Designing for e-commerce involves creating a user-friendly and visually appealing online shopping experience that encourages customers to purchase products. Effective e-commerce design takes into account the needs and preferences of the target audience, as well as the goals of the business. By following a few key best practices, businesses can increase the chances of success for their e-commerce website.

E-commerce design requires a balance of creativity and practicality. By following best practices such as making the navigation simple and intuitive, using high-quality images and videos, and making the purchase process easy, businesses can create an online shopping experience that will encourage customers to purchase products. By keeping the target audience and business goals in mind throughout the design process, businesses can increase the chances of success for their e-commerce website.

Best practices for designing for e-commerce

User context refers to the circumstances and environment in which a user interacts with a product or service. In the context of UX design, understanding and considering user context is essential for creating effective and efficient user experiences.

When designing for user context, designers must take into account the physical, social and psychological factors that influence how users interact with a product. This includes understanding the user's physical environment, such as the device they are using, the lighting conditions, and the ambient noise level. It also includes understanding the user's social environment, such as the presence of other people, the user's social roles, and the cultural norms and expectations of the user's community.

Designers must take into account the psychological factors that influence user behavior, such as the user's goals, motivations, and mental state. This includes understanding the user's emotional state, such as whether they are feeling stressed or relaxed, as well as understanding the user's cognitive state, such as their level of attention and their ability to process information.

By taking into account the user context, designers can create products that are tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the user. For example, a designer may create a mobile app that is optimized for use in a busy public place, such as a train station, by using large font sizes and high-contrast colors to make the app easy to read in low-light conditions.

Understanding user context, designers can create products that are more efficient and effective. For example, a designer may create an e-commerce website that uses geolocation technology to show users products that are available in their area, saving them time and effort in searching for products.

Considering user context in the design process, designers can create products that are more inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of users. For example, a designer may create a website that is accessible to users with disabilities by using high-contrast colors, large font sizes, and clear navigation.

Understanding and considering user context is essential for creating effective and efficient user experiences. By taking into account the physical, social, and psychological factors that influence user behavior, designers can create products that are tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the user, more efficient and effective and more inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of users.

It's also important to note that user context is not static, it changes as the user interacts with a product or service. Therefore, designers should also consider how the user's context may change over time, and how their product can adapt to those changes. This could include designing for different usage scenarios, such as designing for both daytime and nighttime use, or designing for different levels of engagement, such as designing for both short and long-term use.

User context is an essential aspect of UX design that should be considered throughout the entire design process.

The importance of user context in UX design

In today's digital era, where customer expectations are soaring to new heights, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to elevate user experiences. Enter: Salesforce and automation, converging within the <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/products/experience-cloud/overview/">Salesforce Experience Cloud</a>. This powerful combination is transforming how businesses connect with customers, partners, and employees, offering personalized, seamless interactions across every touchpoint. Let's dive into the vibrant world of Experience Cloud and uncover how the synergy of Salesforce and automation is creating unparalleled digital experiences.

At its core, Salesforce Experience Cloud is a digital experience platform that allows businesses to create connected, personalized, and engaging digital experiences for various stakeholders. Whether it's a customer portal, a partner community, an employee workspace, a marketing website or even just a product landing page. Experience Cloud provides a versatile canvas where every interaction is an opportunity to impress and engage.

Imagine where every digital interaction feels as though it was crafted just for you. With Salesforce’s AI-powered Einstein and automation capabilities, Experience Cloud turns this vision into reality. Einstein’s artificial intelligence analyzes user behavior, preferences, and interactions to tailor content, recommendations, and services. This means customers can enjoy a shopping experience that showcases products aligned with their tastes, while partners receive insights and opportunities that resonate with their goals.

Seamless Automation for Effortless Engagements

The magic of automation within Experience Cloud lies in its ability to streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and ensure that engagements are not just personalized but also incredibly smooth. Automated workflows that guide users through a journey, triggers that prompt timely communications, automation ensures that every step of the user experience is efficient and enjoyable. Think about; submitting a support query and receiving instant, automated responses that guide you towards a solution, followed by personalized follow-up messages. This level of attention and efficiency turns routine interactions into unforgettable experiences.

