Archive for the ‘ Web Design News ’ Category

Will Google’s +1 button knock out Facebook Likes?

Author: lifebydesigns

Jun 7

Google recently launched their +1 button, and everyone is scrambling to add it to their websites and ads.

According to Google:

“+1 helps people discover relevant content—a website, a Google search result, or an ad—from the people they already know and trust. Adding the +1 button to your pages lets users recommend your content, knowing that their friends and contacts will see their recommendation when it’s most relevant—in the context of Google search results.”

So I’m thinking this rivals Facebook and their like button. It will be interesting to see how this progresses. Google’s +1 button will help to increase your site’s visibility, which may increase the odds of someone clicking through to your page. The +1 button can be seen by users who are signed in to Google.com, and to any signed-in user who has a social connection to a +1. However, any Google user can choose whether or not to display their +1′s on their Google profile.

Google doesn’t have plans to include the button in mobile search results right now, but I’m sure that will come soon. Mobile users will be able to see any +1 buttons you place on your website though.

So will you use Google’s +1 button? Do you use Facebook’s Like button?

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Simple Websites Equal More Customers

Author: lifebydesigns

Sep 5

I’m a web designer, and yes, I love edgy, unique designs. Sometimes. It depends on the website, and the intention. This blog post is not about those types of websites, sorry. It’s about keeping it simple and gaining more customers.

I mean, come on, life’s getting too complicated these days, it’s time to start simplifying. Especially if your goal is to get a lot of traffic to your website and better yet, transform those visitors into customers and money!  If someone visits your website and can’t find everything because it’s so cluttered, they will be likely to leave and not come back. No matter what your website is trying to convey.

Information Overload

So the key is: no more information overload! Take a step back, only include truly necessary information, and help your visitors find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

Now don’t just take my word for it, even J.D. Power is agreeing with me. Check out their article on Usability and Auto Websites. High ranking auto websites feature clear, easy to access information for their visitors, such as Honda. The edgy sites fare much lower – why? Because they seem to be putting brand marketing ahead of their shopper’s needs. Streaming music, interactive backgrounds, confusing navigation – yes – an avante-garde designer’s dream, but for attracting business – a big no-no. These will ultimately distract your visitors and may entertain them, but see how many actually stick around to bring you business.

We all want to be unique and stand out from the internet crowd. And we all know how difficult that is to do. But maybe that’s because we shouldn’t be trying so hard. I’ll no doubt be posting another article at some point showcasing websites with all the bells and whistles that completely deviate from the norm, but I guarantee these won’t be created for customers or shoppers, but more for the designers to showcase themselves. And that’s how it should be.

Ok, I think you have the gist of it now, so I’ll leave you with one of my all-time favorite web design quotes:

“Only when the design fails does it draw attention to itself; when it succeeds, it’s invisible.”

Need a website?

Don’t be like this guy! If you need a website that performs, contact me.

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Auto Repair Shops – How Do Your Customers Find You?

Author: lifebydesigns

Jul 13

Used to be that auto repair shops didn’t have to think about getting new business. Cars always need repairs and maintenance, after all, it’s a given right? Kind of like the healthcare business. Well, yes and no. Mom and Pop shops of years ago did some yellow page ads, basic pennysaver ads, and the rest was word of mouth.

Today is completely different. There are too many shops. Too much competition. And with most people using the Web to find a shop, if you’re an independent auto repair shop without a good website, the harsh reality is you are not going to get the new business, because those cars will be rolling into your competitor’s shop down the street!

I’m not writing this blog post to scare anyone, but because I’ve been talking to friends who are auto repair shop owners, and hearing about how their revenue has dropped substantially in this economy. Then I talked to owners who are actually still doing very well, in spite of the recession. Guess what the difference is? The ones with the cars rolling in to get repaired have sought out the advice and services of online marketers. They have good websites that have been optimized for search engines, and have listings with Google Places, Yelp, and Insider Pages. They use the power of customer reviews. They offer specials through the Web, and have created a social media presence with Facebook and Twitter. They use email to attract new clients and to keep their current clients loyal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that 90% of all people click links on the first page of their search results? Is your shop on that first page? And that customers use reviews as the #1 factor when considering to do business with you?

