Three Basic Web Design Guidelines:
The appearance of your web site is one of the most important aspects of your success. Your product or service will literally be judged by the appearance of your web site.
Poor web design is one of the leading causes of small business failure. There are literally thousands of home-based Internet businesses struggling to make a living online. Most, make very little or no money and end up closing their site in defeat.
I have received many messages over the years from struggling Internet marketers wanting to know if I could look at their site and tell them what they're doing wrong. Most of the time, I can tell them the problem as soon as their site has loaded -- poor web design. They failed to take the time to learn how to properly design their sites -- how to design a professional looking site specifically designed to sell their products and services.
If you really want to succeed, you must take the required time to educate yourself.
Creating a Template
When you begin designing your web site, your goal should be to create a template that you can use to create each page of your web site. This will give your entire site the same look
and feel.
A template is simply a web page "shell" that contains your entire page design, logo, images, navigational links and a specific area for your content. However, your template won't contain any content, as each time you create a page with your template, you'll save it with a different page name.
Formatting Your Pages
I highly recommend placing your entire page content within HTML tables. Tables will enable you to have complete control over your content and how it will be displayed.
For example, you can create three tables, stacked on top of each other, for each section of content. The cellpadding, cellspacing and border attributes should be set to "0" to enable your tables to seamlessly flow together. In addition, the widths for each table should be the same. The top table would contain your page header content, the middle table would contain your content and the bottom table would contain your footer content.
As placing your entire page content within a single table will significantly increase your site's load time, stacking your tables will enable you to benefit from the powerful formatting capabilities of tables, while at the same time, keep your site's load time down.
If you've ever designed a web page without using tables, you know how limited you are as to how your content will be displayed. Your text will be displayed right up against the left border and will span across the entire width of your page -- certainly not a good way to design a professional looking web site.
Tables will enable you to display your content in sections like a newspaper, set up a specific number of rows and columns, and even place additional tables within your main content table to create special content sections with colored backgrounds.
Your Storefront
Your main page is the storefront for your business and should specifically let your visitors know exactly what you're offering. If your potential customer can't find your product or service, they definitely won't waste a lot of time looking for it. They'll go on to the next site and probably never return. They're visiting your site for a specific purpose. They want something your site offers. Provide them with what they're looking for and you'll reap
the benefits.
Branding will play a major role in your success. Make sure you place your company logo and slogan in the top left corner of each page. This will not only assist your visitors in remembering your site, but it will also give your pages the same look and feel.
Instead of trying to cram all your content into your main page, consider creating sections. These sections can contain highlights of your information with a link to further information. You can set your sections up in tables with colored heading sections for information such as articles, products or whatever you'd like.
It's much better to keep your main page down to the most essential elements and link to the detailed informational pages.
A good rule of thumb is "less is more." In other words, keep your main page as small as possible and include your most important elements.
Navigation
When you begin designing your pages, keep in mind, your visitors may enter your site from pages other than your main. Make sure you include good navigational links on every page. Place your navigational links together at the top, bottom, left or right side of the page. Use tables to neatly align your links and maintain a nicely organized and uniform appearance throughout.
Try to keep the number of clicks required to get from your main page to any other page on your site down to three or four.
Fonts
One of the most important parts of a web page is text. The way in which you display the text on your web page will have a great impact on your success. It can make your page look very professional or very unprofessional.
When placing text within your web page, always be consistent with your fonts. In other words, don't use different fonts throughout your pages. The standard fonts used on the Internet are Arial and Verdana. The standard text size is 2. Arial and Verdana are the standard simply because they are the easiest to read on a computer screen.
Headlines, which require a larger font size, are a bit different. A popular headline font used is Georgia, as it displays nicely in the slightly larger font size.
Background and Text Colors
Use caution when selecting your background and text colors. Busy backgrounds make text difficult to read and draw the attention away from the text. In addition, always be consistent with your background theme on each page of your site.
Select your colors very carefully, as colors affect your mood and will have an affect on your visitors as well.
Bright colors, such as yellow and orange, cause you to become more cheerful or happy. Colors such as blue and purple have a calming effect. Dark colors, such as brown and black, have a depressing effect.
A good rule of thumb is to use colors based on the type of effect you're trying to achieve. However, it's always best for your text areas to have a white background with black text.
Above all else, you must take the time to educate yourself before you begin. I can't stress this point enough. If you don't, you're honestly just wasting your time. Although it may take a little longer, it will be well worth it in the long run.
Top Five Web Design Tools
Just like in most other professions, a web designer is set of tools is what brings a concept into fruition. There are many applications available to our disposal, but there are some that just stand out from the crowd. The tools in this article are what is regarded as the most popular tools used for web design.
Last week, you were asked to vote on what you thought was the best web design tool. Close to 280 of you shared your opinion on what the best web design tool is.
In this article, you will find the five web design tools that garnered the most votes.
Last week, you were asked to vote on what you thought was the best web design tool. Close to 280 of you shared your opinion on what the best web design tool is.
In this article, you will find the five web design tools that garnered the most votes.
5. Fireworks
Adobe Fireworks is a commercial raster and vector graphics editor hybrid from Adobe that is available for the Mac and Windows operating systems. Designed specifically for web designers (unlike adobe), Fireworks brings you a plethora of tools and options that make full web layout prototyping a breeze.
Among its notable features are: "slices" for slicing and dicing a design into HTML for rapidly creating prototypes (though you should avoid using auto-generated source code for the end-build), the ability to package an entire site design components for interactive and impressive site prototypes, and optimization tools for making your web graphics as lightweight as possible.
4. Dream weaver
Adobe Dream weaver is a commercial application for web development that is available for the Mac and Windows operating systems. Its featured-packed suite of tools and options include: syntax highlighting and very smart Code Hinting, a built-in FTP client, project management and work flow options that make team work effortless, and Live View – which shows you a preview of your source code. Dream weaver tightly integrates with other popular Adobe products such as Photo shop, allowing you to share Smart Objects for quick and easy updating and editing of graphics components.
3. Panic Coda
Panic Coda is a shareware web development application for the Mac OS X operating system. It seeks to reduce the amount of applications (such as an FTP client, C.S.S editor, a version control system, etc.) you need to develop websites and to improve your team is work flow. Coda is one-window web development philosophy uses a tabbed interface for text editing, file transfers and even "Books" which embeds web books that are search able (it comes with The Web Programmer is Desk Reference but you can add your own).
It is simple and intuitive interface allowed Coda to garner the Apple Design Awards Best Mac OS X User Experience in 2007.
2. Photo shop
Adobe Photo shop is a very popular commercial graphics editor available for the Mac and Windows operating system. Created for professional photographers and designers, it is the ideal application for manipulating images and creating web graphics. Photo shop has all the necessary tools and options you need such as: Filters – which automatically adds effects to your image or a selected section of your image, extensibility and automation with Brushes, Actions and Scripting, and enhancement features like Layer Comps and the Revert option.
1. Firebug
Firebug is a free, open source in-browser web development tool for the Firefox web browser. It is many features include: on-the-fly HTML editing for tweaking or debugging, a Console for logging, analyzing and debugging JavaScript, and an intuitive Document Object Model (DOM) inspection tool to help you quickly see how the elements of a web page relates to one another.
We make software so you can make Websites.
Since 1996, we have focused on one simple goal: making easy-to-use software so you can create cool Websites. If you are just getting started or if you already have a Website, you should try our award-winning HTML Editor, Web Form Builder, and other Web design software to create or improve your site today!
We care about our customers. When you buy our software, you get support for life. We offer help with our software through our Customer Care Center with e-mail, phone support, user forums, and more.
We hope you share your experience with the Coffee Cup Team and our software with other people, because you really are the reason we make software.
We Want Your Website to be Great
Since we released our first Web design programs more than 10 years ago, we have created a lot of HTML and Flash™ software to help people just like you. Our philosophy since the beginning has been to create more programs, software, and services that let you create better Websites. With that in mind, we developed Web Form Builder, a revolutionary software program for creating Web forms, and Photo Gallery, which makes putting your pictures online a breeze. All our Web design software is available as free trial downloads so you can play with the programs before you buy them. We are dedicated to helping you by offering extraordinary software support so we can succeed together.
We created our software with the help of millions of users worldwide. Once you join our family, every idea or feature you suggest counts. Do not be surprised if your suggestion becomes a new program or feature you can actually see and use. We listen to our users because we make software to help improve your business or personal Websites. That is what we are all about. Consider us a partner and a friend, because at Coffee Cup, it really is about the fresh software and warm people.
Software History and the HTML Editor
Coffee Cup Software was started inside a real coffeehouse in the early summer of 1996. Back then, good software to create cool Websites was really hard to find, so the first Website for the coffeehouse was made with hand-coded HTML using Notepad. One day, while chatting with a few regulars about creating Websites, the idea of a simple yet powerful HTML editor was born. We wanted to create a nifty piece of software that would make it easy for people like us to build our own Websites. One of the regulars was a programmer, so we got to work. In August of 1996, the first version of our HTML Editor was released.
Since the coffeehouse already had the domain name, our first software program was called the Coffee Cup HTML Editor, and the company was named Coffee Cup Software. Yep, it happened just like that — the company was named after the HTML Editor and the Website URL.
Soon, the coffeehouse was closed as we focused on creating and releasing shareware applications like the Image Mapper and Direct FTP. The rest is software history.
Trial Software Downloads
The HTML Editor
Visual Site Designer
Shopping Cart Creator
Shopping Cart Designer Pro
Shopping Cart Designer
Web Form Builder
Direct FTP
Photo Gallery
Website Access Manager
Google Site Mapper
Web Juke Box
Web Video Player
Flash Fire starter
Lock Box
Website Font
Flash Menu Builder
Flash Website Search
Live Chat
Ad Producer
News Flash
Web Video Recorder
Web Calendar
Flash
Password Wizard
Pix Converter
Rip & Burn
Website Color Schemer
Image Mapper
Style Sheet Maker
Web Cam
Animator
The Short Story
Coffee Cup Software started in a real Coffee House 1996. Our first program was the HTML Editor. Over the last 10 years we have created a lot more Web Design & Flash Software. Our philosophy has always been to create software and services so you can make better Websites. We are dedicated to helping you by offering extraordinary support so we can succeed together. Consider us a partner and a friend, because we really are about Fresh Software and Warm People.
We care about our customers. When you buy our software, you get support for life. We offer help with our software through our Customer Care Center with e-mail, phone support, user forums, and more.
We hope you share your experience with the Coffee Cup Team and our software with other people, because you really are the reason we make software.
We Want Your Website to be Great
Since we released our first Web design programs more than 10 years ago, we have created a lot of HTML and Flash™ software to help people just like you. Our philosophy since the beginning has been to create more programs, software, and services that let you create better Websites. With that in mind, we developed Web Form Builder, a revolutionary software program for creating Web forms, and Photo Gallery, which makes putting your pictures online a breeze. All our Web design software is available as free trial downloads so you can play with the programs before you buy them. We are dedicated to helping you by offering extraordinary software support so we can succeed together.
We created our software with the help of millions of users worldwide. Once you join our family, every idea or feature you suggest counts. Do not be surprised if your suggestion becomes a new program or feature you can actually see and use. We listen to our users because we make software to help improve your business or personal Websites. That is what we are all about. Consider us a partner and a friend, because at Coffee Cup, it really is about the fresh software and warm people.
Software History and the HTML Editor
Coffee Cup Software was started inside a real coffeehouse in the early summer of 1996. Back then, good software to create cool Websites was really hard to find, so the first Website for the coffeehouse was made with hand-coded HTML using Notepad. One day, while chatting with a few regulars about creating Websites, the idea of a simple yet powerful HTML editor was born. We wanted to create a nifty piece of software that would make it easy for people like us to build our own Websites. One of the regulars was a programmer, so we got to work. In August of 1996, the first version of our HTML Editor was released.
Since the coffeehouse already had the domain name, our first software program was called the Coffee Cup HTML Editor, and the company was named Coffee Cup Software. Yep, it happened just like that — the company was named after the HTML Editor and the Website URL.
Soon, the coffeehouse was closed as we focused on creating and releasing shareware applications like the Image Mapper and Direct FTP. The rest is software history.
Trial Software Downloads
The HTML Editor
Visual Site Designer
Shopping Cart Creator
Shopping Cart Designer Pro
Shopping Cart Designer
Web Form Builder
Direct FTP
Photo Gallery
Website Access Manager
Google Site Mapper
Web Juke Box
Web Video Player
Flash Fire starter
Lock Box
Website Font
Flash Menu Builder
Flash Website Search
Live Chat
Ad Producer
News Flash
Web Video Recorder
Web Calendar
Flash
Password Wizard
Pix Converter
Rip & Burn
Website Color Schemer
Image Mapper
Style Sheet Maker
Web Cam
Animator
The Short Story
Coffee Cup Software started in a real Coffee House 1996. Our first program was the HTML Editor. Over the last 10 years we have created a lot more Web Design & Flash Software. Our philosophy has always been to create software and services so you can make better Websites. We are dedicated to helping you by offering extraordinary support so we can succeed together. Consider us a partner and a friend, because we really are about Fresh Software and Warm People.
Web Forms
There are many ways to mark up a form, including using a table or the label tag. Take a look at these methods and tips to ensure your forms are structured so they benefit the user and the site owner. Also covered are some techniques to customize the forms. (From the book Web Standards Solutions: The Markup and Style Handbook, by Dan Ce, from , 2004, ISBN: 1590593812.)
Interactivity has always been an integral part of the Web, letting the user and site communicate through the exchange of information. Forms allow us to collect input from users in an organized, predetermined fashion, and have always been sort of an “anything goes” area when building websites. For instance, discover that marking up a form can be handled in approximately 10,000 different ways. OK, perhaps not that many, but there are several options to consider as well as steps that we can take to ensure our forms are structured in a way thats all benefit both the user and site owner
Interactivity has always been an integral part of the Web, letting the user and site communicate through the exchange of information. Forms allow us to collect input from users in an organized, predetermined fashion, and have always been sort of an “anything goes” area when building websites. For instance, discover that marking up a form can be handled in approximately 10,000 different ways. OK, perhaps not that many, but there are several options to consider as well as steps that we can take to ensure our forms are structured in a way thats all benefit both the user and site owner
Graphic Design Business Tips
Graphic Design Business Tips:
Below are 3 common problems that can go wrong and while they may sound simple and the solutions are simple, thousands of designers fall victim to these pitfalls.
