Showing posts with label Web Page Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Web Page Design. Show all posts

Friday, September 26, 2008

Creative Website Web Page Design Works Wonders

You can do it yourself, or you can get someone to do it for you, just make sure it 's done right. We're talking about website web page design here, something that you need to think of right from the start when establishing or reconfiguring your web presence. Your website 's attractiveness and usability depends on excellent website web page design. Web page design done right means a better chance that visitors to your site will stay there. Creative website web page design works wonders for e-commerce because it make a page easy to navigate and read.

What do you need to consider when it comes to web page design? The following are some of the major things to consider in making your pages visually pleasing and user-friendly.

* Contrast: Contrast adds visual interest to a web page. Contrast occurs when two web page elements are visually different. This makes them stand out. This makes each one get noticed. If things look a little different, it 's not striking enough. You want them looking the same for visual harmony or totally different for obvious contrast. Add contrast to your web pages to spark visitors' interest in the contrasting elements.

* Proximity: When designing your web page, items relating to one another should be grouped close together. Related items grouped together become one visual chunk or unit. This means your visitors do not have to look everywhere for related information. With proximity of related information, your page is organized and less confusing to a reader. It gives a general impression of clarity and structure.

* Alignment: You should not place anything on your web page haphazardly. You do not want your web page to resemble an avant-garde artist 's splashing, unless you're an avant-garde artist promoting your work. Every element on your web page needs to have some connection to another element on your web page. This gives your page cohesiveness and a clean, organized look that allows for comfortable eye travel from one element to the next.

* Repetition: The repeated use of visual elements is very important in website web page design. This could be color, shapes, graphics, photos, shapes, background textures and spatial relationships. It could also be fonts, sizes and thickness of lines and borders. Repetition promotes an organized, pleasing appearance and gives unity to a website.

Consider the four basic web page design elements above and then consider some of these additional points to make your website web page design appealing:

* Make sure your navigation links are readily available at the top or sides of your page. Don't make your web page visitors have to scroll down the page searching for the navigation tabs.

* Try not to make your visitor scroll sideways. That 's annoying too. Have everything viewable within the frame, so there is no side-to-side scrolling movement to find text and graphics.

* Don't use a gaudy fluorescent background color for your web page, especially with text of similar luminosity. Those elements are eye-killers. You want your readers to have a comfortable reading experience. They do not want to feel they're witnessing an online fireworks display as they read.

* Don't use "default blue" for your link colors or even your main text. Show some ingenuity: use text and link colors appropriate to your web page theme. The "default blue" is a sign of laziness in website web page design and shows a lack of creativity and sophistication for the web design process.

* Don't overdo the bold words on your web page. Bold words with extreme care because you lessen the effect of this design element when there are as many bold words as plain type words on a web page.

Finally, clean and simple is something to give great thought to when designing a web page. Most people do not enjoy clutter in their home. Consequently, they certainly will not enjoy clutter on your web pages. Clutter on web pages gives the impression you're not very organized. It also conveys the message that you're not very professional.

Remember, website web page design is a tool for presenting you and your website properly to your visitors. Your web pages are ambassadors for your business. You want them organized and structured, while still full of creativity and your unique business personality. Website web page design means doing the homework necessary to get it right. Let well-planned, creative design work wonders for your business.

About the Author

Chris Coleman is a Business Analyst at Capita Technologies. Capita Technologies provides web design services for a wide variety of clients.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Good Web Page Designs - The Right Colors Equals More Cash

I wonder if you knew that visitors to your website form an instant opinion? And they form it about you and your offer. They can't help themselves. Their instant opinion is formed in their subconscious mind. It happens automatically. Your site visitors can't help themselves. It has absolutely nothing to do with the text on your website. In fact, their instant opinion is formed before the visitor will have read a single word of your copy.

The quality of the images on your web page won't make any difference. Their quality doesn't affect in this instant opinion. You might think if you make an unrepeatable offer, that your visitor is bound to be swayed by that! I'm sorry, the instant opinion clicks in, and your brilliant offer lies unseen. This is because the second your page is displayed your subconscious mind goes to work, and the instant opinion begins to form. By now, you are probably wondering just what it is that has this power. Exactly what can have an immediate reaction in your site visitors. This may surprise you, but the answer is colors. Your visitor 's instant opinion of your website is primarily due to the color scheme which you have used.

The spooky thing about this is that as a web page viewer we can do nothing about this. Colors evoke an intuitive reaction which we have no control over.' There isn't anything we can do about this. Colors has an affect on each of us. As you will know, millions are spent by big companies in deciding the correct colors of new products and in their marketing campaigns. What they fully understand is the psychological power of colors. And they use this to the maximum in their promotions. The right colors can be the critical factor in the success of big company products. What this leads us on to that colors have a key element to play in the design of web pages. Colors on a computer screen also invoke this subconscious reaction in us all.

