The recent release of the highly anticipated iPad may just turn the web design world on its head. Whether you love the iPad, or hate it … the fact of the matter is that it has arrived and sooner or later we need to learn to design with it in mind.

So what should be taken into consideration when designing for the iPad?

*HTML 5- The iPad offers no support for browser plugins like Flash. If you are hoping to include video, animation or graphics on your site, it is imperative the site be designed using HTML5. HTML has long been the foundation for web development. Their latest version incorporates much of the elements previously only available via Adobe Flash. Luckily, websites designed with HTML5 are easily viewed on the iPad.

*Orientation:  The iPad has no correct way of viewing websites. That means you can view it either in landscape or in the portrait mode. But for the designer that means two completely different layouts for which to design. It is for this specific reason that the iPad highlights the need for smart fluid width design. Using a smart combination of CSS and Javascript the User Experience can be made to improve drastically.

*Contrast:  Because the iPad is a touch screen, it is important to build in a lot of white space and contrast to make the pad easy for visitors to use. After all, if they can’t click deeper into your site, you are never going to convert them.

*Test, test, test: while testing is an important component of any new web design, it has never been truer than when attempting an iPad friendly web design. There are already several sites out there that offer you the ability to take a ‘peek’ at how your new design will look on an iPad, a great tool is www.ipadpeek.com.

*Touch Screen: Primary method of user interaction with the iPad is and will be the fingers. The users will interact with our websites using fingers. So all those brilliant hover effects that were favorable for pointer-based devices, will be a hurdle in user experience on the iPad. Also the links can no longer be concealed in a text and left for the user to dexterously click upon it. We might want to resize the links so that the user experience does not suffer.

Typography is the most valuable asset of your blog. It doesn’t matter if you have a colorful blog design, an awesome online publication or a plain simple blog. The main focus always stays on the content and the readability of your text. That is where the importance of good typography comes.

Google Font API  is a new and innovative concept from Google that aims at providing a helping hand to all web design and development pros. Google Font API  helps you add web fonts to any web page.

If you use Google’s Open Font’s API, you have many advantages like:

1. Huge collection of Font Typefaces to choose from Google’s Fonts library.

2. All the bandwidth load is on Google as you are only using their resources in the API.

3. The speed is blazing fast as Google’s CDNs are faster than your site.

4. You can hotlink the font file so that there is a less file and bandwidth request.

 The world of web typography is quickly evolving but this evolution means that your web developement team and end users now have more choices than ever before.

Do you use any web font services in your websites?

The Net Impact, a St. Louis based online interactive agency, redesigned Bausch + Lomb’s surgical instruments websites to offer visitors improved usability and a web design that reflects the unmatched quality of the Bausch + Lomb brand.

Storzeye is an online store for ophthalmic instruments. Their target audience is ophthalmologists who require the highest quality surgical equipment. Users can search for instruments, set-up a wish list and add products to a shopping cart. Bausch + Lomb’s passion for eye health needed to be reflected in their online presence including both design and user experience. The Storzeye brand was no exception. The Storzeye brand conveys exceptional quality and a unique set of attributes that distinguish them from their competitors.  Every element on the site, from icons to the grid and baseline, reflect the unmatched quality of the Bausch + Lomb brand. The relationship between website design and product creates an engaging experience for the user while reinforcing Bausch + Lomb as a credible industry leader in the ophthalmic community.

“The rebranded websites reflect the unsurpassed quality of the Bausch + Lomb brand. The visually appealing and easy to navigate websites are consistent with the company’s long-standing professional image,” said Mandy Christanell, Project Manager, The Net Impact. “We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with such a well respected company in the medical industry.”

The new websites’ features include enhancements to the ways in which products are displayed and indexed on the sites. Unlike their competitors, Bausch + Lomb’s websites pioneer user-interaction. The websites include improved product detail with “click to enlarge” functionality on all product images as well as high-quality product videos. In addition, website visitors can now search for instruments, set-up a wish list and add products to an online shopping cart. The website also displays related product offerings for selected products and the on-site search tool was expanded to incorporate search results from both sites.

The iPad is extremely responsive, lightweight, and easy on the eyes for reading. Is it going to be the netbook killer? As of right now, I would say no, but I believe the next generation will be. Not to mention the HP slate and other tablet PC due out within the year will also start making an impact on the netbook industry.

The iPad can be anyone’s new toy because of the versatility and portability. The applications are fantastic and can finally break out of their shells and harness a whole new feel with the screen real estate. The new A4 processor allows you to move quickly from one app to another in the blink of an eye. The iPad runs the same iPhone OS that we all know and love, meaning there aren’t any learning curves you have to tackle. Gaming looked great and was a smooth experience. All in all, if you’re a business professional always on the go, a sketch artist, or the casual web surfing, Facebook loving, music listening and video watching individual, this device will probably suit all your needs, but to a limit.

