Poll Results: Most Important Elements of Web Design

Posted on by
Reply


The votes are in and YOU have spoken! Some weeks ago, we asked the question: “What one feature do you consider the most important element of a website?” The responses have been quite interesting. To us, every aspect of a website is crucial, because they work together to create an informational mix of sight and sound that stands out in your mind and becomes your go-to for whatever the need. But clearly, there are some elements that need to be top-notch to stand out, ones that without them being impressive, there just wouldn’t be an avid audience.

Here are the poll results:

1. Menu options – 50%
2. Helpful tips and facts – 33%
3. Graphics – 17%

Menu Options
Even with a low rate of participation (but many views!!), the poll we ran on Twitter clearly had a winner. And it absolutely makes sense that menu options can make or break a site. If you’ve ever hunted around on a website to find the proper menu option to click and come up short, you know how frustrating it can be! Why go back to that same site if you can’t find what you need??? That is why menu options need to be organized, easy to understand, and to the point. No one wants to endlessly click for information they can find somewhere else. And if you have a for-profit organization, that could be what sends your customers to the competition!

Helpful Tips and Facts
Similar to the menu options, the content you publish on your website has to portray the right image, give enough information, and engage your audience and customers. How else would you start building trust and add value to what you offer? You don’t want your site filled with the old “smoke and mirrors” trick – you know, where it looks like something is there, but it really isn’t.

Graphics
Of themselves, graphics and pictures tell a story that words cannot sometimes express. But unless you are a visual business (and even then), the over-use of graphics is never okay. It too goes along with the illusion of adding more where there really isn’t. It can also be distracting and interrupt you from your perusal online. Just think of all the flashing banners or pop-up boxes you sometimes have to click through to remove from your screen! Done tastefully, however, graphics can leave a positive and lasting impression to your audience. Brand-association involves a slogan with – what? – a logo! That graphic represents you and what you stand for. Or, if graphics pertain to products you offer, as in snapshots of an actual item, you have to have a descriptive image. Doing so involves having a picture taken from the right angles, with the ability to show AND TELL about its detail. The description you provide in words will then help make up your customers’ minds. So clearly graphics aren’t the end-all to a business website, but they are most certainly needed.

We hope that the lessons we ourselves have gleaned through conducting this poll will be also be helpful to your business and internet experience, and we look forward to further implementing innovative approaches to what we do.

Cheers,

Michael Robson
Contact Subpixel Web Design Sydney today!

Share

Subpixel Poll on Website Elements

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s a quick survey poll for you to complete in order to help us gather some info.


Share

Using Search Engines for Your Business

Posted on by
1

Technology is your friend! That is something to remember, even on days when printers fail, computers crash, and a website doesn’t load because of script errors. Set-backs are inevitable, but not permanent. If there weren’t ever problems, no real solutions would exist, right? At least, we like to look at it that way, because much of our success comes from trial and error – especially when it comes to online traffic and networking.

Being a business that stays plugged in to the latest online trends is a necessity that takes on a life of its own – from numerous web design boards to follow, to balancing our keywords, and promoting our site through a mix of social media applications and our clients and networking contacts, it keeps us just as busy as when we are working on a project for you. While we may go about it differently than you because of our industry, we still have something in common with YOU: our need to succeed. That is what drives us to seek, connect, and deliver. And do it all again! To outsiders it might seem like we’re workaholics, but really we’re just passionate about what we do. With that in mind, we’d like to give you some helpful hints on using search engines to your advantage to help grow your business, your blogs, and your reputation.

Your Keywords

Your customers want to be able to find you on the Internet – to learn about you, contact you, and see what you have to offer them. Before they can do that, though, you have to create your business website containing the keywords your customers are using to find you. So, say you were going to look for us – so you might enter phrases such as “Sydney web design” or “web design Sydney”; maybe even “Kogarah Bay web designers.” By entering any of those keyword examples in a search engine, you will see literally millions of hits from other websites all competing in that those categories you typed. It’s good news for the economy and entrepreneurship, but for us…it can make it tricky to get noticed by all the competition!

But knowing that is important, so that we can ensure the content we post on our website will reach our intended audience. We try to tie-in our keywords as part of our online conversations in blogs, boards, and everything else in between. You may have noticed how much harder it is to stay on page one of searches, even if you are paying for your advertising. This is because there are so many new businesses popping up by the minute! And unless you’re a fairly significant and large brand, you will constantly be kept on your toes in order to be noticed and wooing new clients. Therefore, a large list of keywords and keyword phrases are essential to helping you break out of an online rut. It’s worth exploring all the many ways your potential audience may attempt to find you, so that whatever kinds of keywords they use, your business name will pop up. I’m not saying you have to be the only name that shows up in a search, but you have to be a recurring enough presence so that people will see your authority.

