GIF – Web Design POC

Web Design Optimization

Posted on May 8, 2019 by blogger

Is it possible to have an attractive website and still be optimized for search engines? The answer is absolutely yes! Of course we tend to be mis-guided about what will dazzle the visitor. It is not necessary to overwhelm your website with graphics, which will cause the page to download slower. Our intention is to provide you with tips that will still be attractive, while focusing on Easy Spider. Easy Spider is a term we use at our firm that will optimize the HTML code, but not the aesthetics of the website.

There is no question that most webmasters are developing websites that are complex and full of graphic design elements. Even though, we have faster connection speeds today compared to 10 years ago, we can go overboard and the page wills till download slowly. Of course the user will never wait that long for a website to load, and will move on to the next website in their search results.

One does have to ask the question why webmasters are still developing slow loading websites. Primarily due to a lack of knowledge. The knowledge of simple graphic optimization techniques that will allow them to maintain an attractive website while keeping the page size smaller.

Did you know that a box with rounded corners can be achieved using CSS code only, without the need for any graphic image? It is possible and although not prevalent with all web browsers, we are heading in the direction where the browsers will accept more CSS alternatives. However the point we are trying to make here is not about CSS vs. graphic images, but that we tend to be stagnant in our knowledge and do not keep up with the fast changing trends in web development.

For instance, Flash only websites, while attractive, fund an interactive are not appropriate for search engine optimization. Consider keeping you web page 90% regular text HTML and insert Flash elements to provide the interactive attractiveness.

Granted one does believe that we should not limit the web designer by placing any restrictions that impact the final outcome. However, do consider implanting code wherever possible over graphic elements. Equally, consider the complexity of the graphics as the web sites structure, layout and functionality are being planned.

Another example is when the design is finished and you are ready to slice it into small images to be used in the html code. Everything you do at this stage will affect the total page size. If your design contains rounded shapes that overlap each other or areas with color gradients, then you must slice it carefully so the outcome is a small file size.

Let’s look at what efficient slicing means:

1. Do not make large slices that contain lots of different colors. Use a small number of slices where each slice contains a limited number of colors.

2. Do not make a large slice that contains the same graphic structure. Slice a small portion of it and duplicate it in your code. This is a very common mistake that webmasters/programmers make when dealing with gradient color background.

3. Do not use JPEG file format all the time. In some cases a GIF format will be much smaller in size. A rule of thumb – a slice with high number of colors will be smaller in size using the JPEG format rather than the GIF format, and the opposite is also true. Check each option separately. Every 1KB that you reduce from the image file size will eventually add up to a significant reduction in page size.

4. Consider using PNG graphic file formats that will provide you the balance between transparent backgrounds and larger color possibilities.

5. If you have text on a solid color background, do not slice it at all. Use code to create the background instead. Remember that you can define both the font style and background color of the area using CSS.

Advanced Techniques

Graphically optimizing a website is more than just knowing how to do image optimizations. There are some advanced techniques that require a high level of programming. CSS2 has much more to offer then CSS does. Although not all browsers have adopted this standard yet you should be ready for when they do.

PHP scripts have become more prevalent during 2005 and actually feed the information that Search Engine spiders can use. PHP is preferable over JavaScript.

JavaScripts are still good possibilities to consider. JavaScript also gives you a set of options to create some cool effects without needing to overload the page with Flash. Using limited tools like JavaScript compared to an advanced application like Flash to create the desired effects can be difficult. However think about the outcome. For a onetime effort you can differentiate your website from others. You will have an attractive professional looking website that loads quickly.

Get used to writing well optimized web pages because search engines are still the number one method of finding information on the web. Search Engine spiders have to be considered in this cat and mouse game that will never end.

Reno Web Design Firms

Posted on January 14, 2019 by blogger

In today’s time-crunched world, most people literally don’t have a minute to spare. This hurried pace extends to the realm of website design — your professional Web design must satisfy the demands of users with a wide range of options for viewing the Web.
Even if you create a website design that’s worth a wait, visitors faced with slow download speed aren’t likely to stick around. So how can you make sure that time is on your side? Pay close attention to seven professional Web design tips to create a website that won’t slow your business down.
Clean up your code
While HTML text is much faster than graphic text, there are ways you can make it even faster. Watch out for extraneous HTML coding like spaces, unnecessary tags and even white space — that can increase the size of your files. Remember that less is more, and use defaults for tags or remove them wherever possible.
Compress your images
Images are a great example of how looks can be deceiving in professional Web design. You might not realize just how much space they occupy when you create a website design. By compressing your images before adding them to your professional Web design, you can reduce/shrink a GIF or .JPEG image by up to half its original size. You may also want to specify the height and weight of your images in your HTML, which can decrease loading time.
Pay attention to page size
Even if you use all of the tips above, your page size may still be big enough to cause a slow response when all the pieces of your website are put together. Remember that less is often more in professional Web design, and use only the content that is absolutely necessary. Ideal page size is around 30KB.
Use thumbnails
Thumbnails are an especially helpful website design technique for ecommerce websites. Provide customers with a small, fast-loading image of your product and let them decide whether they want to view the larger version of the image.
Limit use of flash
Flash is a classic example of style over substance and, while it definitely has its place in professional Web design, it must be used sparingly when you create a website. Even if your visitors have the right flash player (and many won’t), it will increase your site’s download time. Flash is also one of the Web site design elements that is not yet accessible to search engines, which means it can only hinder your search engine optimization efforts.
Reduce server requests
Any element of your design that loads from a different server whether it be a graphic, an audio clip, or an ad will elicit an HTTP request each time the page loads. Create a website with limited external content to reduce loading time.
Switch to CSS
Many Web designers now use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) instead of the more traditional table layout. CSS is a styling language that has a dual purpose in professional Web design: it can save you time when you create a website and save your visitors time by drastically reducing page size and download time.
When you create a website design for your business, go the extra mile to ensure your website has the speed your visitors need — or risk getting passed by.