There are, however, a few flaws. First, the iPad doesn’t support multi-tasking. Working in the web design and development field, you are constantly working in multiple applications and programs at once. Second, Apple decided not to put a camera in the iPad. Why not? I understand this is debatable and some may say “Why would the iPad need a camera?”. If your target market is the busy, media driven community then you should cater to them and let them take pictures, organize new albums, sync with iTunes, upload to Facebook and other social media sites, and video capture. A front facing camera for video conferencing would be nice as well. I’m not sure that I would use video chat much but I know there are people in the world that would. And the largest flaw, no support for flash. We all understood when the iPhone didn’t have flash and Apple blamed it on preserving battery life and processing power. Now Apple has created its own processor for the iPad to help with speed, not to mention the dual battery it possesses, so you would think it would have enough power to handle flash. If you’re looking to have the iPad replace your laptop I wouldn’t suggest it. The iPad is more of a desktop/laptop companion and media device than a work horse.

As a web design and developer I wouldn’t mind purchasing the iPad. I could use it for a few reasons. Reason one being the iMockup app. iMockup lets you create wire-frames for any interface you desire and lets you manage multiple wire-frame projects. This is ideal for when you want to get away for a while, run to a local coffee shop and bang out some wireframes or wire-framing with a client. The second reason is the Sketchbook Pro app. This would be fantastic for logo design and branding doodles and again, having the portability of working on those doodles with a client or shooting them a quick email of the sketch. The final reason is organization of meetings, projects, to-do lists, and quick referencing with the Calendar, Contacts, Things, and Safari. The iPad is definitely a great start to tablet computing, but personally, l think I’ll hold off until next year.

When prospective clients come knocking, does an administrator quickly whisk them to the most cluttered waiting room in the office? Probably not. But, quite often, Well, it’s the equivalent to effect that outmoded website design has on unique website traffic and unique visitors.

Website design is only as effective as the web traffic it attracts. Frequently, small business proprietors become consumed with how well the company site ranks on Google.

While sites with page rankings on the first five results of Google attain high website traffic, an inability to turn those unique visitors into leads and a new business is like turning away prospective new business opportunities.

Regardless of how well a site ranks or the frequency at which updates are posted on its blog and social media pages, if the experience and website design is not engaging, web traffic is locked in the cluttered waiting room looking for quick moment to escape.

A quick visit to the Compact Fluorescent Bulbs is a presentation of all the web design components and media, which make up a socially engaging blog. From the diverse topics, page layout and social media sites brandished under each post, the blog epitomizes clean web design.

A visit as  St. Louis SEO blog, the site is designed via content management system, which maintains Website design continuity.  The same is true of  the Compact Fluorescent Bulb blog.

Is logo design really relevant? With the gazillions of Web sites on the Internet, not having a logo is tantamount to having a faceless spokesperson promote an organization’s offerings. In other words, logo design is emblematical of the company face.

When consumers think about Apple ®, most don’t  visualize Steve Jobs. The image of a translucent apple comes to mind. Google conjures a white space punctuated by six rounded, colorful letters.  A red bull’s eye symbolizes Target’s logo.

In a recent post, reported by The Net Impact, the web design company attests to how the company logo influences the Internet marketing strategy. Logos possessing recognizable features, instilling trust and reflecting leadership are the types of icons wielding effective brands.

While Apple, Google and Target are prominent logos embedded in America’s psyche, another brand successfully inculcates trust, recognition and leadership attributes: Facebook. Visit any Web site with the familiar white lowercase ‘f’ encased in a violet blue background, and consumers feel an immediate “connection” or trust of sorts with the site embedded with the ‘f’ stamp.

The ‘f’ icon is virtually the face of Facebook. The social media’s logo design appeals to the human psyche. From the color and font, the logo design conveys an amicable style. Rounded fonts signify sociability. Facebook’s azure hue background represents truth and friendship. Moreover, Facebook’s logo exemplifies how a simple logo design is related to a welcoming interactive technology.

• Is your logo design tackling the company image in a positive viewpoint?

• Is your company logo recognizable?

• Does the logo evoke impact?

Is the logo design effective across all marketing channels?

• Website design
• Merchandising
• Social media networks
• Traditional advertising (TV, Radio and print)

For those who are unable to answer, “yes” to all of the aforementioned questions, contact the Net Impact for a logo design facelift.

Knowing when it’s time for the redesign website is as critical as timing the launch of new products and services. Nonetheless, replacing a vendor (web design company) with a new one to redesign website can be as intensive as ending an intimate relationship. Certain web design firms have been known to refuse to release information in an endeavor to retain the client or make it impossible for the company to take their Web site elsewhere.

1)   Compile all hosting details, technical specifications and site statistics. If the company Web site is hosted with a Web design firm, obtain all the hosting and technical specifications needed to transfer the site to another Website design company.  (To expedite the process, put the request in writing).

2)    Be sure to run a report of your Web site’s statistics, as it will allow the Web design company’s, bidding on your company’s redesign website, to develop a blueprint around traffic patterns, target market interests and the search engine marketing strategy. 

3)    Shop around for an agency which marries website design with SEO.

