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AO Design0 Copyright (c) 2010,2011 AO Design -. All rights reserved. http://aodesign.com/ AO Design WEB Site Design, Art work, Custom Web site Design en-us Sat, 25 May 2013 23:46:56 +0000 5 AO Design 303 75 http://aodesign.com/ http://aodesign.com/images/logo.jpg Effective Web Design Tips http://aodesign.com/blog/effective-web-design-tips http://aodesign.com/rss.php?id=6 AO Design Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:36:00 +0000 <h1>Web Design Tips To Drive Your Online Success</h1> By: David Watson So, how does web design really impact your online success anyway? Well, for many businesses, their website is merely an extension of a physical store front or place of business. Just like all other marketing pieces, a website aids customers in making their buying decision. Here are a few web design tips that will help your business be success online. <h2>KIS Method of Web Design – Keep It Simple</h2> When laying out your pages or writing content, it is always best to keep it simple. The effective use of whitespace and standard layouts greatly affects the readability and aesthetics of your site. If the site is too cluttered, it is difficult for viewers to find the information that they are looking for. Remember: The web is all about instant gratification. It has been said that you have 2-3 seconds to capture your viewer’s attention. Website viewers want to be able to find what they are looking for within a matter of seconds. One way to capture your viewer’s attention is through effective use of white space. White space gives your viewers’ eyes a break. When done correctly, whitespace can effectively point your visitors to the “call to action” areas of your site. <h3>Standard Layouts for Web Design</h3> Three-column layouts are considered favorable in web design because viewers are accustomed to it. Newspapers, magazines and other printed materials have used this layout for years. And while it may seem cumbersome, viewers will appreciate the familiarity. So, stick with what works. <h3>Using Fonts in Web Design</h3> As with the overall design and layout, the fonts you use and written content should be kept simple. Here are a few rules when thinking about fonts: 1)      Minimize the number of fonts that are used on the site to two, at most, three different fonts. 2)      Use serif fonts for Headings 3)      Use sans serif fonts for text – script fonts are extremely difficult to read on screen. 4)      Use standard fonts like Arial, Geneva, Verdana and Helvetica – unique fonts may not be readily available as a standard font for all viewers. 5)      Use appropriately sized fonts – while it may be tempting to use extremely large fonts, be careful of their connotation. You do not want to leave your viewers feeling as though you have just shouted at them. 6)      Save bold text for important pieces of information only. Stick to these basic rules for fonts, so your viewers receive your message loud and clear. <h3>Images for the Web</h3> “A picture is worth 1000 words.” And this is especially true on the web. Using images can be a powerful means of delivering your “call to action” message, stir emotions in your viewers or create a lasting impression. Here are a few tips for using images effectively: <ul> <li>Keep images small to speed up load times. 10K - 12K is a good rule of thumb. No one likes waiting for a site to load. If left waiting too long, your potential viewers will move on.</li> <li>Make sure images are relevant to the content. Nothing cries amateur more than images that have absolutely nothing to do with the message of the site.</li> <li>Minimize the use blinking or flashing images. If at all possible, avoid using these. If they must be used, use them sparingly to avoid distracting your viewers.</li> <li>Limit the number of images used per page. While images can add to your content or overall message, too many can have the opposite effect.</li> </ul> <h3>User-friendly Navigation</h3> Understanding the where’s and why’s of website navigation is essential. Your website’s navigation opens doors to all areas of your site for your viewers. These doors lead them through your site and the buying process. As a result, your navigation must: Intuitive - viewers must be able to find what they are looking for without having to think about where to go next. Easy – as we said before, viewers like to be able to find things quickly. The more simple the navigation, the more quickly information is found. Minimal – Turn viewers into customers in as few clicks as possible. The easier it is to buy, the more likely your viewers are to do so. Effective web design plays an integral role in your business’ success on the web. Understanding the logistics of web design will not give you a polished image, it will also provide your viewers with a positive, user-friendly environment that will appeal to them. As a result, you will see higher conversion rates on your site and more sales for your business. What Effect Does Web Design have on Austin Businesses? http://aodesign.com/blog/what-effect-does-web-design-have-on-austin-businesses http://aodesign.com/rss.php?id=7 AO Design Fri, 18 May 2012 15:54:00 +0000 <h1>What Effect Does Web Design have on Austin Businesses?</h1> By: David Watson <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">Web design </a>and Austin businesses go hand-in-hand. The design of a website speaks volumes to the credibility of a business. Austin has experienced such tremendous growth that Forbes names Austin the number one metropolitan area for jobs in 2012. Austin has also become home to many start-up businesses because of its proximity to many hi-tech companies and its growth in biotech and life sciences, now #12 in the United States. As a start-up company, one of the most important growth factors is marketing. Today, <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> is such an integral part of a business’ marketing strategy. Nearly every business has a website and utilizes it to convey their history, mission, products and other relevant information to their potential customers. Web sites and <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> are so vital to businesses, that Austin business owners invest thousands of dollars and a significant amount of time in developing their websites. But how much of an impact does design really have on the success of a business anyway? A website represents a business to local, regional, national and international customers. It details the company, its people