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Is Design Important to Your Website?

July 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A person navigating through a Chilean bank web...

Image via Wikipedia

A lot of web designers put a lot of their faith into the visual aspects of their websites. However, a lot of these people forget that the aesthetics of a website are of less importance than the ultimate functionality of the site itself. The functions of a website go beyond just looking good.

For one thing, a website can be perfectly ugly and still work extremely well. If a website has to allow people to buy or sell something, they don’t need to be on a pretty website. Of course, being pretty does tend to allow a website to attract more visitors, just as being attractive allows a person to attract more suitors. However, the look of a website and its design are not the same thing in some cases. Sometimes it’s far more important that a website does what it needs to do.

When a website fulfills its intended function, nobody really cares what it looks like. If it has the ugliest colors arranged in nearly seizure-causing patterns, a lot of people won’t mind in the slightest. This is because in the end, the ultimate measure of a website isn’t in how it looks but in how well it does its intended function. If a website is making you money, do you really want to invest a lot of time into changing what might be working? In some cases you want to push onward, but in others you might already be satisfied with a bad-looking but ultimately functional site.

Filed Under: Computer, Web Design Tagged With: , ,

Design Tips and Techniques

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Web design — you’re certain — is a simple thing: a collection of quickly chosen traffic counters and Java scripts. All pages can be formed without delay; all information can be tucked into HTML strands. Creating a site should be easy.

It’s not… if only because there are rules that must be obeyed:

Understand Intentions

The purpose of the Internet is to offer information — to detail every possible fact and consideration. Those wishing to claim a corner of the online world must therefore understand precisely what they want to explain. A web site must have a purpose. Recognize what you wish to create. The point is not to merely experiment with design; it’s instead to offer guests what they need.

Avoid the Common

It’s a Technicolor horror: a collection of JPEGs and Flash-ware, the endless scrolls of texts and animations. Your site is a tribute to all things common… and guests will not be pleased. Novice designers can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the potential of graphics. You must not succumb to this temptation, however. Tailor your pages to relevant — and subtle — techniques.

Redefine Style

Facts are forever in flux. Progress is forever barreling forward. And web sites demand constant revisions to keep pace with the technological world. Your first attempts at design may impress but they can’t remain stagnant. You must instead update your information to reflect the days, keeping your readers informed of what they seek. Style should also be redefined as new tools and techniques are made available. All content should be current.

Use these tips to create a platform for your opinions — and a site that will amaze.

Filed Under: Technology, Web Design Tagged With: , ,

Tips to Buy Web Design Software

April 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are thousands of web design software available in the market that serve different purposes such as simple CSS or HTML editing to complex designing. Software should be chosen according to the need and the purpose of the web page. Here are few simple tips to choose web design software.

Almost all software companies have separate website for their products and everyone claim their software to be the simplest and easiest one to use. Therefore, it is better to use the trial version of the product before buying the software so that the strength and weakness of the product can be easily understood.

Next basic step is to check whether the software is easy to use and simple to understand. The chosen website builder should offer WYSIWYG interface so that the website layout can be easily seen while editing itself. Also, the website builder should offer easy insertion for videos, animation, graphics, text, and images.

Next important step is to check the technical features of the software. Today, many website builders offer easy option to create photo gallery, music player, and video player. Next step is to check the customer support offered for this software and it is better to select a company that offers email support, chat, and phone support.

Next thing to consider is the payment for the builder. Some of the website builder costs extra amount for the additional features or inclusion in the website. Therefore, it is better to check the cost of the website builder before buying it. Finally, compatibility of the website builder with different hosts should be checked.

Filed Under: Internet, Programming Languages Tagged With: , ,

Installing Survey Software Made Easy

April 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When it comes time to conduct a survey, there’s no better tool to use than online survey software. Online surveys are more efficient and effective in collecting, organizing and analyzing data than paper-based models. Best of all, most are very easy to install on any website. Just follow these two simple steps:

Step One – Copy & Paste

Most survey software packages will provide you with the HTML code to install in your site. After designing your survey via the survey service interface, decide if you want your survey to appear static on your webpage, or if you want it to pop-up in a window. Copy the HTML code for the format of your choice, and then paste the code into the section of the HTML on your site.