1. Clients Who Won’t Pay
We all want to get paid and there are several ways to protect yourself against not getting paid. The first big mistake is to not require a down payment. Many designers do the work on spec or let the clients pay at the end, which is a big mistake. There are a few ways you can bill clients, but I prefer to simply bill half upfront and half when done, or get the full amount upfront for smaller jobs.
You should also use invoicing software or fill out an invoice template and a contract and have them all signed by the client so you have the project and payment details in writing. This will give you more power if you have to actually use the law to get your money, but hopefully it will not come to that.
2. Endless Revisions
This is an easy one to forget. You may be a great designer, but its an inside joke in the design community that the client always picks the worst design so they may not pick the design you worked hardest on, which means lots of possible revisions.
Many clients can be very picky and detail oriented, which is fine because they want to be happy, but if you do not limit revisions your project could turn into a nightmare where you actually don’t make any money because you had to put in so many extra hours.
As an example, you could offer 3 initial concepts for a logo design and then 3 revision rounds once they have picked one of the initial concepts to move forward with. You should also specify the price for additional revision rounds in case they want more.
3. Poor Planning and Timing
If you don’t plan out a project to the last detail and set a time frame you will run into major issues as well. For example if you are doing a website you need to know EXACTLY how many pages you need to create, what each page will have on it and so on. Talk about this with the client and make sure they give you everything you need before you start and get it in writing.
Creating a wire frame can be really helpful. A wire frame is basically a quick outline of what a design or website will look like and what will go where. This way you don’t miss anything and wont run into spending more time adding missing items later, which could cost you money.
Many clients also have very tight deadlines so you need to be able to gauge how long a project will take you and you need to get this in writing as well. For example you could say the estimated time to complete the project will be 3 weeks, but it could take a week more depending on extra revisions and such. Its better to add a few days or more to your estimated project deadline to give yourself a buffer.
Below are 3 common problems that can go wrong and while they may sound simple and the solutions are simple, thousands of designers fall victim to these pitfalls.
1. Clients Who Won’t Pay
We all want to get paid and there are several ways to protect yourself against not getting paid. The first big mistake is to not require a down payment. Many designers do the work on spec or let the clients pay at the end, which is a big mistake. There are a few ways you can bill clients, but I prefer to simply bill half upfront and half when done, or get the full amount upfront for smaller jobs.
You should also use invoicing software or fill out an invoice template and a contract and have them all signed by the client so you have the project and payment details in writing. This will give you more power if you have to actually use the law to get your money, but hopefully it will not come to that.
2. Endless Revisions
This is an easy one to forget. You may be a great designer, but its an inside joke in the design community that the client always picks the worst design so they may not pick the design you worked hardest on, which means lots of possible revisions.
Many clients can be very picky and detail oriented, which is fine because they want to be happy, but if you do not limit revisions your project could turn into a nightmare where you actually don’t make any money because you had to put in so many extra hours.
As an example, you could offer 3 initial concepts for a logo design and then 3 revision rounds once they have picked one of the initial concepts to move forward with. You should also specify the price for additional revision rounds in case they want more.
3. Poor Planning and Timing
If you don’t plan out a project to the last detail and set a time frame you will run into major issues as well. For example if you are doing a website you need to know EXACTLY how many pages you need to create, what each page will have on it and so on. Talk about this with the client and make sure they give you everything you need before you start and get it in writing.
Creating a wire frame can be really helpful. A wire frame is basically a quick outline of what a design or website will look like and what will go where. This way you don’t miss anything and wont run into spending more time adding missing items later, which could cost you money.
Many clients also have very tight deadlines so you need to be able to gauge how long a project will take you and you need to get this in writing as well. For example you could say the estimated time to complete the project will be 3 weeks, but it could take a week more depending on extra revisions and such. Its better to add a few days or more to your estimated project deadline to give yourself a buffer.
The Top 20 Web Design Tips
The Top 20 Web Design Tips:
Your Web site should be well organized -- Create an outline before beginning the design process.
Every graphic on a web page should be necessary -- Each graphic should relate to the text on that page, to the message being communicated, and to the audience.
Background color should be easy on the eyes -- Some colors hurt the eyes and visitors to your site will leave quickly.
Colored text should contrast with the background so that it is readable -- Don't lose sight of the fact that text on a page should be able to be read.
Do not center all text on a page -- A large amount of centered text is difficult to read.
Keep your copy short -- People don't have the time or patience to read large amounts of text from a computer monitor
Keep width of text to about five inches -- Wide columns of text are difficult to read.
If using audio files, or movies, give viewers a choice whether or not to use them.
Don't use blue for regular text color -- Blue usually denotes links and can confuse the reader.
Don't underline text for emphasis -- Underlined text usually signifies a link.
Use motion sparingly! -- Motion should only be used when necessary to convey a message!
Check readability of text -- Cut it and paste it into a Word document. Check for grammar and spelling.
Always ask WHY you are putting certain information on the web -- Keep information short and sweet. If you want to give your viewers more information, create a pdf file for them to download.
Always have contact information on your site -- Put your e-mail address, phone if necessary in a prominent location on your site.
Use links to other sites that are relevant to yours -- You don't have to reinvent the wheel. There is a lot of information on the web that is relevant and can be helpful to visitors to your site.
Include the webmaster's e-mail address on the contact page -- Viewers can report missing links or other problems. Nothing is more frustrating than links that don't work.
Make sure your site is accessible to everyone regardless of the browser they are using -- There are no standards-no common denominators for the internet yet. Viewers have different equipment--modems with low baud speeds. Keep this in mind when including graphics and some of the bells and whistles you would like to use.
Do not forget that your web site can be viewed by anyone, anywhere -- If you are trying to reach a global audience make sure your graphics can be translated and understood internationally.
Check out your site on different browsers -- Colors will look different on a Mac than a PC.
Look at other sites -- you can get ideas for your site: good design, good navigation, graphics by looking at other sites.
Your Web site should be well organized -- Create an outline before beginning the design process.
Every graphic on a web page should be necessary -- Each graphic should relate to the text on that page, to the message being communicated, and to the audience.
Background color should be easy on the eyes -- Some colors hurt the eyes and visitors to your site will leave quickly.
Colored text should contrast with the background so that it is readable -- Don't lose sight of the fact that text on a page should be able to be read.
Do not center all text on a page -- A large amount of centered text is difficult to read.
Keep your copy short -- People don't have the time or patience to read large amounts of text from a computer monitor
Keep width of text to about five inches -- Wide columns of text are difficult to read.
If using audio files, or movies, give viewers a choice whether or not to use them.
Don't use blue for regular text color -- Blue usually denotes links and can confuse the reader.
Don't underline text for emphasis -- Underlined text usually signifies a link.
Use motion sparingly! -- Motion should only be used when necessary to convey a message!
Check readability of text -- Cut it and paste it into a Word document. Check for grammar and spelling.
Always ask WHY you are putting certain information on the web -- Keep information short and sweet. If you want to give your viewers more information, create a pdf file for them to download.
Always have contact information on your site -- Put your e-mail address, phone if necessary in a prominent location on your site.
Use links to other sites that are relevant to yours -- You don't have to reinvent the wheel. There is a lot of information on the web that is relevant and can be helpful to visitors to your site.
Include the webmaster's e-mail address on the contact page -- Viewers can report missing links or other problems. Nothing is more frustrating than links that don't work.
Make sure your site is accessible to everyone regardless of the browser they are using -- There are no standards-no common denominators for the internet yet. Viewers have different equipment--modems with low baud speeds. Keep this in mind when including graphics and some of the bells and whistles you would like to use.
Do not forget that your web site can be viewed by anyone, anywhere -- If you are trying to reach a global audience make sure your graphics can be translated and understood internationally.
Check out your site on different browsers -- Colors will look different on a Mac than a PC.
Look at other sites -- you can get ideas for your site: good design, good navigation, graphics by looking at other sites.
Ten logo design tips
Ten logo design tips:
1. A logo doesn’t need to say what a company does
Restaurant logos don’t need to show food, dentist logos don’t need to show teeth, furniture store logos don’t need to show furniture. Just because it’s relevant, doesn’t mean you can’t do better.
The Mercedes logo isn’t a car. The Virgin Atlantic logo isn’t an aeroplane. The Apple logo isn’t a computer. Etc. Etc.
2. Not every logo needs a mark
Sometimes a client just needs a professional logotype to identify their business. Don’t be afraid to ask what they think.
3. Two-way process
Remember, things might not always pan out as you hope. Your client might request something you disagree with. If that happens, try giving them what they want, then show them what you believe is an improvement, and why. They’re less likely to be so resistant if they already see how their thoughts pan out.
4. Picasso started somewhere
You don’t need to be an artist to realise the benefits of logo sketching. Ideas can flow much faster between a pen and paper than they can a mouse and monitor.
5. Under-promise, over-deliver
If you’re unsure how long a task will take to complete, estimate longer. Design projects are like construction work — you piece lots of little elements together to form a greater whole, and setbacks can crop up at any time.
6. Leave trends to the fashion industry
Trends come and go, and when you’re talking about changing a pair of jeans, or buying a new dress, that’s fine, but where your brand identity is concerned, longevity is key.
Don’t follow the pack.
Stand out.
7. Work in black first
By leaving colour to the end of the process, you focus on the idea. No amount of gradient or colour will rescue a poorly designed mark.
8. Keep it appropriate
Designing for a lawyer? Ditch the fun approach. Designing for a kid’s TV show? Nothing too serious. I could go on, but you get the picture.
9. A simple logo aids recognition
Keeping the design simple allows for flexibility in size. Ideally, your design should work at a minimum of around one inch without loss of detail. Look at the logos of large corporations like Mitsubishi, Samsung, FedEx, BBC etc. Their logos look simple and are easier to recognise because of it.
10. One thing to remember
That’s it. Leave your client with just one thing to remember about the design. All strong logos have one single feature to help them stand out.
1. A logo doesn’t need to say what a company does
Restaurant logos don’t need to show food, dentist logos don’t need to show teeth, furniture store logos don’t need to show furniture. Just because it’s relevant, doesn’t mean you can’t do better.
The Mercedes logo isn’t a car. The Virgin Atlantic logo isn’t an aeroplane. The Apple logo isn’t a computer. Etc. Etc.
2. Not every logo needs a mark
Sometimes a client just needs a professional logotype to identify their business. Don’t be afraid to ask what they think.
3. Two-way process
Remember, things might not always pan out as you hope. Your client might request something you disagree with. If that happens, try giving them what they want, then show them what you believe is an improvement, and why. They’re less likely to be so resistant if they already see how their thoughts pan out.
4. Picasso started somewhere
You don’t need to be an artist to realise the benefits of logo sketching. Ideas can flow much faster between a pen and paper than they can a mouse and monitor.
5. Under-promise, over-deliver
If you’re unsure how long a task will take to complete, estimate longer. Design projects are like construction work — you piece lots of little elements together to form a greater whole, and setbacks can crop up at any time.
6. Leave trends to the fashion industry
Trends come and go, and when you’re talking about changing a pair of jeans, or buying a new dress, that’s fine, but where your brand identity is concerned, longevity is key.
Don’t follow the pack.
Stand out.
7. Work in black first
By leaving colour to the end of the process, you focus on the idea. No amount of gradient or colour will rescue a poorly designed mark.
8. Keep it appropriate
Designing for a lawyer? Ditch the fun approach. Designing for a kid’s TV show? Nothing too serious. I could go on, but you get the picture.
9. A simple logo aids recognition
Keeping the design simple allows for flexibility in size. Ideally, your design should work at a minimum of around one inch without loss of detail. Look at the logos of large corporations like Mitsubishi, Samsung, FedEx, BBC etc. Their logos look simple and are easier to recognise because of it.
10. One thing to remember
That’s it. Leave your client with just one thing to remember about the design. All strong logos have one single feature to help them stand out.
Tips for writing web content
Tips for writing web content:
Regarding Style:
be concise in your writing. Get to the point quickly.
choose words appropriate for your readers. Avoid using technical lingo, and if you do, add an explanation.
use short sentences (30 to 40 characters), 3 or 4 sentences per paragraph, adding a subheading announcing the topic or main point.
include the reader by using 'you' and 'we' when appropriate.
whenever possible summarize and link to full-length treatments as supporting documentation.
Regarding format:
underlining is for hyperlinks, so don't use that for emphasis.
don't use all caps, except for acronyms.
reserve bolding for headings and subheadings, for the most part.
use bullet points for lists. They are easy to read and add some white space to the page.
use centered text only for short headlines.
make headlines short.
justify left all of your text, except, perhaps, the headline of the page.
move detailed info to secondary pages.
Regarding structure:
use an explanatory headline at the top of each page so the reader knows where they are.
follow that with a summary of the topic they will be reading about on that page.
use frequent subheadings throughout the page to help the reader along and so the reader can immediately find the information they want to read.
if the page is long, put subheadings at the top of the page linking to the anchor points further down the page.
restrict each page to just one topic, briefly mentioning the topics to be found on other pages, and adding a link to those pages within the text itself.
Regarding content:
keep each page current, removing all redundant and outdated content.
rather than duplicate content within the website, link to it.
if content is of a timely nature, add a date.
if your content will remain on your site for some time, use dates rather than relative time, such as 'soon' or 'next year'.
refrain from mentioning a particular person's name and use their title to avoid outdated info.
Regarding images:
photos must be totally relevant to the text around them. As they are a barrier to reading use photos sparingly.
color photos get more attention than black and white photos.
a sequence of photos that tells a story gets more attention than a single photo.
photos of people or of action get more attention than photos of objects.
photos of close-ups of faces get the most attention.
Links
links within your own site should open in the same browser window.
if the link will take the reader to another site, tell them so, and have it open in a separate browser window.
use [brackets] after the link to explain where the reader is being taken, if not already self-explanatory within the text.
Regarding Style:
be concise in your writing. Get to the point quickly.
choose words appropriate for your readers. Avoid using technical lingo, and if you do, add an explanation.
use short sentences (30 to 40 characters), 3 or 4 sentences per paragraph, adding a subheading announcing the topic or main point.
include the reader by using 'you' and 'we' when appropriate.
whenever possible summarize and link to full-length treatments as supporting documentation.
Regarding format:
underlining is for hyperlinks, so don't use that for emphasis.
don't use all caps, except for acronyms.
reserve bolding for headings and subheadings, for the most part.
use bullet points for lists. They are easy to read and add some white space to the page.
use centered text only for short headlines.
make headlines short.
justify left all of your text, except, perhaps, the headline of the page.
move detailed info to secondary pages.
