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?

How your blog looks is just as important as how it sounds. Even if your blog content is top-notch, boring blog designs will discourage visitors from reading and will leave them quickly clicking away to your competitor’s blogs. A custom designed blog increases brand equity, and exploits the power of one of your most important online marketing and public relations tools.

1.  Make your purpose clear.

Your blog banner should have a title and subtitle that make it clear who you are and what your blog is all about. First-time visitors will quickly click away if they can not discover at a glance what you are trying to accomplish through blogging.

2.  Keep it simple.

There are so many different options you can integrate into your company blog, from colors to widgets, that it is often tempting to pile on too many. The result is a cluttered blog that is frustrating to navigate and visually chaotic. Review your blog every few months to determine whether any of the elements have become outdated or no longer relevant, and remove them.

3.  Take advantage of whitespace.

 Space out the graphic elements on your blog on your banner, in your posts, in your sidebar and readers will enjoy a heightened sense of readability and lightness as they browse your blog.

4.  Use complimentary colors.

Be judicious in choosing your color scheme; too many colors, or colors that are too bright, can turn off readers and cause them to click away sooner than they might otherwise.

5.  Place key information “above the fold.”

Place important information such as your call to action, at  the top half of your blog page, where readers will be able to see it as soon as the page loads into their browser window.

6.  Choose a readable font.

Is your copy too large? Too small? Copy that is too large can immediately turn viewers off, while copy that is too small will discourage older viewers from reading your content. Choose a copy size that is easy to read.

7.  Add visual interest with photos.

Humans are visually stimulated, and let’s face it: reading is much more fun when supplemented with pretty pictures. Even if you don’t fancy yourself a photographer, it is a good idea to include images now and then in your blog posts to help up the “good-looking” factor.

8.  Do a usability check.

User testing allows you to see how real people navigate your site, while hearing their comments at the same time.  This provides insight into how to improve your site by identifying positive and negative aspects of your site, including features on your site that may be confusing to visitors. You might be surprised what valuable information you receive when you ask for it.

9.  Do cross-browser testing.

Every browser has quirks that display pages slightly differently, so it is always a good idea to look at your blog in different browsers to make sure that it looks the way you want it to.

In conclusion, an eye-catching blog design that compliments your content and showcases your company’s expertise will give your visitors a reason to come back and visit.

Suggested music to listen to while reading – http://www.jango.com/music/Tag+Team?l=0

Your logo design is a key part of your company’s Internet marketing strategy. In order to establish brand identity, your logo should be instantly recognizable, reflect confidence and credibility in your company, while communicating who you are and what you do. Your logo is much more than a symbol or image, it essentially becomes the face of your company.

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.

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.

From the exterior, it resembles a mini-sized, personal cake, evoking the taste of a sweet, moist object of nibbling affection. One bite in, and there’s nothing worst than a gummy, undercooked muffin with remnants of raw egg. The under-baked muffin is analogous of half-baked Website design.

With small businesses dominating the economy, there are a lot of entities that understand the importance of having a solid brand identity and unforgettable website design.   But, without the traffic, it does not matter how magnificent the design is. If people can’t find a website, its mesmerizing qualities are merely irrelevant. It’s like the muffin that looks good on the outside that no one wants to eat.

Under cooked baking goods are the outcome of one of  three issues:

1)    The temperature of the oven was not hot enough.

2)    The muffins were not baked for the appropriate amount of time

3)    The ratio of egg and milk was inadequate to the flour  / muffin mix.

In the realm of search engine optimization and SEO / marketing, half-baked Website

Design is the byproduct of three inefficiencies:

1)    The website design lacks certain search engine optimization qualities to attract traffic.

2)    The content has a deficit of keyword density, link structure and other SEO components to gain search engine popularity.

3)    Website design is comprised of  flash, static, frames or other features, which can be problematic for search engine indexing

Amending these baking missteps is a matter of seeking professional assistance. Just as epicures rely on Alton Brown, Emeril and Paula Dean to impart the secrets of baking intelligence, companies in quest of website design, affording a healthy ROI can contact the Net Impact for advice.