What Keywords Will You Choose?

Some keywords are obvious choices. Industry-specific, or geographical keywords may be necessary in order to define your niche. Brand-names, product details, and anything that would show what your company can do makes sense as a keyword or keyword phrase. However, it doesn’t mean the phrases you use will be automatic money-makers! A lot of it is the luck of the draw; people are as random as there are a variety of businesses in the world: all with their own needs, ideas, and quirks. You must keep that in mind if you’re going to get anywhere with your business. Keywords may have to change over time. We know, because we’ve found that to be true in our highly competitive field itself. What may work out to start with may soon become over-saturated, until customers can’t trust the results they see because they don’t know which ones are the most trustworthy! So you may have to shift focus from your country to your local neighborhood instead, or specific products, rather than too general of a heading like “formal wear” or “gaming software”. Believe it or not, we don’t have a fool-proof formula for keywords to suggest to you! It’s something you have to figure out for yourself. All we can tell you is, it keeps changing, and we have to rise to new challenges on a daily basis – but that’s all part of being in business.

What Else Can You Use Search Engines For?

Other than generating your own keywords and keyword phrases, using search engines is invaluable in discovering latest trends, learning about your competition or neighboring businesses, developing blog content, and signing up for events to attend. As you think of different things you want to use search engines for, you become a consumer. The more you put on that mindset, the more it might give you more ideas for your business. Plus, any annoyances or things you find missing from cyberspace might be just what you can interject into your organization that then becomes the next big thing. We’d love to hear your thoughts on what else you use search engines for in your business. Drop us a line or post comments to this blog!

Michael Robson

Subpixel Web Design Sydney

Share

3 Areas Where Your Business Can “Go Green”

Posted on by
Reply

These days, everyone is taking a stand for causes that matter to them personally or in business.  Since people want to connect with your organization and have a good reason to be loyal to you, you do well to consider where you and your employees can make a difference.  One area that is bound to be rewarding for you as it is for your customers and activists everywhere is with being environmentally conscious.  Why?  Because you will save money, add to your customer-base, and increase your popularity.

Perhaps you aren’t interested in making your own compost…but you can certainly alter your business practices to benefit the earth, all the while keeping networking ties open.

Here are 3 areas you can easily take advantage of to go green at work:

1. Go paperless as much as you can: have a comprehensive website for customers, and a separate one for employees to access training tools and info, or connect with other colleagues; use email and e-newsletters in place of postal mailings, receipts, flyers, and catalogues.

  • Switch to an electronic subscription version (to be delivered via email of as a smart phone/tablet app) of your favorite newspapers and magazines.
  • Use an eFax service to receive faxes through email and only print if necessary.

2. Recycle: paper, plastic, or glass needn’t get thrown out with the refuse.  Invest in recycling containers and have your employees use them.  If your business has its own kitchen or bathroom facilities, try stocking those areas with cloth hand towels, having them laundered on a regular basis, to cut down on the use of paper towels and napkins.

  • Join a freecycle group to trade your unwanted items that can be used in the office with other people.  You can even have employees bring unwanted items with them to work to swap with colleagues or use on the job.
  • Use old towels and t-shirts as cleaning cloths and dust rags.
  • Use both sides of sheets of printer paper, saving any blank cover sheets from printing or faxes to be reused.
  • Cut used sheets of paper into scraps for phone messages and to-do lists in place of post-its.
  • Use canvas or cloth bags instead of paper or plastic.
  • Install a water filtration system to allow employees to have access to drinking water from the water faucet or refrigerator spigot instead of having to purchase a water cooler or cases of water bottles.  Consider purchasing Eco-friendly (reusable and washable) glass tumblers or water bottles for each employee to use daily.

3. Energy-savers: take advantage of energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, and office machines.  Such products may be an investment, but are worth saving you more money in the future – because they will last longer than cheaper-quality and price equivalents.

  • Make use of natural sunlight as much as possible – in place of indoor lighting, for water heaters, or as an alternate source of energy when paired with solar panels.
  • Adapt a shorter work week where possible, to allow your office an extra day or two to be closed in order to save on energy and water bills (which can still work well if you have a strong online business to serve customers even in your absence).  You could also allow employees the opportunity to work at home for certain projects and/or days of the week.
  • Keep the thermostat turned down in cooler months and open windows and/or limit the use of an air conditioner in fairer weather.

Consider the many ways communities around the globe have gone green:

  • The US paper company GPA produces their paper through the use of inorganic mineral powders, and not trees or water!
  • Australia’s use of green technology has been used for buildings in China.
  • Several companies in the UK have taken on a project to make residential energy more green.
  • In Toronto, CA, Bayer Inc. continues to make strides in the medical and science industry with their green practices within the office and the products they market.
  • Companies in Asia put together a plan for green freight practices in 22 Asian countries.

