Color is often the last thing on the minds of website designers. We've all been subjected to websites with horrid color combinations. Yes, there are websites with purple text on a black background, and so on. You want people to view your website with ease. Hurting their eyes is bad for business.
What do you think when you visit a website with terrible color combinations? Your reaction is probably negative. Don't make this mistake with your website. Take time to carefully plan which colors you'll use for text, backgrounds, and links. You can increase your site's efficiency by paying attention to your color scheme.
The goal of any website is to attract and retain visitors. If your site's colors are headache inducing, visitors will run away screaming. Black text on a white background may not be exciting, but it's easy to read. That's why it's the best choice for reading text online. Visit any of the large, professionally designed sites and you'll see black text on a white or light background.
If unsure which colors fit together, look at a color wheel. You can get a list of RGB color values (or HEX values), and see which colors are appealing when grouped together. A color wheel will help you balance your color palette so all of the colors are complementary. Another thing to consider is the color of emotions.
Colors evoke emotions using what is called "color psychology". For example, white is often used to symbolize good. Purple is often used to symbolize royalty. And the most universal of them all is green, which often symbolizes money. Take this into account when choosing colors for your website. Also remember that different colors mean different things in certain parts of the world.
Here's a list of some colors and their positive and negative connotations:
Red
Positive: passion, strength, love
Negative: danger, blood, anger
Blue
Positive: stability, peace, confidence
Negative: coldness, obscenity, depression
Green
Positive: nature, wealth, fertility
Negative: inexperience, jealousy, greed
Yellow
Positive: sunlight, joy, idealism
Negative: hazards, cowardice, dishonesty
Purple
Positive: elegance, creativity, nobility
Negative: arrogance, profanity, confusion
Orange
Positive: energy, enthusiasm, playfulness
Negative: danger, warning, fire
White
Positive: purity, peace, security
Negative: sterility, defeat, cowardice
Black
Positive: power, sophistication, elegance
Negative: evil, death, mourning
The goal of marketing is to connect with the public. What better way to connect than emotionally? Color can help accomplish that goal. Color psychology may sound like a joke to some people, but it's been proven to work. By choosing the colors of your website based on color psychology, you can increase your sales.
The bottom line is you should pick your colors carefully. Don't pick a color just because you like it. Red may be your favorite color, but if your business is monetary issues, red may not be the best color for your site. You're free to try various color combinations, but remember the colors you choose may carry a set of preconceived notions.
Want Professional Graphics For Your Websites In Less Than 72 Hours! Let eCoverGeeks design your websites/blogs, guaranteed to boost your sales and conversion rates, check out our stunning portfolio at http://www.ecovergeeks.com
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in the Freelancing Field
Many high skilled freelancers in the field of web design
and web development doesn't give importance to SEO. For them
SEO is just a dirty web promotion technique and a waste of
time. Some of them are just concerned to the final output
of their web site, others are totally no idea about SEO.
Some of them can even produce fantastic websites but didn't
receive the deserved expossure for their site. and others
are too busy in web client hunting.
But wise freelancers who take advantage of SEO in their
freelancing are like packed rats, and ready for survival. They
know that applying SEO can bring them more chances of
clients.
If SEO rules and techniques are properly done, it will
produce a great result. Even looking for webclients is like
counting one, two, three. Since SEO will make your site high
in Search Engine Result Page (SERP), potential clients will
come to you automatically!
Not just looking for clients will be made easy but also
applying or making SEO as a part of your freelance services,
would be a great another source of income.
But before applying SEO. You must set your goals! You must
set your target keywords and must know your target
audience. Studying the most common search engine keywords and
studying your competitors techniques is a must.
SEO is easy but requires a lot of patience because the
result of your work is always based on the Search Engines
behaviour and the behaviour of your competitors.
But remember this, by applying your SEO knowledge doesn't
guarantee a continues web project from your prospect
clients. It will still based on your website appearance, website
portfolios and continues applying of SEO to your website to
keep its Search Engine ranking. Thinks SEO as a big back-up
help for your freelancing.
Glenn Dasmarinas is a Philippine based freelance web designer. Offering quality and affordable web design services with free basic SEO services to his clients. For more information please visit his website at http://www.gl3nnx.net , or email him at webmaster {at} gL3nnx.net
and web development doesn't give importance to SEO. For them
SEO is just a dirty web promotion technique and a waste of
time. Some of them are just concerned to the final output
of their web site, others are totally no idea about SEO.
Some of them can even produce fantastic websites but didn't
receive the deserved expossure for their site. and others
are too busy in web client hunting.
