Six Questions to Ask Before Creating a Website

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There are many people who can design a website nowadays. In fact, even a teenager can do that for you. Before you decide to make a website of your own, you need to establish a plan first. A web design company can easily build one for you, but it is important to ask yourself these questions.

  • What is the purpose of your website?

    In business, there are 3 main types of websites:

    • Brochure site –  This is an online support to offline marketing. You will mention your website in your printed ads. Because the cost of advertising online is quite inexpensive, you can elaborate your business through a website.
    • Lead Generator – This approach can generate business on its own because you want your site to be seen when a person browses the internet. After seeing your site, they can be more drawn to contact you. They be easily converted from a website visitor to a buyer.
    • Online Store – This option will make your website a storefront for the probable customers. After they have seen your site and read its content, they could be enticed by your products and click SHOP NOW immediately.The important thing is to identify the purpose of your website and its business model so your time is not wasted.

  • How will people find your site?

    There are billions of websites out there. There’s a huge chance people may not see your site if you don’t strategize well. Your goal is to make money so the website can pay for itself. Whether you make noise online and offline, you need to make your presence felt.

  • An online strategy is created by visibility. Here are the important elements:
    • Get links to your website
    • Search Engine Optimization
    • Online advertising
  • An offline strategy is built on your offline marketing –networking, advertising, public relations and cold calling. You refer your leads to your website where you have vital information and why they should choose you. This will build credibility.

  • How do you make visitors stay in your site?

    People stay on a site for at least 68 seconds. How many of your widgets can sell in that short period of time?

    There is one way to make visitors remain in your site and that is content! Give them things they will never find in any other website.

  • What would you want guests to do when they are at your site?

    For sure, no one is going to buy or call you on the first site visit. But if you are selling a commodity like clothes, sure other websites sells clothes too. The competition is in the price. To establish a relationship, you could use email marketing. Give them a 10% off if they subscribe to your newsletter.

  • How do you make visitors come back to your site?

    Not all browsers will come back. If they stay on your site for only 68 seconds, then that will never generate clients. For them to come back do the following:

    Have enough quantity as well as quality of content. This will make people bookmark your website.
    You can also try giving special prices or offers to your subscribers to motivate them to come back.
    Lastly, constantly update. Make it a habit to add and change the content so visitors will look forward to visit your website again.

  • How are you monitoring results in your website?

    To know if your site will work for you, measure your statistics. Your host should be able to give the important numbers like the number of people who visited the website, and the time they browsed the website. You will also know how they found your website, their activity in your website, their location, and web browser. Strategies can easily be made basing from the given data. Once you have a plan, apply them one at a time.

 

11 Tips in Creating That Ideal Minimalist Website

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Less is more. This is what minimalism is all about. It is like stripping away all the elements that are not needed, and only focusing on what is essential. Minimalism encourages purpose.

There are many benefits of this design approach. It has swift loading time and has compatibility between screen sizes. It also adopts to mobile browsing, but at same time, it does not harm the desktop experience.

Minimalism may seem dull and ordinary to some people, but it does require more time in its production and development stage to create one exceptional minimalist design.

How to achieve that perfect minimalist website?

  • BE CONSISTENT

    Make sure that your business logo is simple and the color palette at its minimal state. Making it flexible is good so you can use it throughout the branding smoothly and continuously. This is great in building a consistent and memorable brand.

  • FIND THE HIDDEN RELATIONSHIP

    Doing a minimalist design does not mean being less creative. If there is no compound visuals, there is a chance that you can play and explore the relationships hidden in your brand. Instead of playing with images, you can be creative with your brand name and tagline. You can try to use rhyming words so people can easily recall your brand name.

  • PLAY WITH SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP

    Consider how one element connects with the other elements to build a wider design. You can use a unique set images that when put together side by side creates a bigger picture.

  • STAY SMART

    Minimalism is not all about the lack of illustrative elements, but it is the cautious selection of where and when to use design element efficiently. Working on a distinct logo that personally relates the brand name. This can help create artistic illustrations and still have that minimal design.

