The 2020 surge in internet use has led to record levels of online activity. It’s high time for businesses to check that their apps and websites are fully accessible to all.
Design
Thee posts in this category are related to design and small businesses, including but not limited to graphics and visual aspects...
In the Pandemic, QR Codes are Finally Proving Worthy in the West
In western society QR codes have been mostly regarded as an ugly marketing gimmick, but they’re now proving valuable as a logistical solution to the virus problem.
20 Years On and Website Hit Counters are Still a Waste of Pixels
Website hit counters clutter up the computer screen and run the risk of looking like an unsophisticated attempt to impress visitors. Counters should be extinct, with the exception being for humour, parody and pastiche.
Waiting on Final Images for a WordPress Website? Use Temporary Placeholders and Design Around Them
Don’t wait on graphics or photos while your WordPress website is being built. Create your layout using placeholder images and edit these exact same files once you have the final artwork. How often do you begin building a site only to discover the images you need are not ready? Perhaps you’re eager to add photos, […]
“Don’t Make Me Think: Revisited” – Steve Krug (Book Review)
A person of average technical ability must be able to navigate your website easily. This is required reading for anyone wanting to create a better experience for their visitors…
QR Codes Could Get the Chance They Deserve Thanks to iOS 11
QR codes are great in theory. They’re a novel means for accessing information via smartphone, but the adoption rate among consumers is fairly low. That could change…
Cheap Instant Website Builders: Should We Dump Them?
What is so bad about instant online website builders, if the claims are to be believed? Are jealous rival designers defending their turf? This could be a messy breakup…
Badly Behaved Images? Leverage the Power of Vector Graphics to Eliminate Unruly Design
The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is the frequently overlooked solution to high quality design both in print and online. Once explained to non-designers, it is obvious the advantages afforded by “vector paths” is common sense, essential to workflow and cost effective…
Google AMP: Shocked Webmasters Learn of Changes to Mobile Site Search Results
Google Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is the most important design and development change to hit webmasters in the last 5 to 10 years. Life just got complicated…
10 Website Trust Signals You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Does your small business website seem honest and trustworthy to customers? Use these psychological triggers to increase conversions and build a good reputation…
Overwhelmed by Web Design? Use This 10 Step Project Checklist and Stay in Control
Are you a web design client or consultant? Do you need to track project progress? This website checklist is a coherent action plan for setting priorities and better managing your time…
This WordPress Media Uploader Problem Makes Your Blog Look Amateur
WordPress automatically creates thumbnails when you upload images. Add a featured image to a post and a smaller thumbnail is used for your blog archive. How does yours look?
2 Advantages of Using PNG instead of JPEG on Your Website
What format do you save your digital images to? Would you like to take advantage of background transparency? Try the PNG format…
Say What? How Your Website Colours Communicate
Website design colour schemes must be analysed carefully. The colour palette you choose affects communication, user experience and purchase decisions…
DIY Excel Customer Management Database (EU Requirement)
Small Businesses are advised to keep sales/enquiry records in a spreadsheet as part of their customer management activities…
5 Ways to Make Your Small Business Look Bigger
There are a few creative ways to use technology and resources to improve the perception of our operation. We can apply a more professional veneer…
Business Card Idea: Hand Stitched Price Tag
If your business is arts/crafts related you might be interested in these hand made business cards. I use them whenever I sell artwork in locally…
How to Paint Canvases Using PhotoShop Templates
A cool idea for artists wanting to produce template based canvas paintings. This is a guide outlines a system for creating film noir style pop art…
Small Business Website – DIY Vs Pro
There’s no question about it: a website is essential for any small business. If you don’t exist on the web, you’re creating unnecessary inconvenience…
DIY Laminated Printed QR Code
Here is a low cost method for experimenting with printed weather proof QR codes to promote a local product or service on a website…