by Nick Throlson | Mar 2, 2018 | Guest Post, Web Design
An adorable and user-friendly website design is essential to keeping visitors on your site longer and to reduce your bounce rate. The longer a visitor stays on your website, the more chances of business and sales are there. In how much time your visitors determine what your company does? If the answer is over 5 seconds, then your website needs a lot of improvement. Web designing is an art, If you want to stay ahead of your competitors, you need to be constantly aware of the latest developments in technology and designing to make your website easier to explore and helpful for your visitors. In this article, I?ll reveal six crucial tips to make your web designing more professional and top notch.Use Customized LogoHaving an attractive logo is very important to your website and for the branding of your business; your business logo is the icon that symbolically represents what your company is all about. An eye-catching logo will undoubtedly attract new customers. Make your logo visible prominently on the website; many business owners underestimate the importance of customized logo for their company. There are many freelancers and companies available on the internet that can provide you an incredible customized logo which will reflect your business.Collect RequirementsAfter logo designing the second step is to collect the requirements of the website which you are going to design. This is an extremely important step since it requires a substantial understanding of the business and its goals. Many designers start the work with all good intentions but end up delivering a website which their client never wanted. So, it is necessary to ask for the requirements before starting the work. Here is the example of some questions you need to ask.- What your business is all about?
- What features do you want on your website?
- Do you have some specific colors that need to be used?
Use Easy to Read FontsA lot of time a font style is a thing which separates a professional website from an amateur look. Choosing the right font style doesn't take much effort or time, but can give a purposeful improvement to your website. Your first point to look when choosing a font for a website should be that it matches the theme of your website. The right and simple fonts will enhance the visitor experience.Quality Navigation MenuThe navigation bar is among the most crucial elements of a website design, as it literally allows the user to navigate through your site. The navigation bar should be simple and same on all the pages of the website. If your website's navigation is poor, then customers can easily become frustrated and leave your website. The only thing to remember is to always make sure visitors understand what you have done. If users don't know how to navigate your navigation menu, it has failed.Call to ActionA call to action is a marketing term which is used to direct your audience to take the action that you want. Highly focused calls to action will insanely increase your website's conversions. Make your call to action as simple as possible. Calls to action should be appropriate for a visitor's level of engagement with your company. If your website is new and emerging, only invite them to subscribe to the newsletter. Always remember to include a call to action at least once on every page.Optimize ImagesThe longer it takes a website to load, the more likely you?ll lose an approaching customer. If you don?t want search engines to hate your website then you have to reduce your image?s file sizes to improve your website's loading speed. There are a lot of both free and premium tools and programs on the internet, which you can use to optimize your images on the website.So, there are 6 crucial designing tips for a professional website, by working properly on them you can take your skills to the next level and provide your users with a better and pleasant experience.Author Bio: Jessica Watson has been writing for websites and blogs for four years now, currently, she is working with Aurion International who is very famous for providing ISO certification in Sharjah and across all UAE.
by Nick Throlson | Mar 1, 2018 | Web Design
2017 was a year for bold, brutalist web design. Take a brand like Balenciaga.
The use of negative space and clean lines makes for a highly functional web environment. It looks immaculate on all devices. However, this year, trends are evolving towards the bold and immersive. Picture bright, saturated colors, pattern, and artful typography. Whether you?re looking to draw users into your opt-in pages, or show off your products, this post will talk you through five web design trends for new ecommerce sites in 2018.Making The Most Of Customer Reviews
88% of customers check out reviews online before deciding to buy. You need to make sure that you are doing what you can to maximize the increased traffic customer reviews can bring.Sites like AO.com use layered review options, optimizing for the user?s preferences in the features of the products. Dynamic bars also animate to show the ratings. This is a useful design feature that adds a sense of authenticity to the user-generated reviews.