Experience Cloud empowers organizations to build vibrant communities for customers, partners, and employees. But here’s where automation and Salesforce’s prowess truly shine—through the seamless integration of Salesforce’s CRM capabilities with the digital environment. Automating the flow of data between Salesforce CRM and Experience Cloud ensures that user profiles are always up-to-date, community content is relevant, and interactions are recorded for future insights. This creates a cohesive ecosystem where every action feels intuitive and connected.

As we look towards the horizon, the integration of Salesforce and automation within Experience Cloud heralds a new era of digital experiences—ones that are not only personalized and efficient but also deeply connected to the user's needs and desires. Businesses equipped with these tools are poised to build lasting relationships, foster loyalty, and create a community around their brand.

In the tapestry of digital engagement, Salesforce and automation are the threads that weave together a future where every interaction is an opportunity to deliver joy, ease, and value. With Experience Cloud as the canvas, the possibilities for creating vibrant, engaging, and unforgettable digital experiences are endless. Here's to a future where technology not only meets expectations but exceeds them.

Elevating Experiences: The Power of Salesforce and Automation in Experience Cloud

In a world where technology evolves at the speed of light, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and User Experience (UX) design have come together in a dazzling dance of innovation, opening up a realm of possibilities that once belonged in the realm of dreams. The fusion of AI with UX design is not just changing the game; it’s creating a whole new playing field where experiences are more intuitive, personalized, and engaging than ever before. Let’s embark on a joyful exploration of how AI is revolutionizing UX design, making our digital interactions delightfully seamless.

Imagine a digital world that knows your preferences better than you do. AI-driven UX design makes this a reality by analyzing user data to offer personalized experiences that are as unique as fingerprints. Whether it’s recommending a new song that moves your soul or suggesting a product that feels tailor-made for your needs, AI ensures that every digital interaction resonates on a personal level. It’s like having a digital genie that understands you perfectly—bringing a sprinkle of magic to everyday experiences.

Gone are the days of frustrating navigation and convoluted interfaces. AI in UX design paves the way for effortless user journeys, guiding users with intuitive suggestions and proactive assistance. Picture a navigation app that not only directs you to your destination but also knows when you’re likely to need a coffee break, suggesting cozy cafes along the route. It’s about creating a frictionless digital environment where technology serves as a silent partner in your daily adventures.

AI enhances UX design by orchestrating a symphony of seamless interactions. From voice assistants that understand and anticipate your needs, to smart appliances that adjust settings based on your habits, AI makes technology an extension of our human experience. This harmony between user and device creates a seamless flow, where technology enhances life without intruding, like a perfect melody that uplifts without overwhelming.

The beauty of AI-driven UX design lies in its ability to learn and evolve. Just as we grow and change, AI adapts to our evolving preferences, ensuring that digital experiences remain relevant and engaging. This dynamic relationship between users and technology fosters a sense of ongoing discovery, where every interaction is an opportunity to uncover new joys and conveniences. It’s a journey of mutual growth, where technology becomes a lifelong companion that continuously surprises and delights.

The Future Is Bright (And Incredibly User-Friendly)

As we stand on the brink of this exciting new era, it’s clear that the fusion of AI and UX design is more than just a trend—it’s a transformation. By making technology more intuitive, personalized, and accessible, AI is not just enhancing our digital experiences; it’s enriching our lives. The future promises a world where technology understands us better than ever, creating a digital landscape that’s not only user-friendly but also uniquely ours.

In this radiant dawn of innovation, the possibilities are limitless. So, let’s embrace this future with open arms and open hearts, ready to explore the wonders that AI-driven UX design has in store. Together, we’re not just designing better experiences; we’re creating a world where technology brings joy, ease, and inspiration to every moment. Here’s to the future—a place where every interaction is a little happier, thanks to the magic of AI.

Embracing the Future: How AI is Revolutionizing UX Design

The Gestalt principles of visual perception refer to a set of rules that govern how we interpret and organize visual information. These principles were first developed by German psychologists in the early 20th century, and they have been widely studied and applied in fields such as graphic design, psychology, and cognitive science. The following are the key Gestalt principles of visual perception:

These principles are often used together in the design process to create visual compositions that are balanced, harmonious, and easy to understand. For example, a designer might use the principle of proximity to group similar objects together, and the principle of similarity to create a sense of consistency within that group. They might also use the principle of closure to create a sense of movement and continuity, and the principle of symmetry to create a sense of stability and balance.

