Posts Tagged ‘web design’

Preparing for a Corporate Web Design Renovation

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

If most CEOs had their way, corporate web design would subliminally program every unique visitor to buy, opt in or act now. The page layout would be developed to subconsciously conjure the audience, closing business 99.5 percent of the time. But, “hypnotic web design”  is as fabled as

Nonetheless, the recipe for developing purpose driven web design is not that intricate. It begins with every corporation possessing a focused vision of their brands, products, and services. It also entails a basic comprehension about the target market. By developing a specific web design agenda, a lot of time, money and havoc can be alleviated.

Step #1  A Corporate Identity  Assessment

Create several composites of  the various sectors and target audiences that your corporation serves. Then, evaluate whether there is room for tweaking these areas.

Compared to the competition, are there any unique market niches, where there is a shortfall of supply but a high demand for fulfillment? By evaluating a site’s keyword traffic and searches coupled with a compilation of customer feedback new products and services are born.

It’s the same strategy that Apple used to design iPad. Since many people only use their personal computers, to share media (photos, YouTube videos), check email  and even read electronic periodicals, as in e-book, the technology behemoth recognized the consumer demand for technology developed to resolve most personal uses.

Are there are any new services that should be added to your site’s navigation? With the site renovation for the corporate web site, now is the time to strategize new Web pages.

Step #2 Web Design Wish list

In step one, it is vital to have a fine tuned definition of how your corporation plans to use the Web site to complement the marketing strategy and other benchmarks. Based on the aforementioned details, determine which features would be beneficial for the objectives:

  • Lead generation
  • Secure ecommerce / online transactions
  • An ability to make web page changes internally.
  • Search engine optimization planned for a specific conversion objective
  • A medium to interact with prospective and existing clients

Also, determine how much your corporation can allocate for the marketing budget alosn with a specific completion date.

Step #3 Website Design Company Selection

Next, compiling the company’s strategy and web design wish list, obtain a site analysis from a Website design company with a reputation for achieving results. For instance, The Net Impact, the St. Louis-based web design company, has a track record for attaining a definitive ROI. Contact the Net Impact for a web conversion consultation.

Better Web Design Has More Face Time on Facebook

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Now that Google is giving Facebook higher precedence in  search engine results, it’s a reminder of the dominancy that social media has on Internet marketing. Signaling the need for professional web design on Facebook, the underlying advantages to brandishing a fan-page include the following:

  • Make an impression on  prospects
  • Initiate the dialogue with the target market
  • Conduct your own market research 
  • Be organically exposed to major search engine action

In recent news, Google broadcasted new plans to include Facebook’s public status updates among other real-time search results. This proves the benefits of a having a fan page. It further gives credence to presenting the company brand on the world’s most renowned social networking site. 

So what this means for any company using a Facebook page to showcase their products, and services –is sheer Internet exposure. However, ensuring that online visibility requires a recipe of regular:

  • Announcements and status updates
  • Links to the company Web site
  • New photos on the fan wall
  • Video uploads

With Google including Facebook’s real time updates, this is only advantageous for the corporation, planning to expose their products and services to a fresh audience. At the same token, it makes the web design of the Facebook page that much more an integral component of the Internet marketing strategy.

In other words, companies that do not jump on the social media networking bandwagon will have to work that much harder to vie for Internet visibility.

Remember your Facebook web design should match the rest of your online marketing materials. That means that the Facebook page should maintain the continuity of the brand. And if your company is trying to target  a special market niche, it’s important to have a separate Facebook page to feature  those other products.  Thinking in the mind of your target audience, the web design of the Facebook page  should outperform  your competition. 

Effective  web design  is not only an awe-inspiring presentation, but it engages the audience.

Maxim: Better web design achieves more face time on Facebook. In the meantime, get social with  The Net Impact on Facebook. or stop in for a visit, by clicking on “website design.

Content Management Systems Advice #104

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

Best Web Site Designers:

We have an IT team that strictly attends to each department’s computer malfunctions and system back-ups. We’re looking for a content management system or web application, which enables us to add some media and content without detracting from the integrity of our site’s search engine optimization programming.