  • EMBRACE EFFICIENCY

    You do not need to use all the design elements available. No deranged visuals are required to make an efficient website. Focus on how clients will reach you. Use a uniform username for all your accounts. Whether it is on your social media accounts and your website, it should have the same name.

  • BE FUNCTIONAL

    Minimalism is fantastic when it comes to functionality. Clear, clean, and uncluttered design can create easy navigation legibly.

  • FIND SOME BALANCE

    The importance of visual elements like photographs and typographical elements should be balance. No element should overpower another element without any sufficient reason.

  • WHITE SPACE IS OKAY

    White space or “negative space” can be mistaken for a blank space, but this is not true. When used wisely, white can balance your design, declutter it, and it helps your page breathe. Ultimately, it will make your website look classy.

  • BE DIRECT

    When there’s just too much elements in one page, a website visitor will not know where to look. Be more direct by giving right away important details at the topmost portion of the website. When there’s a sitewide sale, put it on the main page.

  • MAKE YOUR TYPE VISUAL

    In minimalism, your preferred font type is a vital weapon. It can act as a visual element when you adjust it. For example, you create a ripple effect on the text. Instead of adding more images, you can opt to play with different font types.

  • THINK OUT OF THE BOX

    Minimalism can also afford to be playful. You can experiment on the position and composition of elements. Instead of the typcial horizontal or vertical alignment, you arrange images diagonally. A little eccentricity won’t do no harm as long as the legibility of your text is not affected.

The lesser elements your design have, the lesser chance for the website to go out of style. Web designs that follow the concept of minimalism require fewer upgrades and can be considered timeless.

5 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Your Own Website

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Some websites have been neglected for way too long. It has been forever since the last update. The unfortunate circumstance can’t be helped though. The trends now will be out of date in a year or two.  Before you know it, your website has not been able to keep up. It looks old and when someone views it, you will feel embarrassed. Do not wait for this moment to happen.  Your website speaks for you and your brand. But it does mean you need to get the most expensive design. You just need to look for a suitable design that best represents your brand.

Listed below are FIVE reasons why you need to invest in creating your own website:

  • BEST FOOT FORWARD.

    You should always feature your best work. The world of online business is not far from having an actual store. You need to constantly update the window display to invite new customers. The homepage of your website is your digital window display. This is your chance to show the world your best work and prove to them that you can produce quality products.

    Your website will also be able showcase how you approach your business. If potential clients see confusing and cluttered storefront, they will abandon the page and will find another website that fits their standards. Web visitors are very critical on what they see. While you have their attention, dazzle them with your finest work.

  • INCREASED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.

    You don’t need to hire and train a customer service representative. Your website will do that for you! Without  a doubt, you would want to make a good first impression online and when you poorly designed website, it is tantamount to employing a rude customer service representative. A well-dressed website is like having your very own friendly customer service representative who greets everyone with a smile. A well-crafted website can convert viewers to buyers.

  • THE NEW YOU.

    As time passes, your business expands to something bigger and larger. Not only will your products and services change, but there could also be a drastic shift in your target customers. Your  website should be able able to reflect the current you. If you do not update your website, you might not be able to invite your new audience. Investing in a new website will assure old and new clients that your business is catching up with the changing times.

  • SHOWING A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.

    How your brand is perceived totally depends on your approach. Whether you decide to update the blog section, add more social media post, or do all of them simultaneously, it really depends on you since you are the boss.  Sooner or later, clients will see the level of work that you are putting in. Conversion into sales is easier because your website was able to provide clients a variety of ideas through blog and image posts.

  • DOING WHAT YOU WANT.

    When you share your work to everyone, you redirect your business to a route that suits you. You show the world that this is what you do best and you will attract the right clients without even trying.  Doing something you are truly passionate about is priceless. So, stop what you are doing right now and gather all your best work in one functional website.

Web Design Features That Increases Sales

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 Person Writing On Notebook

If you are not able to boost sales despite tremendous efforts on social media, then, you have a problem. There are many contributory facts to this conundrum. The truth is that your website design can make a powerful statement on the buyers and their choices. You might want to improve certain features to encourage visitors to buy or contact you. The goal is to convert a visitor to be a buyer. If you have a lot of traffic, but little conversions, you might be wondering why.