In addition to these principles, there are also several other important factors that influence visual perception, including color, contrast, and texture. Color, for example, can be used to create a sense of mood or emotion, and contrast can be used to create a sense of depth and hierarchy. Texture can also be used to create a sense of depth and realism, and to add visual interest to a composition.

Overall, the Gestalt principles of visual perception provide a useful framework for understanding how we interpret and organize visual information. By understanding these principles, designers can create visual compositions that are balanced, harmonious, and easy to understand. Additionally, these principles can be applied in other fields such as psychology and cognitive science to understand how we process visual information and to help design interfaces that are more intuitive and easy to use.

Gestalt principles of visual perception

Organic marketing is a form of advertising that utilizes natural or non-paid methods to promote a product or service. This type of marketing is often seen as a more authentic and genuine approach to reaching customers, as it relies on building relationships and trust rather than solely focusing on sales. Organic marketing techniques include methods such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, and influencer marketing.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a technique that aims to improve the visibility of a website or webpage in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is achieved by utilizing keywords and other strategies to improve the relevance and authority of a website, making it more likely to appear at the top of SERPs for relevant search queries.

Social media marketing is another popular organic marketing technique that involves leveraging social media platforms to promote a product or service. This can include posting regular updates and engaging with followers, running social media ads, and utilizing influencers to reach a larger audience.

Content marketing is a technique that involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and other forms of content that provide value to the reader and help to build trust and credibility.

Influencer marketing is a technique that involves working with individuals who have a large following or influence on social media to promote a product or service. These individuals are often seen as credible and trustworthy by their followers, making them an effective way to reach a larger audience and build brand awareness.

Organic marketing techniques are an effective way to reach customers and build relationships without relying on paid advertising. By utilizing techniques such as SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, and influencer marketing, businesses can improve their visibility and credibility, ultimately resulting in more sales and customer loyalty. Overall, organic marketing is a cost-effective and authentic way to reach and engage customers.

Organic Marketing Techniques

User experience (UX) is a crucial aspect of any website or application, as it can greatly influence the success of a product. A poor user experience can lead to frustrated users who may not return, while a positive user experience can help to retain and attract new users. Understanding the biggest UX mistakes can help you avoid them and create a better experience for your users.

UX is a crucial aspect of any website or application, and it's important to be aware of the common mistakes that can turn users off. By avoiding these mistakes and designing a user-centric experience, you can ensure that your users have a positive experience with your product, and are more likely to return. It's als important to keep in mind that, even if you avoid these mistakes, it's still imperative to constantly test and improve your site or app's UX for better engagement and user satisfaction.

Biggest UX Mistakes

Designing for web accessibility means creating websites and web applications that can be used by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities. This can include individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, and physical disabilities, among others.

One of the key principles of web accessibility is to ensure that all content is presented in a way that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. This means that users should be able to perceive the content through their senses (such as seeing or hearing it), interact with the content and navigation, understand the purpose and function of the content, and have the content work on a variety of devices and browsers.

There are several key guidelines and best practices to follow when designing for web accessibility:

Designing for web accessibility can seem like a daunting task, but it is an important consideration for creating a positive user experience for all. By following these guidelines and best practices, you can ensure that your website or web application is accessible to a wide range of users, regardless of their abilities.

Web Accessibility Design Tips

Alt text, also known as "alternative text" or "alt tags," is a piece of HTML code that is added to an image on a website. It is meant to describe the content of the image for people who are unable to see it. This includes people who are using screen readers because they are blind or have low vision, as well as those who have turned off images in their web browser to save data or improve loading times.

Alt text is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps make the web more accessible for people with disabilities. When an image has appropriate alt text, a screen reader can read it out loud to the user, which helps them understand what is on the page. Alt text also helps search engines understand the content of an image, which can improve the website's search engine optimization (SEO).

In terms of SEO, alt text helps search engines understand what an image is about and how it relates to the rest of the content on the page. This can help the page rank higher in search results for relevant keywords. It's important to note that the alt text should accurately describe the content of the image, and not be stuffed with keywords. This is known as "keyword stuffing" and can actually hurt the page's SEO.