The data collected in survey content can help you structure your data for easier consumption on your website. Highly technical reviews can be separated from everyday ?happy customer? comments, satisfying different audience segments.Reviews can also be thought of as a form of social proof. Developments over the last year within Facebook have enabled business pages to leverage all social media interactions towards their star rating. All comments, likes, and check-ins can count towards your site?s online clout. And so to encourage interaction across platforms, social plugins can help draw in new responses.One-On-One Recommendations
Chatbots and voice command A.I are starting to become mainstream. In the year ahead, ecommerce brands should be looking for ways to incorporate machine learning wherever there?s a fit. Chatbots are one of the easiest ways to make your site feel more personable and customer-service oriented.There?s a lot that goes into marrying UX, personalization and live chat, and it starts with a brainstorming session. List all of the possible commands and questions your website could pose. Next, consider how they may be rephrased using different terms and start creating your own chatbot responses to common questions.On-site chatbots are commonly seen on the bottom right-hand side of a website. However, the best ecommerce brands are using Facebook Messenger and unique hooks to encourage the user to interact long-term.Typefaces: The Bolder The Better
Many brands are embracing the bold, serif typeface trend. In many cases, the header text spans across the length of the hero banner.However, for a fresh new look, headers are also being scattered throughout landing page designs.Left, right, center justification, or entirely animated ? bold text is being used in modern designs to create more immersive scanning patterns across the landing page copy.
Unconventional scanning patterns can keep visitors interested and reduce bounce rates.Further, bolding certain words and phrases can help your messages sink in and trigger specific emotions in the reader.In all of your on-page copy, you can use exciting typefaces to draw attention to the subheadings and keywords that you want your customers to focus on.Easy-To-Scale Social-Friendly Sites
The number of selling channels is ever-increasing. Running a website that can evolve with the ecommerce trends is key to staying afloat in the saturated online market.Open source CMS systems are enabling more brands to experiment with bespoke design elements, while maintaining scalable functionality.Subscription as Service (SaaS) models allow you to create an online store, customize it, and access all of the backend features to keep it running it smoothly.? For those who are new to ecommerce and web design SaaS hosts offer useful 24/7 support. You can even buy one that?s already set up & running.As a reflection of the domination of social media in ecommerce marketing, many sales sites are mirroring the aesthetics of networks like Instagram. A simple product grid can easily match that of an Instagram profile, in the case of the Nick Mayer art store site:
Homepages that focus on the products make for a layout that?s easy-on-the-eye for smartphone users. The nested menu options are also easy to navigate on any device..Inclusive Design
Designing websites for accessibility is not a new thing. But, it is undoubtedly becoming more normalized as awareness of Inclusive Design Principles grows.?The days of making assumptions about how, where, and why people consume content in the ways they do, are over. The need for inclusion is now ubiquitous.? ?? Leonie Watson, Brand Consultant @ Heydon Pickering? Accessible Design gives people of all ages and abilities a clear path to conversion on any given webpage. As just one small example, if you are supplying video, you must ensure you include closed caption subtitles.Bold and graphically exciting landing pages may look interesting. But, if the mix of fonts and colors is inconsistent, many users may have difficulty finding what they need from you.Also, trends like parallax screens may have been trendy in the past. However, according to the outlined principles for web designers to follow, parallax sites can make some users feel nauseous.Bear this in mind when considering your scroll options, on-screen animations, and use of video. You also need to present controls for turning these features off.There you have five web design trends for new ecommerce sellers to look out for in 2018. One of the key takeaway points to consider is how you can use your layout, typography, and imagery to create a visual brand narrative. As long as your site is accessible and scaleable with the latest customer interaction trends, there?s plenty of creative leeway for businesses looking to push the aesthetic envelope.