Regarding structure:
use an explanatory headline at the top of each page so the reader knows where they are.
follow that with a summary of the topic they will be reading about on that page.
use frequent subheadings throughout the page to help the reader along and so the reader can immediately find the information they want to read.
if the page is long, put subheadings at the top of the page linking to the anchor points further down the page.
restrict each page to just one topic, briefly mentioning the topics to be found on other pages, and adding a link to those pages within the text itself.
Regarding content:
keep each page current, removing all redundant and outdated content.
rather than duplicate content within the website, link to it.
if content is of a timely nature, add a date.
if your content will remain on your site for some time, use dates rather than relative time, such as 'soon' or 'next year'.
refrain from mentioning a particular person's name and use their title to avoid outdated info.
Regarding images:
photos must be totally relevant to the text around them. As they are a barrier to reading use photos sparingly.
color photos get more attention than black and white photos.
a sequence of photos that tells a story gets more attention than a single photo.
photos of people or of action get more attention than photos of objects.
photos of close-ups of faces get the most attention.
Links
links within your own site should open in the same browser window.
if the link will take the reader to another site, tell them so, and have it open in a separate browser window.
use [brackets] after the link to explain where the reader is being taken, if not already self-explanatory within the text.
Simple Design Tips
Simple Design Tips:
Organize your site from the beginning. If you organize the folders, for your site, before you begin creating your pages, then you will always be able to find your pages when you need them.
Create folders for different types of files. If you are adding pictures to your site, you should have a folder named something like "graphics" or "pictures. This is where you will always place your pictures. If you have some pages about you and others about your kids, create different folders to keep each in.
Name your pages and graphics in a way in which it will be easy to find them later. When you have groups of pages or graphics that are similar, give them similar names. For instance, if you have a group of pages with stories about your son, start the name of each file with "son". The file names could be: sonpark, sonschool.
Create folders for different types of files. If you are adding pictures to your site, you should have a folder named something like "graphics" or "pictures. This is where you will always place your pictures. If you have some pages about you and others about your kids, create different folders to keep each in.
Name your pages and graphics in a way in which it will be easy to find them later. When you have groups of pages or graphics that are similar, give them similar names. For instance, if you have a group of pages with stories about your son, start the name of each file with "son". The file names could be: sonpark, sonschool.
Keep your graphics sizes small. When the pixel size of your graphics are too big, it takes too long for your page to load. Your readers may not stick around long enough to see you graphics if they are made to wait.
Put large graphics on a separate page. Create a page especially for your large graphic. Link to it from your page and label the link with something telling your readers that it will take a long time to download. They will wait to see it if they are warned ahead of time.
Use of a thumbnail is an option in place of a text link to your graphic page. A thumbnail is a smaller version of your graphic. You can create one with most graphic programs by just making the graphic smaller or using the "thumbnail" option, if the program has one.
Update your site regularly. When people come to your site, they are looking for information about you, or whatever your site is about. If they like your site, they will come back again. When they come back, they will be looking for more information. If you don't have something new for them to look at, they may not come back again. Give them what they want and add more information regularly.
Keep text narrow. It is easier to read text that is kept in narrow columns. Did you ever wonder why newspapers keep their columns so narrow? It's to make it easier to read. It's even more important on the Internet because your readers are reading on their computer screen. If they can't read everything, without scrolling sideways, then they probably won't read it at all.
Organize your site from the beginning. If you organize the folders, for your site, before you begin creating your pages, then you will always be able to find your pages when you need them.
Create folders for different types of files. If you are adding pictures to your site, you should have a folder named something like "graphics" or "pictures. This is where you will always place your pictures. If you have some pages about you and others about your kids, create different folders to keep each in.
Name your pages and graphics in a way in which it will be easy to find them later. When you have groups of pages or graphics that are similar, give them similar names. For instance, if you have a group of pages with stories about your son, start the name of each file with "son". The file names could be: sonpark, sonschool.
Create folders for different types of files. If you are adding pictures to your site, you should have a folder named something like "graphics" or "pictures. This is where you will always place your pictures. If you have some pages about you and others about your kids, create different folders to keep each in.
Name your pages and graphics in a way in which it will be easy to find them later. When you have groups of pages or graphics that are similar, give them similar names. For instance, if you have a group of pages with stories about your son, start the name of each file with "son". The file names could be: sonpark, sonschool.
Keep your graphics sizes small. When the pixel size of your graphics are too big, it takes too long for your page to load. Your readers may not stick around long enough to see you graphics if they are made to wait.
Put large graphics on a separate page. Create a page especially for your large graphic. Link to it from your page and label the link with something telling your readers that it will take a long time to download. They will wait to see it if they are warned ahead of time.
Use of a thumbnail is an option in place of a text link to your graphic page. A thumbnail is a smaller version of your graphic. You can create one with most graphic programs by just making the graphic smaller or using the "thumbnail" option, if the program has one.
Update your site regularly. When people come to your site, they are looking for information about you, or whatever your site is about. If they like your site, they will come back again. When they come back, they will be looking for more information. If you don't have something new for them to look at, they may not come back again. Give them what they want and add more information regularly.
Keep text narrow. It is easier to read text that is kept in narrow columns. Did you ever wonder why newspapers keep their columns so narrow? It's to make it easier to read. It's even more important on the Internet because your readers are reading on their computer screen. If they can't read everything, without scrolling sideways, then they probably won't read it at all.
Tips For Professional Sites
Tips For Professional Sites:
1. You should have fast loading web pages
Usability: Web surfers don't want to wait for web pages.
Search engine optimization: Search engines can index your web pages more easily.
2. Your web pages should be easy to read
Usability: It's easier for web surfers to read your web pages.
Search engine optimization: Near-white text on a white background and tiny text is considered spam by most search engines.
3. The contents of your web pages should be clearly arranged
Usability: Clear headings, paragraphs and bullet lists make your web pages easier to read.
Search engine optimization: Clear headings, paragraphs and bullet lists make it easier for search engines to find the topic of your web pages.
4. Your web page images should use the IMG ALT attribute
Usability: Web surfers with images turned off and visually impaired visitors will be able to see the content of your images.
Search engine optimization: Search engines cannot index the content of your images but they can index the content of the IMG ALT attribute.
5. You should use custom 404 not found error pages
Usability: If your 404 not found page contains links to other pages of your website or a search form then people might remain on your website.
Search engine optimization: Proper 404 error pages make sure that search engines index the right pages of your website.
6. Your website should be easy to navigate
Usability: Clear and concise navigation links that are easy to find help your website visitors to find content on your site.
Search engine optimization: Clear and concise navigation links that contain your keywords make it easy for search engines to index all of your web pages.
7. Important content is above the fold
Usability: Web surfers with small computer screens can quickly see what your web page is about.
Search engine optimization: The sooner your important content appears in the HTML code of your web pages, the more likely it is that it will be indexed by search engines.
8. Your web page titles are explanatory
Usability: If web surfers bookmark your web pages, a clear web page title will help them to find it again.
Search engine optimization: The web page title is one of the most important SEO elements. It should contain your keywords and it should look attractive so that web surfers click on it when they see your web page title in the search results.
1. You should have fast loading web pages
Usability: Web surfers don't want to wait for web pages.
Search engine optimization: Search engines can index your web pages more easily.
2. Your web pages should be easy to read
Usability: It's easier for web surfers to read your web pages.
Search engine optimization: Near-white text on a white background and tiny text is considered spam by most search engines.
3. The contents of your web pages should be clearly arranged
Usability: Clear headings, paragraphs and bullet lists make your web pages easier to read.
Search engine optimization: Clear headings, paragraphs and bullet lists make it easier for search engines to find the topic of your web pages.
4. Your web page images should use the IMG ALT attribute
Usability: Web surfers with images turned off and visually impaired visitors will be able to see the content of your images.
Search engine optimization: Search engines cannot index the content of your images but they can index the content of the IMG ALT attribute.
5. You should use custom 404 not found error pages
Usability: If your 404 not found page contains links to other pages of your website or a search form then people might remain on your website.
Search engine optimization: Proper 404 error pages make sure that search engines index the right pages of your website.
6. Your website should be easy to navigate
Usability: Clear and concise navigation links that are easy to find help your website visitors to find content on your site.
Search engine optimization: Clear and concise navigation links that contain your keywords make it easy for search engines to index all of your web pages.
7. Important content is above the fold
Usability: Web surfers with small computer screens can quickly see what your web page is about.
Search engine optimization: The sooner your important content appears in the HTML code of your web pages, the more likely it is that it will be indexed by search engines.
8. Your web page titles are explanatory
Usability: If web surfers bookmark your web pages, a clear web page title will help them to find it again.
Search engine optimization: The web page title is one of the most important SEO elements. It should contain your keywords and it should look attractive so that web surfers click on it when they see your web page title in the search results.
What do you think about web design?
What do you think:
What do you think about web design? You can find the articles related to “how to” do web design everywhere by mentioning as “top tips” or else. However, I did read it and find it useful. I recommend them to those who are willing to step into this field or those who can’t get himself on the hot list for quite a long time. Here, I will giving some tips from my point of view and also some will be taken from other experienced web designers. I am not saying that I am so pro in this field and want to act here but just wish to share my opinion and tips.
1. Structuring
I found that this is even more important than what kind design you are going to use. To get this done, I need to do some analysis and research about the site I am going to build. For example, target users, functions, Colors and always see from the users’ side. After I gather all the information, then I can only start drawing out the layout and decided what to focus and what isn’t important.
2. Sketching
So we all know, we do our job in Photoshop or other softwares. But, before that, I recommend that we start by using a pencil and papers. I prefer to sketch out the layout and write down the important notes we need. This will always save me a lot of times to try in Photoshop directly.
3. Concept
Do not try to put all the nice design elements that you get from the popular sites in one page. This will not make your site perfect but may destroy the whole site. For example, kailoon.com, I am using some elements that related to stone age and I avoid all fancy things and also those orb effects or reflection which considered as web 2.0 must used elements. (actually, web 2.0 is all about reflection also, it is more on the function wise). It will only makes the whole thing not match to each others and i usually describe this as a “rojak site”. Means “mixing the trendy elements” into one “bowl”.
I prefer to use the concept based on the logo. It is because, the first thing people will see when browsing a site is the logo, top left or even center. Then only he will continue to navigate the site. So, the logo concept will easily go into their mind and influence the rest of the reading. For example, If the logo is something smooth, soft or light. I will choose something relevant and use some different style on the important section to attract attention. The elements you can used based on the logo are the colors, style and perspective.
4. Right technology at the right time
Nowadays, people like to use mootools or ajax to create some nice effects. But, is it all necessary? I admit that the effects look cool and I also use it in my site here. However, I just use it for a try because I never try this before. And, I use it after I I completed my web design. What I want to say is we do not decide what technology we are going to used before we decide what we are going to build. It’s not about building the solution before there’s a problem. It’s about having a problem and using the right technology to solve that problem.
I can find this mostly in the portfolio sites from the web designer who wish to show to their clients that they are capable on doing this kind of cool stuffs. Sometimes, we only need something simple and well organized to gain the confident of the clients.
5. Spacing and Padding
This is very important to make sure that your site will not look like a spam site or “rojak site”. It also help users to read your content more easily. More white space can make your interface look more clean and well organized. What we need to do is make sure there is some padding for the content with the edge of the container or frame.
What do you think about web design? You can find the articles related to “how to” do web design everywhere by mentioning as “top tips” or else. However, I did read it and find it useful. I recommend them to those who are willing to step into this field or those who can’t get himself on the hot list for quite a long time. Here, I will giving some tips from my point of view and also some will be taken from other experienced web designers. I am not saying that I am so pro in this field and want to act here but just wish to share my opinion and tips.
1. Structuring
I found that this is even more important than what kind design you are going to use. To get this done, I need to do some analysis and research about the site I am going to build. For example, target users, functions, Colors and always see from the users’ side. After I gather all the information, then I can only start drawing out the layout and decided what to focus and what isn’t important.
2. Sketching
So we all know, we do our job in Photoshop or other softwares. But, before that, I recommend that we start by using a pencil and papers. I prefer to sketch out the layout and write down the important notes we need. This will always save me a lot of times to try in Photoshop directly.
3. Concept
Do not try to put all the nice design elements that you get from the popular sites in one page. This will not make your site perfect but may destroy the whole site. For example, kailoon.com, I am using some elements that related to stone age and I avoid all fancy things and also those orb effects or reflection which considered as web 2.0 must used elements. (actually, web 2.0 is all about reflection also, it is more on the function wise). It will only makes the whole thing not match to each others and i usually describe this as a “rojak site”. Means “mixing the trendy elements” into one “bowl”.
I prefer to use the concept based on the logo. It is because, the first thing people will see when browsing a site is the logo, top left or even center. Then only he will continue to navigate the site. So, the logo concept will easily go into their mind and influence the rest of the reading. For example, If the logo is something smooth, soft or light. I will choose something relevant and use some different style on the important section to attract attention. The elements you can used based on the logo are the colors, style and perspective.
4. Right technology at the right time
Nowadays, people like to use mootools or ajax to create some nice effects. But, is it all necessary? I admit that the effects look cool and I also use it in my site here. However, I just use it for a try because I never try this before. And, I use it after I I completed my web design. What I want to say is we do not decide what technology we are going to used before we decide what we are going to build. It’s not about building the solution before there’s a problem. It’s about having a problem and using the right technology to solve that problem.
I can find this mostly in the portfolio sites from the web designer who wish to show to their clients that they are capable on doing this kind of cool stuffs. Sometimes, we only need something simple and well organized to gain the confident of the clients.
5. Spacing and Padding
This is very important to make sure that your site will not look like a spam site or “rojak site”. It also help users to read your content more easily. More white space can make your interface look more clean and well organized. What we need to do is make sure there is some padding for the content with the edge of the container or frame.
Common Mistake in Web Designing
1. If you MUST play an audio file let the user start it: some situations might require an audio file. You might need to deliver a speech to the user or your guided tour might have an audio component. That is fine. Just make sure that the user is in control, let him push the “Play” button as opposed to jamming the music on his face right after he enters the website.
2. Do not clutter your website with badges: first of all, badges of networks and communities make a site look very unprofessional. Even if we are talking about awards and recognition badges you should place them on the “About Us” page.
3. Do not use a homepage that just launches the “real” website: the smaller the number of steps required for the user to access your content, the better.
4. Make sure to include contact details: there is nothing worse than a website that has no contact details. This is not bad only for the visitors, but also for yourself. You might lose important feedback along the way.