Writing alt text can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're trying to write it in a fun tone. One way to approach this is to think about how you would describe the image to someone over the phone. What are the key details that they need to know in order to understand what's going on in the image? Here are a few tips for writing effective alt text:

Overall, alt text is an important element of web accessibility and SEO. By including it on all of your images, you can help make your website more accessible and improve its search engine rankings. Just be sure to keep it accurate, concise, and appropriate to the tone of your website.

Alt Image Text & SEO

As a web designer, it's important to understand the power that color can have on the emotions and behaviors of your audience. By using color psychology and meaning, you can effectively influence the emotions of your visitors and create a more impactful and memorable user experience.

Here are some tips on how to use color psychology and meaning to influence emotions in your designs:

The colors you choose for your website should align with your brand identity and message. For example, if your brand is associated with luxury and sophistication, you might choose colors like gold, silver, and black. On the other hand, if your brand is associated with youth and energy, you might choose colors like bright red, yellow, and green.

Certain colors are known to evoke specific emotions. For example, red is often associated with passion and excitement, while blue is associated with calmness and trust. By choosing colors that align with the emotions you want to evoke, you can create a more impactful and memorable user experience.

In design, it is important to create a hierarchy of elements so that users know what is most important. You can use color to create this hierarchy by using colors to highlight important elements and draw attention to them. For example, you might use a bright green color for important buttons or links, while using a softer blue color for less important elements.

Contrast helps to create visual interest and draw attention to specific elements. You can use color to create contrast by using complementary colors or by using colors with high saturation levels.

Balance helps to create a sense of stability and harmony. Use color to create balance by using colors in equal proportions or by using colors that are evenly distributed throughout the design.

Depth will help to create a sense of dimension and space. Use color to create depth by using colors that are darker or lighter than the surrounding colors, or by using colors that are more or less saturated.

Movement is an important element in web design, as it helps to create a sense of dynamism and energy. You can use color to create movement by using colors that are more or less saturated, or by using colors that are darker or lighter than the surrounding colors.

Unity can help to create a sense of cohesiveness and connection. You can use color to create unity by using colors that are similar or related to each other, or by using colors that are evenly distributed throughout the design.

By using color psychology and meaning to influence emotions in web design, you can create a more impactful and memorable user experience for your visitors. Choosing colors that align with your brand identity and message, evoking specific emotions, creating a hierarchy, creating contrast, creating balance, creating depth, creating movement, and creating unity, you can effectively use color to influence the emotions of your audience and create a more effective and engaging website.

Using color psychology & meaning to influence UX

In page SEO, also known as on-page SEO, is the practice of optimizing individual web pages in order to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. On-page refers to both the content and HTML source code of a page that can be optimized, as opposed to off-page SEO which refers to links and other external signals.

Optimizing your website's on-page elements can be a crucial part of any SEO strategy, as it helps search engines understand the context and relevancy of your website's content. By making sure that your website's pages are properly optimized, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results and attract more qualified traffic to your site.

So, how do you go about optimizing your website's on-page elements? Here are some tips to get you started:

By following these tips, you can improve the on-page SEO of your website and increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. Just remember to always prioritize the user experience and focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that meets the needs of your audience.

On Page SEO - A crucial part of any SEO strategy

Are you tired of cluttered, busy websites that make your eyes feel like they're on a never-ending roller coaster ride? It might be time to try out some white-space in your web design!

When it comes to web design, white-space is often overlooked. But this unassuming design element is actually one of the most powerful tools in a designer's toolkit.

For those unfamiliar with the term, white-space refers to the empty or unused space on a web page. It's the space between design elements like text, images, and buttons, as well as the margins around the edges of the page.

At first glance, white-space may seem like a waste of valuable real estate on your website. But in reality, white-space is an essential part of good web design. Here's why:

So, how do you use white-space effectively in your web design? Here are a few tips:

In conclusion, white-space is an essential element of good web design. It helps to create a clean, uncluttered look, draws attention to specific elements, improves readability, and can create a sense of sophistication and elegance. By using white-space effectively, you can create a more enjoyable and effective user experience for your website visitors.