But wise freelancers who take advantage of SEO in their
freelancing are like packed rats, and ready for survival. They
know that applying SEO can bring them more chances of
clients.
If SEO rules and techniques are properly done, it will
produce a great result. Even looking for webclients is like
counting one, two, three. Since SEO will make your site high
in Search Engine Result Page (SERP), potential clients will
come to you automatically!
Not just looking for clients will be made easy but also
applying or making SEO as a part of your freelance services,
would be a great another source of income.
But before applying SEO. You must set your goals! You must
set your target keywords and must know your target
audience. Studying the most common search engine keywords and
studying your competitors techniques is a must.
SEO is easy but requires a lot of patience because the
result of your work is always based on the Search Engines
behaviour and the behaviour of your competitors.
But remember this, by applying your SEO knowledge doesn't
guarantee a continues web project from your prospect
clients. It will still based on your website appearance, website
portfolios and continues applying of SEO to your website to
keep its Search Engine ranking. Thinks SEO as a big back-up
help for your freelancing.
Glenn Dasmarinas is a Philippine based freelance web designer. Offering quality and affordable web design services with free basic SEO services to his clients. For more information please visit his website at http://www.gl3nnx.net , or email him at webmaster {at} gL3nnx.net
Monday, 21 December 2009
Focus & Information Overload - Internet Marketing Tips 3/3
All the tactics to fool the search engines are futile. We must play their game. We won't outsmart them. Their game is producing good, credible content around a tight niche. I can talk all day about on page and off page SEO strategies which I'm sure you know already.
....but working on one site for 1-6 months or even a year or more around your expertise and building your mailing list will lead to greater profits and personal satisfaction than building 20-100 sites in the same amount of time.
Figure out what about your work you like and which parts you eventually would like to give to someone else to do. Work towards eventually using other people’s time to get your goals accomplished. But even then, you need to know what you’re learning now to direct others to do what you want and at a price which is fair.
Think of your first year or two with IM (Internet Marketing) as going to college. Your rewards are your knowledge. Knowledge that will pay steady dividends in time
Here's a last tip. When you do what you like, it flows and you don't get as tired. When you feel bogged down, tired you are probably not doing what you love. Create a life around doing the things you love and success will come easier - and will have the added benefit of creating the emotions you would expect to have with that success.
It is a migration. You may not like everything about what you do right away. But by paying attention to your likes and dislikes, and finding creative ways to set yourself up, you will achieve a gradual migration from an empty life of just making money to a life of having fun with the inevitable byproduct of building wealth.
What good is all the gold in the world if you must sell your soul to get it?
--------------------------------------------------------
You know what I mean. Get started now and let's make 2006 our most successful year yet!
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hocus-pocus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn, and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information and tips on Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com.
....but working on one site for 1-6 months or even a year or more around your expertise and building your mailing list will lead to greater profits and personal satisfaction than building 20-100 sites in the same amount of time.
Figure out what about your work you like and which parts you eventually would like to give to someone else to do. Work towards eventually using other people’s time to get your goals accomplished. But even then, you need to know what you’re learning now to direct others to do what you want and at a price which is fair.
Think of your first year or two with IM (Internet Marketing) as going to college. Your rewards are your knowledge. Knowledge that will pay steady dividends in time
Here's a last tip. When you do what you like, it flows and you don't get as tired. When you feel bogged down, tired you are probably not doing what you love. Create a life around doing the things you love and success will come easier - and will have the added benefit of creating the emotions you would expect to have with that success.
It is a migration. You may not like everything about what you do right away. But by paying attention to your likes and dislikes, and finding creative ways to set yourself up, you will achieve a gradual migration from an empty life of just making money to a life of having fun with the inevitable byproduct of building wealth.
What good is all the gold in the world if you must sell your soul to get it?
--------------------------------------------------------
You know what I mean. Get started now and let's make 2006 our most successful year yet!
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hocus-pocus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn, and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information and tips on Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com.
Focus & Information Overload - Internet Marketing Tips 2/3
Don't let the email-list of other's sway you from your goals. Protect your valuable and limited attention from "Information Overload". Information Overload will happen when you are not focused. You will not be focused if you do not have goals.
Set small goals, "Take Baby Steps". Focus on it and complete it. Tackle new challenges as they arise - plan your work and work the plan. Again ask yourself how to make it more fun so you enjoy the process of your success. Why is this important?