By the psychological power you could encourage your website visitors to leave your page the instant they see it. No matter what your website is about, it may simply be unsuccessful due to the colors you're using. Forget the text, it might never be read! But all is not lost. In the same way that colors can be a turn off, it is possible to create a positive feeling through the use of colors. This color psychology is nothing new. This has been with us for generations. It doesn't make any difference whether you know about color power, your subconscious mind is affected.

For example, a particular color scheme could convey a good feeling in each of us. However, a different color scheme might convey not so good feelings. If you do this, then you will be conveying a trust, sense of belonging and warmth. If you get your colors wrong, you could be conveying negative feelings like distrust, rejection and coolness. The following list gives an idea of the emotions associated with their respective colors:

RED
Strength, danger, leadership, love, excitement, sense of power, energy etc

ORANGE
Confidence, cheerfulness, steadfastness, courage, comfort, friendliness, playfulness etc

YELLOW
curiosity, caution, intelligence, amusement, brightness, organization, joy etc

GREEN
Life, healing, harmony, food, money, nature, health etc

BLUE
Love, patience, trustworthiness, acceptance, peace, stability, tranquility etc

PURPLE
Independence, ambition, dignity, wisdom, royalty, luxury, nobility etc

BROWN
Reliability, primitive, comfort, tribal, earthiness, nature, durability etc

BLACK
Wealth, dramatic, power, style, elegance, formality, sophistication etc

WHITE
Purity, goodness, easy, cleanliness, fresh, innocence, simplicity etc

In summary, the color scheme you use on your web pages need to be reflected by the product or offering you make. What happens is that the subconscious mind of your visitor will attempt to reconcile the colors with the message. If it can't, it will lose interest. And you may never see them again. It is important therefore that your website uses the right color scheme. If you can achieve this, you will produce better results from your website. In summary, the difference between the right and wrong color scheme on your website can be the difference between profit and loss.

About the Author

Brian McGregor is an internet entrepreneur and business consultant, and author of the ebook CASH COLORS. If the topic of good web page designs is of interest to you, CASH COLORS shows how to make your web page colors work for you, as opposed to against you. http://www.cash-colors.com

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Commission Hijacker Hidden Inside Your Web Page Design!

As a person almost obsessed with Web site marketing, I am often at odds with my Web site designer friends as to what is important. They know that I love them and I mean no offense so all is good.

For all Web masters especially those who count on commissions selling other people’s products, some Web design flaws could really hurt. The following are some common and some not so common flaws that can rob you of commissions by masking your affiliate links from visitors without your knowledge, sending the visitors to wrong landing pages, lowering your Web sites search engine ranking and wasting your valuable time on maintenance and tracking.

Fixing these flaws creates a clear path to more productive Web design and higher commissions.

1- Error 404 Disease.

Test your Web site for this widespread and deadly disease that keeps sending your potential customers to the never land of server error 404. Go to your Web site home page, which in our case is http://www.askdomain.com. Then add a slash and something after the main url. For example, “emailmarketing.html”. The complete url of this example is http://www.askdomain.com/emailmarketing.html

What will you see? Our home page, right?

Now, go to your own Web site and repeat the process. Enter a url from a page on your Web site that you know does not exist. Do you see a message related to error 404? If so, your Web site is losing hard earned traffic and potential customers. Contact your Internet hosting provider to help you cure this and place a customized error message on your site. A custom error 404 message displays your sales message or redirects these lost visitors to your home page.

2- Long Affiliate Links & Ad Blockers

Long affiliate links always create problems especially when they break up in email campaigns. But now there is a more serious threat: Ad blocking. These ad blocking scripts view your affiliate links and banners as advertising, assume the client doesn’t want to see them and block them entirely from view. The dark humor in this is you’re your stats show the banners and links as displayed but the visitors do not see them. What will this do to your sales and commissions?

The most popular Internet Security and Firewall software comes with default ad blocking ON! Most if not all users will never take the time to turn it off for your sake or mine.

This blessing in disguise forces us to solve several marketing issues at the same time.The solution is fairly simple and it is done in four steps.

Step one - Create an internal directory and call it something like merchants or resources. We use “find” in one of our Web sites.

http://www.dailyfinder.com/find/

Step two - Create a page and name it after the merchant. In this case we called it “the business end of Websites.” The complete url looks like:

http://www.dailyfinder.com/find/the-business-end-of-websites--v19605.htm

Step three - Within your page, you can place a redirect url code. So instead of showing a link to :

http://www.prowebvalue.com/?hop=optiword

You show a link to:

http://www.dailyfinder.com/find/the-business-end-of-websites--v19605.htm

Of course in this example we are using a little more sophisticated system and database driven Web site and this is why you see those strange code “v19605.”