Even though certain members of our staff will be authorized to add content, we’ll also require a permission-based program to simplify our workflow for other staff members.

Also, is there a web application or content management system that allows us to add new pages without contacting the web designer?

Small Biz Company In Collinsville, IL 

 ———————————————————

Absolutely is the answer to your wish-list of functional features. Your search engine and regular update quandary has one cost effective, scalable web site solution. Unidev a web applications  company is the proud innovator of a content management system that does the following:

  • Give your employees the autonomy to make site updates
  • Never worry about input error destructing your site’s search engine optimization infrastructure and programming
  • Ease and standardize employee bios
  • Add new pages, which concur with the site’s overall design scheme

If your company requires an economical content management system customized to meet your company’s discerning web application requirements, review the power of Auctori.

The innovative and intuitive content management system (CMS) is loaded with search engine optimization features designed to assure site visibility. The more content one feeds Auctori, the better the SEO exposure.

As for having a content management system that delivers efficiency, maximizing workflow productivity, Auctori’s permission-based functionality works according to your workflow specifications.

Not to mention, Auctori is cost effective because it gives your company the autonomy to manage your web design – internally. 

For a test-drive, click content management system (CMS).

How to Refine the Web Design Marketing Strategy

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

The web design renovation calls for a rudimentary online strategy. Prior to embarking upon a web design update, remember to coordinate your company’s marketing strategy, internal operations and other benchmarks with the site renovation. Use the following questions and statements to refine the market agenda:

  • Define your target market. Based on your organization’s products and services, the core competency reflects the target audience.
  • What is the underlying marketing purpose of the company Web site’s design? Effective web design generally inspires an action:

> | > subscribe to a newsletter
> | > request more information
> | > inspire new fans or followers on Facebook or Twitter
> | > conclude sales transaction

  • How will the site serve or provide value for the site traffic as in your target audience?
  • What sets your products and services apart from the online competitors?
  • What are the distinctive characteristics of your site’s Web design?
  •  Who will ultimately manage the sites updates? Since, the company Web site is not only an extension  of the marketing strategy, it is an efficacious  marketing tool. Given the popularity of social media networking and microsite,  regular content updates are a vital accessory to the SEO and Internet marketing DNA. 

In order to vie for any online business, maintaining a social media, or company blog is imperative to attracting targeted traffic. Moreover, social media sites and blogs are as mandatory marketing accessories to building awareness.

  • How does your organization delegate the responsibility of making site updates? While the IT and marketing departments may not be in sync about security issues and avoiding Web site glitches,  a content management system eradicates these potential outage nightmares. For instance, the Auctori (tm), is customized to accommodate the unique workflow, ease site and page updates, but maintain your site’s branding specifications.

10-Questions for Analyzing Purpose-driven Website Design

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Regardless of the medium, everyone has unique design preferences. But, just because website design is one of those subjective issues in the eye of the beholder, it does not compromise specific stylization features, necessary to achieve specific tasks, -such as generating leads and selling products. Best Website Designers compiled a list of basic features to analyze rudimentary website design.

Does the website design have adequate white space? The foundation of good web design allows the audience to identify the promotion without being visually overwhelmed by too many images, call to actions and other design elements. Remember the purpose is to capture the visitor’s attention without compelling site abandonment.

Is the type legibly, displayed in an easy-to-read layout?
Microscopic fonts are counterproductive to the purpose of the web design – to motivate site traffic to take action.

Are the headings and titles accentuated in bold typography?
Fonts tend to emphasize structure, delineating space, capturing the reader’s attention.

  • Is the objective of the website design accomplished?
  • Is the objective to generate leads, referrals, or to sell products?

Rudimentary website design accomplishes four tasks: Attention, interest, desire and action.

  • Is the design captivating enough that it draws in the audience / target market?
  • Does the design feature any benefits (as in Interest)?
  • Are there any design attributes, which instill trust (Desire) to buy using money-back guarantee, testimonials?
  • Is the call to action and the design simplify the consumer’s check-out transaction?

If you would like more information about website design to improve your site’s conversion rate, contact The Net Impact at 888.629-4672.