by Nick Throlson | Mar 1, 2018 | Business
Being a marketer means constantly being in tune with the latest industry trends ? but it can be easy to forget that marketing your business is not done in a vacuum.? Have you given your business a thorough audit this year? Are there elements of your business, other than marketing, that need some concentrated attention?After all, marketing only really works when you have a compelling brand and message to put out there in the first place? or an effective business framework that means campaigns are meeting commercial targets.Here is how you can take an integrated approach with your company strategy this year, ensuring that your marketing budget will go towards conversions, sales, and tangible business goals. Improve your brand, improve your value proposition
First and foremost, let?s talk about branding. Now, for the uninitiated, branding may not seem much more than trying to get the snazziest, simplest, most memorable logo since Apple?s quarter eaten? apple. Spending on a reliable and innovative designer purely for your logo may seem like a good idea, but a good foundation is still just a foundation.You need to ensure that everything from your website copy to your e-shots, from your Facebook cover photo to your Instagram profile, are alight with brand messaging. Otherwise, you run the risk of wasting marketing budget on a brand that simply isn?t a reflection of what you can actually do.It?s easy to become ?brand blind?, so it?s advisable to open up the conversation with your network to see how they feel about your brand. Be ready to have some difficult conversations.- If you?re not a proficient writer, it?s important to hire people that are. Bad brand copywriting is not something you want to become famous for.
- Another great way to get your brand out there is by forming connections with influencers. They have a wide range of influence with the public, aiding with your PR targets? as well. Choosing the relevant one(s) for you is all about knowing your target audience and customer demographic. So, make sure that you choose wisely and don?t risk wasted time. Be true to your brand!
- Make sure that your brand has an inherent value proposition, so that your audience can quickly and easily form an accurate picture of what you?re offering them.
Strategy & data planning
A strategy is key for anyone wanting to get ahead. It?ll guide your thought processes for the year(s) to come; laying out clear steps for you and your team to follow.? It?s at the core of a healthy marketing plan, but should also take into account elements that fall outside the remit of marketing.Data processing should be a big part of your strategy ? as it?s largely insights based on facts and figures that should go into a business strategy. By all means, theorize and hypothesize, but don?t lose sight of the actual customer and market data that?s pouring in.Writers & content creators
Generating traffic to your website is probably one of, if not the most important factor to think about when allocating your business funds. Traffic leads to the essential inquiries and sales that keep your business running.In order to generate quality web traffic, you need a stack of high-quality, relevant online content. Not only do you want quality content that?s representative of your brand, you want it to be consistent across all your business channels (including any printed literature).Hiring people that are both reliable and good at copywriting is the secret behind compelling content creation. Don?t try to fob it off to a junior team member, or squeeze it in yourself between dealing with customer orders. You need to invest in good writers if you want to see a return from your content efforts.Luckily there are loads of high quality writers and content creators out there that you can contract on a freelance basis.Outsourcing your business
Don?t be afraid to delegate! Source photographers, HR professionals, designers, developers SEOs etc who are professional and timely.There is always going to be somebody who can do a job better than you can, so don?t shy away from leaning on expertise when it?s clearly needed.Hiring those with more experience than yourself can benefit you two-fold. Firstly, they will undoubtedly give your business a necessary boost in quality. Secondly, you can use their expertise to expand your own knowledge whilst also saving time.And outsourcing doesn?t stop at people. You can also outsource things like logistics via dropshipping or customer service via chatbots. Use the latest tech to help you scale your operations and, ultimately, improve your margins.Financial services
The importance of a great financial structure is sometimes underestimated in the small business world.Having your finances handled properly is the crux of any good business. While you use your time to focus on directorial things, your accountant can deal with the monetary side of your work. This can save you both valuable time and money.? A knowledgeable accountant or part-time financial director can be deep wells of high-quality advice.You should also look into whether financial cloud apps like Receipt Bank or Quickbooks could help you save processing time. The better financial data you have, the better decisions you?ll be able to make for your business.Travel & networking
Traveling it is a great way to increase the size of your network. Going further afield to meet a client and/or would-be business partner can help solidify rapport ? showing how far you?re willing to go to connect.Ultimately, you can?t put a price on human interaction. While emailing is efficient (and free), it?s nothing compared to the experience of physical interaction; especially if you?re planning to work together long term. Instead of your words being misconstrued, time being wasted and not being able to properly gauge your relationship ? take a trip, and see how much further you get? together.Don?t be afraid to show your face at local networking events, meetups, and conferences either. There are plenty of offline opportunities out there waiting for you.Marketing works best when it?s part of the wider conversation concerning your business. Look to outsourcing and financial management as ways to run a more efficient business, and branding and content as ways to supercharge your sales. Don?t fall into the trap of running after vanity metrics or running your business in restrictive silos.
