All posts by Adam Prattler

What Is The Future Of Web Browsing?

SEO

HTML5 and Native Web is Amazing

Photo by Magnus D / Flickr

If you’re old enough, you might remember the very early days of the Internet – which was text only in the very beginning. With the invention of hypertext markup language – aka HTML – the wonderful world wide web exploded with colors, images, and flashing text.

Over the years, the good was built on while the bad (the flashing text) went away. Along the way, as HTML evolved, other solutions were introduced to play content – like Adobe’s Flash. On top of that, mobile companies allowed people to design native apps for mobile devices.

HTML5 is the Future of the Web

The problem with having so many standards and solutions is that it’s difficult to try to take care of every situation when you’re a designer or a developer. It’s much easier to design once and have it look perfect on every single device in existence – no matter the size.

This is where HTML5 comes in. The latest incarnation of HTML is full of features that make many cool things possible – without the need for plugins or downloads. David Walsh, a web developer, has put together nine demos showing the power of HTML5.

Walsh and many others want HTML5 to become a standard to make it easier for everyone involved – designers and viewers. In an article from earlier this summer over at The Verge, they showcased some of the cool power of HTML5 and native web technology.

HTML5 + Mobile = Heaven

In a world where designing for multiple operating systems and mobile devices can be a pain, many people believe that HTML5 is a viable solution for a design once for all platforms mentality.

The mobile world is currently divided between iOS, Android OS, and Windows 8 OS, but as more developers and designers begin to harness the true power of HTML5, this is going to change.

Then again, back in 2010, TechCrunch was heralding HTML5. That was a long time ago in Internet years. Adobe has managed to fix some snafus with their Flash platform on mobile devices, but many find it easier (and cheaper) to use HTML5.

Here’s a quick rundown of why HTML5 is so important for the future of the web.

  • Standards – HTML5 is quickly becoming a standard across many devices because developers love being able to code once and run on different platforms.

  • Faster – In many cases, native HTML5 “apps” are going to run a lot faster than other types of mobile or web apps.

  • Cheaper – Instead of investing in software to create Flash files, using HTML5 – which is free – makes a lot of sense.

  • Mobile – Because HTML5 paid close attention to mobile devices, it’s going to remain important and continue to improve and become more of a standard.

If you’re a web or mobile designer or developer, the time to embrace HTML5 fully is now. All it takes is a little research to see the true power of the latest incarnation of the language that’s been around since the very beginning of the world wide web.

Written By:

Aaron Agius has been a blogger since the very early days of the Internet. He’s seen many changes over the years and is really excited about what’s to come.

3 Tips on Designing Websites for Communication Companies

Networking, Web Design

Photo: bamwebdesign

Communications companies are in the business of enabling others to communicate. How do they do their own communication? Among other things, their website is the readily available location from where a potential customer gets all his information about the communications company. And, it is this location that people are increasingly turning to.

The ease at which they can utilize a website is miles ahead of other means they can employ. Therein lies the importance of designing a website to beat the competition. Having a vision is very important but many designers forget the very purpose of building a website. We have three good ideas you can put to use in designing a website.

1. Functionality first

Photo: abrition

A website’s primary purpose is efficient network management. The present is the via medium to future. In designing a website, there are pitfalls that had better be avoided. A website’s first appeal lies in its being functional. Other factors like aesthetics, though very much desirable, cannot be allowed to overshadow the functionality of a website. The visually attractive features like the pictures of the communication equipment or maps of coverage of a communication company can be classified only as an augmentation. They cannot be taken to represent the business in themselves.

A communication company should assume that a visitor is a rookie and needs to be taken by hand and led through the relevant content in the pages of the website. He should be able to learn about the products or services with minimum possible maneuvers within the website. At the same time, you should take the possible wavering mind of a visitor into account and provide for alternatives without him being aware of being manipulated.

2. Follow the trend

Over the years, it has been proved that a 3-click rule works best in not letting the visitor lose interest.  Before he even realizes that he had clicked his mouse three times, he should be there at the intended destination. A designer’s aim should always be to keep the visitor’s interest intact. If he cannot achieve this feat, the visitor will wander off to search engines to look for another communications company.

Speak to the customers instead of informing them with a stiff upper lip. You are not running a philosophical class. You are in the business of selling your ware and so you should make every effort to make the visitor feel that he is in good hands in the department of communication. Not all visitors can be expected to stay on the pages for a length of time. Offering free downloads of a brochure that has all the details that he may wish for is one way of procuring his continued attention.