To break up a boulder into little stones, it takes many swings of a sledge hammer. Each day is another swing. Eventually that boulder will bust and make you very wealthy. But that event takes only a second. Meanwhile your life has been spent on the process. If the process of obtaining wealth is making you miserable or getting you sick, what's the use?
Also, focus on creating a network and community. Help and give to others online and off - any way you can. Be a beacon of hope for others and by helping them you will enrich yourself, build credibility and in turn, find supportive people to network with. Don't be afraid to ask for help either. When you do you will usually help the people you ask too!
I’ll expand on this, “loving what you do” philosophy later. As you will see it will not only affect the content you deliver by bringing a viewpoint or level of competence that others don’t have, but even more importantly will transcend your excitement and enthusiasm to your business community and perspective clients.
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hocus-pocus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn, and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information and tips on Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com.
Set small goals, "Take Baby Steps". Focus on it and complete it. Tackle new challenges as they arise - plan your work and work the plan. Again ask yourself how to make it more fun so you enjoy the process of your success. Why is this important?
To break up a boulder into little stones, it takes many swings of a sledge hammer. Each day is another swing. Eventually that boulder will bust and make you very wealthy. But that event takes only a second. Meanwhile your life has been spent on the process. If the process of obtaining wealth is making you miserable or getting you sick, what's the use?
Also, focus on creating a network and community. Help and give to others online and off - any way you can. Be a beacon of hope for others and by helping them you will enrich yourself, build credibility and in turn, find supportive people to network with. Don't be afraid to ask for help either. When you do you will usually help the people you ask too!
I’ll expand on this, “loving what you do” philosophy later. As you will see it will not only affect the content you deliver by bringing a viewpoint or level of competence that others don’t have, but even more importantly will transcend your excitement and enthusiasm to your business community and perspective clients.
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hocus-pocus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn, and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information and tips on Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com.
Focus & Information Overload - Internet Marketing Tips 1/3
If you think of IM (Internet Marketing) as a get rich quick strategy, change your thinking. Everything I have learned as an IM has told me that, and I am convinced that if I had adopted that strategy years ago I would be in an even better financial situation than I am today.
So if you’re just starting out, make sure you have an income stream to absorb your basic minimum necessities/ expenses satisfactorily while you build your business. This, so you can focus on your long term strategy and you don't place dire financial expectations on your new business. Remember all along, you’re just out having fun.
Set attainable goals and a 6 month plan into the future. (Especially now that the new year is upon us.) Focus on your strengths (hobbies, things you like to do and know about) and see which avenues of internet marketing you will enjoy most.
Then break down your long-term plan into short-term tasks.
Also, you may list weaknesses in your knowledge that you would need to upgrade along the way to achieve your goals.
The purpose for this is to live proactively, not reactively. You want to have a part in your outcome.
Any entrepreneur has to have vision - believing with all his heart that something which doesn't exist yet is possible, and will happen as sure as the sun will rise.
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business, also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hokus-pokus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information about Lawrence Touitou's Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com
So if you’re just starting out, make sure you have an income stream to absorb your basic minimum necessities/ expenses satisfactorily while you build your business. This, so you can focus on your long term strategy and you don't place dire financial expectations on your new business. Remember all along, you’re just out having fun.
Set attainable goals and a 6 month plan into the future. (Especially now that the new year is upon us.) Focus on your strengths (hobbies, things you like to do and know about) and see which avenues of internet marketing you will enjoy most.
Then break down your long-term plan into short-term tasks.
Also, you may list weaknesses in your knowledge that you would need to upgrade along the way to achieve your goals.
The purpose for this is to live proactively, not reactively. You want to have a part in your outcome.
Any entrepreneur has to have vision - believing with all his heart that something which doesn't exist yet is possible, and will happen as sure as the sun will rise.
My name is Lawrence Touitou. I am a website designer and internet marketer. But while I do this as a professional I still very much consider myself a student.
I have been at it for several years and those who know me know can tell you that I am a quick study, and certainly not new to marketing, business, writing and knowing what works in the real world.
You may be surprised to know that a lot of the same tried and true principles that apply to offline business, also apply to the internet. (So don't forget what you know.)
I don't believe in a lot of hokus-pokus, "get-rich-quick" schemes. I do however believe in creating wealth, knowing what works and being generous to others.
In the internet marketing arena, anyone with a strong desire to succeed, a willingness to learn and some business sense can learn to do exactly what I do.
For more information about Lawrence Touitou's Web Design, Internet Marketing or Online Publishing please visit myblueshoes.com
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Starting Your Own Web Design Business
Here are a few tips for web designers who want to start their own web design business. I know it looks easy to start out, but trust me - It is harder then it looks. I am a full time designer and I have ran into nightmare projects as well as unwelcomed clients. Here are a few tips to keep things fairly easy and organized.