by Nick Throlson | Feb 26, 2018 | Business, Marketing
A conversion rate is simply the percentage of visitors that land on your website and perform the desired action. Unfortunately, many business owners foolishly believe an aesthetically-pleasing website is enough to encourage sales. If you want your visitors to convert to customers, you will need to optimize your website. Read the five strategies that?ll increase conversions.- Promote a Product with High-Quality Images
It?s impossible for a visitor to touch a product on your website. The best way to highlight the detail of a product is to incorporate high-quality images onto a web page, which will allow your visitors to make an informed decision. You should also allow a prospective customer to zoom in on an image, which could encourage them to add the product to the online shopping cart.- Improve Understanding with Video
97% of marketers stated video helped them increase their users? understanding of their products and services. It could, therefore, be an effective strategy to turn a lead into a conversion. Not only can it improve a visitor?s knowledge regarding a product, but the integration of video can also improve a site?s rank in the search engines, which can also drive considerable traffic to a website, which could increase online sales. Consult Working Beautifully to learn more about creating a professional video for your website.- Provide Free Shipping to Increase Sales
Customers will view shipping fees as a hidden cost, which can lead to an abandoned cart. If you want to encourage conversions, you should seriously consider offering free shipping to your customers. It?s a psychological strategy, as it will make users believe they are obtaining a great deal even when they are not. You can offer free shipping by simply increasing your prices, so you can improve your conversion rate without having to compromise your finances.- Tweak the Checkout Process
Long checkout processes can frustrate or bore your customers, as they may not have the time or the patience to endure complex steps to buy a product or service. As a result, you could lose customers who were originally happy to buy from your business. It might be helpful to perform split testing to tweak the checkout process, so you can prevent abandoned carts and increase sales. If possible, try to provide your customers with a single page checkout experience, which features a few dropdowns and a view of their purchases.- Prove a Website is Safe to Increase Trust
With many unscrupulous websites online, consumers might be wary about who they buy their products or services from, especially if they are purchasing goods from an unknown brand for the first time. If you want to increase your conversion rate, you must indicate on your website that a visitor can trust your company, so they are willing to enter their financial information. For example, you should incorporate small images of credit card payment options, PayPal, and other payment gateways. This will provide a visual indication that you provide trusted third-party payment options, so there will be no risk to their finances when they purchase a product from your website.