All this sound a little daunting? Auto Shop owners want to stick to running their business, like anyone else – they want to do what they do best. Most all of them tell me they just don’t have the time to do anything else.  Granted there will be some who want to take on all these tasks themselves, and if you have the drive and determination, it is all doable, believe me. But if you’re like most, and need some help implementing all or some of it, then there’s good news. There are reputable online marketers who:

  • Know their business inside and out
  • Know how your business works
  • Will only sell you services you need
  • Won’t charge you an arm and a leg!

If you have an Auto Repair Shop and are interested in learning more, check out ECommNow. From hosting and eye-catching websites and everything in between, they’ve thought of every tool needed to bring those cars to YOUR shop. And if you realize the importance of Social Media and your business, but don’t know where to start, here’s a good resource to get you on track and a step ahead of your competitors: KMBurck Please don’t discount this extremely valuable part of your online presence. If you think Social Media doesn’t matter for your business, I’m going to leave you to ponder over this video:

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HTML5 – Will it kill FLASH for Gaming?

Author: lifebydesigns

Jun 13

I have to say, I’m really kind of torn between these two right now.

Yes, we all know Apple and it’s lack of Flash support. Steve Jobs has cut ties with Flash for all of Apple’s suite of mobile internet devices, and there’s no going back. “Flash was created during the PC era — for PCs and mice,” Jobs writes. “Flash is a successful business for Adobe, and we can understand why they want to push it beyond PCs. But the mobile era is about low-power devices, touch interfaces and open web standards — all areas where Flash falls short.”

HTML5 seems to be a game changer though. Even YouTube, one of the more popular users of Flash, has been getting on the bandwagon: Try it here.

For the newbies out there who are saying, “What the hell is HTML5, what’s the difference between that and Flash, and why do I care?” Oh, I could write for days, but take a look at this graphic I came across for some explanation: WTF is HTML5

So for today, let’s leave our differences at the door and just have some fun experimenting. Give yourself some time and try your hand at this collection of some HTML5 games and cool interactive Flash sites. (Some of them are really addicting!)

FLASH SITES

Flame – Create awesome drawings and export them.

Bubole – Build a weird monster and fight other ones.

Optus Whale Song – A must see Flash site!

Incredibox – Make your own rocking beats.

Echogenesis – Explore natural environments.

Record Tripping – Scratch a record and solve puzzles.

Screaming Beans – Oh, these beans are  fun!

Google Gravity – Poking fun at Google SEO.

HTML5 SITES

Let me first warn you that these will look like familiar 80′s games you used to love. They also remind me of Flash games from about 15 years ago! Remember creating games with HTML5 is evolving, just like Flash did in the early days.

Google Pac-Man – The fun original revived.

Asteroids – Classic shooter game.

Leave Me Alone – Platform game similar to Mario.



Wolfenstein-3D - Familiar id Software’s 1992 game.

Adventureland – Coins, jumping, kind of like Mario.

The Legend of Sadness – Remember beloved Zelda? lol

Solitude – Another classic shooter game from the 80′s.

UFO -  HTML5 recreates vintage shooter graphics.

I told you to leave some time for these!

In conclusion, I’m really liking HTML5, and what it can accomplish overall. We’ll need to give it some time for gaming, but it has great potential. (Think ColecoVision gaming from 1982 as opposed to Playstation 3 of today.) As far as HTML5 killing Flash? Not in our lifetime. Flash has a strong presence which will continue in future versions. Ultimately designers should have skills in both.

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Life By Designs has a blog!

Author: lifebydesigns

Apr 19

Check back, more to come, just getting started.

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