stuff we're doing |
 |
Does your website make the grade?
|
 |
Even though the web is a relatively new phenomena, with the majority of internet startups appearing only 15 years ago, many of us who got in early and staked our position on the web are now starting to see a significant aging in the way our sites were put together.
These days the age of technology is defined by it's speed and what was acceptable back in the day or even a few years ago is quickly being superseded by ‘best design' practices and improved technical construction. It's no surprise then that the majority of our business comes from clients looking to revisit the look and feel of their website rather than create a website from nothing.
So how can you tell whether your website is due for a spring clean? For those of you that have a neon-coloured home page, read no further, it's time! For those of us that aren't quite sure though and require a more experienced eye or are looking to meet industry standards, read on.
Jericho Project now offers a free service that evaluates your website under a number of criteria and provides you with a score out of 100. The test measures your performance not only on a technical level, but also in terms of usability, functionality and design. Below are some of the factors that we look at when determining the score for a client:
Consistent Branding
- Are the elements within your site in line with your corporate colours and do they convey the same look and feel as your brand conveys?
- Are these colours in harmony with each other and have they been used tastefully?
- Is it time that you updated your branding as a whole, starting with your website?
Performance
- Does the site load quickly when a viewer lands on it or is it bogged down with files that are too big or formatted incorrectly?
- Is the site consistent across all browsers? You may think it looks good on your screen but have you checked the site on Safari or Firefox? Believe it or not but each browser does not display information in the same way.
Hide & Seek
- Can I find the information I'm looking for quickly and easily?
- Do I know where I am if I'm navigating through the site?
- Is the information laid out in the best manner possible?
- Is the page free of clutter and is the focus on the most important elements of the product?
- Can the site be viewed at the smallest screen resolution. We don't all view things on 24" screens...
To Sell or Confuse
- Do you explain what your product or service actually does for those who have arrived for the first time?
- Does the content mention the benefits of your offering?
- Are your contact details easily accessed?
- Do you use too much jargon?
- Is there a call to action on each page?
The Google radar
- Is the site found in all major search engines?
- Are the appropriate keywords found in the titles and metatags?
- Do I comply with standards that search engines put forward when it comes to search criteria?
These are just some of the factors that we consider when reviewing existing sites and looking for areas of improvement however there are many more. If you're in doubt about the performance of your own website remember we offer this service free of charge and we'd always be happy to speak with you about your concerns.
^ back to top
|
|
what's new on the web |
|
Keeping it real
|
 |
We're often asked what's cool in web design these days, usually by elderly members of the family who are trying to stay 'hip'. Usually we would pull out an iPhone and turn on the 'lightsaber' app to show them how cool things have really become. But for those of you who are a little more up to speed with that sort of thing, we thought we would pick out a growing trend in web design that is starting to make its mark in design genres.
Gone are the days of flat backgrounds, solid colours and two dimensions. Designers are now making their mark by turning the flat page into a 3-Dimensional wonderland.
Collage style presentations have become favourites – settings of seemingly real scrapbooks that show various layers of odds and ends – adding depth and character to the page. The detail is what counts here and including things like small buttons or stamps into the background make that desk setting seem so much more real.
Textures are a growing favourite too, transforming a once bleak page into a realistic concrete floor or adding streaks and imperfections to the page can make all the difference.
Grunge elements have also been promoted widely and have allowed designers to make their work appear less 'polished' and more aged. The work then appears more tactile and real.
This 'aged' or vintage look has come about as designers become more advanced with their skills and look to bring their designs outside of the computer to reflect the world around them.
Illustrations and even watercolour effects are now developing in an effort to merge the computer and the artisan into one. This adds a human element to the design that was once only available in custom designed jobs rather than the commercial market.
Essentially all these elements combine to help your work stand out from the crowd. It's getting easier these days for average Joe to jump on the computer and create a Word document with a little picture art thrown in, but where you get real value for money is when your designer comes to you with elements that make you want to reach out and touch them.
^ back to top
|
|
tools you can use |
|
Another slice anyone?
|
 |
Lots of people enjoy their morning ritual when they get into work. First they grab a coffee, have a chat to their fellow employees about last night's episode of CSI and then sit at their desk and browse through their top 5 sites to get the latest news, weather, eBay status etc. Problem is, so much information and so little time!
Wouldn't it be nice if you could take 'slices' of each of your favourite sites rather than scrolling through each page to get to the content you want? Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 has heard the call and has implemented a new feature called Web Slices.
Web Slices lets you to take 'slices' of all your favourite pages and adds the direct link to your Toolbar. You can then view the contents of that 'slice' whenever you choose simply by clicking on the new link.
Another benefit of Web Slices is that when the content of the 'slice' has changed, the shortcut on your Toolbar will flash indicating that the content of your 'slice' has been updated. This means that you don't need to stop what you are doing every ten minutes to see if you have been outbid on eBay.
Currently this feature is only supported through Internet Explorer 8 although Firefox does have a similar plug-in called 'Web Chunks'. There is talk that it will move to all other browsers soon including Apple's Safari.
So why don't you spend some time setting up a few Web Slices. It will give you more time in the morning to waste on a new ritual!
^ back to top
|
|
web design we love |
|
www.incredibox.fr/
|
 |
One of the sites we love on the net this month is another site out of France that empowers you to become the beat-box superstar you always thought you could be. This beat-box site allows you to mash a bunch of instrumental sounds together to create a funky harmonic sound that will leave your DJ friends envious.
This site is clean, simple and easy to use. All you have to do is drag from the selection of beat-box sounds to the singers above who happily sing them for as long as you wish. The selection of sounds is quite good, ranging from percussion to melodies, and the synchronization of the singers that results makes you feel like you should be up for a record deal sometime soon.
Once you have a decent tune going you will unlock the bonus features that provide a selection of animated section breaks to add to your masterpiece. For those of you who are too lazy to click and drag (yes we know you exist) you can click the shuffle button on the right hand side and the computer will mix it up for you.
This site is bound to keep you amused for at least a good portion of your lunch break, so have fun!
http://www.incredibox.fr/
^ back to top
|
|
remember... |
|
 |
We still have our referral program in motion - FREE Gen 4 ipod nano's available to anyone who recommends a lead that we convert to the sale of a website. We realise that nearly every human on the planet has an ipod already so if you don't want to double dip, we are also providing a $200 gift voucher to the restaurant of your choice.
|
|
|