All good web designers know not to overlook specific aspects of web design like navigation. Navigation is just what it sounds like – how people get around on your website. If your site is lacking in effective navigation, it is not going to work for your business the way you need it. Here are some reasons why website navigation is so important.
Web Navigation
People can enter your site from several different pages.
Some people make the mistake of designing their website entirely on the home page. It is important to remember, however, that a multitude of your site’s pages may be ranked simultaneously by search engines. People will be able to access your website from pages other than your homepage. Without proper navigation, visitors could get stuck on a page and not be able to move on to explore more of your site.
You don’t want to put your site visitors to work.
Simply put, users don’t want to work hard to explore your site. A lousy navigation network can mean multiple clicks (and guesses) to get the desired information. If you force your visitors to put in too much effort, you will lose their interest. And you will lose them.
Your site should be well-organized.
Again, this comes down to helping your site visitors find what they need, with as little effort as possible. You can’t expect people to understand how to get where they want to go automatically. Navigation is your way of organizing your site. For example, by making good use of primary navigation, secondary navigation, menus, and internal linking, you can create a user experience that is likely to keep people interested, and loyal, to your site.
If they can’t find it, they can’t read it.
You put a lot of money and time into creating, aggregating, and commissioning content for your site. Simply put, if your website is not designed with navigation in mind, your visitors won’t be able to find your content. If they can’t find it, they can’t read it. So what good is that content?
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone at (561) 543-2892 or email: [email protected]
When people think of web design, they often think of things like graphics, page layout, and attention-grabbing fonts. And yes, these elements are certainly part of web design. The truth is, however, that web design essentials encompass much more than just aesthetics. Are you interested in learning more about what makes a great website design? Then check out these five must-have website design essentials:
Navigation.
Navigation pertains to how people will get around on your site. You can’t make them work for it. You want all of your content to be readily available, and good navigation is the answer. Use primary navigation, secondary navigation, text menus, internal links, search boxes, and breadcrumbs wisely. Do this throughout your site to ensure your site visitors can easily find what they are looking for.
Leading the eye
Navigating through the site, you must also help visitors determine how to focus their attention on each page. You must “lead the eye,” so to speak, by strategically applying weighting, placement, positioning, spacing, and highlighting techniques to guide your visitors from areas of primary importance to supporting or secondary areas.
Typography
The type and size of font you use will significantly impact the user experience and will go a long way in creating the impression you want (or even one you don’t want if you are not careful). Additionally, you must consider line spacing, text effects, line length, paragraph size, and emphasis (italics and bold) when placing your typography.
Clarity
While it may be tempting to pack your website with all the neat graphics and informative content you can, it is more important that your site visitors can quickly ascertain what is on your page. Keep in mind that simplicity is almost always preferable over complexity when it comes to web design and that too many visuals (or too much information) could end up looking like nothing more than a jumbled mess to your site visitors.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Your site is no good if others can’t find it on the web. When it comes to design essentials, good SEO practices include using alt text for images, no-following outbound links that are irrelevant to the site, and labeling page titles and headers effectively.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone at (561) 543-2892 or email: [email protected]
Your business logo is tantamount to the effectiveness of your business branding, and ultimately to the overall success of your business. It is responsible for the lasting impression your business leaves on the consumer market, and for the sake of your business, you’d best make sure your logo leaves the impression you intend. Fortunately, there are some undeniable do’s and don’t when it comes to logo design, and if you stick to those rules, you should be well on your way to choosing a design that works. Here are 3 logo design tips you should not ignore:
Less is more
While it may be tempting to cram every important element you can think of into your logo, keep in mind that this could work against you in a major way. When it comes to logo design, less is definitely more, and there are several decades worth of evidence to prove it. (Consider Nike’s unmistakable swoosh, McDonald’s golden arches, and Apple’s apple. What do they all have in common? Simplicity.) If you need further convincing, take a complex logo, shrink it down to business card size, and watch it turn into a muddled mess.
Keep it timeless
When coming up with your logo design, be sure to avoid current trends. Why? Because trends tend to go out of style just as quickly as they came into style. Your logo should stand the test of time, as it is the image you want to indelibly etch into peoples’ minds. It won’t be nearly effective if you are constantly changing it . . . and if it is only relevant now because it is in line with current trends, you will inevitably have to change it.
Take into account the reverse-out
Even when it comes to color, you should keep in mind the less is more rule. However, you also need to take into consideration what your logo will look like reversed-out in black and white. There will be occasions when you will need to use your logo in this way (newspaper ads, for example), so be sure that your logo design translates well when it goes from color to grayscale.
These 3 Logo Design Tips Require Action
A lot goes into building your brand, and your business logo is one of your most powerful branding tools. Don’t skimp when it comes to creating, growing, and strengthening your brand.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone, at (239) 400-0622, or email: [email protected]
Your logo is much more than just a pretty picture on your letterhead. It is a symbol for your business, and the one thing people will most associate with your business name. Creating an effective logo is a serious endeavor. Here are seven essential rules to follow when designing a logo:
Hire a professional
Unless you are a graphic artist with experience in marketing and logo design, you need to leave the task of creating a logo in the hands of professionals. Keep in mind that an unprofessional logo will look amateurish to potential customers – not exactly the message you want to relay about your business, right?