How to Design a City Government Web Site

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

How do cities, towns and  other  government funded departments scrap an outmoded Web site without enduring an excruciating web renovation? It’s called a content management system (CMS). But, not just any CMS will do. Powered by the Auctori™, the state of art platform gives cities the autonomy to post, update and perform regular site content maintenance:

  • Announce special events and departmental meetings
  • Publish agenda minutes
  • Bid solicitations
  • Archive outdated reports
  • Notify citizens of time sensitive information – data alerts

Boundless web design. Municipalities are not married to using the same old, same old city templates. With Auctori, the possibilities of developing the website are boundless, presenting a wealth of features, engineered to ease making in-house updates. 

Efficacious workflow. Auctori supports all city programs, presenting easy updates for a professional designed Web site. Moreover, the content management system expedites the content approval workflow for all citywide departments, programs and services. Equipped with roles based permissions, the CMS enables administrators to post information in draft form for publication approval by superiors.

Unobstructed exposure. Attract local, national and international traffic. Auctori places the city Web site on the roadmap to high exposure. Attracting visitors, tourists and citizens is literally a no brainer. With its built-in search engine optimization features, Auctori works to ensure that your Web site is configured to procure new business relationships.

Fuss-free interaction. Auctori eases communications with its seamless survey modules. Poll, survey and interact with residents about tax modifications, infrastructure repairs or other pressing issues. Form builder module allows any municipality to create applications for parking permits, vehicle registrations, and other pertinent documents dissemination.

Read more about the power of Auctori for your municipality’s Web site.

Web Designed to Accommodate the Smartphone User

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Have Web site, and visitors will follow. It’s the basic premise for the Internet.These days, Web sites must accommodate all kinds of operating systems. As every major wireless telecommunication company rolls out applications designed to streamline surfing via the smartphone, 2010 is the year to ensure that the web design is accessible across all platforms.

 

Technology behemoths: Google, AT& T, Apple, Verizon and T-Mobile continue to revolution a brand new mobile landscape, it signals the need for web design modifications. In other words, if companies want to be accessible across all platforms, they should not ignore mobile device users, who account for some 37.5 million American consumers (over the age of 13) (1)

In a media release survey by Compete, smartphone users appear to outpace other consumers. More than 35 percent say that they have used their handset to make a purchase over the past half year.  Other research indicates a propensity to use the mobile device to compare prices at other locations.  Meanwhile, another 38 percent report abandoning a Web site if it was not engineered for a smartphone.

Imagine if all the BlackBerry, iPhone and Android users are unable to access a Web site because it is not configured to accommodate the “smart phone” user.

Nonetheless, redesigning the Web site is not only for the business-to-consumer model. Decision-makers from all cross sectors rely on the smartphone technology too.

The Missouri web design company, The Net Impact had the foresight to meet this demand. In October of 2009, the release of a content management system (CMS)with autonomous search engine optimization (SEO) offered a wealth of compatible features. The Net Impact’s proprietary software, Auctori™ automates Web design, accounting for every type of operating system, too.

Now about your Web site’s design:
  • Does your Web site’s design accommodate all operating systems?
  • Does the web design account for all smart phone devices: Android, iPhone and Blackberry? Each operating system possesses differing feature qualities.
  • Are pages designed with flash animation? Smartphones have compatibility issues with flash animation.
  • Does the site’s navigation accommodate the smartphone end-user? Navigation should be intuitive with touch friendly functionality.

Need more information? Obtain professional advice by contacting a Web design company, who develops Web site’s for the smartphone technology.

Web Design in the Eye of the Beholder

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Does your company covet the site designed using flash animation? Have you ever watched he classic Twilight Zone, episode titled, ‘The Eye of the Beholder’? It’s the one, where a bandage-faced woman lays in wait for the removal of her surgical dressings. Enduring the eleventh reconstructive procedure, she yearns to look like everyone else on her planet. In actuality, the others’ faces bear a resemblance to the swine species.  “The Eye of the Beholder” is analogous of Web design. Not saying that companies want their site to be branded using the icon of a pig, flash has its place in web design. 

If you click on the following link: “Website design, you will see a home page void of photos, colors and layout. From a first impression, it seems like the company Web site lacks the design qualities that The Net Impact preaches about. However, upon a close assessment, the page is designed to accommodate all platforms: desktops, personal computers, Mac, and mobile technologies.