Go ahead and test both urls, you will not see any difference in destination, but Ad blockers may block the first one but not the second one. You can lose commissions using one and get paid using the other. Significant difference, don’t you agree?

This process will also help improve keyword base internal linking which we will discuss more in later articles.

3- Published Work-In-Progress

Don’t use your Web site as a filing cabinet for work-in-progress projects. Any time you place your work-in-progress page or script on your Web site, you risk having them included in search engines. Go to Google and type in:
site:www.yourwebsite.com

At risk of making it too obvious I like to mention that in the above url I mean for you to replace the term “yourwebsite” with your actual Web site.

Look at the list. Are these pages you want to have listed on the search engines? Click on a few links, do they end in error 404?

Remember that every unproductive page of your Web site may replace a productive and completed page on Google and other search engine directories. Can you see the damage this could cause? Yes, we can always recover but how long will it take?

Work-in-progress does not belong on your Web site. Complete your projects before you place them on line.

Warning - Before you remove any pages, make sure you have a back up and your customized error 404 is in place.

4- Missing robot.txt file.

Some directories and files are necessary for running your Web site but have no marketing value that you want to announce to the world. Robot.txt text file tells search engines to leave these files alone and do not index and show them to Web surfers.
For example, your image directory or your policies directory does not contain anything of value so you tell visiting search engines not to bother with them. An example of robot.txt file that excludes these directories is:

User-agent: *
Disallow: /images/
Disallow: /policies/

For more details refer to http://www.robotstxt.org/wc/norobots.html

Do you have a robot.txt file on your Web site?

May both Web site pages and days of your life be productive.

About the Author
For additional information visit: search engine marketing, Web marketing, and Web page design.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

How to Create an Enjoyable Web Page Design

by: Lala C. Ballatan

Novice and professional designers alike – you may probably be skilled enough of any one or all of the techniques in creating a Web page and designing them. However, not all designs, even those made by authorities in the field, prove to be enjoyable and entertaining enough for the users. This is a fact that we hope does not irk some of our design enthusiasts and discourage them from honing their skills.

In terms of honing your skills in Web design, here are several pointers that will give you a chance to make enjoyable designs on a web site. These elements should be kept in mind to make it easier for your customers to interact with your web page, get satisfied with what they’re looking for and thoroughly have an enjoyable experience.

A logo is required – it’s high time for your business to acquire a logo. The logo is a means to define the look, feel and direction of your business. The concept of your logo will eventually transfer over to your web page design.

The purpose is required and you must understand it – you must identify the objective of creating a Web page. Various companies have various reasons for putting up a Web site, you should have a major purpose, too. And you must be consistent with it in your Web pages.

The goal should be identified – evaluate each page and align it with the goal you have for it. You might have an ultimate goal of having clients contact you and inquire about your services. If that is so, then you must create your Web page in a logical sequence wherein you will provide for instruction for your clients to contact you.

A navigation system that’s not confusing – your navigation system must be consistent throughout your site. It would not help you gain more visitors if your recent visitors get helplessly confused in the middle of your site and decide to close the window. The information may be good, but visitors don’t want to waste time thinking where to click next and how to make certain pop up windows appear.

Fast loading of your pages is a needed as much as possible - your corporate identity is reflected in the graphics and navigation inside your Web page. But they must be optimized for fast loading. Loading a page in 20 seconds or more is too long already for Web surfers.

Having readable pages are important – Avoid dark colored backgrounds and heavily patterned pages in your site. This tends to make your text confusing and hard to ready. Most visitors do not find it enjoyable to spend time in a Web site that they have difficulty deciphering. This also goes with small sized texts and very large texts where text that is too large can make it appear as if you are screaming at your viewers.

Technical jargons are a no-no – avoid the use of technical jargons that will just be ignored by readers. Make your users understand you and you will be able to connect with your target audience.

Create templates for consistency – all the elements in your site is guaranteed to be consistent if you provide a template. Having the navigation system and all common elements in the same place throughout your site is a great help. It makes it easier for your visitors to find information, and enjoy their experience. Having a template for you to work from makes creating new pages easier.

Use CSS style sheets – to have your users be instructed easily on how to get the contents of your page use the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). There are several typographical information that you’ll found in CSS such as fonts, font size, colors, and spacing.

Frames are not advisable – in dividing the Web page into multiple windows, some designers use frames as a technique. The reasons for not using them tend to outweigh the reasons to use them since several browsers still do not support frame sites. Search engine optimization is affected then. It is best to create non-frames site first and then see if frames adds any functionality that your visitors would miss.

These elements are basic principles that any designer must live by. By remembering them, you will find even more reasons to enjoy brandishing your skills in Web design and make users enjoy your Web pages, too. -30-

About The Author

Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate, with a major in Journalism. Right after graduating last 1999, she worked for one year as a clerk then became a Research, Publication and Documentation Program Director at a non-government organization, which focuses on the rights, interests and welfare of workers for about four years.