5. Do not break the “Back” button: this is a very basic principle of usability. Do not break the “Back” button under any circumstance. Opening new browser windows will break it, for instance, and some Javascript links might also break them.
6. Do not use blinking text: unless your visitors are coming straight from 1996, that is.
7. Avoid complex URL structures: a simple, keyword-based URL structure will not only improve your search engine rankings, but it will also make it easier for the reader to identify the content of your pages before visiting them.
8. Use CSS over HTML tables: HTML tables were used to create page layouts. With the advent of CSS, however, there is no reason to stick to them. CSS is faster, more reliable and it offers many more features.
9. Make sure users can search the whole website: there is a reason why search engines revolutionized the Internet. You probably guessed it, because they make it very easy to find the information we are looking for. Do not neglect this on your site.
10. Avoid “drop down” menus: the user should be able to see all the navigation options straight way. Using “drop down” menus might confuse things and hide the information the reader was actually looking for.
11. Use text navigation: text navigation is not only faster but it is also more reliable. Some users, for instance, browse the Internet with images turned off.
12. If you are linking to PDF files disclose it: ever clicked on a link only to see your browser freezing while Acrobat Reader launches to open that (unrequested) PDF file? That is pretty annoying so make sure to explicit links pointing to PDF files so that users can handle them properly.
13. Do not confuse the visitor with many versions: avoid confusing the visitor with too many versions of your website. What bandwidth do I prefer? 56Kbps? 128Kbps? Flash or HTML? Man, just give me the content!
14. Do not blend advertising inside the content: blending advertising like Adsense units inside your content might increase your click-through rate on the short term. Over the long run, however, this will reduce your readership base. An annoyed visitor is a lost visitor.
15. Use a simple navigation structure: sometimes less is more. This rule usually applies to people and choices. Make sure that your website has a single, clear navigation structure. The last thing you want is to confuse the reader regarding where he should go to find the information he is looking for.
16. Avoid “intros”: do not force the user to watch or read something before he can access to the real content. This is plain annoying, and he will stay only if what you have to offer is really unique.
17. Do not use FrontPage: this point extends to other cheap HTML editors. While they appear to make web design easier, the output will be a poorly crafted code, incompatible with different browsers and with several bugs.
18. Make sure your website is cross-browser compatible: not all browsers are created equal, and not all of them interpret CSS and other languages on the same way. Like it or not, you will need to make your website compatible with the most used browsers on the market, else you will lose readers over the long term.
19. Make sure to include anchor text on links: I confess I used to do that mistake until some time ago. It is easier to tell people to “click here”. But this is not efficient. Make sure to include a relevant anchor text on your links. It will ensure that the reader knows where he is going to if he clicks the link, and it will also create SEO benefits for the external site where the link is pointing.
20. Do not cloak links: apart from having a clear anchor text, the user must also be able to see where the link is pointing on the status bar of his browser. If you cloak your links (either because they are affiliate ones or due to other reasons) your site will lose credibility.
2. Do not clutter your website with badges: first of all, badges of networks and communities make a site look very unprofessional. Even if we are talking about awards and recognition badges you should place them on the “About Us” page.
3. Do not use a homepage that just launches the “real” website: the smaller the number of steps required for the user to access your content, the better.
4. Make sure to include contact details: there is nothing worse than a website that has no contact details. This is not bad only for the visitors, but also for yourself. You might lose important feedback along the way.
5. Do not break the “Back” button: this is a very basic principle of usability. Do not break the “Back” button under any circumstance. Opening new browser windows will break it, for instance, and some Javascript links might also break them.
6. Do not use blinking text: unless your visitors are coming straight from 1996, that is.
7. Avoid complex URL structures: a simple, keyword-based URL structure will not only improve your search engine rankings, but it will also make it easier for the reader to identify the content of your pages before visiting them.
8. Use CSS over HTML tables: HTML tables were used to create page layouts. With the advent of CSS, however, there is no reason to stick to them. CSS is faster, more reliable and it offers many more features.
9. Make sure users can search the whole website: there is a reason why search engines revolutionized the Internet. You probably guessed it, because they make it very easy to find the information we are looking for. Do not neglect this on your site.
10. Avoid “drop down” menus: the user should be able to see all the navigation options straight way. Using “drop down” menus might confuse things and hide the information the reader was actually looking for.
11. Use text navigation: text navigation is not only faster but it is also more reliable. Some users, for instance, browse the Internet with images turned off.
12. If you are linking to PDF files disclose it: ever clicked on a link only to see your browser freezing while Acrobat Reader launches to open that (unrequested) PDF file? That is pretty annoying so make sure to explicit links pointing to PDF files so that users can handle them properly.
13. Do not confuse the visitor with many versions: avoid confusing the visitor with too many versions of your website. What bandwidth do I prefer? 56Kbps? 128Kbps? Flash or HTML? Man, just give me the content!
14. Do not blend advertising inside the content: blending advertising like Adsense units inside your content might increase your click-through rate on the short term. Over the long run, however, this will reduce your readership base. An annoyed visitor is a lost visitor.
15. Use a simple navigation structure: sometimes less is more. This rule usually applies to people and choices. Make sure that your website has a single, clear navigation structure. The last thing you want is to confuse the reader regarding where he should go to find the information he is looking for.
16. Avoid “intros”: do not force the user to watch or read something before he can access to the real content. This is plain annoying, and he will stay only if what you have to offer is really unique.
17. Do not use FrontPage: this point extends to other cheap HTML editors. While they appear to make web design easier, the output will be a poorly crafted code, incompatible with different browsers and with several bugs.
18. Make sure your website is cross-browser compatible: not all browsers are created equal, and not all of them interpret CSS and other languages on the same way. Like it or not, you will need to make your website compatible with the most used browsers on the market, else you will lose readers over the long term.
19. Make sure to include anchor text on links: I confess I used to do that mistake until some time ago. It is easier to tell people to “click here”. But this is not efficient. Make sure to include a relevant anchor text on your links. It will ensure that the reader knows where he is going to if he clicks the link, and it will also create SEO benefits for the external site where the link is pointing.
20. Do not cloak links: apart from having a clear anchor text, the user must also be able to see where the link is pointing on the status bar of his browser. If you cloak your links (either because they are affiliate ones or due to other reasons) your site will lose credibility.
Web Design Mistakes You Should Avoid
Web Design Mistakes You Should Avoid
There are several lists of web design mistakes around the Internet. Most of them, however, are the “Most common” or “Top 10” mistakes. Every time I crossed one of those lists I would think to myself: “Come on, there must be more than 10 mistakes…”. Then I decided to write down all the web design mistakes that would come into my head; within half an hour I had over thirty of them listed. Afterwards I did some research around the web and the list grew to 43 points.
The next step was to write a short description for each one, and the result is the collection of mistakes that you will find below. Some of the points are common sense, others are quite polemic. Most of them apply to any website though, whether we talk about a business entity or a blog. Enjoy!
1. The user must know what the site is about in seconds: attention is one the most valuable currencies on the Internet. If a visitor can not figure what your site is about in a couple of seconds, he will probably just go somewhere else. Your site must communicate why I should spend my time there, and FAST!
2. Make the content scannable: this is the Internet, not a book, so forget large blocks of text. Probably I will be visiting your site while I work on other stuff so make sure that I can scan through the entire content. Bullet points, headers, subheaders, lists. Anything that will help the reader filter what he is looking for.
3. Do not use fancy fonts that are unreadable: sure there are some fonts that will give a sophisticated look to your website. But are they readable? If your main objective is to deliver a message and get the visitors reading your stuff, then you should make the process comfortable for them.
4. Do not use tiny fonts: the previous point applies here, you want to make sure that readers are comfortable reading your content. My Firefox does have a zooming feature, but if I need to use on your website it will probably be the last time I visit it.
5. Do not open new browser windows: I used to do that on my first websites. The logic was simple, if I open new browser windows for external links the user will never leave my site. WRONG! Let the user control where he wants the links to open. There is a reason why browsers have a huge “Back” button. Do not worry about sending the visitor to another website, he will get back if he wants to (even porn sites are starting to get conscious regarding this point lately…).
6. Do not resize the user’s browser windows: the user should be in control of his browser. If you resize it you will risk to mess things up on his side, and what is worse you might lose your credibility in front of him.
7. Do not require a registration unless it is necessary: lets put this straight, when I browse around the Internet I want to get information, not the other way around. Do not force me to register up and leave my email address and other details unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. unless what you offer is so good that I will bear with the registration).
8. Never subscribe the visitor for something without his consent: do not automatically subscribe a visitor to newsletters when he registers up on your site. Sending unsolicited emails around is not the best way to make friends.
9. Do not overuse Flash: apart from increasing the load time of your website, excessive usage of Flash might also annoy the visitors. Use it only if you must offer features that are not supported by static pages.
10. Do not play music: on the early years of the Internet web developers always tried to successfully integrate music into websites. Guess what, they failed miserably. Do not use music, period.
There are several lists of web design mistakes around the Internet. Most of them, however, are the “Most common” or “Top 10” mistakes. Every time I crossed one of those lists I would think to myself: “Come on, there must be more than 10 mistakes…”. Then I decided to write down all the web design mistakes that would come into my head; within half an hour I had over thirty of them listed. Afterwards I did some research around the web and the list grew to 43 points.
The next step was to write a short description for each one, and the result is the collection of mistakes that you will find below. Some of the points are common sense, others are quite polemic. Most of them apply to any website though, whether we talk about a business entity or a blog. Enjoy!
1. The user must know what the site is about in seconds: attention is one the most valuable currencies on the Internet. If a visitor can not figure what your site is about in a couple of seconds, he will probably just go somewhere else. Your site must communicate why I should spend my time there, and FAST!
2. Make the content scannable: this is the Internet, not a book, so forget large blocks of text. Probably I will be visiting your site while I work on other stuff so make sure that I can scan through the entire content. Bullet points, headers, subheaders, lists. Anything that will help the reader filter what he is looking for.
3. Do not use fancy fonts that are unreadable: sure there are some fonts that will give a sophisticated look to your website. But are they readable? If your main objective is to deliver a message and get the visitors reading your stuff, then you should make the process comfortable for them.
4. Do not use tiny fonts: the previous point applies here, you want to make sure that readers are comfortable reading your content. My Firefox does have a zooming feature, but if I need to use on your website it will probably be the last time I visit it.
5. Do not open new browser windows: I used to do that on my first websites. The logic was simple, if I open new browser windows for external links the user will never leave my site. WRONG! Let the user control where he wants the links to open. There is a reason why browsers have a huge “Back” button. Do not worry about sending the visitor to another website, he will get back if he wants to (even porn sites are starting to get conscious regarding this point lately…).
6. Do not resize the user’s browser windows: the user should be in control of his browser. If you resize it you will risk to mess things up on his side, and what is worse you might lose your credibility in front of him.
7. Do not require a registration unless it is necessary: lets put this straight, when I browse around the Internet I want to get information, not the other way around. Do not force me to register up and leave my email address and other details unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. unless what you offer is so good that I will bear with the registration).
8. Never subscribe the visitor for something without his consent: do not automatically subscribe a visitor to newsletters when he registers up on your site. Sending unsolicited emails around is not the best way to make friends.
9. Do not overuse Flash: apart from increasing the load time of your website, excessive usage of Flash might also annoy the visitors. Use it only if you must offer features that are not supported by static pages.
10. Do not play music: on the early years of the Internet web developers always tried to successfully integrate music into websites. Guess what, they failed miserably. Do not use music, period.
Square Frame Technologies
Description:
Square Frame Technologies offers the website designing best solution to clients all over the globe.
Are you thinking of how to design a website and don't know how to go about it? Then Square Frame Technologies are the place where you should be. This website design company is an answer to all your technical queries. Lead by highly qualified and professional teams, Square Frame Technologies offer creative and user friendly website designs.
The flash website designs would make your website look unique and distant from the others. The complex requirements of each client are handled by the top professionals in the industry. Starting from animation to software development we are the best solution for our client's for visit to:-www.instant-video-streamer.comSquare Frame Technologies is a top website design company of India offering world-class website design services. We have a very dedicated team of professionals work towards offering creative website design and development for various in-house as well as client projects.
The services offered by us are:
? E-commerce website design ? Business website design ? Website design tips ? Ecommerce website design in India
Our website design solutions have made Square Frame Technologies rank among the leading IT companies of India. Our affordable and cheap website designing solutions have earned us global clients. Our main aim is to offer world's best web development services to our clients at the best price in the market.
All our services are designed in the most user friendly manner, which have helped us not only hold our clients, but also grow at a rapid pace in the competitive global market. A customer care unit is set up to answer all your queries. We are repute to offer all our services on time without compromising on the quality.
We also offer services like making corporate logos, graphic designs, brochures and animated presentations. The affordable custom website designs are also offered by our team of professional website designers at Square Frame Technologies Whatever form of internet activity you wish to carry out you will have to enlist the services of a web hosting company
Square Frame Technologies offers the website designing best solution to clients all over the globe.
Are you thinking of how to design a website and don't know how to go about it? Then Square Frame Technologies are the place where you should be. This website design company is an answer to all your technical queries. Lead by highly qualified and professional teams, Square Frame Technologies offer creative and user friendly website designs.
The flash website designs would make your website look unique and distant from the others. The complex requirements of each client are handled by the top professionals in the industry. Starting from animation to software development we are the best solution for our client's for visit to:-www.instant-video-streamer.comSquare Frame Technologies is a top website design company of India offering world-class website design services. We have a very dedicated team of professionals work towards offering creative website design and development for various in-house as well as client projects.
The services offered by us are:
? E-commerce website design ? Business website design ? Website design tips ? Ecommerce website design in India
Our website design solutions have made Square Frame Technologies rank among the leading IT companies of India. Our affordable and cheap website designing solutions have earned us global clients. Our main aim is to offer world's best web development services to our clients at the best price in the market.
All our services are designed in the most user friendly manner, which have helped us not only hold our clients, but also grow at a rapid pace in the competitive global market. A customer care unit is set up to answer all your queries. We are repute to offer all our services on time without compromising on the quality.
We also offer services like making corporate logos, graphic designs, brochures and animated presentations. The affordable custom website designs are also offered by our team of professional website designers at Square Frame Technologies Whatever form of internet activity you wish to carry out you will have to enlist the services of a web hosting company
Background & CSS Styles
Use background images instead of big images whenever possible:
Use background images whenever possible. This is usually a very useful tip for headers and footers. Instead of using an image of width 580 which is a uniform design you can use just a part of that as a background fill. This reduces the size of the web page as the image is small. The code will look like this :
Try out CSS Styles:
Have fun with CSS styles to get some cool text effects. Again, a CSS Style is simple HTML code so it loads very fast. You can create cool rollovers using CSS Styles.