by Nick Throlson | Feb 13, 2018 | Social Media
In the last 5 years, Instagram has turned into a go-to social network for businesses looking to put their names on the map. Companies love to use Instagram because it gives them a chance to connect with their targeted audience. And with more than?500 million daily active users?it seems like an easy enough task...or is it?If you plan to use Instagram to promote your business it?s important to stay on top of things. Knowing all the latest trends and statistics, using the right hashtags or when to post are some of the tricks you need to master in order to make this platform your money-making machine.Here, we?ll give you some useful insights and help you uncover the secrets of Instagram marketing that will take your business to a whole new level.1. The story behind Instagram stories
In 2017 only 8% of businesses used Instagram story ads as an attempt to engage more customers. Yet, the stats are about to change since 2018 is shaping up to be the year of the Stories. According to statistics whopping?88% of businesses?are changing their strategies and focusing more on posting through stories.Using Instagram stories quickly became a huge marketing trend. This relatively new feature released in March 2017 gives you a chance to experiment and see what works best for your business.Still, the most important thing is to create quality content based on clearly established goals and KPI?s. After that, all you need to do is track your success rate through?Instagram Stories analytics. Together with impressions and reach you?ll be able to see your Instagram Stories? exits and replies from the last two weeks. And if you?re interested in generating traffic, try using a third-party tool for counting clicks.2. Start boosting your posts
Getting familiar with Instagram advertising is something you?ll have to work on if you want to maintain or acquire high engagement. Luckily for you, it?s not that difficult. All you have to do is boost your posts to your followers. That way you can avoid using Instagram ads and special targeting. ?Just take a regular Instagram post and promote it in order to get more likes, impressions and visits. Your post will look like a regular one accept it will have the ?sponsored? sign and a call to action button.3. Will Instagram profiles become the new home pages?
More and more people are looking for brands on Instagram rather than Google. Instagram profiles are becoming the home pages of the future so it?s really important to focus your attention on Instagram aesthetics as a crucial part of your Instagram marketing strategy.Having a consistent aesthetic flow and a nicely organized color pallet could do wonders for your profile and attract new followers.Aesthetic is essential for companies which base their business on visual appeal. For example, focusing on this type of?social media marketing for real estate?could make a huge difference when it comes to outshining the competition. There are many available visual Instagram planners which will help your profile really come together resulting in aesthetically pleasing appearance.4. Everyone will shop on Instagram
Instagram decided to join forces with Shopify in a form of a?new shopping feature integration.This new feature will allow Shopify users to tag their product in a photo along with the name and the price of the product. Customers will be able to do their shopping through Instagram without having to switch to another app.People from Shopify explain that partnering up with Instagram was the next logical step because staying on the same platform will only result in increased number of additional sales. So, if you?re not using Shopify yet, this might be the best time to start.5. It?s all about Instagram analytics
If you want to run a successful Instagram campaign you?ll have to get familiar with?Instagram analytics. Mastering analytics tools is really important because it will help with constantly changing the Instagram algorithm.Also, frequently optimizing your content is another crucial factor in generating a high number of impressions and engagement.And since 2018 seems to be all about Instagram analytics, you can look forward to more advanced versions of the tool not only limited to mobile apps.If you want to be a successful marketer you need to stay on top of your game. This year is huge for Instagram, especially Instagram Stories so make sure you?re amongst the first who?ll use all its potential and put it to good use.
The use of negative space and clean lines makes for a highly functional web environment. It looks immaculate on all devices. However, this year, trends are evolving towards the bold and immersive. Picture bright, saturated colors, pattern, and artful typography. Whether you?re looking to draw users into your opt-in pages, or show off your products, this post will talk you through five web design trends for new ecommerce sites in 2018.
The data collected in survey content can help you structure your data for easier consumption on your website. Highly technical reviews can be separated from everyday ?happy customer? comments, satisfying different audience segments.Reviews can also be thought of as a form of social proof. Developments over the last year within Facebook have enabled business pages to leverage all social media interactions towards their star rating. All comments, likes, and check-ins can count towards your site?s online clout. And so to encourage interaction across platforms, social plugins can help draw in new responses.
Unconventional scanning patterns can keep visitors interested and reduce bounce rates.Further, bolding certain words and phrases can help your messages sink in and trigger specific emotions in the reader.In all of your on-page copy, you can use exciting typefaces to draw attention to the subheadings and keywords that you want your customers to focus on.
Homepages that focus on the products make for a layout that?s easy-on-the-eye for smartphone users. The nested menu options are also easy to navigate on any device..
In the last 5 years, Instagram has turned into a go-to social network for businesses looking to put their names on the map. Companies love to use Instagram because it gives them a chance to connect with their targeted audience. And with more than?
