Webdesigninformer.com

Andy Budd Go to the source

I was recently interviewed by the Independent on Sunday to get a design perspective on why Friends Reunited ultimately failed. However rather than the design of the site, I think the design of the system was ultimately to blame. Friends Reunited was one of the first “Social Networks” in the UK, long before the term had even been coined. Like all good web applications it made something that was difficult to do in the real world, incredibly easy. You could now re-connect with people from your past and spark up new friendships. It also tapped into two basic human traits; curiosity and gloating… Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

A lot of companies make money by driving traffic to their sites through marketing or SEO campaigns in the hope that some of their visitors will turn into customers. This makes sense when attention is plentiful and online marketing is cheap. However as marketing costs rise and attention becomes increasingly scarce, companies need to look outside of the traditional marketing funnel. Rather than simply increasing traffic, companies need to start focussing on conversions. … Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

A lot of companies make money by driving traffic to their sites through marketing or SEO campaigns in the hope that some of their visitors will turn into customers. This makes sense when attention is plentiful and online marketing is cheap. However as marketing costs rise and attention becomes increasingly scarce, companies need to look outside of the traditional marketing funnel. Rather than simply increasing traffic, companies need to start focussing on conversions. … Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

I remember reading a story once about an octogenarian discussing her most prized possessions with a researcher. She shows the researcher an iron that’s been going for over 40 years and explains how she had to scrimp and save to buy the product and how it ended up out living even her husband. Quizzed on why she spent so much money on the iron she said “I’m too poor to buy cheap!” Too poor to buy cheap. That simple phase really resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since. Cheap is quick. … Read the rest here

Hicksdesign Go to the source

Ever feel that the web design market is over-saturated by books, both coffee-table and technical? There’s too much choice, and “What books would you recommend?” is the top (non cheese related) question I get asked. Depending on the topic required, there are various degrees of ‘hmmm well…you could try…” that’s replied. This is where Mark Boulton’s new PDF book A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web comes in. I’ve been watching the previews on Flickr and now that I’ve actually had the chance to read the full book, I can declare it a triumph . … Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

Despite being 2009, one of the biggest complaints I hear from people when describing their online activities is how difficult websites are to use. People get amazingly frustrated when they’re trying to do something seemingly simple and the website continuously gets in the way. It’s almost as though the people designing or commissioning the website haven’t used it themselves. For most consumers this idea seems incredible, but sadly it’s largely still the case. … Read the rest here

Cameron Moll Go to the source

Authentic Jobs’ annual New Year’s promotion is now in effect, with a once-a-year savings opportunity. Post a job listing and use promotion code MOLL09 to receive $125 off the purchase price of a full-time listing. (Use FRLANZ09 for $25 off a freelance listing.) Offer expires January 31 . Of course, the money-back guarantee still applies, and others have found success, so toss in the discount and this is a great way to kick off the new year strong. And if you’re on the other end seeking work in 2009, grab one of the available feeds , download the Mac OS X dashboard widget , or follow along in Twitter . (Don’t forget the API and affiliate program , too.) Happy new year, everyone. … Read the rest here

Snook Go to the source

It’s that time of year when people see the big number roll over and decide to reminisce over good times and bad, and talk of where they plan to go until the big number rolls again. This blog post will be no exception. On the Personal Front It’s interesting to look at last years pontificating . In some ways, things haven’t changed. … Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

You may have noticed that things have gone a little quiet round here of late. In fact, if you’ve been reading my blog through your feed reader you probably haven’t noticed anything as I average about one post every six week at the moment which is pretty poor. Especially when you consider that at the height of my output I was blogging several times a week and occasionally several times a day. So what’s the reason for this lack of activity? I think it’s several things really. Too darned busy The last few years have been pretty hectic and an increasing amount of my time is being taken up by Clearleft and other related activities… Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

You may have noticed that things have gone a little quiet round here of late. In fact, if you’ve been reading my blog through your feed reader you probably haven’t noticed anything as I average about one post every six week at the moment which is pretty poor. Especially when you consider that at the height of my output I was blogging several times a week and occasionally several times a day. So what’s the reason for this lack of activity? I think it’s several things really. Too darned busy The last few years have been pretty hectic and an increasing amount of my time is being taken up by Clearleft and other related activities… Read the rest here