Useful Resources to Explore

Natasha Kohlhoff Polak (Freelance Writer)

Content and Creative Writing Services

Share

A Healthy Business Starts with YOU

Posted on by
Reply

How do you feel at this very moment when you think about your organization? Proud? Frazzled? Confused? Tired? What about this one: is your business’s health affecting your own?

A thriving business is good for everyone – the money is flowing, customers are being served, and you most likely would be in a generally pleasant mood. But what about if things are rough? The worry, stress, and depression could result in chronic weight loss or gain, engaging in risky behavior, developing compulsive habits, or lead to a heart attack, stroke, or even death.

At Subpixel, we’ve taken a step back to acknowledge and challenge ourselves with our health – both to the livelihood of the business, as well as in our ability to serve you well. We are committed not just to making organizations look good, but to improving the quality of our lives in the process. We’re also here to tell you that if you take a stand for your health, not only will it bolster your confidence and self-esteem, but your business will and can become revitalized. Anything less will result in a false-front your customers will eventually see through and then choose to move on to someone else more positive-minded and honest. A company’s philosophy is of utmost importance; you can’t have it without being excited about why you are in business. What makes you tick? What would be lost if you didn’t have your company? Where do you see your identity in the grand scheme of your organization?

For the past few months, our staff has taken the challenge to get in shape, holding ourselves accountable on a fabulous site called SparkPeople.com. Not only are there many physical benefits to reap by tracking our water intake, calories consumed, and workouts completed to help us achieve optimum weight, but there are therapeutic benefits as well. Walking can be a spiritual experience, engaging in conversation with others struggling in the same areas as we are has tremendous social and emotional power, and earning points for goals we’ve set can really boost our self-esteem. In short, we cannot help but be changed in how we do business!

We encourage you, if you have anything going on in your mental, physical, or spiritual life that needs to be addressed, it’s never too late to seek help! Admitting you have a set-back is one of the best things you can do for yourself, before your businesses dies along with the areas of your life you let fester (or worse, YOUR VERY LIFE). Breaking the cycle can be incredibly hard. You may go through intense denial, fear, anger, or disappointment. It may cause you to make some very unwise business decisions. And that is the very thing we encourage you to avoid doing!

Check out SparkPeople.com and read Natasha’s health blogs, or join us in our weight loss group so we can all hold each other accountable!

Natasha Kohlhoff Polak (Freelance Writer)

Content and Creative Writing Services

Share

Does Your Business Blog?

Posted on by
Reply

Web logs, commonly known as “blogs” have become synonymous with websites.  If yours doesn’t have one, you stand to lose out on the exposure.  To reach your audience better and allow an exchange of ideas and feedback from them, you need an engaging blog.  It is by far one of the easiest ways to get noticed, learn about your customers, and develop new ideas!

What Do You Want to Say?

Choose your words carefully, because your readers will only spend so long poring over your blog.  After that, they will move on.  So avoid lengthy explanations, jumping from topic-to-topic, or having your readers keep scrolling down to read more text or wait on vast amounts of content and photos to load.  If you do have more information to share, save it for another blog, or perhaps compose your ideas in a book that you can market on your website!

Remember…

  1. Your readers are always looking for what makes you an authority on what you have to say – whether you are entertaining them, telling them about a product, or giving them food for thought.
  2. By making your website easy to find, the readers who peruse your content will be more likely to recommend your website to others and improve your bottom line.

Don’t forget to include your corporate blog links in the comments box below, so that we at Subpixel can read and share them with others!

Happy blogging,

Cindy Kaye

Subpixel Web Design

 

 

Share

Using Your Website for Converting Prospects to Customers

Posted on by
1

While there’s no magic wand, there’s certainly a methodology to improving your online business success.  If you feel like yours is in a rut, or a little ignored, maybe it’s time you revisited what turns prospects into customers so that you can come out the winner.  Not only will it give your organization new goals, but it will reshape your view of the online world at large.

Natasha Kohlhoff Polak (Freelance Writer)

Content and Creative Writing Services

Share

Social Experience and Your Online Content

Posted on by
Reply

Social media has a lot to say about online content and maximizes websites otherwise unheard of to the general public.  Therefore, social experience is key with how online content will continue to be accessed.

Natasha Kohlhoff Polak (Freelance Writer)

Content and Creative Writing Services

Share

How to Write Online Content

Posted on by
Reply

Because online content is the backbone of a website’s appearance and credibility, businesses and writers seeking further promotion need to know how to make the most out of writing online content.

Natasha Kohlhoff Polak (Freelance Writer)

Content and Creative Writing Services

Share