Rollover the text on the right menu to see how we have used CSS Styles to get a simple but nice text effect.
Use background images whenever possible. This is usually a very useful tip for headers and footers. Instead of using an image of width 580 which is a uniform design you can use just a part of that as a background fill. This reduces the size of the web page as the image is small. The code will look like this :
Try out CSS Styles:
Have fun with CSS styles to get some cool text effects. Again, a CSS Style is simple HTML code so it loads very fast. You can create cool rollovers using CSS Styles.
Rollover the text on the right menu to see how we have used CSS Styles to get a simple but nice text effect.
Flash & HTML
Use Flash sparingly:
There seems to be a lot of hype about Flash but I recommend that you minimize the use of Flash on a site. Don't make entire sites using Flash. It may look great but it takes hours to load and can really put off visitors. If you do want to use Flash use it within an HTML site and make sure it loads fast.
Design most of your site in HTML:
As much as possible try to design your site using HTML. You can create great designs by just using HTML code. Use tables, CSS Styles and simple fonts to design your site. Minimize the use of animated gifs, Flash, bulky images etc.
There seems to be a lot of hype about Flash but I recommend that you minimize the use of Flash on a site. Don't make entire sites using Flash. It may look great but it takes hours to load and can really put off visitors. If you do want to use Flash use it within an HTML site and make sure it loads fast.
Design most of your site in HTML:
As much as possible try to design your site using HTML. You can create great designs by just using HTML code. Use tables, CSS Styles and simple fonts to design your site. Minimize the use of animated gifs, Flash, bulky images etc.
Easy Three Tips
Minimize the use of images:
The key to a fast loading web site is to minimize the use of images. Images do enhance a page but don't make 80% of your web site only images. Instead break it down as much as possible to simple HTML. Notice the popular sites like Yahoo, Google, Ebay, Amazon etc., they have very few images because the load time is more important. Very often simple designs are the best.
Optimize images for the web:
Once you have decided on the images that you need on your site, make sure that it is optimized for the web. They should be in the gif or jpeg format. You can also minimize the size of the image by choosing the number of colors you need, from the color palette. The less the colors you choose, the less the size of the image.
Cut down the use of animated gifs:
Don't use animated gifs unless it is necessary. Animated gifs take a long time to load and can also be very irritating. But since they catch your attention you could use small animated gifs to draw a visitor's attention to a particular section of your site.
The key to a fast loading web site is to minimize the use of images. Images do enhance a page but don't make 80% of your web site only images. Instead break it down as much as possible to simple HTML. Notice the popular sites like Yahoo, Google, Ebay, Amazon etc., they have very few images because the load time is more important. Very often simple designs are the best.
Optimize images for the web:
Once you have decided on the images that you need on your site, make sure that it is optimized for the web. They should be in the gif or jpeg format. You can also minimize the size of the image by choosing the number of colors you need, from the color palette. The less the colors you choose, the less the size of the image.
Cut down the use of animated gifs:
Don't use animated gifs unless it is necessary. Animated gifs take a long time to load and can also be very irritating. But since they catch your attention you could use small animated gifs to draw a visitor's attention to a particular section of your site.
Creating Pixel Sharp
Creating Pixel Sharp Diagonal 45-degree Scanlines Patterns with Photoshop
Graphics with diagonal scanlines / 45-degree scanlines, including repeating background textures, are quite popular right now, and the look can add eye-catching textures and visual interest to your Web pages. This tutorial shows you an easy way to create two different pixel sharp diagonal, 45-degree scanline patterns for use as Photoshop patterns. Use these diagonal pixel patterns for Web page backgrounds, added texture to photos and images, or other uses.
Graphics with diagonal scanlines / 45-degree scanlines, including repeating background textures, are quite popular right now, and the look can add eye-catching textures and visual interest to your Web pages. This tutorial shows you an easy way to create two different pixel sharp diagonal, 45-degree scanline patterns for use as Photoshop patterns. Use these diagonal pixel patterns for Web page backgrounds, added texture to photos and images, or other uses.
How to Size Text with CSS: Create User-friendly Web Site Font Sizes with CSS Relative Font Sizing
How to Size Text with CSS:
Looking for an easy way to designate CSS font sizes for your website that will work well with modern, mainstream browsers for Windows or Mac computers? Need to also make sure your website's font size approach is universally accessible, meets W3C's WAI Accessibility Guidelines, U.S. Section 508 requirements, or other accessibility requirements? This tutorial will show you one possibility that can meet those needs by using CSS relative font sizing.
Looking for an easy way to designate CSS font sizes for your website that will work well with modern, mainstream browsers for Windows or Mac computers? Need to also make sure your website's font size approach is universally accessible, meets W3C's WAI Accessibility Guidelines, U.S. Section 508 requirements, or other accessibility requirements? This tutorial will show you one possibility that can meet those needs by using CSS relative font sizing.
Web Design in Pakistan
we proud to inter web design company in Pakistan, dedicated to provide web design and development, e-commerce solution, search engine optimization and database design services. We develop professional websites, provide e-commerce solutions, (search engine optimization), promotion, CD profile and flash presentation.provides services comparable with Canada, UK, Middle East, Pakistan based Software development and web site designing companies. We also provide outsourcing services to Web designer companies from Canada, UK, US and Middle East.
is the best Web design Pakistan company with large portfolio and constantly upgrade their skills to build your web design in latest trends and technologies available. Unlike other web design companies and web design firms, we focus on web page design, structure, download speed, internal and external links which play a significant role in determining the success of the web site on search engines. As a leading web design company our website design, solution services are incorporated with an insight into search engine positioning and placements, maintaining a professional appeal at an affordable price. Its simple, if you are looking for a professional, affordable, business driven, customer friendly web
is the best Web design Pakistan company with large portfolio and constantly upgrade their skills to build your web design in latest trends and technologies available. Unlike other web design companies and web design firms, we focus on web page design, structure, download speed, internal and external links which play a significant role in determining the success of the web site on search engines. As a leading web design company our website design, solution services are incorporated with an insight into search engine positioning and placements, maintaining a professional appeal at an affordable price. Its simple, if you are looking for a professional, affordable, business driven, customer friendly web
8 Tips for Designing a Great Website
Tips for Designing a Great Website
Square buttons, round buttons, flashy buttons … will they match my shoes, my handbag or my tie? Are you stuck in a maze of buttons, headings, bullets, sub-headings and colour schemes?
STOP!!!!
Take a deep breath and read some practical tips for professional looking websites.
1. Select a color scheme and stick to it.
If your company has a logo or preferred colors on its stationery that is a good start. For those of you starting from scratch, choose two or three complementary colors and stick with them – do not change colors on every page.
The most common color schemes include:
- Red, yellow and white
- Blue and white
- Red, gray and white
- Blue, orange and white
- Yellow, gray and white.
If you are not sure what color scheme to choose, surf the inter net and find a website that you like. You can then model your color scheme on what already exists.
2. Use templates.
Can not find a website you really like? Another option is to choose a template. There are many templates or preset designs. These come as part of your web design software (such as Front Page) or you can check out some websites in designing templates.
Visit:
3. Provide an easy to use navigation system.
This is one of the most important issues to consider when designing a website. You need to ensure your visitors can find what they are looking for easily. Most websites either display their navigation bar on the left or at the top. And since most people are used to this type of navigation, it is best to stick with it.
It also helps to include your navigation bar at the bottom of each page to save your visitors from having to scroll back to the top.
4. Don not go overboard on special effects
Whilst it's to have one or two special effects to jazz up your website, spinning graphics and logos often distract your visitor from the content, not to mention they can take too long to download. Your visitors may click away even before your spinning logo finishes loading.
5. Backgrounds
Ensure your visitors can read the text on the background. no black writing on dark blue background or yellow on white. Also be careful that your links are visible before and after being visited. The default for links in most programs is blue (before being visited) and burgundy (after being visited), so if you have a dark background, ensure your links are light.
6. External Links
It is a good idea to open links to other websites in a new window. That way your visitors can easily return to your site when they are finished browsing the external link
7. Site Map & Search Feature
If you website is more than 15 pages, it is useful to have a site map or a “Search” feature to ensure your visitors can easily find what they are looking for.
8. Content is King
While it is important that your website looks clean and professional, it is far more important that you concentrate your efforts on the content and promotion.
If you want a professional website, things to stay away from include:
1. Flash intros, revolving globes, line separators, animated mail boxes
2. Loads of pop up or pop under boxes
3. Auto play music. Allow your customer to play music only if they choose.
4. Hit counters of the free variety, which say “you are 27th visitor”
5. Date and time stamps, unless your website is updated daily or weekly
6. Busy backgrounds.
Do not sweat the small stuff and get yourself on what to include on the website and the best way to promote it. We will cover these topics in future articles.
Square buttons, round buttons, flashy buttons … will they match my shoes, my handbag or my tie? Are you stuck in a maze of buttons, headings, bullets, sub-headings and colour schemes?
STOP!!!!
Take a deep breath and read some practical tips for professional looking websites.
1. Select a color scheme and stick to it.
If your company has a logo or preferred colors on its stationery that is a good start. For those of you starting from scratch, choose two or three complementary colors and stick with them – do not change colors on every page.
The most common color schemes include:
- Red, yellow and white
- Blue and white
- Red, gray and white
- Blue, orange and white
- Yellow, gray and white.
If you are not sure what color scheme to choose, surf the inter net and find a website that you like. You can then model your color scheme on what already exists.
2. Use templates.
Can not find a website you really like? Another option is to choose a template. There are many templates or preset designs. These come as part of your web design software (such as Front Page) or you can check out some websites in designing templates.
Visit:
3. Provide an easy to use navigation system.
This is one of the most important issues to consider when designing a website. You need to ensure your visitors can find what they are looking for easily. Most websites either display their navigation bar on the left or at the top. And since most people are used to this type of navigation, it is best to stick with it.
It also helps to include your navigation bar at the bottom of each page to save your visitors from having to scroll back to the top.
4. Don not go overboard on special effects
Whilst it's to have one or two special effects to jazz up your website, spinning graphics and logos often distract your visitor from the content, not to mention they can take too long to download. Your visitors may click away even before your spinning logo finishes loading.
5. Backgrounds
Ensure your visitors can read the text on the background. no black writing on dark blue background or yellow on white. Also be careful that your links are visible before and after being visited. The default for links in most programs is blue (before being visited) and burgundy (after being visited), so if you have a dark background, ensure your links are light.
6. External Links
It is a good idea to open links to other websites in a new window. That way your visitors can easily return to your site when they are finished browsing the external link
7. Site Map & Search Feature
If you website is more than 15 pages, it is useful to have a site map or a “Search” feature to ensure your visitors can easily find what they are looking for.
8. Content is King
While it is important that your website looks clean and professional, it is far more important that you concentrate your efforts on the content and promotion.
If you want a professional website, things to stay away from include:
1. Flash intros, revolving globes, line separators, animated mail boxes
2. Loads of pop up or pop under boxes
3. Auto play music. Allow your customer to play music only if they choose.
4. Hit counters of the free variety, which say “you are 27th visitor”
5. Date and time stamps, unless your website is updated daily or weekly
6. Busy backgrounds.
Do not sweat the small stuff and get yourself on what to include on the website and the best way to promote it. We will cover these topics in future articles.
The basics of marketing your website
The basics of marketing your website:
The first thing to keep in mind is that the world wide web is huge, and growing everyday. Last report was that it was growing by 7 million pages a day. With that said you should realize that your new website is just one of many that are seeking to be found on the web. How should you market your website?
One route is to pay to pay a professional search engine optimizer (SEO) a few hundred dollars a month to continually "optimize" your site. They do this by creating their own pages filled with keywords, but written in a prose format, that link both to your site and to other similar sites that happen to be clients of theirs. The reputable ones generally have success, but you usually pay continuously to keep your ranking high.
A less expensive route, but one that requires your time, is to build a website that has value, with information that both a search engine and your visitor will seek. Rather than spending your energy trying to trick the search engine by hiding keywords in the background, or stuffing your meta tags with keywords that are popular search engines words, but have nothing to do with your site, you should create pages full of interesting text, and keep it fresh by updating it frequently. Within that text you can put keywords that search engines will find and site visitors will find helpful. Once you've published this website, give the search engines a chance to find it. This may take months, so be patient.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the world wide web is huge, and growing everyday. Last report was that it was growing by 7 million pages a day. With that said you should realize that your new website is just one of many that are seeking to be found on the web. How should you market your website?
One route is to pay to pay a professional search engine optimizer (SEO) a few hundred dollars a month to continually "optimize" your site. They do this by creating their own pages filled with keywords, but written in a prose format, that link both to your site and to other similar sites that happen to be clients of theirs. The reputable ones generally have success, but you usually pay continuously to keep your ranking high.
A less expensive route, but one that requires your time, is to build a website that has value, with information that both a search engine and your visitor will seek. Rather than spending your energy trying to trick the search engine by hiding keywords in the background, or stuffing your meta tags with keywords that are popular search engines words, but have nothing to do with your site, you should create pages full of interesting text, and keep it fresh by updating it frequently. Within that text you can put keywords that search engines will find and site visitors will find helpful. Once you've published this website, give the search engines a chance to find it. This may take months, so be patient.
Mistakes in Web Design
Mistakes in Web Design:
1. Make links visible: the visitor should be able to recognize what is clickable and what is not, easily. Make sure that your links have a contrasting color (the standard blue color is the optimal most of the times). Possibly also make them underlined.
2. Do not underline or color normal text: do not underline normal text unless absolutely necessary. Just as users need to recognize links easily, they should not get the idea that something is clickable when in reality it is not.
3. Make clicked links change color: this point is very important for the usability of your website. Clicked links that change color help the user to locate himself more easily around your site, making sure that he will not end up visiting the same pages unintentionally.
4. Do not use animated GIFs: unless you have advertising banners that require animation, avoid animated GIFs. They make a site look unprofessional and detract the attention from the content.
5. Make sure to use the ALT and TITLE attributes for images: apart from having SEO benefits the ALT and TITLE attributes for images will play an important role for blind users.
6. Do not use harsh colors: if the user is getting a headache after visiting your site for 10 consecutive minutes, you probably should pick a better color scheme. Design the color palette around your objectives (i.e. deliver a mood, let the user focus on the content, etc.).
7. Do not use pop ups: this point refers to pop ups of any kind. Even user requested pop ups are a bad idea given the increasing amount of pop blockers out there.
