Quad Web Design Articles

Definition of web design - Posted - 29/12/07

Web Design is the process that takes place to create a website. The biggest mistake businesses make is presuming that their website "Will do", just because they have a few web pages about their company. The internet is not like it once was, new technology means that websites can behave in different ways, serve complex purposes and enable users to enjoy their experience like never before, all these points result in making more money.

12 year old children are taught web design at school and can produce websites. Does this mean that websites should be designed by 12 year old children? Why is the answer so obvious? There are many reasons that spring to mind, what is important here is to realise that a website should not be created by just anyone. The process of designing a website requires a team of professional people.

Web Design is where a professional team pull together their experience and knowledge in topics such as design, programming and business. The knowledge is used to create a visually stimulating, rich in content website that is seen by your target audience, attracts their attention and makes you money in the process.

We can create any type of web site that you are after no matter how big or small. We have worked on large scale projects and our staff have a solid background working for companies such as Quantise Airlines, Coca-Cola and even Microsoft.

All you have to do is contact us and we will take care of everything for your you. Our web site has all the basic information for you to get an understanding of the different services and products that are associated to web design. We can take care of the whole project from initial concept right the way to maintaining your web site once it has been launched, we can even take care of your marketing campaign.

Web Design Tips

Audience: Your website should suit your target audience. Your website should take your audience into consideration in terms of look and feel, e.g. If your website sold Barbie dolls, colours such as pink and cartoon style fonts could be used. Some animation on the website would make the whole thing sparkle with magic. Dark colours with formal fonts would not be the way to go.

Purpose: Your website should serve its purpose, i.e. sell products, attract new clients etc. Just by having a website does not mean that it will work. Websites are complicated and getting the formula right is also complicated. Its not as simple as slapping your content over a web page and sitting back while the money rolls in (If only!). For example, a Formula One car is a finely tuned piece of engineering with teams working behind the scenes to make it successful. The principle is the same with your website. You cannot race a Ford Mondeo in an F1 race just because it’s a car! Your website is the same, i.e. just because it’s a website does not mean it will not perform well against other websites that have teams behind them.

Navigation: Navigation should be clear, easy to understand and above all helpful. The navigation is not just the main menu, its how the user will interact with the website. Your website should enable your audience to find what they want easily and quickly.

Content: Arguably the most important part of your website. Content should be easy to read, comprehensive and structured. Your website will not perform well if you have not considered the basics.

Interaction: How is the user supposed to know what information you have got? by giving them an easy way to access it. The links that make up your website will decide how successful your user will be in getting what they are looking for.

Design: If a client walks past a shop with the sign falling down and the shop front in tatters, they are not going to want to visit the shop. The same applies to your website. Users are fussy on the web, you do not even have 5 seconds attract them. This means that looks are crucial. The design will enable your content to be structured and laid out nicely. The design will give your company a good representation. If your website is not a good design then users will not spend money with you.

Technology: There are many different types of technology that can be used in your website. Your website should suit its purpose and use the most appropriate technology to enable that to happen. Today’s internet is a dying breed, tomorrows internet is upon us and your competitors will be buying website that use the very latest technologies to woo your audience.

The law: There are laws in place for your website and how your website operates. Accessibility is important, i.e. making sure that everyone can access the websites information. Standards are set to make sure that users can access everything on a website with ease and also to ensure that websites coding complies. This ensures more consistency in website functionally. Does your website comply with the law? Click here and find out within seconds! (Type in your web address and press 'Check')

Making money: Your website can make money through advertising, selling products or selling services…or all 3!

Advertising: The internet is full of companies that will pay you money to advertise on your website. There are many ways of doing this. The more traffic and clicks your get, the more money you make.

Selling Products: More and more money is being spent over the internet the figures are mind boggling, i.e. billions and billions! Companies that sell products have to stake their share on the internet, also the way in which the products are organised and sold is crucial. Get this right and you really can sit back and watch the money roll in.

Selling Services: By advertising your services through your website, you can attract more sales. Theses sales can be local, national or international according to your service. There are 2 key issues that have to be addressed; 1. Persuading users that your service is the best? 2. Get as many users clicking onto your website as possible.

What web design service should you choose?

Your website should be designed with one thing in mind, purpose. You should choose a web design service that for fills your purpose the best. The normal format will be a HTML website with some flash animation included in placed to add some character. There is no point having a website if no-one knows its there. Search engine optimisation and search engine marketing are ways to get your website attention. Both techniques need constant attention so a good maintenance package will support the website in keeping updated and finely tuned with regards to search engines.