- Get your domain at godaddy.com with hosting too. Build your design website. It must have the following: home, about (optional), portfolio (important), and your contact e-mail.
- If you are having the issue of not having a current portfolio, just go to craigslist.com and make a few posting for a free website for people but make sure it's only 1-5 pages for this deal. Otherwise, there are some people out there who would gladly take advantage of you. Be sure to post your URL in the footer of the website once you have completed it.
- Make business cards, only if you can afford it. There are also places on the internet where you can get free business cards. The only cost is shipping, and the catch is that they will have their website address on the back. If you don't mind that, it's a preety good deal I would come to think.
- Create your Web Design contract. This is very important because if something happens like lets say, you complete the rest of the website layout and your client refuses to pay you - you will have a contract to show in case you decide to take this as far as the court room. It also gives the client a sort of reminder that your design business is serious when it comes to creating a website. There are a couple sites that give you examples of free websites that you can fish around for. Make sure the contract terms include website details of what is to be done, payment details, estimate and length of project, and full name and adress of your client along with phone number. Those are the essentials.
- Don't wait to get paid until after the website is completed: This is the first mistake I made when I first created a website for one of my first clients. The project I was creating, well he wanted revision after revision. A month went by and we were still doing the revisions. I finally completed the site and he decided he didn't want it anymore. So, all that work was spent for nothing but a good lesson was learned. That's also when I learned - a contract would have served me great in that situation. Always take payment after a preview of the layout or do it in 3 billing steps. Before, in the middle, and after. I prefer to bill my clients in 2 steps which is 50% and 50% for final website.
- The client is always right: I know that a lot of you web designers have a great sense of style and creative values. That's what we were hired for, right? Well, sometimes there are clients who come along and once we create their website - they want changes, correct? Yes! Most of the time this happens, but some of the people want their business website to look almost personal. For instance, I had someone who said to me "Let's have a yellow backround and falling raindrops for my site." Well, that would look terrible. But I guarantee if you argue with the client and say no, your out of money. Just politely do what they say. If you don't like the website you created for them, just don't add it to your portfolio. For instance, I only add the best websites to my portfolio. The ones I don't like are saved, but others just can't view it.
- Where do I find clients for my web design business? The best place to find clients is getafreelancer.com. It is a bidding site just like EBAY, but only for web design projects and data entry as well. However, if you don't have ratings on that site it is preety difficult to win the bids without feedback so I suggest using craigslist until you get a feedback of at least 10 or more on there.
To learn more about starting up your web design business, visit: http://webdesignsbyapw.com/?p=24
Adrianne P. Izaguirre
Effective Web Design
Use of graphics and content
You should use graphics very carefully and scarcely, in particular the use of flash and animation things unless you website is just only related to graphics. The reason for that is that they may distract the reader from the original content. In addition they take too much time in loading. But it does not mean that you may not use graphics at all. Too much text is also not a right way to put up your content. You need to mix the content and the graphics in a perfect way so that page is not so annoying and the user may not be frustrated.
Layout and design
A dull layout and design of your website's pages may make it unreadable and as a result difficult for you to keep visitors on your site. Some of such mistakes that lead to a poor web design are:
1. Text is too small to read
2. Color combination's of text and background are poor making the text hard to read
3. Large graphic files take too much time in loading
4. too much blinking content
5. Unclear navigation
6. large graphic content that does not fit to the screen
7. Non stop animations
8. Unnecessary scroll bars
9. Unorganized alignment of elements.
Some of the things that make your webpage an excellent page for viewing
1. Just stay away from bad design features that are given above.
2. Text must be easily read
3. Intuitive navigation buttons and bars
4. Fine use of graphics to divide large areas of text
5. A site map
6. Link colors must match with the color of the webpage
7. Once played animations must be automatically turned off
8. Pages download quickly
9. All pages have instant visual impact within 640 x 460 pixels
Planning
Planning for designing is a key to the success for your web design. The design must be nice looking, elegant, clean and eye-catching for the visitors.
Some of the points that you may need to look after while planning a web design.
Your choice of colors
Are these colors that you chose admiring?
What graphic elements you want to show to your visitors?
You may decide the layout you want to give to your website.
For more articles and resources about Web design visit Charlotte Web Design. Web Design Charlotte provides professional design for web, print and internet Marketing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Youssef_Ali
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
