Web Design Development Articles

How often do you browse the internet and find a page and quickly leave only to not read their content or view any of their pages? This happens all too often on the internet each and every day. This is because of tacky or unattractive web design that is not easy to navigate. Why have a web page if no one is really going to read it? They might have excellent content but if things do not look attractive you will quickly leave. There are a lot of elements that make a good web site design. A good web page should be dynamic, attractive, and easy to navigate.

Dynamics and Attractions Go Along Way

You need to find a way to make your site interactive because people want to interact. Think of it this way; what reason would your user have to come back? A good way people are making web site dynamic are by applying ASP.NeT, PHP, C#, AJAX, Javascript, etc. You site should use an effective color palette that is appropriate for your audience. Also, your page should not be all static unless it is just exceptional content. Static web pages are boring and way over used on the internet. Nothing is more unattractive than clashing colors that compete with each other. Also, make sure that the design works in every web browser and under the most common resolutions.

Typography Is Vital To Your Web Design

Design in print and in web design relies around the same principles. Readability and effective type can make or break a design. I would recommend that you use no more than 3 different fonts. This includes just three types of fonts too. For example Arial Bold is one and Arial Italic is another. Ask anyone who knows about design; a novice graphic designer or web site designer does not know typography. The size needs to be adjusted accordingly and with clarity. Make blocks of content rather than having a 150 line paragraph. I try to make spaces between ever six lines to help with readability. Make sure you make proper use of CAPS and do not over use them.

Navigation Is Key

Everything should be laid out consistently on your site. All the buttons should be in the same exact spot on every single page. If the user is hunting and searching just to find their desired content on your page; chances are they will just get frustrated and leave. A lot of people underestimate the power of an easily navigational web site.

I don’t get angry easily but I’ll tell you what makes my blood boil - irresponsible, under qualified, even clueless web designers. Many web designers are talented, skilled and reasonably priced and have the best interests of their clients at heart. But unfortunately there are too many who don’t.

Week after week small business owners call or e-mail me wondering why their expensive website is generating no traffic or leads and not showing up in the search engines.

When I look at their website I often see a site that looks pretty, but is useless. So how do you avoid falling into the same trap?

Here is what you need to know:

1) Ask the web designer to create your website in a Content Management System like Joomla or WordPress. This will allow you to easily make frequent changes to your site yourself without having to pay $60 or more per hour for every added link or paragraph. Those days are long gone. If the designer balks at this suggestion, run.

2) Ask if they do keyword research to determine what keyword phrases people who want your type of service are searching for. If they don’t you can certainly do it yourself or out source it cheaply. Check Elance.com for a great selection of freelancers.

3) Ask if they do Search Engine Optimization. If so, what is the cost? If they don’t, run. If they are too expensive, shop around. You can do it yourself with a little effort.

4) Do the copywriting yourself or provide an outline and have a professional copywriter do it. The headlines and content need to be focused on customer benefits and they need to contain your keyword phrases. Your headline and content will determine whether visitors leave or stay. Avoid phrases like “welcome” and “we do this” and “we do that”.

5) Ask your designer to go easy on using Java script or Flash as Google can’t recognize or read either.

6) Do not create an “enter” or “intro” page. It will increase your rate of abandonment and the search engines won’t like it. Every extra click discourages visitors.

7) It’s crucial that you have an e-mail marketing program and put an opt-in box on every key page of your site. Ask visitors to sign up for your mailing list and give them something of value to encourage them to comply. This is how you convert visitors to leads. Ask your designer if they will put the opt-in boxes on your site for you.

Check references and find out how long they’ve been in business and how reliable they are. Do they have a group of designers or are they solo? You want someone who will respond when you need their help in an emergency, not someone who ignores you for days. You will need excellent customer service since your business is at stake.

9) Do not let your web designer register your domain name or host your website unless you have direct access to your domain and hosting accounts and they are in your name. You don’t want to be “held hostage” should you need to change designers. You’ll need direct access anyway for a number of reasons. You shouldn’t pay more than $10 per year for a domain, and for a simple site, your hosting costs should be no more than $10 to $12 a month.

10) Shop around. Don’t just hire the first person you’re referred to since the referrer may not be aware of some of these pitfalls.

Following these 10 tips will save you hundreds of wasted dollars and will help you create a website that sells.

When designing a web page for the internet, most people are familiar with the client-side aspect of coding. That is, the hyper text markup language (HTML) and CSS (cascading style sheets) as well as JavaScript. These coding languages are moderately complex and the backbone for websites.