Well, 94% of the first impression is based on the website’s design. To add to this, 75% of the users will conclude the credibility of a brand just by looking at the website.

Here are some techniques that can help you improve your own website and increase sales:

  • A VERY CLEAR AND UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION (UVP)

    It is the very reason why a potential customer should buy from you and not from your competitor. Make your UVP clear and obvious. Assure clients that you can provide products and services that is different from the rest.

  • WHITE SPACE

    Do not clutter your website especially on a page that you will sell something. Focus on the product, the description, and the price. When you indicate other unnecessary information, it can confuse people and they might not proceed with the transaction.

  • EASE OF USE

    Remember to put the vital content “above the fold” so that it will be visible without scrolling. Contact numbers, email addresses, and live chat should be accessible. If website visitors have a question, they can easily inquire about it.

  • VIDEO

    It still remains as one of the powerful mediums now. Allocating a space for video usually increase sales and conversions. Some companies were able to record a 144% increase in sales.

  • COLOR

    Consider your audience. If your target market are mostly women, then choose a lighter shade of purple, blue, and green. For men, darker tones of black, blue, and green are effective. Avoid colors like brown and orange. A change in color may result to a 21% conversion.

  • VIRTUAL CHAT

    It is good for a future buyer to know that they can have a quick chat online while they are looking into the different products and services. Real-time chat can increase trust. Potential clients will prefer sites with excellent customer service.

  • SHORT FORMS

    Customers do not want to give information about themselves just to score that free download. Go only for first name, email address, and zip code. If you are using Captcha test, try turning if off. See if the response rate is higher.

  • HEADLINES

    That big headline on your website should be able to answer your potential customers’ concerns. Whatever their concern might be, those big and bold text should make a statement and increase confidence in your brand.

  • FREE OFFERS

    Who does not like free items? Everyone will sign up when they see the word “free.” So, make sure your FREE sign is large and very visible. Add the fact that they don’t need to answer a bunch of questions and that they can immediately claim their item.

  • A/B TESTING

    Continue to test small changes on your website. It might have a little movement, but remember to change one at a time. You might want to try to change the CTA button color first. Then, you can change the placement of text or other elements. Wait for a few weeks before evaluating the data. This way, you will know if the change is permanent or you need to revert back to the original layout.

8 Website Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

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When you are starting your business, chances are you have a budget in mind. You will surely allot a portion of it in building a website for your business. There are free website builders that will help you start a simple website on your own. If you are not adept in web designing, you could be committing some serious mistakes. Instead of driving sales, you will repel potential customers.

Here’s a list of what to avoid:

  • When navigation is not a priority

    When you do create your own website, please make sure visitors can find their way to the areas of your website. When potential clients browse, they won’t put in a lot of time trying to figure out where is this or where is that. If they can’t find what they want, they will leave and find a better website that has an easier navigation.

  • The purpose is not clear to you

    Building a website without knowing why will just lead to failure. You have to know if your goal is to gain exposure for your business or if you wish to sell your products online. Not all websites are the same. Each website has its own purpose and you have to know how to use it accordingly.

  • Thinking that any website is good rather than having none

    A website is a must nowadays, but if you are on a tight budget, you can still have an online presence without a website. Make sure that your name and contact numbers can be found in different business listings, social media sites, or online Yellow Pages. When your business starts to gain popularity, it is time to make a simple, professional, and nice looking website.

  • Trying to stand out

    When you dare to be different than the other websites, it won’t do you or your business any good. Create a website that is similar to most websites. Like any other common website, clicking on the company logo should bring you to the homepage. Contact Us and About pages are extremely important. It will provide the essential information of your business. You see, even online, people prefer comfort over style.

  • Struggling to make it exceptionally beautiful

    Look at Google; you will notice that the website is very simple. The colors used are just red, yellow, blue, and green. You don’t need a bunch of different colors to stand out. If your business is an advertising agency, fashion house, or web design studio, go ahead and be unique. If not, just stick to a minimalist design. Your clients will care more about the content than the colorful design.