Jason Santa Maria Go to the source

For years people have declared that print is dead, but perhaps these are now its final days . Nearly every morning you can find a new article about some publication closing up their print editions and moving solely over to the web. The failing economy is an easy direction to point the blame, but it’s likely just the last nail in the coffin. It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. The Christian Science Monitor and PC Magazine move to the tubes. The Tribune files for bankruptcy protection … Read the rest here

Cameron Moll Go to the source

This morning, prior to a meeting with a client, I wrote down four resources I typically consider when embarking on a new project. I posted these to Twitter and received a few replies requesting I expound a little more. Herein I expound. 1. Precedent: Who’s done it already and how? I honestly can’t recall a time a client has come to me with a new idea “that had never been done before” and that in reality had never been done before… Read the rest here

Cameron Moll Go to the source

As one who works at an organization with nearly 3 dozen designers and websites and apps that also number several dozen, I feel comfortable admitting that the goal of striving for and maintaining visual consistency is often an elusive one. Chris Pullman, Vice President for Design at the much respected TV station WGBH, has stepped down following 35 years of service. Upon leaving, he shared ten lessons he’s learned over the years and gave Design Observer the privilege of publishing his remarks in full . The entire article is worth a read, but #7, “Variety is the spice of life”, is of particular interest to someone such as myself seeking a somewhat elusive goal. It’s worth excerpting in full. … Read the rest here

Cameron Moll Go to the source

I’m going out on a limb here by posting a date(ish), so don’t hold me to it if things go wonky. Files were sent to Bjørn Letterpress over the weekend, so I feel confident announcing December 15ish is the date my newest letterpress poster will be available for purchase, just in time for Christmas. This poster was handcrafted character by character over the course of roughly 100 hours. Characters from the Bickham Script Pro , Engravers MT , and Epic typeface families form the edifice featured in the artwork, the Salt Lake Temple. Each poster is printed on Crane Lettra Pearl and letterpressed by Bryce Knudson of Bjørn Letterpress in Provo, Utah. … Read the rest here

Snook Go to the source

It has been over six months since launching SidebarAds and there have been recent changes. The past six months have been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride when it comes to the success of SidebarAds. Now seems as good a time as any to provide a status report. For those unfamiliar with my ongoing saga in online advertising, be sure to read the announcement post from June , along with my previous discussion on self-managed advertising . … Read the rest here

Digital Web Go to the source

Last week we asked you how politics affects the jobbing web designer, and many of you responded with your thoughts. It was gratifying to see that, in the main, our readers are politically aware and realize the effect that national politics can have on their day-to-day lives — but what specifically do web pros need to consider? Adam Conrad says: Politics has yet to affect my day-to-day life finding a job, doing my work and making the web a better place. However, at the end of the day, who is in office will directly affect many aspects of my work, which many in the industry fail to account for. … Read the rest here

Digital Web Go to the source

Last week we asked you how politics affects the jobbing web designer, and many of you responded with your thoughts. It was gratifying to see that, in the main, our readers are politically aware and realize the effect that national politics can have on their day-to-day lives — but what specifically do web pros need to consider? Adam Conrad says: Politics has yet to affect my day-to-day life finding a job, doing my work and making the web a better place. However, at the end of the day, who is in office will directly affect many aspects of my work, which many in the industry fail to account for. If my taxes go up or inflation increases, then my per-hour wage may have to jump more than my clients can comfortably afford, and I could either lose business or money by taking on cheaper/less jobs. If our country goes to war, gas prices go up and it costs me significantly more to drive to a client’s home/business for a consultation, often a price I do not include in the contract. … Read the rest here

Digital Web Go to the source

Dumb question, right? Of course politics matters, to everybody. But just how do web designers and developers feel? As we move towards the US election, Digital Web Magazine wants to know how important politics is to the average web professional. Does it make any difference to your job or business who is in the White House? How do your personal politics affect your day-to-day work? … Read the rest here

Andy Budd Go to the source

Traditional business is simple. You create a product or service you think customers will want, and then spend money to drive people towards that product or service. If you’re lucky, some of those people will want to user your product or service and you’ll make money. This can be through direct charges or, in the case of content creation, selling this attention on to other companies. During times of economic slowdowns, marketing budgets are usually the first things to be cut. … Read the rest here