4) Once all the technical details have been gathered, select three website design companies to bid on the redesign website. Provide each company with as much information as possible to devise a concise RFP, including these details:

• Budget  (Is the bid quote a flat rate?)
• Timeframe of delivery
• The redesign website strategy
• How the web design will complement the search engine optimization
• Other specific web design details (form pages, Facebook page, lead generation, et cetera)

5) Then, review each web design’s company’s bid proposal. Evaluate the contenders based on the comprehensiveness of the RFP. In example, a web design company, providing competitive intelligence data with the RFP, is indicative of a vendor willing to exceed expectations.

As for selecting the right website design firm, consider a company that gives your company the autonomy to manage the regular updates in house. For instance, The Net Impact redesigns websites, using a content management system with built in search engine optimization. Please click Contact the Net Impact for a redesign website quote.

Creditable website design is comparable to Apple’s endearing brand traits:

 1)    Imparts a memorable impression

2)    Evokes a positive encounter

3)    Engages the consumer’s interest

4)    Incites an interactive experience

When Steve Jobs conceptualized the design elements of Apple, the ideas were not a replica of Microsoft.  He appointed characteristics, which distinguish the technology from other PCs, laptops and other electronic products. That same individualistic formula thrives in most industries. For other businesses that don’t have the visibility that Apple possesses, Website design is a critical component to capitalize on the visitor experience.

Here’s how:

 The home page has 15-30 seconds to convert the visitor. This requires visually appealing website design. Ineffective web design promotes site abandonment. For example, a neon green home page with canary colored font is a definitive attention getter. But, because the colors are harsh on the eyes, the design tends to deter consumers from learning more.

Choose Web site colors with care.

The objective of most Web sites is to motivate the visitor to do take an action, which will ultimately result in some time of relationship or transaction.

A good impression depicts a clean navigational structure backed by a comprehensible marketing communiqué. All too often, some sites make the mistake of being too esoteric or creatively overpowering. And thus, the obscure message gets lost in translation, alienating the site visitor.

 Remember that…creditable web design commands action, enticing the consumer to “do something:”

• Click on a link
• Download a report
• Sign up for a newsletter
• Add a comment
• Follow on Twitter or Facebook
• Complete a sales transaction

Fortunately, attaining the aforementioned Web design elements is available able in two options. Please click the following to review more information:

• Web site content management system (WCMS)
• Customized website design  

Or simply, dial 888.629.4672 for a website design. consultation

While effective web development is a subjective concept, it is one that depends on numerous variables:

• Who’s the audience?
• What is the purpose of the Website design?
•  What is the product, service or feature presentation?

The aforementioned questions are the foundation of any effective web development strategy. Best Web Site Designers.com evaluated the recent case study of how a print ad agency and web design company came to confluence to design The ROHO Group’s AIRHAWK product.

Situation

The ROHO Group, Inc. required a web development for their patented product, AIRHAWK, a shape-fitting technology for providing motorcyclists with a safe and comfortable seating.

Snags

Since AIRHAWK had maintained an effective print campaign, online continuity was necessary for the  new web design. Also, The ROHO Group necessitated a web content management system that would leverage the site’s search engine optimization and allow the company the autonomy to administer all updates in-house.

Solutions 

To maintain its brand identity, the ROHO Group paired the St. Louis based The Net Impact with the XG-Ad team. Between The Net Impact’s proven track record in website design and SEO marketing coupled with the XG Ad team’s traditional advertising design expertise, the marriage conceptualized an awe-inspiring Web development and marketing strategy.

Integrating XG Ad’s custom design work, and web development, using The Net Impact’s Auctori content management system, the agencies created a –visually striking web presentation congruent with the AIRHAWK brand. 

As for audience engagement, the web development team innovated a comprehensive navigation structure to accommodate and inspire consumer loyalty. For instance, a testimonial form was intelligently dubbed ‘AIRHAWK Saved My Ass’.

Accounting for the AIRHAWK’s social media network and multimedia presentations, The Net Impact seamlessly incorporated both mediums into the web development.

Visit any Web site for the first time and an impression transpires. Whether the website design evokes a sense of intrigue or repugnance, the initial glance determines the span of stay and ultimate conversion ratio.

If you click onto the following link below this block of content, it is the home page of a web design company, The Net Impact. The web page achieves the initial objective of any home page. It is effective because it captivates the visitor’s attention. 

•  Web Design Example

At first glance, it appears as though the web page has been vandalized. Upon further inspection, the Web design company intelligently illustrates their services.

Creativity. Since the Net Impact is a web design company, most visitors have high expectations. Rather then annoy or risk losing visitors with a long flashy introduction, the company uses apt renderings to drive and demonstrate expertise.

Products and Services. The web design company, clearly identifies and demonstrates its service on the home page. 

Engaging. Aside from the first glance of the web site’s ability to capture unique visitor’s attention, the page helps the visitor ascertain, what to do next. As you can see in the above web site’s depiction, three clearly visible options, Web Design, Web Development, Internet marketing, and content management system serve as a navigational guide.