Website Design: Knowing Your Options

Proper website design could mean a world of difference when it comes to how visitors see your business. Sites containing colorful, professional layouts get more respect than those with poorer website design. So, you definitely can’t ignore the presence of website design… even if you feel you don’t have the time to fully achieve it.

Of course, if you are really busy, there are alternatives you can consider for achieving the best website design. These alternatives involve using templates or hiring a website designer. In the sections below you will learn the pros and cons of each of these options.

Using Templates
Templates are the most affordable choice for website design. They are widely available off of the Internet often free-of-charge. Additionally, many of them aren’t bad in terms of their looks. However, if you decide to use a template for website design, you lose a bit of originality. Why? Well, with so many of them being available for free, it’s highly possible if not probable that your beloved template is already being used by hundreds if not thousands of others. And, if you’re concerned about branding, the last thing you want is for your website design to already be recognized on other Web pages.

There is also another disadvantage with templates. Sometimes the original designer may incorporate spyware code into the design. And, unless you know how to dispel such coding, you may be stuck with a site full of pop-ups and undesirable links. Of course, this is if you’re lucky. If you get a website template off of a wrong site, you might inadvertently download viruses which could harm your computer.

Hiring a Website Designer
Hiring a website designer is more expensive than getting a template, but it is the best option if you want a unique website free of annoyances. Just make sure that before you hire someone, you check out their portfolio and references. Don’t work with a person who doesn’t know website design like the back of their hand.

If you need help trying to determine which website designer you should use, check with business associates. See who they might recommend. A good Website design company can make a world of difference to your brand identity. The same cannot be said when you use a template, since templates don’t have the knowledge that good website designers have.

7 Cool Business Card Designs

Almost everyone in business has a business card. Handing them out is traditionally the first (or second after a hand shake) that two people in a business setting do. So why have a plain old, everyday business card? Make a bold statement. For example, if your company is about hair and make-up, why not add bobby pins to the card? Or make the card with slots so that the person you hand it to wants more than one? There no limit to what can be accomplished. Here are 7 examples of companies that went outside-the-box to create cool business cards.

What to Look for in a Website Designer

Putting a website together is not easy work. Not only do you have to make sure your content is appropriate, but you also have to pay attention to your site’s design. If both of these elements are not done properly, you risk losing potential visitors. For this reason, you may want to consider hiring a website designer. Through a website designer, your site gets put into the hands of a professional. This means that the process of getting your site up and running on the Web should be successful.

Yet, if you type “website designer” into a search engine, you will have to sift through over 7 million results! This can be really daunting, especially if you don’t know what the characteristics are behind a good website designer. However, with a little bit of common-sense analysis, you can easily determine which website designer is best for you. In fact, this analysis is so simple it can be summed up in three steps: looking at a designer’s portfolio, considering their years in business and finally, evaluating their SEO skills.

1. Looking at the Designer’s Portfolio
Good website designers will have extensive portfolios showcasing their work. In these portfolios, they give you various samples of their website designs. They may also include testimonials from former customers who were pleased with their services. Indeed, through a portfolio, you get a chance to see what a website designer can bring to the table.

2. Considering Their Years in Business
It’s important that a website designer has a few years of experience. This is not to say that newbies can’t give you what you need, but you won’t know for sure since they haven’t had a chance to establish themselves. Yet, if a designer has been in business for 10 years or more, you can be assured that they probably know what they’re doing.

3. Evaluating their SEO Skills
Website design is only part of the equation of site creation. You must also make sure your site is optimized for search engines. An proficient website designer can help in this area, assuming they have basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) skills. If they don’t you may want to look elsewhere, since SEO can not be ignored. If a website designer doesn’t optimize the website for you, then eventually you will have to do it on your own.

So, there you have it. With these three basic guidelines, you should have a better chance of finding a good website designer. In fact, you can make your research even quicker if you look companies with good referrals. Again, make sure that they also have good SEO skills, as you will need traffic to your website. So, what are you waiting for… go on and use your new found knowledge and make the effort of redesigning your company website easier!

Give Your Website Pizzazz with Flash Animation

When Flash was introduced in 1996, the face of the Internet changed completely. With Flash animations, webmasters were able to create websites that were more impressive to visitors. Why? Well, when a user goes to a website with Flash, they are seeing something much more elaborate than an animated GIF. The colors are more brilliant and the graphics are clearer. Additionally, Flash animations take up less space than videos.

However, creating Flash animations is not an easy process. Unless you’re a graphic artist, you might be limited in what you can design. And even then you have to learn how to use the software… a process that may take a few months. Indeed, mastering the creation of Flash animations is not an overnight process.

There’s also the issue of creativity. Just like writing, Flash animation requires a lot of artistic ability. A website with poorly designed Flash animations can result in visitors leaving quickly. They may believe that the amateur Flash animations must point to an amateur site… one that they don’t feel comfortable doing business with.

You can avoid these problems if you get a Web designer to handle your Flash animations. They can create professional Flash animations quickly and easily, saving you a lot of time. Additionally, if you need more work done, Web designers can help you create your site from the ground up. Work with a company that has years of experience creating a plethora of high-quality Flash animations.

Cartoon Network Brands with Older Market

I will tell you upfront that I love old cartoons. Tom & Jerry, Road Runner, even The Flintstones. Cartoons of the past told simple stories and used a lot of slap-stick routines. The Cartoon Network has created a series of commercials that blend a variety of cartoons together from the past and present. Even your kids might appreciate the comparisons.

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This commercial is a blend of two characters from the same era but different production houses: Tom and Speedy.

Cartoon Network New Brand Indentity

I will tell you upfront that I love old cartoons. Tom & Jerry, Road Runner, even The Flintstones. Cartoons of the past told simple stories and used a lot of slap-stick routines. The Cartoon Network has created a series of commercials that blend a variety of cartoons together from the past and present. Even your kids might appreciate the comparisons.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

This commercial is a blend of Dexter and Road Runner.

1,001 Ways to Improve Your Website #989

Be design curious.
The pace of innovation of new and exciting features for all websites has accelerated. More information is available about website design and functionality on the Internet than ever before. And search engines such as Google and Yahoo are improving so that finding exactly what you’re looking for is becoming easier. We know that information is basically free, but many applications that can improve your website are free as well.

Utilize RSS feeds to subscribe to Blogs such as the Marcy Design Blog can help you keep pace with the rapid flow of new ideas. Constantly review other websites to analyse functionality and see if it would work on your website. Contact professional website designers to review your website for effectiveness. Your website, like your business, can always be improved.

Smashing Design

Smashing Magazine has put together a list of cool product designs. Some of the products are in the conceptual phase. but all of them are very interesting. When you’re thinking about designing your website, look to the real world to find innovative solutions. The featured designs range from flexible mobile phones that you can wear on your wrist (I want one!) to modern rocking chairs. Smashing Magazine has other lists of innovative and creative designs within their blog as well. Another section titled: ‘User Experience of the Future’ is also a great resource.