White-space in Web Design

Good UX (user experience) and SEO (search engine optimization) are both essential for a successful website. UX refers to the overall experience of a user when interacting with a website, while SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results. By following best practices for both UX and SEO, you can create a website that is both user-friendly and search engine-friendly, which can lead to increased traffic, engagement, and conversions.

By following the best practices outlined above, you can create a website that is both user-friendly and search engine-friendly. This can lead to increased traffic, engagement, and conversions, and help your business succeed online. It's important to regularly review and optimize your website to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of both users and search engines.

UX and SEO some best practices guidelines

While native fonts are ideal from a speed 
standpoint, customizing the font used on your website is a great way to 
improve the design and readability of your website. The downside is that
 downloading the custom font files to the browser increases the load 
time of the content. By default, loading a custom font also increases 
the Time-To-Interactive metric (the delay before a user can interact 
with the content), making the website feel slower and less responsive 
leading to a higher bounce rate and decreased time spent on the site.

The <code>font-display</code> CSS property controls what the browser 
displays while it’s waiting for a font to be downloaded; and changing it
 from the default setting can make your website feel faster and perform 
better on very slow connections.

The browser divides the time spent to download a font into three phases:

<code>font-display</code> changes the amount of time the browser spends in each of these phases. It’s specified by adding it to the <code>@font-face</code> CSS rule.

Alternatively, if you’re using Google Fonts it can be specified using the <code>display</code> URL parameter:

We have five options to change the display behavior:

Icon fonts have no acceptable fallback font. If the font doesn’t 
load, the browser will display gibberish because the UTF code point used
 by the icon font will be unused or have another value in different 
font. For icon fonts, use <code>block</code> to give the font as much time as possible to load.

Watch out for fonts used in artistic CSS illustrations and diagrams where the font lends significantly to the art. Use the <code>block</code>
 setting to give the font as much time to load, since the fallback will 
make the art less appealing. Similarly, websites are an extension of 
your company brand. So if you sell high-end or veblen goods or design is
 a key part of your competitive advantage, use <code>block</code> to ensure your website design matches your branding.

If the font you’re using is similar to the default system font, consider using <code>optional</code> to eliminate nearly all of the delay caused by loading an alternative font.

Otherwise, considering using <code>fallback</code> or <code>swap</code> for body text and everywhere else. Compared to <code>swap</code>, the <code>fallback</code>
 setting makes it less likely the user will see unstyled text and has 
the added advantage of preventing the content from shifting after a 
significant delay, improving usability on mobile and other slow 
networks.

Using font-display to Improve Time-To-Interactive

Color is an important element of web design, as it can influence how users perceive and interact with a website. Choosing the right colors can help create a cohesive and visually appealing identity and guide users through a website. However, choosing the wrong colors can have the opposite effect and cause confusion, discomfort or cognitive strain for users. In this article, we'll explore the role of color in web design and provide some tips  and considerations for selecting the right colors for your website.

Before diving into specific color choices, it's important to understand the basics of color theory. Color theory is the study of how colors interact with each other and how they are perceived by humans. It can help designers create harmonious color schemes and choose colors that effectively convey their intended meaning.

There are several different color models that designers can use to choose colors, but the most commonly used is the RGB (red, green, blue) color model. This model is used for digital design, as it represents colors as a combination of different intensities of red, green, and blue light. The RGB color model is an additive color model, meaning that the colors are created by adding different intensities of light together.

Another commonly used color model is the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key) model. This model is used for printing and represents colors as a combination of different amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. The CMYK color model is a subtractive color model, meaning that the colors are created by subtracting light from a white background.

In addition to these color models, there are also several color harmonies or schemes that designers can use to create cohesive color palettes. Some common color harmonies include complementary, analogous, triadic and monochromatic.

In addition to these basic color schemes, there are also many other options to consider, such as split-complementary, tetradic, and square color schemes.

When selecting colors for your website, it's important to keep in mind the impact that different colors can have on the viewer. Different colors can evoke different emotions and associations, so it's important to choose colors that are appropriate for the message that you want to convey. Some general associations with different colors include:

When choosing colors for your website, consider the purpose and audience. For example, if you're designing a website for a financial company, you may want to choose colors that are associated with trustworthiness and stability, such as blue and green. On the other hand, if you're designing a website for a children's toy company, you may want to choose brighter, more playful colors such as yellow and orange.