8. Avoid Javascript links: those links execute a small Javascript when the user clicks on them. Stay away from them since they often create problems for the user.
9. Include functional links on your footer: people are used to scrolling down to the footer of a website if they are not finding a specific information. At the very least you want to include a link to the Homepage and possibly a link to the “Contact Us” page.
10. Avoid long pages: guess what, if the user needs to scroll down forever in order to read your content he will probably just skip it altogether. If that is the case with your website make it shorter and improve the navigation structure.
11. No horizontal scrolling: while some vertical scrolling is tolerable, the same can not be said about horizontal scrolling. The most used screen resolution nowadays is 1024 x 768 pixels, so make sure that your website fits inside it.
12. No spelling or grammatical mistakes: this is not a web design mistake, but it is one of the most important factors affecting the overall quality of a website. Make sure that your links and texts do not contain spelling or grammatical mistakes.
13. If you use CAPTCHA make sure the letters are readable: several sites use CAPTCHA filters as a method of reducing spam on comments or on registration forms. There is just one problem with it, most of the times the user needs to call his whole family to decipher the letters.
1. Make links visible: the visitor should be able to recognize what is clickable and what is not, easily. Make sure that your links have a contrasting color (the standard blue color is the optimal most of the times). Possibly also make them underlined.
2. Do not underline or color normal text: do not underline normal text unless absolutely necessary. Just as users need to recognize links easily, they should not get the idea that something is clickable when in reality it is not.
3. Make clicked links change color: this point is very important for the usability of your website. Clicked links that change color help the user to locate himself more easily around your site, making sure that he will not end up visiting the same pages unintentionally.
4. Do not use animated GIFs: unless you have advertising banners that require animation, avoid animated GIFs. They make a site look unprofessional and detract the attention from the content.
5. Make sure to use the ALT and TITLE attributes for images: apart from having SEO benefits the ALT and TITLE attributes for images will play an important role for blind users.
6. Do not use harsh colors: if the user is getting a headache after visiting your site for 10 consecutive minutes, you probably should pick a better color scheme. Design the color palette around your objectives (i.e. deliver a mood, let the user focus on the content, etc.).
7. Do not use pop ups: this point refers to pop ups of any kind. Even user requested pop ups are a bad idea given the increasing amount of pop blockers out there.
8. Avoid Javascript links: those links execute a small Javascript when the user clicks on them. Stay away from them since they often create problems for the user.
9. Include functional links on your footer: people are used to scrolling down to the footer of a website if they are not finding a specific information. At the very least you want to include a link to the Homepage and possibly a link to the “Contact Us” page.
10. Avoid long pages: guess what, if the user needs to scroll down forever in order to read your content he will probably just skip it altogether. If that is the case with your website make it shorter and improve the navigation structure.
11. No horizontal scrolling: while some vertical scrolling is tolerable, the same can not be said about horizontal scrolling. The most used screen resolution nowadays is 1024 x 768 pixels, so make sure that your website fits inside it.
12. No spelling or grammatical mistakes: this is not a web design mistake, but it is one of the most important factors affecting the overall quality of a website. Make sure that your links and texts do not contain spelling or grammatical mistakes.
13. If you use CAPTCHA make sure the letters are readable: several sites use CAPTCHA filters as a method of reducing spam on comments or on registration forms. There is just one problem with it, most of the times the user needs to call his whole family to decipher the letters.
Banner Ads: The Best Performing Banner Ad Size:
Choose the best banner ad sizes, ad formats, and ad locations for your site, along with choosing effective ad colors - all based on the latest facts, recommendations, and trends. This in depth article provides charts of current standard ad sizes, formats, Google AdSense ad sizes, formats, and Yahoo! Publisher Network ad sizes, formats, followed by statistics and recommendations on the best performing ad locations, best performing ad sizes, ad formats, and blending or contrasting your ads with your site.
COMPUTER WORKS AGAIN
Wa-hoo! The replacement computer Dell sent arrived yesterday. I finally got it working today. I still need to load some programs but I can at least access the internet now.I am so excited to be back in my office again. I really need to start cleaning up in here. My friend, Allison, brought some extra paint over that is the perfect color! So we will be painting in here in a few weeks.So much to do....and so little time....
FUNNY STORY
At a birthday party for one of Charlie's friends from school one of the mother's told us the funniest story. Well, at least I found it hysterical!Raquel & her family attend a Baptist church. They live near a Mormon church so they get visitors occasionally from that faith. One Saturday Tony (Raquel's hubby) was taking their 3 boys to run errands. Raquel was staying home to get some stuff done around the house. As Tony was loading up the kiddos, 2 gentlemen came to the driveway. Seeing that Tony was getting ready to leave, 1 of the men asked if anyone was still at home they could talk too. Tony said no. Their youngest piped up saying "Daddy, Mommy is still home". Tony replied, "No, remember Mommy left to get her hair done". To which the 4 yr old replied, again, that Mommy was in the house. The 2 gentlemen looked at Tony & proceeded to lecture him on how their faith put an emphasis on family values along with moral ethics. Tony looked the Mormon in the eye & stated "Well, obviously we don't. So please leave & have a nice day!"I laughed so hard I choked on my Diet Dr. Pepper!
FABRIC
I am a Fabric Addict - there! I've taken the first step by admitting I have a problem. I do come by it honestly though, my mother was a Fabric Addict too. She was always buying fabric for future sewing projects that never got finished or even started sometimes.My sister teaches Home Ec in middle school. She teaches a semester of sewing & brings me the left over fabrics from her students. The fabrics are mainly small to medium size scraps that are perfect for what I sew for our Etsy store. The best part is that the fabric is free!Here is small sampling of what she recently brought
POLYGLOT
Polyglot 3000 è un ottimo software freeware che ha come caratteristica principale quella di saper riconoscere oltre 400 tra lingue e dialetti. Da oggi non resteremo più interdetti davanti al testo di un documento o di un sito internet scritto in una lingua a noi ignota, oppure un testo scritto sotto forma di quadratini perchè non identificato...
Guangzhou Tues
It's official....at least from the perspective of the Chinese government. Today we returned to the civil affairs office to meet with the registration officer and the notary. Afterward our guide, Molly, took us to a local supermarket so we could get some goods for Josie. Of course being eternally 13, I had to take a picture of the escalator. It is flat like a conveyer belt and is magnetized to hold the shopping cart while you go up and down from floor to floor. Really cool! Need that in the US along with kids shoes that are magnetic so they stay put!
Later this week, Molly will take us to Josie's former home, Dongguan City, to visit her 'finding site' and the outside of the orphanage. Afterward, Molly invited us to her home for dinner. She says her husband is a great cook. We really are fortunate to have her as her guide. She's been phenomenal!
We have our official appointment with the US consulate the beginning of next week, at which time we apply for her visa and complete the paperwork for her US citizenship.
Joe
TIPS TO INCREASE WEB TRAFFIC
Increase traffic to your blog or website is the dream of every webmaster. No matter how much traffic you're generating today, be it 100, 1,000 or even 10,000, it is always good to have more. However, to have a successful blog or website, you must always remember your purpose. Why did you blog, what is the purpose of your website, and why do you need such a huge traffic? Once you know why, nothing can ever stop you. As for me, my purpose here is to make money using blogs, to be a Millionaire is my dream, however making money using blog is just part of it.
The desire and reasons are far more important than simply generating traffic. If the purpose of your blog is to help people lose weight, then keep to the purpose, help people with your heart, on the long run, your readers will appreciate it and you will gain massive amount of traffic some day. It is just a matter of time if you are true to yourself. Ok, seems like I've almost out of topic. Here are the ways how you can increase your traffic, hope that they will help.
del.icio.us
Well you might come across some blogs that have this 'add to del.icio.us tags', and maybe you will wondering what exactly it is. del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that allow you to bookmark all of your favourite sites online. The amazing thing is that all your bookmarks can be made public and people can search for them. Therefore, people who have the same interest with you may find your list, and directed to another link. If they like your bookmark lists, they can even bookmark you, and view all of your future bookmarks. As you can see, this is a great way to promote the sites or blogs you like. If your bookmarked page get featured in the main page of del.icio.us, then I can guarantee you that your site will get massive traffic.
Technorati
Technorati has become the number one blog directory, they have around 62 million blogs in their directory. Your blog may be one of it. You can always sign up, and check your blog stats. For example like how many links you have, what they think about your blog. Since Technorati is a blog directory, you can always search for blogs, and if you found one that you like, you can favourite it. It is the same, other people might find your blog and favourite you too. Thus, always be the first one to favourite people, they can check you out and maybe will favourite you as well.
StumbleUpon
This is a tool for you to rate other people's websites and blogs. You can sign up for a free account, then install the toolbar into your Internet Explorer or Firefox. You can start by selecting your categories, and start stumble. It will take you to a random site, which you can rate the site with a simple thumb up or down. It is a good way to find some site that you've never come across before, a good source of blog material. Once you stumble your favourite sites, you will help them increase their traffic. In other words, when some one stumble you, you can get extra traffic as well.
Well there are many other types of website that help you to increase your traffic. Above three are just merely example for you. Hope that these tips will help. Comments are welcome.
The desire and reasons are far more important than simply generating traffic. If the purpose of your blog is to help people lose weight, then keep to the purpose, help people with your heart, on the long run, your readers will appreciate it and you will gain massive amount of traffic some day. It is just a matter of time if you are true to yourself. Ok, seems like I've almost out of topic. Here are the ways how you can increase your traffic, hope that they will help.
del.icio.us
Well you might come across some blogs that have this 'add to del.icio.us tags', and maybe you will wondering what exactly it is. del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that allow you to bookmark all of your favourite sites online. The amazing thing is that all your bookmarks can be made public and people can search for them. Therefore, people who have the same interest with you may find your list, and directed to another link. If they like your bookmark lists, they can even bookmark you, and view all of your future bookmarks. As you can see, this is a great way to promote the sites or blogs you like. If your bookmarked page get featured in the main page of del.icio.us, then I can guarantee you that your site will get massive traffic.
Technorati
Technorati has become the number one blog directory, they have around 62 million blogs in their directory. Your blog may be one of it. You can always sign up, and check your blog stats. For example like how many links you have, what they think about your blog. Since Technorati is a blog directory, you can always search for blogs, and if you found one that you like, you can favourite it. It is the same, other people might find your blog and favourite you too. Thus, always be the first one to favourite people, they can check you out and maybe will favourite you as well.
StumbleUpon
This is a tool for you to rate other people's websites and blogs. You can sign up for a free account, then install the toolbar into your Internet Explorer or Firefox. You can start by selecting your categories, and start stumble. It will take you to a random site, which you can rate the site with a simple thumb up or down. It is a good way to find some site that you've never come across before, a good source of blog material. Once you stumble your favourite sites, you will help them increase their traffic. In other words, when some one stumble you, you can get extra traffic as well.
Well there are many other types of website that help you to increase your traffic. Above three are just merely example for you. Hope that these tips will help. Comments are welcome.
TIPS TO INCREASE WEB TRAFFIC
Increase traffic to your blog or website is the dream of every webmaster. No matter how much traffic you're generating today, be it 100, 1,000 or even 10,000, it is always good to have more. However, to have a successful blog or website, you must always remember your purpose. Why did you blog, what is the purpose of your website, and why do you need such a huge traffic? Once you know why, nothing can ever stop you. As for me, my purpose here is to make money using blogs, to be a Millionaire is my dream, however making money using blog is just part of it.
The desire and reasons are far more important than simply generating traffic. If the purpose of your blog is to help people lose weight, then keep to the purpose, help people with your heart, on the long run, your readers will appreciate it and you will gain massive amount of traffic some day. It is just a matter of time if you are true to yourself. Ok, seems like I've almost out of topic. Here are the ways how you can increase your traffic, hope that they will help.
del.icio.us
Well you might come across some blogs that have this 'add to del.icio.us tags', and maybe you will wondering what exactly it is. del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that allow you to bookmark all of your favourite sites online. The amazing thing is that all your bookmarks can be made public and people can search for them. Therefore, people who have the same interest with you may find your list, and directed to another link. If they like your bookmark lists, they can even bookmark you, and view all of your future bookmarks. As you can see, this is a great way to promote the sites or blogs you like. If your bookmarked page get featured in the main page of del.icio.us, then I can guarantee you that your site will get massive traffic.
Technorati
Technorati has become the number one blog directory, they have around 62 million blogs in their directory. Your blog may be one of it. You can always sign up, and check your blog stats. For example like how many links you have, what they think about your blog. Since Technorati is a blog directory, you can always search for blogs, and if you found one that you like, you can favourite it. It is the same, other people might find your blog and favourite you too. Thus, always be the first one to favourite people, they can check you out and maybe will favourite you as well.
StumbleUpon
This is a tool for you to rate other people's websites and blogs. You can sign up for a free account, then install the toolbar into your Internet Explorer or Firefox. You can start by selecting your categories, and start stumble. It will take you to a random site, which you can rate the site with a simple thumb up or down. It is a good way to find some site that you've never come across before, a good source of blog material. Once you stumble your favourite sites, you will help them increase their traffic. In other words, when some one stumble you, you can get extra traffic as well.
Well there are many other types of website that help you to increase your traffic. Above three are just merely example for you. Hope that these tips will help. Comments are welcome.
The desire and reasons are far more important than simply generating traffic. If the purpose of your blog is to help people lose weight, then keep to the purpose, help people with your heart, on the long run, your readers will appreciate it and you will gain massive amount of traffic some day. It is just a matter of time if you are true to yourself. Ok, seems like I've almost out of topic. Here are the ways how you can increase your traffic, hope that they will help.
del.icio.us
Well you might come across some blogs that have this 'add to del.icio.us tags', and maybe you will wondering what exactly it is. del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that allow you to bookmark all of your favourite sites online. The amazing thing is that all your bookmarks can be made public and people can search for them. Therefore, people who have the same interest with you may find your list, and directed to another link. If they like your bookmark lists, they can even bookmark you, and view all of your future bookmarks. As you can see, this is a great way to promote the sites or blogs you like. If your bookmarked page get featured in the main page of del.icio.us, then I can guarantee you that your site will get massive traffic.
Technorati
Technorati has become the number one blog directory, they have around 62 million blogs in their directory. Your blog may be one of it. You can always sign up, and check your blog stats. For example like how many links you have, what they think about your blog. Since Technorati is a blog directory, you can always search for blogs, and if you found one that you like, you can favourite it. It is the same, other people might find your blog and favourite you too. Thus, always be the first one to favourite people, they can check you out and maybe will favourite you as well.