Book reading has always been her greatest passion -- mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers, historical documentaries and classics. She got hooked into it way back when she was but a shy kid.

Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries. With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it, to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear witness.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com
articles@ucreative.com

Sunday, November 18, 2007

A Beginners Guide to Web Page Design

by: Michael Turner

Designing your own successful web page can seem difficult and nearly impossible if you do not do a little research first. The reason you need to know the basics of web page design is because the design of your website will actually influence whether or not people continue to visit your site and ultimately, whether they will buy from you or not. Obviously, a lot is riding on your website design so it is worthwhile to take this seriously and put some effort into doing it right the first time.

Design #1 Color

Any important aspect of your design process should include the use of color. Color affects people psychologically and different colors have positive and negative attributes or feelings they can evoke and men and women respond to different colors more positively than others. So, figure out your target audience, what you are selling, and what colors will best help you persuade your target audience to stay on your web page and to buy from you.

Design #2 Organization

A design flaw many beginners run into is organization. Your website must be well organized, and not just to you, but to the average person who has never visited your site before. It should be obvious where the information is and how visitors can get to it without wading through a lot of other links and information they are not interested in. Check out some larger, more successful sites to see how they deal with organization and just follow their lead.

Design #3 Too Much Text

Be careful about writing too much text and loading it to your website. Different types of writing is more appropriate for the Internet and in general bullet points, bold words, short paragraphs, and the like help break up a lot of text and make it easier to read. If you have a huge block of text on your web page, it is unlikely people will actually put forth the effort to sit down and read it. Make it easy for people to get the information.

Design #4 Too Many Graphics

Too many graphics is another design mistake by beginners. Graphics can be very useful, however if you use too many graphics you cut out the text you can use which is how search engines find your website and rank you in search results. Don’t handicap yourself with the search engines by using too many graphics.

Design #5 Focus

Beginners often times do not have a clear focus of their website before they start designing it and it appears unorganized, unfocused, and the point of the web page is a bit vague. Come up with a plan and outline the major points and focus of your website design before you start.

About The Author

Michael Turner reveals step-by-step how you can increase search engine traffic in his free 7 part mini-series. Grab it now at http://www.powertraffictactics.com/

info@powertraffictactics.com

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Why Not Have A One Web Page Design Until You Are Ready For A Full Web Site?

by: Ralph Ramah

A number of web design customers coming to us have only recently set up a business. In fact some have not even set up their business and are exploring ideas with regards to a web design. Designing a full fledge web site can be costly, depending on what type of web design you are looking for. If you are not sure about your business, your products and services, let alone your corporate identity, you might not be ready to invest into a web design project. If you have just started your business a one page web site or web page design might be the answer for you. The one web page design has several advantages.

Nowadays, whether you like it or not, every business has its web site. More than likely you need a web page design as well. But you do not require a full several pages web design from the outset. You can still have a web page with your logo, a nice web design, your contact details, some texts about your business, products or services and be part of the online business community.

Indeed, there are a number of web page design companies that are offering affordable web design solutions for small businesses which are not ready to invest in a large web design project. One of the most popular web page design web sites are those that allow you to have your web page design, a domain name, a hosting and your web site online in a few simple steps. How does it work?

Discount Web Design offers such a web page design product which is popular with business starters. Just visit the site, select Business Starter Web Page Design and follow the simple 5 step web page design process. First, check if your domain name is available. Then choose your web design from a number of templates. Just click on the web design that best suits your needs and proceed to step 2. Here you can easily upload your logo if you have one or order a logo online. Step 3, type in your company contact details and some text in the boxes provided. Preview your web page design, if you like what you see, click on the order button to securely pay online. Once your payment is cleared, allow 48 hours for your web page design to be published online on your own domain name.

Once your web page design is published you will also receive five email addresses with your domain name. The web page design will look professional and you can have your own web site, on the internet within 48 hours at a very affordable price. Discount Web Design will also place a link to your web page design from our web site which is already indexed by the major search engines. This means that your web page design will also get picked up by search engines in time. Having a web page design online will help your domain name and web site with Search Engine Optimisation. The longer your domain name is online, the better it is. Obviously, in time you can use the same domain name and hosting account to publish a full web design with several pages. Until then, your web page design will be accumulating Search Engine Optimisation by just being online. Search Engines like established sites, even if it is a one web page design.

There are then some definite advantages to getting your one page web design online as soon as you can. It’s easy and affordable. Your customers can see your web presence through your web page design and it is working in your favour with the search engines.

About The Author

Ralph Ramah is the webmaster of Discount Web Design, one of the leading web design company in the UK offering quality web site design and SEO services.
For more information visit us at: http://www.discountwebdesign.co.uk or http://www.webdesignmedia.co.uk