It is also important to consider the color scheme of your design in relation to the content and layout. For example, if you have a lot of text on your website, you'll want to choose colors that provide good contrast and make the text easy to read. If you have a lot of images or graphics on your website, you'll want to choose colors that complement the images and don't compete.

Choosing the right colors in design is an important aspect of creating an effective and visually appealing website. By considering the tone and mood you want to convey, selecting an appropriate color scheme, and using color to guide the user's attention and convey meaning, you can create a website that is both visually appealing and functional for all users.

Color choices in web design

Although most people view a redesign as a change in esthetics, this 
is not always the case, in some cases a redesign can be in branding, 
functionality or usability:

Pin pointing the reasons for changing your website will greatly 
improve and cut down the associated costs. Planned correctly, and you 
will walk away saving money, creating a great experience for your 
customers and potentially attracting a lot more sales.

Why you need a website redesign?

Websites
 like car engines need regular tune ups and maintenance. Although a 
website can seem like a simple thing, it is not. There are in most cases
 a lot of moving parts. Neglecting a website opens the flood gates to 
viruses, spam, hackers, user identity theft and can spread harmful 
malware to your user’s computer, ruining your business reputation.You 
don’t even realize it’s happening till it’s too late!

Preventive
 measures and regular website health checks will save you money, time 
and foster confidence from your costumers that you are taking your 
business and their data seriously.

Check out our monthly <a href="/services/maintenance">maintenance plan package</a>.

Websites need tune ups too!

Do you know who lands on your website home page?

For the most part, it’s first time customers.&nbsp; They know little to 
nothing about your business or your products or services. You need to 
use this opportunity to capture them. And the window is very small. <a href="https://ai.google/research/pubs/pub38315" target="_blank">One of Google’s studies</a>
 revealed that users form their first impression, that “gut feeling” 
about your website, your business, in under 50 milliseconds.

Inspirational design elements had the most impact on forming a 
positive first impression. The idea of having great quality visuals and 
catchy wording to tell your brand story, inspires users to dig deeper 
into your website.

You get one chance to make an impression!

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">Web Design</a>
 go hand in hand. Designing a website is not just about how a webpage 
looks. In order for a website to be an effective investment into your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">online business presence</a> there are many factors that must be considered while designing a website.

One of the most important factors to consider when <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">designing a website</a>
 is SEO! You can have the most stunning, beautifully designed website 
but what use will it be if search engines don’t see it or heaven forbid 
not rank it at all.

One of the most relevant factors in rising to the top of the search 
engines is content, relevant updated content. Incorporating content and 
headlines into your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">website design</a> is sure to be seen as a favorable point in your corner when search engines crawl your site.

Creating a blog that talks about your products and services is a 
great way to inject more than the standard content. If you are having 
trouble coming up with the words!? Hire a content writer, it is well 
worth the extra expense.   

Did you know: you get 50mils to capture a visitor that lands on your 
front page!?? Not to mention the loading time your page takes to display
 is an important factor in whether search engines rank your page high or
 low. Run an analysis of your site with <a href="https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/">Google Page Insights</a>, it is a very useful SEO tool and easy to use!

SEO and Web Design

“Describe your business in a few sentences?”

You have to capture your customer’s attention right away, you get less than 50 milliseconds! Telling your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">Web Designer</a> your business “pitch” will enable them to come up with ideas for a homepage that will portray what your business does.

“What sets your business apart from your competitors?”

This is your chance to really distinguish your business from the 
others. If you have something unique to offer, then your designer should
 know about it, so that it can be played up and specifically called out 
on your site. It doesn’t have to be anything earth-shattering. &nbsp;In fact,
 it can be something incredibly simple, such as offering a <a href="http://www.power3designs.com">complimentary consultation</a>, for instance.

Knowing who you are competing against,&nbsp; your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">Web Designer</a>
 can conduct the research needed. By looking into your competitors she 
can see how they deal with their websites, what works for them, and what
 doesn’t. This is not to copy what they do but to gather the best of 
ideas for your website, so that it is in line with your industry, only 
better!