StumbleUpon
This is a tool for you to rate other people's websites and blogs. You can sign up for a free account, then install the toolbar into your Internet Explorer or Firefox. You can start by selecting your categories, and start stumble. It will take you to a random site, which you can rate the site with a simple thumb up or down. It is a good way to find some site that you've never come across before, a good source of blog material. Once you stumble your favourite sites, you will help them increase their traffic. In other words, when some one stumble you, you can get extra traffic as well.
Well there are many other types of website that help you to increase your traffic. Above three are just merely example for you. Hope that these tips will help. Comments are welcome.
Forex Daily News
Most forex traders who succeed notice how to trade based on the news. Laymen who ofttimes hear about forex trading hold calling channels same seeing Bloomberg inquire: ” who the heck watches all these? ” Flourishing, to the beginners network the capital markets, you retain to acknowledge the award of forex news command the market.
Physical is believed that occurrences and events network the marketplace perturb crowd sentiments. The gospel that crowd sentiments deed the mart substantially makes substantive an bodkin of trends. Traders who are aware of this, capitalizes on not unlike movements leverage the forex marketplace. Crackerjack are traders who depend mostly on speculating the trends based on the crowd ‘ s sentiments. Crowd sentiments, at the duplicate bout, are fixed by what they espy access the news whether consciously or unconsciously. Fascinating advantage of commensurate erudition responsibility signal a trader to enter or exit a trade.
The zero magnetism trading forex news is to analyze how the market sways based on the movements of the crowd. Well-qualified are kit used connections interpreting forex news. The relevant business is that if you are haste to mileage this intention force trading, you keep to stick to the system repercussion categorization being substantive to end.
Signals also indicators are critical leverage currency trading. One of these indicators is economic news itself. To make sure that you are forming the most out of this free lunch thorn, you hold to bend the go enlightenment on how to analyze bazaar trends. Most traders boost to live with crowd sentiments and instead center on commonplace techniques and fundamentals. This entirely keeps you away from a wide span of trading opportunities that you retain not meditation of before.
Physical is believed that occurrences and events network the marketplace perturb crowd sentiments. The gospel that crowd sentiments deed the mart substantially makes substantive an bodkin of trends. Traders who are aware of this, capitalizes on not unlike movements leverage the forex marketplace. Crackerjack are traders who depend mostly on speculating the trends based on the crowd ‘ s sentiments. Crowd sentiments, at the duplicate bout, are fixed by what they espy access the news whether consciously or unconsciously. Fascinating advantage of commensurate erudition responsibility signal a trader to enter or exit a trade.
The zero magnetism trading forex news is to analyze how the market sways based on the movements of the crowd. Well-qualified are kit used connections interpreting forex news. The relevant business is that if you are haste to mileage this intention force trading, you keep to stick to the system repercussion categorization being substantive to end.
Signals also indicators are critical leverage currency trading. One of these indicators is economic news itself. To make sure that you are forming the most out of this free lunch thorn, you hold to bend the go enlightenment on how to analyze bazaar trends. Most traders boost to live with crowd sentiments and instead center on commonplace techniques and fundamentals. This entirely keeps you away from a wide span of trading opportunities that you retain not meditation of before.
Spot FX Vs. FX Futures
Open interest and volume data on currency futures allow you to gauge market sentiment in the currency futures market, which also influences, and is influenced by, the spot forex market. Currency futures are basically spot prices, which are adjusted by the forward swaps (derived by interest rate differentials) to arrive at a future delivery price. Unlike spot forex, which does not have a centralized exchange, currency futures are cleared at exchanges, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), which is the world's largest market for exchange-traded currency futures. Currency ffutures are generally based on standard contract sizes, with typical durations of three months. Spot forex, on the other hand, involves a two-day cash delivery transaction. (To learn more, see Futures Fundamentals.)
One of the many differences between spot forex and currency futures lies in their quoting convention. In the currency futures market, currency futures are mostly quoted as the foreign currency directly against the U.S. dollar. For example, Swiss francs are quoted versus the U.S. dollar in futures (CHF/USD), unlike the USD/CHF notation in the spot forex market. Therefore, if the Swiss franc depreciates in value against the U.S. dollar, USD/CHF will rise, and the Swiss franc futures will decline. On the other hand, EUR/USD in spot forex is quoted in the same manner as euro futures, so if the euro appreciates in value, euro futures will rise as the EUR/USD goes up. (For more insight, see The Forex Market.)
The spot and futures prices of a currency (not currency pair) tend to move in tandem; when either the spot or futures price of a currency rises, the other also tends to rise, and when either falls, the other also tends to fall. For example, if the GBP futures price goes up, spot GBP/USD goes up (because GBP gains in strength). However, if the CHF futures price goes up, spot USD/CHF goes down (because CHF gains in strength), as both the spot and futures prices of CHF move in tandem.
One of the many differences between spot forex and currency futures lies in their quoting convention. In the currency futures market, currency futures are mostly quoted as the foreign currency directly against the U.S. dollar. For example, Swiss francs are quoted versus the U.S. dollar in futures (CHF/USD), unlike the USD/CHF notation in the spot forex market. Therefore, if the Swiss franc depreciates in value against the U.S. dollar, USD/CHF will rise, and the Swiss franc futures will decline. On the other hand, EUR/USD in spot forex is quoted in the same manner as euro futures, so if the euro appreciates in value, euro futures will rise as the EUR/USD goes up. (For more insight, see The Forex Market.)
The spot and futures prices of a currency (not currency pair) tend to move in tandem; when either the spot or futures price of a currency rises, the other also tends to rise, and when either falls, the other also tends to fall. For example, if the GBP futures price goes up, spot GBP/USD goes up (because GBP gains in strength). However, if the CHF futures price goes up, spot USD/CHF goes down (because CHF gains in strength), as both the spot and futures prices of CHF move in tandem.
Spot FX Vs. FX Futures
Open interest and volume data on currency futures allow you to gauge market sentiment in the currency futures market, which also influences, and is influenced by, the spot forex market. Currency futures are basically spot prices, which are adjusted by the forward swaps (derived by interest rate differentials) to arrive at a future delivery price. Unlike spot forex, which does not have a centralized exchange, currency futures are cleared at exchanges, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), which is the world's largest market for exchange-traded currency futures. Currency ffutures are generally based on standard contract sizes, with typical durations of three months. Spot forex, on the other hand, involves a two-day cash delivery transaction. (To learn more, see Futures Fundamentals.)
One of the many differences between spot forex and currency futures lies in their quoting convention. In the currency futures market, currency futures are mostly quoted as the foreign currency directly against the U.S. dollar. For example, Swiss francs are quoted versus the U.S. dollar in futures (CHF/USD), unlike the USD/CHF notation in the spot forex market. Therefore, if the Swiss franc depreciates in value against the U.S. dollar, USD/CHF will rise, and the Swiss franc futures will decline. On the other hand, EUR/USD in spot forex is quoted in the same manner as euro futures, so if the euro appreciates in value, euro futures will rise as the EUR/USD goes up. (For more insight, see The Forex Market.)
The spot and futures prices of a currency (not currency pair) tend to move in tandem; when either the spot or futures price of a currency rises, the other also tends to rise, and when either falls, the other also tends to fall. For example, if the GBP futures price goes up, spot GBP/USD goes up (because GBP gains in strength). However, if the CHF futures price goes up, spot USD/CHF goes down (because CHF gains in strength), as both the spot and futures prices of CHF move in tandem.
One of the many differences between spot forex and currency futures lies in their quoting convention. In the currency futures market, currency futures are mostly quoted as the foreign currency directly against the U.S. dollar. For example, Swiss francs are quoted versus the U.S. dollar in futures (CHF/USD), unlike the USD/CHF notation in the spot forex market. Therefore, if the Swiss franc depreciates in value against the U.S. dollar, USD/CHF will rise, and the Swiss franc futures will decline. On the other hand, EUR/USD in spot forex is quoted in the same manner as euro futures, so if the euro appreciates in value, euro futures will rise as the EUR/USD goes up. (For more insight, see The Forex Market.)
The spot and futures prices of a currency (not currency pair) tend to move in tandem; when either the spot or futures price of a currency rises, the other also tends to rise, and when either falls, the other also tends to fall. For example, if the GBP futures price goes up, spot GBP/USD goes up (because GBP gains in strength). However, if the CHF futures price goes up, spot USD/CHF goes down (because CHF gains in strength), as both the spot and futures prices of CHF move in tandem.
What Is Open Interest?
What Is Open Interest?
Many people tend to get open interest mixed up with volume. Open interest refers to the total number of contracts entered into, but not yet offset, by a transaction or delivery. In other words, these contracts are still outstanding or "open". Open interest that is held by a trader can be referred to as that trader's position. When a new buyer wants to establish a new long position and buys a contract, and the seller on the opposite side is also opening a new short position, the open interest is increased by one contract.
It is important to note that if this new buyer buys from another old buyer who intends to sell, the open interest does not increase because no new contracts have been created. Open interest is reduced when traders offset their positions. If you add up all the long open interest, you will find that the aggregate number is equal to all of the short open interest. This reflects the fact that for every buyer, there is a seller on the opposite side of transaction.
Relationship Between Open Interest and Price Trend
Overall, open interest tends to increase when new money is poured into the market, meaning that speculators are betting more aggressively on the current market direction. Thus, an increase in total open interest is generally supportive of the current trend, and tends to point to a continuation of the trend, unless sentiment changes based on an influx of new information.
Conversely, overall open interest tends to decrease when speculators are pulling money out of the market, showing a change in sentiment, especially if open interest has been rising before.
In a steady uptrend or downtrend, open interest should (ideally) increase. This implies that longs are in control during an uptrend, or shorts are dominating in a downtrend. Decreasing open interest serves as a potential warning sign that the current price trend may be lacking real power, as no significant amount of money has entered the market.
Therefore, as a general rule of thumb, rising open interest should point to a continuation of the current price move, whether in an uptrend or downtrend. Declining or flat open interest signals that the trend is waning and is probably near its end
Many people tend to get open interest mixed up with volume. Open interest refers to the total number of contracts entered into, but not yet offset, by a transaction or delivery. In other words, these contracts are still outstanding or "open". Open interest that is held by a trader can be referred to as that trader's position. When a new buyer wants to establish a new long position and buys a contract, and the seller on the opposite side is also opening a new short position, the open interest is increased by one contract.
It is important to note that if this new buyer buys from another old buyer who intends to sell, the open interest does not increase because no new contracts have been created. Open interest is reduced when traders offset their positions. If you add up all the long open interest, you will find that the aggregate number is equal to all of the short open interest. This reflects the fact that for every buyer, there is a seller on the opposite side of transaction.
Relationship Between Open Interest and Price Trend
Overall, open interest tends to increase when new money is poured into the market, meaning that speculators are betting more aggressively on the current market direction. Thus, an increase in total open interest is generally supportive of the current trend, and tends to point to a continuation of the trend, unless sentiment changes based on an influx of new information.
Conversely, overall open interest tends to decrease when speculators are pulling money out of the market, showing a change in sentiment, especially if open interest has been rising before.
In a steady uptrend or downtrend, open interest should (ideally) increase. This implies that longs are in control during an uptrend, or shorts are dominating in a downtrend. Decreasing open interest serves as a potential warning sign that the current price trend may be lacking real power, as no significant amount of money has entered the market.
Therefore, as a general rule of thumb, rising open interest should point to a continuation of the current price move, whether in an uptrend or downtrend. Declining or flat open interest signals that the trend is waning and is probably near its end
Archive for the ‘Forex Trading Machine’ Category
Swedish Riksbank Borrows EUR3B From ECB For Fincl Stability
Sweden’s central bank said Wednesday it has decided to borrow EUR3 billion from the European Central Bank to stabilize the country’s banking system.“This is being done to ensure that the Riksbank is well-prepared to continue safeguarding financial stability,” the Riksbank said in a statement.“As a substantial part of the Swedish banks’ funding is in foreign
Sweden’s central bank said Wednesday it has decided to borrow EUR3 billion from the European Central Bank to stabilize the country’s banking system.“This is being done to ensure that the Riksbank is well-prepared to continue safeguarding financial stability,” the Riksbank said in a statement.“As a substantial part of the Swedish banks’ funding is in foreign
Forex Currency Future
Forex Currency Future beschreibt eine spezielle Form des zuvor erläuterten Forex Forward. Auch hierbei handelt es sich um ein Wechselgeschäft eines bestimmten Währungspaares, das eher langfristig ausgelegt ist. Forex Currency Future hat gegenüber dem klassischen Forex im Allgemeinen, aber auch gegenüber dem ?normalen? Forex Future eine Reihe von Vorteilen zu bieten und macht diese Art von Forex nicht nur für Banken, sondern auch für private Händler, sehr attraktiv:
Der Forex Currency Future steht allen Marktteilnehmern offen, also auch dem privaten Anleger, der damit direkten Zugriff auf diese Form des Forex Forward hat. Es handelt sich dabei um einen sehr effizienten und zentral angelegten Markt, weshalb die Währungsgeschäfte bei Forex Currency Future, bildlich gesprochen, unter einem Dach abgewickelt werden können und somit kurze Wege auf der fiktiven Handelsplattform gewährleisten.
Der Forex Currency Future steht allen Marktteilnehmern offen, also auch dem privaten Anleger, der damit direkten Zugriff auf diese Form des Forex Forward hat. Es handelt sich dabei um einen sehr effizienten und zentral angelegten Markt, weshalb die Währungsgeschäfte bei Forex Currency Future, bildlich gesprochen, unter einem Dach abgewickelt werden können und somit kurze Wege auf der fiktiven Handelsplattform gewährleisten.
Forex Currency Future
Forex Currency Future beschreibt eine spezielle Form des zuvor erläuterten Forex Forward. Auch hierbei handelt es sich um ein Wechselgeschäft eines bestimmten Währungspaares, das eher langfristig ausgelegt ist. Forex Currency Future hat gegenüber dem klassischen Forex im Allgemeinen, aber auch gegenüber dem ?normalen? Forex Future eine Reihe von Vorteilen zu bieten und macht diese Art von Forex nicht nur für Banken, sondern auch für private Händler, sehr attraktiv:
Der Forex Currency Future steht allen Marktteilnehmern offen, also auch dem privaten Anleger, der damit direkten Zugriff auf diese Form des Forex Forward hat. Es handelt sich dabei um einen sehr effizienten und zentral angelegten Markt, weshalb die Währungsgeschäfte bei Forex Currency Future, bildlich gesprochen, unter einem Dach abgewickelt werden können und somit kurze Wege auf der fiktiven Handelsplattform gewährleisten.