Step Two – Customize & Test

Once the code is part of your site’s HTML, then you can customize the code to meet your needs and ensure the survey software works properly. Take the survey yourself from your website to see how it flows and if there are any kinks. If you discover a discrepancy, or just want to make a change in the survey, then go back to the software interface and make the corrections. Then, repeat these two steps to install the survey again on your website. Just be sure to delete the first code you pasted onto your site, so that you won’t have duplicate codes.

Surveys are popular, effective tools for collecting data online. Following these two simple steps, installing a survey on your website is quick, easy, and often free.

Filed Under: Programming, Technology, Web Design Tagged With: , ,

Converting Source Code: It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

January 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When a program is written for a computer, it is first written in source code. In this form, it can be read by humans; it doesn’t have to be put on a computer or anything else in order to be seen. Once source code has been written, it must then be converted to different programming languages. This conversion must take place before a computer can read the information and perform the functions and operations for which the program was written.

Sometimes it is necessary to convert source code to a specific language. However, that language may not be recognized by a computer’s hardware or software programs, and further conversions have to be performed. HTML is one of the programming languages used. This is a very effective language for several reasons. For one thing, it lends itself well to Internet usage. For this reason, it may be the one chosen for specific web designs.

Another reason HTML is so effective is because other programming languages can easily be converted to it. This allows users to have access to other programming languages because their computers’ hardware and software accepts them. There are programs available for converting programming languages. Some of these programs convert only a few languages, while others convert several languages.

If your job is writing source code, you may want to keep the ease of conversion into different programming languages in mind while you write the code. In this way, you can be assured that your source code can be used by more people. Once you have written your source code, you may want to tell those who will be converting it to do their job with that same intention in mind. Once all conversions have been completed, and the program is ready for distribution, you can then go one step further and inform users of the different programming languages into which your source code can be converted.

Filed Under: Programming Tagged With: , ,

How to Build a Website

January 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes building a website can be a bit of a task or even overwhelming. To techies though, the steps can be simple if done well and often they use open source or freeware programs like FileZilla and Putty to help them in their task.

The first step to building a site is to choose a domain. This is the address that viewers will type in the address box to access your website. Domain names are paid for on a yearly basis and must be registered.

After selecting a domain name, it is important to choose a web host. It is best not to gravitate to free web hosts. Although they glamorize the no-cost to house your files and web pages, they have too many strings attached. They also issue long and impractical domain names that can hinder the traffic of your site. Since choosing a web host is critical to your website’s success, take some time to shop around for a site. You will get the most for your money by paying for a host on a monthly or yearly basis rather than going with a free host.

Next comes the actual building of your website. This can be done through several methods. You can check with your web host to see if they offer tools that will help to build your site. If not, you may need to use your knowledge of HTML to write out the code to create your site. This may be your preferable method. If neither of these options appeals to you, there is the option of using HTML templates to create your site or actually purchasing web design software.

Often there is open source freeware that web builders use to assist them in the task. FileZilla helps to upload large and numerous files, Putty will establish secure connections and NotePad is a convenient free source code editor.  Web designers will often also utilize the convenience of Tight VNC to work on computer desktops remotely.

When considering which avenue you will take in building your site, remember that you also need to be able to update and maintain your site. This could mean mere editing or possibly overhauling the site. Maintenance, although sometimes tedious, is essential for optimum appeal and increases the trafficking of your site. Be sure to choose a web-building option in which you will be able to easily maintain the site later on.

Filed Under: Internet, Web Design Tagged With: , ,

Website Design for Beginners

January 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Designing websites can be an engaging hobby or even a career. If you want to get into web design, you need to understand that it is not just about writing code. While code is important, good design is just as essential in a compelling site. So as a fledgling web designer, how do you go about getting the skills necessary? Here are a few tips:

Take a Class or Teach Yourself

All web designers have to take one of these two paths. If you want to learn by yourself, there are hundreds of online resources including tutorials. However, you may find that this takes a bit longer than actually taking a class. In a class situation, you will be in a group of experts that have knowledge and experience. However, these classes do cost money.

Learn Basic Programming Languages First

While there are lots of programming languages out there (Perl, PHP and so on), it is best that you learn HTML and CSS first. These languages will act as a foundation for your website design knowledge base. Practice, and get a strong understanding of these languages, and then move on to more advanced languages.

Get the Best Software You Can

You’ll need web design software that will let you create your HTML pages. You’ll also need some sort of image editing software. You can purchase commercial packages or use open source applications that are free.