What Your Web Design Is Missing

Posted on July 5, 2018 by blogger

Many people want to be able to learn web design skills and become a web design pro. At the same time, few people are willing to put in the time and effort to learn the basics. If you are committed to learning web design, keep reading.

Large sites should always have search capabilities. In the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, include a search box that allows users to search for a single term that appears anywhere in your site. FreeFind and Google can help you install a search function on your website.

Easy navigation is critical to keeping visitors on your site. Links should be displayed where users will find them easily. Another way to provide easy navigation is to incorporate menus. Ensure that there are links to all of your main pages, such as the home and contact pages, in a prominent location on every page.

Be aware of the background you choose. Remove obstacles to easy text reading by avoiding things like GIF backgrounds that move. Choose a background to work with your website, not conflict with it, and your visitors will be able to better read and understand your site, and your point of view.

A great “About Us” page will help your readers understand who you are and what you do. These pages are often dull and uninteresting. Make it a little more exciting! Give visitors insight into you, the designer. Help them understand how you began designing websites, which other designers you consider to be mentors, and where you are going from here.

Learning about web design is a subject that becomes easier the more you work at it. Start with some simple pages using C+ and HTML to make sure that you have the fundamentals down pat. Proceed with what you know about it soon, because you may need more practice than you initially think you will need.

When you design your website, remember that you do have have to fill up every bit of space. Using all pixels within the site could make your website seem overwhelming and cluttered. Leaving space between different elements on your webpage could give your consumers a comfortable experience. There are many situations in which empty space makes a major impact.

Many people find it very helpful to subscribe to a newsletter for website designers. This offers periodic updates and ideas that will be useful for developing a site. Whether designers are well-versed in web design or just getting started, they are likely to find helpful information.

Join a good web design newsletter. These offer some very useful, free advice and can also keep you motivated to stay on top of your site design. Both pros and novices can benefit from reading good newsletters.

Now that you know what it takes to become a better web designer, you can earn a lot doing it. Remember that web design represents a good source of profit because it allows you to improve your own site and sell more products or to sell designs to other companies.

Better Your Web Design Skills With These Tips

Posted on June 25, 2018 by blogger

Many people approach site design on their own, using fonts that aren’t readable. If you use the correct font size on your website, then it’ll be easy to read for the visitor. The following article offers you a number of great tips that will show you how to create the perfect font size.

A tagline can be very beneficial for your site. This will let people know what your business represents. Using a clear tagline is important because when someone visits your page, you have roughly eight seconds to capture their attention and entice them to explore the rest of your site.

Be aware of your background. If you have a GIF background that moves, your text may be too hard to read. Make your site easy to read by choosing a background that complements the design of your website and doesn’t overwhelm it.

Make your visitor’s life a little easier by preserving the content they enter into forms. For instance, if a user registers at your site and another form requires the same information again, be certain your website preserves this data to prevent them the useless and annoying hassle of filling it in again. Creating transferable form information will make the overall process simpler and quicker for your visitors, and they will be happy with the time you have saved them.

Use JavaScript only when necessary to avoid losing some potential viewers. JavaScript is highly overrated because it can cause issues for some users. The web browsing softwares out there differ greatly, and they all release new versions with frequency. It is often the case that people don’t rush to get the latest version. Also, many people do not enable JavaScript in web browsers. If you choose to use JavaScript every time, you will prevent some users from being able to effectively use your site.

Do not use pop-up windows. Many consumers are bothered when they visit a site and are suddenly bombarded by pop-ups. They’ll be much more likely to leave your site out of annoyance if they are confronted with pop-ups. It’s best to stay away from this type of ad to keep your visitors happy. If your webhost places their own popup ads on your website, it is time for you to change your webhost.

Regardless of your target crowd or your site’s purpose, you always want to aim for a ten second loading time or better. This will make people want to stay on your site. If it takes too long, a visitor is simply going to become frustrated and go elsewhere.

Don’t use too many fonts when making your website. You must also consider how different fonts appear on the standard computer screen; smaller serif fonts (Times New Roman, for example) are somewhat hard to read. Many sites make use of Verdana, as it can be read in many sizes and colors.

As you read in the article above, with so many people creating websites today, it is vital that you understand what the proper font size is, otherwise the site becomes difficult to read. Use the above tips to make a good website that visitors will enjoy.