But where there is a client-side there’s a server-side, right? Right. And pages can be designed server side (loaded from the server not from the PC’s web browser). Server side codes are many and include programs like ColdFusion, Python, and PERL. These languages are all pretty similar.

One that I didn’t mention but is prevalent today is called ASP.NET. ASP.NET allows for the coding of web based applications from a few different languages rather than just one. For instance a person could design a page in ASP.NET using C# (C-Sharp), Visual Basic, and Jscript (not the same as JavaScript).

All of this is possible because of something called the .NET framework. The framework provides programming needs in all sorts of areas including interface, database connectivity, data access, web application development, network communications, cryptography, and even numeric algorithms.

Now, you might be wondering if this .NET framework is really advantageous. Couldn’t you do all this using some other applications, what makes it stand out? Here are some benefits.

Security
There are additional security implementations creating by the .NET framework. This is essential for businesses as well as lone webmasters. It allows for companies to protect against security attacks that would otherwise not be listed in a hosts terms and conditions.

Performance
The .NET framework allows information technologies to be run smoother. It uses them more efficiently. This will in turn reduce the cost it would take to run a normal large application smoothly. It is a truly highly beneficial aspect.

Time
The framework contains a library that’s rather extensive which contains a large collection of code covering most IT areas. Basically, when these resources are in the right hands, a developer can write far less lines of code. This means two things: first, the pages will take up less space and run more efficiently, and second, the time it takes to build them will be reduced which means the price will too!

Quality
What can be developed using the .NET framework is of equal quality to competitors. So it is not disadvantageous to use .NET opposed to others. In fact, the features included make it on par with the best software if not even better.

Remember, the .NET framework is what makes ASP.NET possible. So the two may seem dissimilar but actually are necessary in order to function. The framework is the backbone of the ASP.NET programming language. The language has become one of the most powerful today; the benefits are obvious and range from security, to performance, to time maintenance and overall quality.

It’s a server-side programming language that takes root in other basic forms of programming. Most programmers and designers will agree it’s easy to learn, easy to operate, and easy to use.

There are a huge number of web design companies on the web market offering their services and struggling for our attention. But we are not so naive as to think that all they are good at designing. Of course only some of them can satisfy our needs and demands. It is always a challenge to find a good and professional web design team. First of all, you must take into account not only general look and feel of your website but also the effectiveness of it. A Web-design Company in Birmingham investigating this given topic has come to some conclusions. With regards to this I hope that the listing below helps you.

1. Define you initial goals.

Firstly you must realise the general idea of your website as well as the audience you are targeted at. Then make a list of primary tasks and requirements you want to achieve. After analysing profoundly and thoroughly all these points start to look for a suitable web designing company that can satisfy all your needs and requirements.

2. When you are absolutely sure what you want to do and how your site will look, then it is high time to do deep research regarding design companies in order to choose the best company. If you do not know any company, navigate the internet; ask your friends, colleagues, and make the research. Create a rich data base of the web design companies, then call them in or visit them thus you will make your own balanced opinion and the right decision.

3. Next thing is portfolio.

Company’s portfolio is a very important and useful thing. Put your attention to the company’s portfolio and examine it well. It will give you again an opportunity to make the right decision about a particular company. What does a portfolio represent? A portfolio shows the previous works and projects of the company, It is its showpiece showing its work their experience and work approach. Website design is not just a programming or a science; it is art form in itself. Also a good portfolio demonstrates what kind of projects has been undertaken by the company, the number of projects, their clients etc. Portfolio reveals a very important thing- company’s style and capability.

4. Website development. Once the web design company is selected you must draw your attention to one considerable point. The process of web development is rather complex and it consists of many phases. The company must take the responsibility of this process as well as show experience and proficiency in performing it. In other words, the company should have a strong management team in order to gather all aspects and components of the web development process into one final deliverable that is the web site. A chaotic development will not lead to a successful result.

5. Safe and secure. Security is the most important factor. Due to the fact that building a site you provide a web design company with private information, they have to protect all confidential info. Also a website company is normally obliged to sign a Non- Disclosure Agreement with you for your protection.

6. Admin area. This area is designed for you, from it you are able to add updates to your site, change info, make some content updates, add or delete pictures etc. The admin area like the main site must be designed with simple and clean navigation in mind.

You should now be familiar just with the common and wide spread best parameters and practices in choosing the perfect web design Birmingham company for creating a successful site.