pilot project to test the waters.
2. Check the provider’s Returns Policy, e.g., whether they offer a money-back guarantee.
3. If it is important for you, don’t hesitate to ask for NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
4. Specify whether they offer after-sale support and what it means. If the provider is confident of their work, usually the technical support is free.

Change management
1. A small addition to .psd designs may lead to large modifications in xHTML/CSS code. If the process of PSD-to-HTML conversion is in progress or finished and you change your design, be objective while estimating changes to be made in the markup.
2. Small changes are usually free.
3. But if changes are large then it is like an additional page in your order and should be paid accordingly (note: usually prices on secondary pages are up to 50% discounted).
4. If you are not sure, talk to the provider — together you will find a reasonable and mutually beneficial solution faster.

Project completion
1. Check the finished xHTML/CSS markup how it corresponds to your design and conversion requirements. If you have some remarks, ask to fix them.
2. Change access rights to your servers (passwords, logins) if you gave it to the provider’s team.
3. If you think the provider has deserved your testimonial, give it. You will support a qualified and diligent PSD-to-xHTML/CSS company in the market and help other users to get to know them.

PSD-to-HTML services are just a tool to slice and convert designs into website markups, Wordpress themes or Drupal templates. The better you know how to work with them the more you get.

About The Author
Natalia Savchenko is the CEO of HTMLcut.com, a PSD to HTML/CSS slicing and PSD to XHTML conversion company.

Posted by under WebDesign & web development & website design | No Comments »