and its products and services, so that potential customers can make educated buying decisions. A well designed website will lend credibility to a business and improve the customers experience with that business. The better the experience, the more likely a customer is to repeating business with that business. In essence, <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> is the life blood of the businesses presence on the Internet. Yet many business owners do not fully understand what web design entails. Web design is not just about creating “the look.” <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">Web design</a> also affects the flow and storage of information; as well as the user-friendliness of the site. Because many businesses use their websites for more than just presenting information, <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> also encompasses <a title="Backend Development Services by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/backend-development">backend development</a>. <a title="Backend Development Services by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/backend-development">Backend development</a> relates to managing the website, gathering important information from potential customer and current customers and adding relevant information to the site in an effective and efficient manner. All of these pieces make up the overall design component of the website. Some things to consider before starting a website are: What is the site being used for? What information is going to be presented? What is information is most/least important? Who is going to be reviewing the information presented? What data gathering/storage capabilities does the site need to have? What is the budget for the project? It is best to talk with other people within the business and look at other sites within the industry to provide a baseline for the site design. Once the preliminary work has been done, it is time to <a title="Contact a Web Designer at AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/contact">contact a web designer</a> to discuss the project. A good web designer will spend much of the initial meeting asking questions about the project, the business, competitors and things that might be important in developing the site. After the initial consultation, the web designer will discuss possibilities and determine what the budget is for the project. This will help the designer to know what approach to take and what the customer likes and does not like, what they find to be important and how they would like the information presented. Working closely with a web designer helps ensure that the designer captures the essence of what the client is trying to portray without the need for re-work and re-design. This will help to keep the cost down. Lending Credibility wtih Quality Web Design - A Guide for Austin Businesses http://aodesign.com/blog/lending-credibility-wtih-quality-web-design-a-guide-for-austin-businesses http://aodesign.com/rss.php?id=8 AO Design Fri, 18 May 2012 15:45:00 +0000 <h1>Lending Credibility with Quality Web Design (A Guide for Austin Businesses)</h1> By: David Watson <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">Quality web design </a>can help lend credibility to Austin businesses and give visitors a sense of security in doing business with them. The overall credibility of the business is not limited only to their website; however, their site does play an integral role in this process because the amount of time people spend doing research online. In 2010, it was determined that the average American spends 32 hours/month on the Internet according to comScore Media Metrix. Interestingly, the 45-54 age group spent the most time online at 39.3 hours/month. When considering potential customers, businesses must be cognizant of the fact, that people are relying on the Internet more and more for research and buying than ever before. Therefore, it is important to understand 2 things: Customers make their decisions based on their overall perception of the business and its reputability and Most people leave a website within the first 10-20 seconds of their visit according to Jakob Nielsen. As a result, a company must build a solid reputation and capture and keep the potential customer’s attention throughout the buying process. This can be done in a variety of ways. Here are some thoughts when considering the <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">website’s design</a> that will lend credibility to the site and the business: <ul> <li>Provide good quality content on the site. (Probably the most important factor)</li> <li>Use easy, intuitive links for the Navigation.</li> <li>Keep the site clean and un-cluttered. </li> <li>Use call to action items and comparisons, when relevant, to lead customers through the purchasing process.</li> <li>Keep information on the site as up-to-date as possible.</li> <li>Provide a place for people to get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), archived content and request information/contact the company.</li> <li>Develop brand recognition by using company logos, color schemes and tag lines.</li> <li>Use industry/company images that tell where, what and how the company provides its products and services. Include people and recognizable scenes that set the stage for what customers can expect.</li> </ul> <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">Web design </a>plays an important role in the success of businesses, especially in growing areas like Austin, TX. With most businesses competing with over a million sites on the Web, high quality <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design </a>can make the difference in whether a business’ website gets leads, prospects or customers. When times are tough, good <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> can be the deciding factor between whether a business stays or goes. Because most people look to the web to gather information, a business’ website provides potential customers with an accurate picture of the main components of the business – the who, what, where, when and how. The <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services/custom-website-design">web design</a> used for the site then determines how information is presented, gathered, stored and used to ensure that the company and its visitors get the most out of the site. Copyright 2012 - <a title="Web Design Services in Austin by AO Design" href="http://aodesign.com/services">AO Design - Web Design Services</a>