  • Using .PDF files

    Not all people are tech-savvy. Not all potential clients have a PDF viewer and if they do, they probably won’t have the time to download one. Anything that causes stress, website visitors just simply click away. If you plan to attach any material to your site, use image files instead. Every device can surely view .jpg, .bmp, or .png files.

  • Too much advertisements

    It is not a good idea to allow your website to have numerous ads. Yes, you can earn through ads, but it can get pretty annoying when something pops up in the middle of the page.

  • Too much text

    When you are reading an actual book, words are parts of it. On a website, gigantic blocks of text are a huge mistake. Surely, it will scare visitors and they will hurriedly leave your website.

  • NOT Designed for all devices

    Last, but not the least, make sure that when you create a website, the design should look good both on a mobile phone and a desktop computer. Every device should be able to contact you.

10 Tips on How to be a Successful Web Designer

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Website Design is not just about extensive knowledge of Photoshop or mastery of a programming language. It is about finding the right balance of an alluring design and providing interesting content. Web design can be a fascinating and lucrative career. The job does not end at designing and building websites that are good to look at. You need to also consider other things.

Here are some useful tips to help you become a successful web designer:

  1. Communication skills are important.

    You should be able to effectively communicate with your client, an art director, and web developer. You have to speak clearly about your design choices and give enough reasons why it is the appropriate design for a website. If there are any problems in the future, you have to know how deal with them by using effective and good communication skills.

  2. You have to know how to sell yourself.

    There are many competitors out there and only the good ones will survive the web design jungle. It is a tough and tight world to participate in. Stand out by highlighting your unique skills and what separates you from the rest. Use all possible ways to boost your presence whether it’s social media marketing, word of mouth, or through business cards.

  3. Plan and then design.

    Like in anything you do, planning always come first because that where you get ideas that can inspire you. Effective planning has 3 distinct parts: research about the company, know the client’s needs and expectations, and learn more about its competitors and the industry it is on.

  4. Constructive criticism helps.

    Evaluate your work honestly and if you may stumble upon criticisms, be open to it and implement the suggestions you see fit. Some mistakes are easily seen by others. A fresh pair of eyes will definitely help you put things in perspective and help you save time.

  5. You are a Web Designer, and not a Graphic Designer.

    It is not right to assume that graphic designers can be a great website designer and vice versa. They are two totally different jobs. Concentrate on the sector of website designing and focus on it. Graphic design is another skill set. Perhaps, you can improve it in the future, but for now, focus on web design.

  6. Update yourself with new technology.

    You have to be technologically in tune with the many changes in the industry. Set a time to learn new things in your field. Know what is new, what is out, and what is trending.

  7. Be organized.

    No matter what your field of profession you are, being organized is one of the keys for success. Begin with organizing your computer by classifying and labeling.

  8. Attain Expertise.

    The more experience you have, the faster you will move up in the world of web design. People will always look at the projects you worked on or the company you worked with. This will gain the trust that you need.

  9. Be a team player.

    Work well with other because as the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” Know how to work with others and see how your work will improve if tasks are distributed to other teammates.

  10. Have a business sense.

    A good web designer does not only design, he must also know about salesmanship, balancing costs, and making value assessments. Then you certainly have an edge.

 

 

 

Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Home Base Web Design Business

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It is easier to build a website from templates and website builders, but many businesses still want to hire a web designer not just to create but also manage their websites. This means that the web design jobs are still in demand  and the need continues to grow.

Before taking the plunge, ask yourself if do you have what it takes to be a web designer? Being a web designer may seem a complicated job. It’s a combination of being a computer geek and a creative artist. The truth is anyone can be a web designer. Having a diploma or certification is not a must for as long as you can do the job.

These are the important qualities you need to possess:

  • You have to have an eye for design. This includes color and layout. Design should be inviting and at the same time, it needs to serve a purpose.
  • You need to understand the usage of different colors and fonts to generate more interest to the website.
  • The skill to structure and organize things. You need to make sure that the website offers easy navigation.
  • Knowledge on programming languages like Ruby, SQL, CSS, ASP, and Python. These can enhance site value and marketability.

