At the start of 2012 we were requested by a client to change their Online Store login requirement from “Username” to “e-mail” so that it would be easier for the client to be able to sign in (or reset their password) without having to remember their username (no one ever forgets their e-mail!). At Bear Web Design, we understand the issue of username overload.
Most likely, no matter your interest in social media, you’ve heard of Facebook’s purchase of Instagram. The headline-grabbing reason? The jaw-dropping buying price: one billion dollars. Picture Dr. Evil saying it, right? So, Facebook spends one billion dollars on Instagram – why?
One of my favorite lines in the movie The Blind Side is when Sandra Bullock (referring to UT Orange) says, “But I will not wear that gaudy orange, I will not. It is not in my color wheel and I’m not gonna wear it.” And that gets me thinking about web design.
Most people have a general idea of what’s in their “color wheel.” This includes what their favorite colors are and whether they are comfortable pairing. For example: a purple blazer over emerald green slacks, or whether they are soothed by the sight of a closet full of khaki and blue. The same goes for interior decorating, the color of our cars, the television ads that catch our eye… all sorts of things. The bottom line is that, generally, we pay more attention than we know to color and style.
But websites haven’t been around nearly as long as those other things. I’ve noticed that sometimes people can’t define exactly what it is they like about certain websites. Is it the color scheme that’s most attractive. Or, it can be the “flow” and ease of use, or the crisp-and-clean lines. Or a feeling of excitement that there’s a lot of information and interactivity going on here?
As a website designer, I ask clients to provide a few examples of websites they like. Sometimes they will supply distinct details of what sort of look they want. This includes color, type of background, location of logo and other features. I’ve also noticed that sometimes it’s hard to define what it is you love about certain sites. And, equally important, what drives you away from other sites.
If you are thinking about getting a new website, or upgrading an existing one, it’s a good idea to do a little analysis on the sites you visit frequently, or ones that have caught your attention. Even if one of your favorite websites is for a restaurant, and your business is something entirely different, ask yourself what it is you like about the site.
Some things to pay attention to include color, depth (a flat, clean look vs. 3-D and layered), squared or rounded corners and borders, visually vibrant or information-rich, even what kind of background is behind the site (you might prefer a colorful and interesting background – or you might not want to distract your site’s visitors from the content).
Of course, there will be many other questions to be asked and analysis to be done before we design and build your new website… but the clearer you are about what you want and don’t want, the closer we will be to creating a site you will absolutely love!
And, incidentally, if you happen to like UT orange, we have no objections at all to using it in your website.
So blog, blogger, blogging… What’s all the fuss about? Does social media really level the playing field for small business? As I am writing this post, there are 2,503,650,356,302,700 internet users. According to worldometers.info, that number is increasing at a rate of approximately 1 user per second. With that information, all I can say is, if you want access to the eyes and ears of millions of consumers, just blog!
As a designer, I refer to functionality on a daily basis. I truly believe in having a well-designed website. However, if it doesn’t have functionality, it is just a pretty image on a computer screen. But first, what is functionality?
As we enter a new year, and many of our clients are reviewing their websites and marketing plans for 2012, I have found myself repeating this line above in both client and prospect meetings: It is not “Intent” it is “Content” that Google Ranks your website on.
What Are the Key Factors When Selecting a Web Design Company? This seems like a very broad question. I don’t think it needs to be. Here are some things I would recommend looking for:
Teaching a Web Content Management class recently I included a “jargon” take home test that was handed to our attendees at the end of the class. I have always been very sensitive to computer jargon since my college days – where I studied computer science. I actually have always been uncomfortable with using it – in particular when you know the jargon to be confusing to the person that is not an actual computer geek. It is important to learn the web jargon to empower yourself.
Over the last year in particular I have really become aware of the important connection between a website owner and their website. The arrival of Content Management Systems have provided website owners with the opportunity to update their websites directly. In my opinion (and most important), allowing the website owner to be an active participant in the process. Great websites require great team work.
If you were asked today how did your website perform this year could you give an informed, statistical answer? Websites are now a key component of most business. Understanding how this area performed, and what changes or improvements might be needed should be at least an annual part of business planning.