How long does it take to create a web site?

A typical static website takes up to 2 weeks to complete. The process can take longer depending on how quickly the content is approved. The more functionality there is in a website the longer it will take, therefore a database driven website or a website that needs complex functionality will need in depth analysis before a time is quoted.

What makes up a website?

Design: A website requires a design that portrays the company as best as possible. The design should make it easy for the user to view the content, i.e. colours, page layout etc. When you consider the fact that your website has to grab your user and get them interested within 5 seconds, design is key. The copy (textual content) has to read properly and needs to get to the point, users do not want to read pointless information. Not just the main copy needs to be thought about either, advert text is crucial in a website and so is copy that is in relation to the main copy and lies on the same page. If your website does not have engaging copy, users will not stay, your competitor is probably only a couple of clicks away! Imagery is very important, the right images can transform a website and be very informative for illustration purposes. No-one want to read realms of copy, images can be used for many different purposes. Generally your website should have an interactive form that the user can fill out to contact you or gain more information. Good coding and thought behind the layout will ensure that your website complies with the law. There are many add-ons that will make your website memorable and engaging, click here to see our products section for great ways to woo users.

How can I make money out of my website?

You hear of businesses getting rich online all the time, this is because the internet has so much to offer. There are so many ways in which your website can make money, here are a few:

• Online shop (E-commerce)
• Advertising - Sponsors
• Traffic

If your business sells products then the internet has to be used to sell. Any business that does not sell its products online is simply missing the boat! Online stores mean that businesses can sell products online without the overheads of premises and associated bills.

Advertising is big business; websites can sell advertising space to other companies. This ensures the target audience, e.g. A music store advertising on a student union website. Advertising can be paid for on a click basis or a time basis.

Traffic is the most important factor, if your website can generate traffic then you have got a basis to capture your audience with whatever you like, e.g. advertising space can be sold to companies, alliances can be generated with other companies by filtering some traffic their way. Of course the main use of traffic is that you can sell more products or services. In order for your website to generate more traffic, many factors need to be considered. Once your website is constructed properly, search engine optimisation, or search engine marketing should be implemented to generate traffic, click here for search engine optimisation.

I have already got a website, why should I buy another one?

Chances are, if you are reading this then you know that your website is not performing as it should. The fact is, most websites on the internet today do not serve their purpose or businesses do not realise the potential of the internet. Its not rocket science, billions of users surf the internet, if your website does not portray your business properly and use the internet to get more customers then your business is behind the times. Most websites are old and out of date, that reflect on your business, no business can afford to do that.

No-one knows about my fantastic website, what shall I do?

If your website serves its purpose already but does not get the recognition it deserves then chance are users do not know it exists. Search engine optimisation or search engine marketing enables your website to be seen by your target audience. Your target audience is the important factor here, you don’t want just any user on your website, you want the perfect user, the one that wants your product or service. Click here for search engine optimisation.

I have a good website but I want to add to it, what can you do for me?

There are many add-ons that can be added onto a website to make it more appealing or add some kind of functionality to your website. Advertising banners are very common, forums, blogging are very up and coming services that you can offer. In order to find out more about what you can have, click here to go to our products section.

What technology do you use?

Normally XHTML is used to programme web pages. Server side code is also used where necessary. Aspx (asp.net) is the main language that is used as this is one of the latest languages and is very secure. PHP, Cold Fusion, Ajax, Java Script are amongst a few other languages that are used where necessary. Flash is used for multimedia applications or animations. Advanced image manipulation software such as Photoshop CS3, Quark and Adobe Illustrator are used in order to get images looking just right and to create and optimise graphics to the optimum level.

Technology is our main focus, our tag line is ‘Using technology to its full potential’ therefore, Quad Web Design ensures that websites make the most of technology in order to maximise their potential. Quad Web Design makes sure that the latest technologies are researched and tested thoroughly before they are implemented.

How do I get a website name?

Website names are call 'Domain Names', and are used on advertising such as flyers / stationary and when users type in the address to get to your website. Domain names can be bought by anyone and need to be configured according to different needs. Email addresses are formed from the domain name, e.g. if you purchased www.use-us.com, your email addresses would be something@use-us.com or something-else@use-us.com. Domain names can be ‘pointed’ to the same website or parts of a website. There are standard conventions that are in place, .com usually indicates that the website is global, co.uk is UK based and .org is a not profit organisation. There are of course many other types, click here for more domain names.