 

What are the advantages of starting a web design business?

  • There’s a high demand and web design pays well.
  • This job can be done anywhere for as long as there is an internet access.
  • You can expand in other areas like copywriting, SEO, and other website services.

 

Like all other business ventures, there are also disadvantages like:

  • You need to be updated on the latest on software and coding.
  • The constant update on newer and easier systems can encourage clients to do web designs on their own.
  • There are numerous competition.
  • You are glued to your computer the whole day.

 

Now, let us cover the things you need to start your web design business. The assumption here is that you have the knowledge and experience in the field.

Other than the ones stated above, you also need:

  • A dedicated working area where you are free from distractions.
  • Hardware includes a computer that can support editing softwares, a monitor that can display even the tiniest details, a camera , a scanner, and a printer.
  • Software for editing and enhancing photos and videos. These licensed programs may cost hundreds of dollars.
  • A high speed internet connection is important. You may also need a server space for site testing and hosting.
  • A list of services you can provide and its cost.
  • Make a contract that defines your policies on how you work.
  • Have a business plan that includes your target market, financial goals, and business goals.
  • Marketing plan shows your target market and ways to reach them.
  • Your own websites that showcases your skills and your work portfolio.
  • Material for marketing like brochures and business cards.
  • A highly strong network to access possible clients and referrals. This should incorporate the people you’ve worked with and professionals that works with businesses that may need a designer. You should have businesses you can refer to your client and other businesses can refer their clients to you.

 

Now, the real challenge is finding your very first client. Use your network, connect via social media and go to freelance job websites. Your efforts will be worth it.

Why you should build a responsive website, not an app

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Did you know what the median number of apps downloaded by people each month is? It’s a massive ZERO. Yet many clients that come to us still want us to build them an app, not a website.


Apps have been all the rage for a long time but that doesn’t mean they are the right answer for your business. In almost all cases, you are far better investing in a responsive website rather than an app.

 

When you may need an app

Before we look at why you don’t need an app, let’s just cover when you should consider building one. There are two cases (and only two) when your business may need an app. They are as follows:

 

  • You have enormous brand image. This means you are a fortune 500 company with a well known brand. If this is you, then there is a good chance that users are already searching for your app and are disappointed they can’t find it.
  • Your app is your product. If your product is an app then obviously you need to have an app. But this isn’t the case for most businesses.

 

Now let’s look at why you need a responsive website, not an app.

 

People search for businesses on Google not the App Store or Google Play

Think about the last time you were looking for a business. Where did you search? Was it the app store? Or was it actually on your phone’s browser. I’m betting it was the latter. Because that’s how everyone searches for businesses. Because this is the way people search, you need to make sure you have a mobile friendly website ready to meet them—not an app.

 

Your brand image is at risk

It’s not just search that you need to be aware of, it’s your entire brand image. More people use their mobile’s browser than ever before. They may come across your site from social media, from an online ad or from any one of countless sources. If they come across a website that isn’t mobile responsive, even if you have an app, they are going to leave pretty quickly. An unresponsive website just looks unprofessional nowadays and reflects badly on your company.

 

No one downloads apps

As we mentioned at the start of this article, the most common number of app downloads each month is zero. That means that even if you invest in building an app for your website, there’s a good chance no one apart from your friends and family are going to download it. Think about it, how are people going to find your app? The most common way would be through your website if they aren’t already a customer. And since they are going to visit your website first, you might as well invest in a better website first.

 

If you need help creating a mobile responsive website and not an app, our team of talented web designers can help. Get in touch today.

 

Which CMS platform is best for your website?

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If you’re looking at building a new website for your business, you may be thinking about which Content Management System (CMS) you want to build it on. You may even have been asked by your web designer to choose a CMS. But which CMS platform is best for your website? There are quite a few to choose between and deciding between them can be difficult. Luckily, we are here to make the decision easy for you. In this post we’ll cover the top three CMS platforms and advise you on which is best for your business.

