Archive for the ‘Web Development’ Category

The Proper Way to Design Your Website Part: One

Friday, May 7th, 2010

It seems more often than not we get phone calls here at Apples 2 Apples to help someone redesign their website, because they’re unhappy with how their web design turned out but at the time it was all they could afford.

Starting your design process is easy…

Designing a website has little to do with templates, dreamweaver or anything similar. Lets make that clear right up front that those tools have nothing to do with designing a site. If you’ve hired a “web designer” who is doing that, you might call us instead after you finish reading this article.

The easiest way to begin is to sit down with pencil and paper and ask yourself a series of questions. We call this a creative session. Believe it or not it has nothing to do with how you want your site to look!

The first and most important question you need to ask yourself is: What is the business goal of my website?

Sounds odd you say,… consider this…are you selling a product or service? Are you trying to attract new business? Or are you trying to reinforce a brand message you’ve already had professionally developed? 

If you think about that fundamental question it will affect the entire approach to which direction to take the development of your website.

It is going to effect the style, message and use of color immediately and sets the tone for entire site.

If you are currently working with a web designer or website developer has he or she asked you this question? Have they explained to you the entire process for designing your site. Have they identified your audience or target market? More importantly who the decision maker of your product or service offering is? Is that person Man or Woman?   

The reason I point it out is simple when you identify the decision maker, then you can immediately see the message of your new site.

Makes sense? The wrong use of tone, color, or inconsistent message and it doesn’t matter what your website looks like good or bad you wont be selling anything online.
Check back with me in 3 or 4 days and I will explain the 3 most important things about your business and how they affect the design of your organizations website.
Better yet, if you have a question or need help with web design email me or call us (970) 901-0062.

Mobile Voice Search Google Demo by Vic Gundotra

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

The Mobile Web really is the future of Web Development and Applications.  Here is a nice demonstration of  Google’s voice search technology.  Here in this video my friend Google’s VP of Enginneering Vic Gundotra boldly demonstrates Google voice search at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. 

This video of Vic Gundotra is important to me because Vic’s helpful direction and kind suggestions to me personally has greatly influenced much of the technology we employ here at Apples 2 Apples web development.

~Chris

Template Based Designs…Freeware…why it’s not such a good deal..

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

You might be thinking that a web designer or a developer like myself would be a little biased in writing a commentary such as this, actually though I am about to explain the importance of proper visual display.

Your website tells your story!

As human beings we have many things in common the Arts we enjoy such paintings, music, and theater all of these differents forms of entertainment are designed to appeal to the senses. Web Design is no different. When we design websites we are designing a visual display. What we are essentially creating is a form of media to engage the senses of our audience. We are in effect telling a story, the story of your business, your interests, your social circle you might say. The story is about you! So the question becomes how best to tell that story visually? What elements are important? Like any good book it should have a theme, basically what is this site about? Next every good book has main character the heroin you might say.  This person is you or your business or your interests. Next like any good social media site will tell you we need some drama. This is effectively the story or premise of your site and so on… Do you see my point?

Effective web design is a memorable experience

Most web templates do no such thing…Theres  no subject, theme, character or drama suited for your business story or interest. They are designed to appeal to widest possible uses. Like an encyclopedia, not a great novel. Certainly not a memorable website.

Your website has a purpose dont diminish it.

Are you considering having a website built? Before determining your budget determine what you are hoping to accomplish with your visual display, your website. I’ve heard many clients come to me and say well we just want to get a page up. Please the best thing to do is save your money in this instance. If you have a business, product or service you are trying to sell do you really just want to put a page online? There are now trillions of web pages on the internet. Chances are if you just put up a web page it wont be very easy to find. More importantly it isnt likely to tell your story like a great novel.

Web templates wont employ effective design principals

Theres is one more important point to consider, visually we as poeple see in patterns, we read in patterns, eye our is designed to follow certain lines and shapes. Placing certain elements within these patterns is what creates an effective web site or web presentation.

Would you like to know how we visualize shapes, colors, and fonts? Would you like help in putting together a beautiful and compelling web design? Call Apples 2 Apples today! (970) 901-0062 or visit us online at www.apples2apples.us.com

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The Proper Way to Design Your Website Part: Two « Apples 2 Apples Web Design and Development:

[...] week I began this series of how to properly design your website with the starting point: What is the business goal behind the site? Today, I am going to help you identify the next [...]

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