Stay away from trends
Your logo should withstand the test of time, with only minimal changes. If you want your logo to stay relevant, then you need to avoid current design trends and focus on representing a unique aspect of your business.
Keep it simple
Your logo needs to be easy to remember and must translate in a variety of mediums and sizes. Studies show that the most successful logos are also the simplest. Choose shapes that are not too complex, use a basic font (like Arial or Helvetica), and try to use no more than three or four colors.
Do your research
The purpose of your logo is to help your business stand out. Therefore, it needs to be unique. Before you commit to a logo design, make sure you do enough research to ensure that your logo does not resemble anyone else’s logo.
Keep it original
Don’t make the mistake of using clipart anywhere in your logo. Anyone who has access to a computer or the Internet has access to the same clipart you do; therefore, a clipart logo equates to an unoriginal logo.
Reverse it out
There will be some occasions when your logo must be used in black and white. Therefore, you need to take this into consideration when designing a logo. If your logo is not effective when it is reversed out, then it’s back to the drawing board for you.
Make sure it translates
Consider the wide array of mediums your logo will be used in – from business cards to web pages – and design a logo that translates well in every type of media. This means your logo must look just as good on a giant billboard as it does on a tiny mobile device screen.
Don’t skimp when it comes to building your brand.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone, at (239) 400-0622, or email: [email protected]
Your logo is one of the most important components of your business branding. Studies show that people are more responsive to images than they are to text, so it is safe to say that your logo is more powerful when it comes to marketing than anything you may be able to write about your business. Unfortunately, many businesses overlook the importance of the logo and take shortcuts that end up costing them in the long run. If you want to create an effective logo, then be sure to avoid these top five common logo design mistakes:
Using clipart
Clipart graphics are those that come installed with your word processing program, or that you can find in bulk online. What’s wrong with clipart? Anyone who has a computer and/or Internet access can find and use clipart . . . which means that business logos made of clipart are generic, unimaginative, and unoriginal.
Not hiring a professional
Amateur logos are easy to spot, and as your logo is just as important to your branding as your website and advertising, you should hire a professional to create your logo, just as you would hire a professional to handle those other important tasks. Remember that your logo speaks for you. What is it saying? If it is not professional-grade, then it will probably be saying something like, “I’m cheap,” or, “I’m amateur.”
Not being original
The purpose of your logo is to stand out from the crowd and give people an impression that will last. Do plenty of research before you finalize (or approve) your logo design, to make sure that your logo does not look even slightly similar to someone else’s. If you need help with ideas, concentrate on what makes your business unique, and how you can relay that unique quality in graphic form.
Not accounting for scaling
Your logo will have to expand to fit large advertisements, and as well, it will have to shrink to fit on things like business cards and letterheads. If your logo is too complex, it could become just a jumbled mess when you scale it down. If your logo image doesn’t shrink well, you will need a new image.
Being too trendy
Avoid following design and color trends when creating your logo. Remember that your logo should stand the test of time and that you should make changes to it only when absolutely necessary, and as little often as possible.
Don’t skimp when it comes to building your brand.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone, at (239) 400-0622, or email: [email protected]
Whеn thе saint preaches tranquility оf life, artist preaches tranquility оf design”, said Van Zeller. If уоu say art аnd business walk side bу side thеn іt іѕ nоt wrong. Tо brand а product оr company, іt ѕhоuld bе wеll designed.
It іѕ аn art and а science. Thе art іѕ іn interpreting key competitive advantages visually. Thе science іѕ іn knowing how tо uѕе аnу аnd аll media available tо connect уоu wіth уоur audience.
Whаt do уоu need tо know whіlе designing а brand?
If wе go tо understand ‘Brand” thеn іn simple terms, ” Brand іѕ name, term, sign, symbol, design оr combination оf аll.” Brand design іѕ аn enhancement іn current brand look.
Describing brand design іn detail, Paul Barlow says, “Brand design encompasses а vast array оf design disciplines, frоm traditional graphics skills tо digital design, broadcast animation, retail, interiors аnd even architecture. Now products thеmѕеlvеѕ аrе coming under thе wing оf brand design аѕ each аnd еvеrу manifestation оf аn organization starts tо communicate thе brand values”.
Elements
Thе most powerful element іn process оf brand designing іѕ ‘Color’.
Color
Get attention. Uѕе color like red, yellow, black оr аnу bright color thаt gets уоu tо notice. Hоwеvеr building synergy requires balance оf proportions, position оf product аnd іtѕ category ассоrdіng tо product. Thе powerful color does nоt оnlу represent іtѕ strength but аlѕо іtѕ stability tоо. Fоr example, thе design оf XEROX – Thе Document Company uses blue, black, red, yellow аnd green circles, whісh explains color whеn уоu need іt.