3. Every Picture tells a Story

We had emphatically recorded above the need for the function of the website to be put forward as the first requirement but have also said a design pleasing to the eye is important too. Without giving a cluttered look, the website can be designed in such a way that an orderly placing of pictures and descriptions is perceived by the visitor. Remember a picture can speak a thousand words. Instead of meandering and pompous texts, a strategically shot and placed picture is to be desired. Endorsements from general populace are good but the same from celebrities and well-known figures inculcate a sense of credibility in the viewers.

Why Responsive Web Design is Important

responsive web design, SEO, Small Business Marketing, Web Design, ,

A Look at Why Thinking About Mobile Devices is Crucial

Photo by Mike Licht / Flickr

If you’ve not heard about responsive web design before, you really need to start doing some research. As more people begin to use smartphones and other mobile devices to access the Internet, it’s going to become even more important. We’re going to take a look at this important tool you can use to reach your customers on more devices as well as give you a short look at why you need responsive web design.

What is Responsive Web Design?

Basically, responsive web design refers to designers that use a grid for their design in addition to javascript that determines what type of device a person is using and gives them a different file that is setup to look good with that device – no matter the size of the screen. The best part is that it does all of this automatically. Once it’s setup correctly, there’s no extra work for you to have different designs that look good in different devices.

Benefits of Responsive Website Design

Here’s a look at just a few of the benefits of using responsive web design.

  • Fluid Web Design – The biggest benefit of responsive website design is the fact that it offers a fluid design. This means that no matter what a person’s image resolution is set to on their monitor, they will see all of your content. Not to mention they’ll be able to see your website on their mobile device clearly.

  • Save Time and Money – Instead of having to run two websites – one for the desktop Internet and one for mobile devices, you’re only going to have to worry about one website that will look good no matter what device is used to view it. This can save you time and money.

  • User Friendly – When you use responsive web design, your content is going to be more user friendly. This can do quite a bit to help you grow your audience. When people don’t have to worry about being able to read your content, they’re going to be more likely to check out your website.

What Next?

This is up to you, but it would be a very good idea to investigate more and see what you can do to make sure your website is showing up right on mobile devices – even ones with super small screens. The good news is that there are a lot of tools out there that can help you with this considerably. All you have to do is look around and you’re going to find something – a tool or tutorial – that will show you how to implement responsive web design.

Bio:

Sheila Kurdinger is interested in F&I Services online. She also likes to read about infographics online whenever she has some spare time.

Designers productivity block? Get your fix!

Uncategorized, Web Design

Can Being Afraid Really Help You Perform Better?

Photo by Robert Scoble (Flickr)

Can fear make designers more productive? Some recent studies and research have shown this to be true. Having said that, the method to increase productivity may have some negative side effects if implemented. Keep reading if you want to know why scaring someone can get them to work harder – and why it might not be the best of ideas.

How Fear Increases Work Productivity

Here’s a look at some of the ways that being afraid can make people work harder.

  • Economy – The biggest reason fear works is because of the state of the economy around the world currently. Many people feel they’re lucky to have a job – any job. Even if they hate going to work, they take this as a part of life and something that must be done.

  • Fear of Unknown – Not having a job in the current employment market can be a scary thing. When people with college degrees and many years of experience are having problems finding a job, people are more loathe to lose the job they have and face the unknown.

  • Other Workers – When people are fired for not working hard enough, it can have a big effect on how hard other people work. Once a culture of fear has invaded a workplace, it can be hard to disperse. And this can have long lasting negative effects.

Why Productivity Through Fear is Bad

Here’s a look at why this might not be a good thing in the long term.

  • Morale – One of the biggest problems with increased production via fear is that it can be very bad for morale. While production may increase, the quality may be missing. When morale of workers is low, it can affect a company’s ability to operate.

  • Burnout – And when morale becomes too low, burnout is a very real problem. When this happens, productivity can go through the floor – and stay there for a while which can really affect your bottom line.

  • Negative Image – If a company uses tactics of fear to get their workers to work harder – either overtly or on the sly – word can quickly spread, harming the company’s public image. With the Internet, this bad publicity can spread quickly and have a lasting effect on a brand.

As you can see, even if people are working harder because they are afraid, it might not be the best thing in the world for everyone involved. From the workers themselves – who may face burnout – to the employers – who may have quality control issues – fear can do more harm than good. What do you think? Do you work harder because you’re afraid of losing your job? Leave a comment below – anonymously if you want.

Author Bio:-
Adam prattler is a tech savvy and an amazing blogger. He likes to write blogs whenever he has some free time. Along with that, he also knows some mortgage brokers in west virginia from whom he gets information about the financial situation of real estate in that area.