Define a goal for yourself, it will make learning web design a bit easier. Decide what kind of website you want to create, such as a personal activity or hobby. You will have more motivation this way. Your first website should also be considered a sort of “sandbox” where you can experiment. This website should be simple, because you don’t want to frustrate yourself by trying to get too complex.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: , ,

Choosing a Free Web Hosting Company

January 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people are looking to start their own personal or business website, but don’t exactly know where to start. The first step should be to consider afree web hosting company.

While some web hosting sites will offer you a template, you won’t get the code to do a little tweaking. Some web hosting sites will offer a blank web page, which will allow you to design your page with your own coding.

Here are some tips on choosing a free web hosting service that will work best for your needs.

First, figure out what you want to get out of your website. Is it a personal website, a fansite or a business website? Knowing exactly what type of website you’re looking to build will let you determine which features you really need.

This is when you also want to decide what options and features you are going to need for your website. Are you going to have an online store? You’ll need PayPal.

Before going with a web hosting company, it’s always best to read reviews. Even though the service is free, people will completely honest with how good or bad the company is.

Make sure the company offers a good storage package. If you plan on having images or multimedia, storage is a concern for you. If you will need extra space, find out how much that would cost and compare prices.

If you don’t like the design on the template, make sure the company offers you the ability to change the coding a little bit. If you want to share images on a site like Flickr, being able to add the coding in is important. This is a must have feature for any website.

Take a little time to plan out your website before doing anything else. Since many websites offer free web hosting, it’s important to find a company that offers the features that will work best for you and your website.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: , ,

Keys to Great Web Designs

December 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The overall design and function of your website is imperative in order to have a stand-out web design that will separate your site from the myriad of others. Even if you’re offering the same product or services as many others, a quality and well thought out web design will set you apart. The following are some of the basics of great web designs.

One of the first things that visitors to your site will notice is the colors used. Many falsely believe that bright colors or flashy banners will attract the eye, when in fact it is the opposite. Surfers cherish cool colors in soothing combinations that are calming to the eye, rather than abrasive.

Fonts are another area that can be grossly mishandled. Fonts that are too large, too small or too difficult to read are counter-productive. It is pointless spending time and energy creating content for your site and then make it illegible. Font color is also important. Black text is almost always easier to read.

Navigation is also imperative to great web designs. Thoughtfully laid out page progression including judicious use of digital media will make your site a pleasure to peruse.

Content is also important. The race for understanding SEO is still very much underway and while search engine’s algorithms are still hidden, it is important to create intelligent content for your website that is written for the reader and not for the search engine. There is little point in spending time and money to lure organic search traffic to your site only to have them be turned off by poorly written content.

There are certainly many companies who would love to charge you fees for designing your perfect web site, but designing your own is certainly achievable with a basic understanding of how to create the site and by keeping in mind the abovementioned tips for great web designs.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: ,

Web Designs With PHP Engage the Visitor

December 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

PHP was originally developed in the late nineties by a web developer who was looking for a way to create a personal home page. Thus, the acronym, PHP. It is code that works with HTML to make a page more dynamic. Today, its functionality is much more wide spread than posting and maintaining a resume, which is how its developer used it.

PHP is useful in many web designs because it can be used to create various classifieds with multiple categories. It can be SEO customized and that’s really important because search engine optimization is what drives traffic to a site. If you want to sell something you need traffic. PHP can be used in contact forms and it can provide capture code that keeps spammers from glutting up the web site and the site owner’s time.

The beauty of web design and technology advancements for the Internet is that PHP code can be purchased or shared by even the novice web designer. Many web design templates come with PHP built into the wizard. No need to do anything but follow the instructions and fill in the blanks with customized information.

PHP has allowed business on the Internet to flourish. People who once made their living in the usual, go to work or office kind of way can now work via the Internet. Classifies are a great example. Instead of publishing an expensive paper that may or may not get delivered to the target audience, easy web designs with PHP programming have moved the want ads to the Internet. Filling in the forms is easy. PHP categorizes them by subject or items, so cars are listed with cars and pets are listed with pets. PHP allows for comment fields, so questions are answered fast. Business goes from a regional to a national, and even international level.

That’s technology and web design working to make the world an easier place to communicate.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: , , ,
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