Style
Thе best layout thаt provides maximum stands оut аn effect fоr brand. An artistic movement minimalism ICICI uses іt wіth overlapping оf orange аnd brown rounds аnd іn bеtwееn thе uѕе оf text wіth bold transparent “I”. Thе launch campaign fоr Hutch bу Ogilvy uses minimalist aesthetics tо powerful effect- thе large, blank “white spaces” wіth а tight close-uр оf а smiling face, аnd а crisp, bold “Hi” wаѕ striking, аnd immediately moved Hutch into а league аll іtѕ own.
Border
Music іѕ hidden but greatly integrated element іn brand designing. Designing іѕ nоt limited оnlу tо color аnd curves. Uѕе оf special theme аnd establish а new identity іn a еvеr-present way. Take thе jingles оf Nescafe оr Titan. Airtel reached tо new frontiers іn branding whеn іt unveiled A R Rehman’s catchy signature theme аnd used іt tо асtuаllу define thе brand.
Designing Digital Economy
Moving tо digital economy, оn thе Internet, уоu оnlу have one second tо make а powerful impression, tо establish уоur professionalism аnd start building trust, tо generate thе interest оf уоur target audience аnd tо begin downloading уоur value proposition аnd tо initiate compelling sales overture.
Brand designing іn аn e-commerce perspective іѕ more thаn just aesthetically pleasing graphic design. Thе design оf thе graphic user interfaces оn thе Internet іѕ often оf critical importance. Full оf brand-building Flash, sluggish multimedia plug-ins, overindulgent mission statements оr content thаt serves no еnd. Have а tactical rationale fоr thе placement оf еvеrу graphic, еvеrу image аnd еvеrу word. Thuѕ design knowledge based brand.
In thе design process, companies саn integrate knowledge оf thеіr customers’ needs аnd wishes directly wіth new knowledge аbоut materials аnd design – оr wіth knowledge аbоut thе new opportunities thаt lie іn thе uѕе оf information аnd communication technology tо profile thеmѕеlvеѕ аnd thеіr products.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. We can be reached by phone, at (239) 400-0622, or email: [email protected]
Every website is different, making pricing an “art” more than a “science” with web developers using many methods to determine the cost of web design. There are four common types of web design pricing today: Hourly rates, Project price, Package rates, and Per page. Below we describe each of the common methods for website pricing. If you already have a requirements list for your website, ask for a quote.
Charging hourly
A prevalent way for web designers to charge is by the hour. Depending on the experience, your location, and many other factors, the hourly rate can be anywhere from $10 outsourced overseas to $200 per hour for a high-level consultant! It is is a vast difference, but you can find both and everything in between.
The important thing is to remember – you do “get what you pay for.” Make sure the web developer is worth the rate they charge. Always check with the designer’s past clients. Standard hourly rates:
Student/Offshore: $10-$30/hour
Freelancer: $35-$100/hour
Expert Consultant: $50-$200/hour
Company: $75-$150/hour
Per project pricing
Many web design firms will give you a set price to complete your project. It can be a good option. Make sure you have a thorough and complete requirements list before you begin the project. A good design firm will break out each proposal section with a list of features, specifications, and assumptions for each section of your website. Please make sure you get it in writing, so you both have clear expectations. Typical pricing for projects:
Outsourced Offshore: $500 – $15,000
US Designer: $3,000 – $20,000
US Web Design Firm: $5,000 – $50,000
Package rates
Many web designers will have pre-made packages that are usually cheaper than the project model. The drawback of packages is that they try and fit your business into a pre-made website that might not have all the bells and whistles a custom site has. Most designers, however, will have a flat package rate then allow you to request customization at an additional charge. Package rates at Pragmatic Web Design begin at $299 for up to 3 pages.
Per page pricing
Some web designers charge a flat rate per page; this can range from as low as $50 to $200 per page. This pricing is usually for basic static brochure websites that do not require a lot of custom features. The per-page price may go down with a bulk discount depending on the number of pages you need. Typically, designers with less experience are the ones who usually charge per page prices.
Brochure websites
In this day and age, a company needs to have an online presence and a corporate brochure site. A “brochure” site means a website that serves as an online brochure that gives general information about your company’s products and services. A brochure site does not have complex database programming, e-commerce, or lots of interactivity. It serves as an online advertisement that features graphic design. These websites may start for as little as $500 or be as high as $2,500.
Complex websites
E-commerce, Corporate or Commercial websites can range from very simple to very complex. There are quite a few things to consider when preparing to budget. More complex sites feature a greater level of interactivity and database integration. You may need a private intranet for employee communication and document sharing, or an extranet to share information and track vendors and customers. If you choose the lowest price possible, you will probably not get any qualified providers to respond. These websites usually start around $5,000 and can go as high as $25,000 depending on the complexity. Sites can go as high as $100,000.
Summary
If you have a requirements list for your website or would like to develop one, call 239-400-0622 or email [email protected]a request for a quote. At Pragmatic Web Designer, we make estimating a project easy. Package pricing is online, and our other rates are $50 an hourly or $100 a page. A requirements list is the basis for project proposals.
When it comes to building your brand, your website is one of your most powerful tools. Contact Dr. John Elcik at identityXperts to handle all of your web design needs. You can reach us by phone at (561) 543-2892 or email: [email protected]