Der Forex Currency Future steht allen Marktteilnehmern offen, also auch dem privaten Anleger, der damit direkten Zugriff auf diese Form des Forex Forward hat. Es handelt sich dabei um einen sehr effizienten und zentral angelegten Markt, weshalb die Währungsgeschäfte bei Forex Currency Future, bildlich gesprochen, unter einem Dach abgewickelt werden können und somit kurze Wege auf der fiktiven Handelsplattform gewährleisten.
Automated Trading and Investing
As Automated Trading becomes more and more popular, people are wondering exactly what it is and how it relates to investing. Can Automated Trading systems be used to create a viable investment portfolio?
First, let’s examine the difference between human trading and investing. Human trading is the process of buying and selling stocks, options, futures, or currencies (on the Forex market). The internet has brought the world of trading within reach of anyone with $1,000 and an internet connection. Yet trading is quite different from investing.
Investing is more of a long term process, when the investor consistently makes money over time. They may buy stocks, real estate, businesses, art, or anything else of value. The successful investor grows their net worth as the assets that they purchase increase in value. And, they many never sell the assets. Many successful investors such as Warren Buffett practically never sell.
First, let’s examine the difference between human trading and investing. Human trading is the process of buying and selling stocks, options, futures, or currencies (on the Forex market). The internet has brought the world of trading within reach of anyone with $1,000 and an internet connection. Yet trading is quite different from investing.
Investing is more of a long term process, when the investor consistently makes money over time. They may buy stocks, real estate, businesses, art, or anything else of value. The successful investor grows their net worth as the assets that they purchase increase in value. And, they many never sell the assets. Many successful investors such as Warren Buffett practically never sell.
Automated Trading and Investing
As Automated Trading becomes more and more popular, people are wondering exactly what it is and how it relates to investing. Can Automated Trading systems be used to create a viable investment portfolio?
First, let’s examine the difference between human trading and investing. Human trading is the process of buying and selling stocks, options, futures, or currencies (on the Forex market). The internet has brought the world of trading within reach of anyone with $1,000 and an internet connection. Yet trading is quite different from investing.
Investing is more of a long term process, when the investor consistently makes money over time. They may buy stocks, real estate, businesses, art, or anything else of value. The successful investor grows their net worth as the assets that they purchase increase in value. And, they many never sell the assets. Many successful investors such as Warren Buffett practically never sell.
First, let’s examine the difference between human trading and investing. Human trading is the process of buying and selling stocks, options, futures, or currencies (on the Forex market). The internet has brought the world of trading within reach of anyone with $1,000 and an internet connection. Yet trading is quite different from investing.
Investing is more of a long term process, when the investor consistently makes money over time. They may buy stocks, real estate, businesses, art, or anything else of value. The successful investor grows their net worth as the assets that they purchase increase in value. And, they many never sell the assets. Many successful investors such as Warren Buffett practically never sell.
Creating investment opportunities for small investors
As opposed to other businesses that require huge capital outlay, investing in shares is open to both the large and small stock investors because a person buys the number of shares they can afford. Therefore the Stock Exchange provides the opportunity for small investors to own shares of the same companies as large investors.
Creating investment opportunities for small investors
As opposed to other businesses that require huge capital outlay, investing in shares is open to both the large and small stock investors because a person buys the number of shares they can afford. Therefore the Stock Exchange provides the opportunity for small investors to own shares of the same companies as large investors.
SigmaForex Explains The Concept Of Fair Value
SigmaForex devotes serious effort to serve the emerging retail segment of the Forex community. Its commitment to providing an excellent customer service, innovative currency trading technology, and dealing practices, establishes SigmaForex as a notable force that traders look forward to for an advanced Forex charting, Forex news, and fund safety.
If you want to understand forex markets and trade them for bigger profits, then you need to understand the concept of fair value. Most traders don’t - but if you do, you can turn this to your advantage and make huge long term profits.
So what moves forex markets? Here is a simple equation:
Forex Fundamentals + Investor Perception of them = Price.
It’s a fact that the fundamentals are unimportant by themselves - it’s how investors perceive them, that is vital to understanding price. We all have the same facts to look at but we all draw our own conclusions about them, colored by the emotions of greed and fear.
Over the longer term prices tend to respond to the long term fundamentals - but in the short term traders always push prices to far up or down with there emotions and we see prices spike away from fair value.
You can see them easily on a forex chart and these forex price spikes never last and prices eventually come back to more realistic levels. This is simply the way any free market works not just forex markets but how do you take advantage of fair value and how do you judge it?
One of the simplest ways to judge fair value is to use a longer term moving average.
In big bull trends the 40 ma will normally act as great support for the longer term trend and dips back to the 18 day ma, are normally a good area to load in positions in the direction of the prevailing trend.
Look at any trend and you will see how effective these averages are to buy or sell into, after a surge up or down.
When prices dip to these averages you don’t just buy into them, you wait for momentum to turn up in the direction you wish to trade. Here you should use some momentum indicators to time your trading signal.
There are a lot of them and we have written frequently about them - but the stochastic and the RSI, are good ones to use so check them out.
The trend is your friend, as the old saying goes and a trend in motion is more likely to continue than reverse.
This is why this strategy works. Check a forex chart and you will see how often buying back to key moving averages supported by momentum works. Forex trends last for months or years and by buying back to these areas of fair value, you can make a lot of money.
A forex trading strategy that buys back to fair value can make you a lot of money.
This is a simple forex trading strategy and it’s highly effective, when a market is trending and you want to get in on the direction of the major trend at the best price in terms of risk to reward.
In part 2 of this article series, we will look at how to take advantage of price spikes to initiate counter trend trades which, can offer spectacular profits with low risk.
Fading False Forex Breakouts
In this article I will share a simple strategy that many professional traders use with a great deal of success. There are a lot of variations of this strategy that, combined with proper risk management, can give a particular trading system an edge.
Simple Trading Strategy
I run an fairly large introducing brokerage company. By observing the successes and failures of my clients and interacting with them, I am able to pick up on what successful traders use to make money and the mistakes that unsuccessful traders make to lose money. This is all backed up by hard numbers, since I am able to view the performance of my clients.
After talking to a lot of my forex clients, it became evident to me that they use pivot points quite a bit in their trading. Two particular areas that traders like to focus on is the previous day’s high and low.
A crowd usually has the psychology that if the previous day’s high is crossed up the general price move is up and they are more likely to buy than sell. The opposite is true for when the previous day’s low is crossed down.
To add to that many traders use the previous day’s highs and lows as their stops. So if the price crosses below the low traders will be stopped out and the price will drop. The opposite is true for the previous day’s high.
Taking this information into consideration, I feel that I will have an edge in the market by going long if the previous day’s high is crossed up and going short if the previous day’s low is crossed down. I feel that the price move will continue to go in the direction of the cross for at least a little bit.
Many traders however play this trade completely the opposite way. They look at these price points as support and resistance and they dollar cost down into their trades. In other words if the price crosses below the low of the previous day they will go long and add to their positions until their average entry price is lowered. It is for this reason that I give these trades a little wiggle room by placing my stops around 30 pips away.
By using this edge and back-testing it I have developed some simple rules.
Basic Rules for trading EUR/USD:
Price Action Strategy
To us a trading day is from 5pm EST to 5pm EST in forex.
1. Enter long on a stop order if the previous day’s high was crossed.
2. Exit on a limit if the trade gains approximately 10 pips. Exit on stop if the trade looses approximately 30 pips.
3. Enter short on a stop order if the previous day’s low is crossed down.
4. Cover your short position if the trade gains approximately10 pips using a limit order. Exit on a stop if the trade goes approximately 30 pips against you.
5. Only take the first high/low cross of the day.
Simple Trading Strategy
I run an fairly large introducing brokerage company. By observing the successes and failures of my clients and interacting with them, I am able to pick up on what successful traders use to make money and the mistakes that unsuccessful traders make to lose money. This is all backed up by hard numbers, since I am able to view the performance of my clients.
After talking to a lot of my forex clients, it became evident to me that they use pivot points quite a bit in their trading. Two particular areas that traders like to focus on is the previous day’s high and low.
A crowd usually has the psychology that if the previous day’s high is crossed up the general price move is up and they are more likely to buy than sell. The opposite is true for when the previous day’s low is crossed down.
To add to that many traders use the previous day’s highs and lows as their stops. So if the price crosses below the low traders will be stopped out and the price will drop. The opposite is true for the previous day’s high.
Taking this information into consideration, I feel that I will have an edge in the market by going long if the previous day’s high is crossed up and going short if the previous day’s low is crossed down. I feel that the price move will continue to go in the direction of the cross for at least a little bit.
Many traders however play this trade completely the opposite way. They look at these price points as support and resistance and they dollar cost down into their trades. In other words if the price crosses below the low of the previous day they will go long and add to their positions until their average entry price is lowered. It is for this reason that I give these trades a little wiggle room by placing my stops around 30 pips away.
By using this edge and back-testing it I have developed some simple rules.
Basic Rules for trading EUR/USD:
Price Action Strategy
To us a trading day is from 5pm EST to 5pm EST in forex.
1. Enter long on a stop order if the previous day’s high was crossed.
2. Exit on a limit if the trade gains approximately 10 pips. Exit on stop if the trade looses approximately 30 pips.
3. Enter short on a stop order if the previous day’s low is crossed down.
4. Cover your short position if the trade gains approximately10 pips using a limit order. Exit on a stop if the trade goes approximately 30 pips against you.
5. Only take the first high/low cross of the day.
Fading False Forex Breakouts
In this article I will share a simple strategy that many professional traders use with a great deal of success. There are a lot of variations of this strategy that, combined with proper risk management, can give a particular trading system an edge.
Simple Trading Strategy
I run an fairly large introducing brokerage company. By observing the successes and failures of my clients and interacting with them, I am able to pick up on what successful traders use to make money and the mistakes that unsuccessful traders make to lose money. This is all backed up by hard numbers, since I am able to view the performance of my clients.
After talking to a lot of my forex clients, it became evident to me that they use pivot points quite a bit in their trading. Two particular areas that traders like to focus on is the previous day’s high and low.
A crowd usually has the psychology that if the previous day’s high is crossed up the general price move is up and they are more likely to buy than sell. The opposite is true for when the previous day’s low is crossed down.
To add to that many traders use the previous day’s highs and lows as their stops. So if the price crosses below the low traders will be stopped out and the price will drop. The opposite is true for the previous day’s high.
Taking this information into consideration, I feel that I will have an edge in the market by going long if the previous day’s high is crossed up and going short if the previous day’s low is crossed down. I feel that the price move will continue to go in the direction of the cross for at least a little bit.
Many traders however play this trade completely the opposite way. They look at these price points as support and resistance and they dollar cost down into their trades. In other words if the price crosses below the low of the previous day they will go long and add to their positions until their average entry price is lowered. It is for this reason that I give these trades a little wiggle room by placing my stops around 30 pips away.
By using this edge and back-testing it I have developed some simple rules.
Basic Rules for trading EUR/USD:
Price Action Strategy
To us a trading day is from 5pm EST to 5pm EST in forex.
1. Enter long on a stop order if the previous day’s high was crossed.
2. Exit on a limit if the trade gains approximately 10 pips. Exit on stop if the trade looses approximately 30 pips.
3. Enter short on a stop order if the previous day’s low is crossed down.
4. Cover your short position if the trade gains approximately10 pips using a limit order. Exit on a stop if the trade goes approximately 30 pips against you.
5. Only take the first high/low cross of the day.
Simple Trading Strategy
I run an fairly large introducing brokerage company. By observing the successes and failures of my clients and interacting with them, I am able to pick up on what successful traders use to make money and the mistakes that unsuccessful traders make to lose money. This is all backed up by hard numbers, since I am able to view the performance of my clients.
After talking to a lot of my forex clients, it became evident to me that they use pivot points quite a bit in their trading. Two particular areas that traders like to focus on is the previous day’s high and low.
A crowd usually has the psychology that if the previous day’s high is crossed up the general price move is up and they are more likely to buy than sell. The opposite is true for when the previous day’s low is crossed down.
To add to that many traders use the previous day’s highs and lows as their stops. So if the price crosses below the low traders will be stopped out and the price will drop. The opposite is true for the previous day’s high.
Taking this information into consideration, I feel that I will have an edge in the market by going long if the previous day’s high is crossed up and going short if the previous day’s low is crossed down. I feel that the price move will continue to go in the direction of the cross for at least a little bit.
Many traders however play this trade completely the opposite way. They look at these price points as support and resistance and they dollar cost down into their trades. In other words if the price crosses below the low of the previous day they will go long and add to their positions until their average entry price is lowered. It is for this reason that I give these trades a little wiggle room by placing my stops around 30 pips away.
By using this edge and back-testing it I have developed some simple rules.
Basic Rules for trading EUR/USD:
Price Action Strategy
To us a trading day is from 5pm EST to 5pm EST in forex.
1. Enter long on a stop order if the previous day’s high was crossed.
2. Exit on a limit if the trade gains approximately 10 pips. Exit on stop if the trade looses approximately 30 pips.
3. Enter short on a stop order if the previous day’s low is crossed down.
4. Cover your short position if the trade gains approximately10 pips using a limit order. Exit on a stop if the trade goes approximately 30 pips against you.
5. Only take the first high/low cross of the day.
Newbie As A Forex Trader
Day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year there will always be a new comer for forex trading. Lately the forex trading market are full with newbie traders. All of them notice that they can earn a handsome earning by involving into forex trading online. I have ask some senior forex trader that have being involved with forex market so many years. He asked me to learn and understand about forex market first. Forex market is so big and it is so difficult to predict the forex market. The forex market is so active and we must always notice how the forex movement. I want to advise some newbies same as me, we should read more books about the forex market or attending classes and personal coaching with the senior forex trader that really knows about forex market and currency. Otherwise, we will suffer on forex trading online.
Newbie As A Forex Trader
Day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year there will always be a new comer for forex trading. Lately the forex trading market are full with newbie traders. All of them notice that they can earn a handsome earning by involving into forex trading online. I have ask some senior forex trader that have being involved with forex market so many years. He asked me to learn and understand about forex market first. Forex market is so big and it is so difficult to predict the forex market. The forex market is so active and we must always notice how the forex movement. I want to advise some newbies same as me, we should read more books about the forex market or attending classes and personal coaching with the senior forex trader that really knows about forex market and currency. Otherwise, we will suffer on forex trading online.