 

What is a CMS?

Before we get started it is important to define exactly what a CMS is. A Content Management System is a back-end platform that lets you run your website. Through the admin panel of the CMS you will be able to create pages, upload content and edit existing content. You will also be able to change the look of your site, usually by changing templates that come with the CMS platform. You don’t need to have a CMS platform for your website, but it is important if you are going to want to add or change content in the future.

 

Comparing the leading CMS platforms

If you are looking for a CMS platform to use, you will probably be choosing between the industry leaders: WordPress, Drupal and Joomla. All have been around for over a decade, all are free and all have loyal fans. But which is best for you?

 

WordPress

WordPress is the industry leader when it comes to open source CMS platforms. It powers half the world’s CMS websites and around a fifth of all websites in the world. That’s a staggering amount. Not only does this mean it has a huge and committed community, it also has a wealth of templates and plugins to make your site do virtually anything you want. The platform itself is very intuitive and can be learnt in a less than a day.

 

Joomla

Joomla may offer more customization than WordPress, but it’s much more complicated to use. That being said there are solutions offered to common website problems by Joomla developers that are hard to solve on WordPress. Joomla may be suitable for web developers, but it won’t be a great solution for business owners who just want a simple CMS platform.

 

Drupal

Drupal offers a lot of solutions that would otherwise require custom coding in WordPress and Joomla. Like Joomla, however, learning how to use Drupal can take a long time. This means that while Drupal may be the best choice for large, complex websites that can afford full-time administrators, it’s not suitable for most small business owners.

 

In conclusion

If you’re a small business owner (as many of our clients are) you’ll be wanting to use WordPress. This CMS platform offers everything you need, has a load of designers and developers ready to help and is intuitive to use on your own.

 

What makes a great homepage layout

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When it comes to creating a website for your company, there are a heck of a lot of different approaches you can take. Do you build it mobile first or desktop first? Do you build an app? Do you include a portfolio of your work or testimonials from customers? But often the biggest question is exactly what to put on the homepage.

 

There are so many different routes to take when it comes to design and content. How can you possibly know which is best? The truth is that every business—and therefore every homepage—is unique. We can’t tell you what to put on your homepage unless we’re designing your website. But there are certain things that every great homepage layout has in common. And we’ll be discussing those in today’s blog.  

 

The importance of your homepage

You only get one chance at making a first impression and usually your homepage is it. Your homepage is exactly the same as your storefront. You wouldn’t have the front of your shop looking messy, would you? You’d make sure it presented your business as well as possible. It’s exactly the same for your website.

 

The problem is that, unlike your store, there is no one there to guide the customer around and help them find what they are looking for. As a result, your website’s homepage must be designed in such a way that it answers all the questions a customer could have such as:

 

  • What do you do?
  • Why are you better than your competitors?
  • Where should I go next?
  • How can I get in contact with you?
  • What do you offer?

 

In order to be effective, your homepage has to answer all these questions and more.

What makes a great homepage layout

There are a few elements that are crucial to have on your homepage that will help to answer the questions above.

 

Headline

Here you answer what your company does. It needs to be short, sweet and to the point and instantly get over your company’s proposition in a few words. If someone doesn’t know what you offer, they should have a pretty good idea after reading your homepage headline.

Subheading

Here you expand on your headline, offering more information to the customer.

Call to action

Where should your customer go next for more information or to continue shopping. Think of it like your sales assistant pointing a customer in the right direction.

Image or videos

Images and videos offer a great way to get across your brand message in a much more digestible way than copy. Don’t go overboard with images though, one or two should be enough to convey what you do.

Logo

This is like your instore branding that helps align a customer’s experience to something recognisable and memorable. You shouldn’t change your branding for the web.

Nav bar

The nav bar is the roadmap for your customers helping them get around your site. It is like the aisle signage that tells shoppers what products are down each aisle.

 

These are just some of the elements a great landing page should have. If you want some help making your homepage layout great, our team of web designers are here to help. Get in touch today for a free consultation.

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