Rather then overwhelm visitors with a flash presentation, the site accommodates all operating systems, making it easier for anyone to find and click onto interest specific information. Moreover, market research suggests that most business-to-business prospects prefer the traditional HTML presentation than flash.

Next, upon the click of content management system, the visitor is taken to a page, where, each Web page features Web design continuity. In other words, each page has the same site navigation, layout and design features.

And while, the home page is not comprised of all the bells and whistles, which bellow “super-slick” web design, few site visitors abandon the site because they were unable to find specific information or the animation took too long to load.

So, in the eye of the beholder, user-friendly, SEO driven Website design  appeases every end-user.

Good Web Design Mimics Fashion Sense

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Is your Web site flattering? Does it have qualities that mimic the person with a protruding belly, clad in a midriff? What about the gentleman wearing the prom suit jacket, which is now three sizes too small? Either way, both tend to make the audience look away, uncomfortably.  When it comes to style and dimension, one size never fits all. Web design and SEO are not any different. Given the gazillion Web sites on the Internet, formulating a distinctive online marketing strategy is paramount then ever.

At the factory workplace, a bow tie is too formal for the environment. And, flash design is not for every marketplace. Flash animation is one of those Web design features that either attracts or repels. In particular, flash does not do much in the way of procuring new business relationships. The reason is because regular Internet users prefer to experience Web sites on their own terms. In particular, business-to-business prospects have a short attention span, searching for information in the shortest time possible.

Aside from film, fashion,  and advertising, where flash reflects the marketplace, the Web design feature has mixed reviews. To accommodate and reduce the bounce rate, a well-designed Web site offers flash and standard HTML options.

Form-fitting bodysuits are not intended for the plus-sized figure. The one-man shop, a page on Linked In or the single paged Web site is adequate enough to serve the marketing agenda. Nonetheless, the abbreviated Web site does not work for every entity. Obviously, the organizations providing numerous products and services necessitate the full fledge Web development.

Social media is not intended for every Internet marketing strategy. Depending on the industry, Twitter and Facebook may serve a futile marketing mediums. In the realm of the small business, which services other corporations, social media networking is not always an applicable solution.  Depending on the service, (in example oil rigging company, brokerage firm, etcetera) social media may or may not be the best marketing medium for your target audience.

In the end, good web design is equivocal as good fashion sense. Both make or break the impression. Each considers the audience appropriateness. And just as – all sizes and styles are inappropriate for all body types; a similar rule applies to Web design and all business models.

 Let The Net Impact tailor-fit a solid Web design strategy for your Web site.

Additional Web design and flash design articles:

Anticipatory Web Design Analysis

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Web design is an integral aspect of the site’s online presence. It’s the first impression that targeted traffic perceives when they visit a site. Quality web design anticipates a visitor’s next action. From the home, landing or company page, each site segment provides a subliminal blueprint of where or what action the visitor should embark upon next.

Quality web design anticipates the next course of action a visitor will take. The page highlights pertinent information specific to the target audience. The ability to anticipate what motivates the prospect and which buttons will incite action is critical to converting visitors into to clicks.

 

Use the following checklist to determine if your site’s web design accommodates your site traffic’s preferences:

 

  • Is each page of your site properly tagged with an appropriate page name and description?

 

  • Does the site’s web design reflect the philosophy of your brand identity?

 

  • Is the web design’s navigation easy-to-follow or clumsy?

 

  • Does the site’s web design  provide top,  bottom, vertical and/or horizontal navigation?

 

  • Does your Web site load expedient enough to compel site traffic to explore your Web site, learning more about your offerings?

 

  • Is each page of your Web site stocked adequately with images, content and links, leading to specified pages?

 

  • Does the web design  include links to your social media networking pages (Facebook and Twitter)?

 

  • Is your Website comprised of interactive features designed to stimulate the dialogue between existing and prospective new customers?

 

  • Does the Web design anticipate and accommodate the target audience’s interests?

 

To read more about improving your site’s marketability,   click on  ”Google analytics consulting”