“Can you describe your target customer?”

One of the key factors that affects almost every aspect of your 
website design. A site that is visual appealing to women may not be as 
visually appealing to the male population. This also affects SEO efforts
 and social media integration, it is important to be as specific as 
possible in order to design a site for the appropriate major audience. 

“What are some other sites on the Web that you like and why?”

It is your website after all so incorporating your personal tastes 
into a website that you will love as much as your customer is very 
important. This is not a question used for copying other sites or 
disregarding good design methods but rather a way to incorporate 
elements that you as the owner can be excited about! This question helps
 find what you like out there on the world wide web.

“What specific functionalities would you like included on your site?”

This is something that you may not have thought very much about. You 
may not even be fully aware of all the options that are out there. Many 
of my web design clients know they want a Web presence, but they aren’t 
always sure about what they want to get out of it. And that’s ok. It is 
up to your web designer to get to the heart of your business, and 
suggest new ways to leverage all the technologies that are available and
 appropriate to your site. For instance, if you run a hair salon, you 
probably know that you want to have a service offering, contact info and
 directions on your site. But what about adding an option for customers 
to book their appointments via your website?

“Who is going to be responsible for the website’s content?”

This is a question that often catches clients off guard. It is a bit 
easier to answer in the case of a redesign, but what if you are a new 
business starting a website from scratch? Do you plan on writing the 
copy for your own site? Unless you have experience writing for marketing
 purposes, I wouldn’t recommend it. The first reason is, good Web 
copywriting is a skill that can greatly improve user engagement when 
done right. Secondly, (and I say this in the nicest possible way,) it 
will probably take a very long time for you to get around to it, if at 
all. I can’t tell you how many projects that have either stalled, or 
been abandoned altogether because a designer hasn’t received the content
 promised to them by a client. If your designer works with a copywriter,
 by all means, spend a little extra and go that route. It will take a 
lot of pressure off of you, the project will be completed faster, and 
you will end up with a much better product in the end. Well written copy
 sells. Period.

“What key search phrases would you like to be found for?”

Search engine optimization (SEO) is your key to being found on the 
Web. Your designer should be asking you this because your answers could 
have a big impact on not only the copy, but the overall site structure 
as well.

“How much time do you want to put into new content creation per week?”

Another key element to SEO strategy is keeping your content fresh. 
This means adding brand new content to existing pages, and/or adding new
 pages altogether on a fairly consistent basis. This can be done any 
number of ways, including a blog, user generated content if appropriate,
 or even a podcast. When I ask a client this question, I am looking to 
find out how I should design their site to make the most use out of the 
time they are willing to spend. If its only a few hours per week, a blog
 would be sufficient in most cases. If it is a company that employs 
someone who can work on content creation full-time, I would start 
thinking of new areas that would attract users. A video page perhaps? 
The ideas are endless, but it all comes down to how much time you are 
willing to spend on such efforts.

Designing a web page is not just about esthetics, incorporating marketing elements for the future of your business is what a <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">great website designer</a> should have in mind while creating this important marketing, imaging, branding tool for your business. <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">An experienced web designer</a> knows this and will go beyond just looks. The questions on this list each serve a very important purpose, and your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com">web designer</a>
 should touch on all of them in order to make fully informed design and 
development decisions that will positively impact your business for 
years to come.

Important ?’s your Web Designer should ask.

Don’t make the mistake of rushing creation of your business website  
believing speed is all that matters when trying to get your products or 
services to buyers..

It turns out your rush job is likely going to lead to more skeptical 
customers than happy ones, according to new data from Vistaprint.

Vistaprint (NASDAQ:CMPR) conducted a survey of about 1,800 consumers 
on their reactions to eCommerce sites. The verdict? The survey <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/hub/digital/ways-to-improve-website-experience/" target="_blank">revealed</a>, in general,&nbsp;consumers with a bad impression of a site are less likely to buy from it.

Specifically,  consumers don’t appreciate an unprofessional ugly 
website. Vistaprint’s  survey found that 42 percent of consumers are 
“very unlikely” to buy from an unprofessional or ugly website. Another 
21 percent of survey respondents say they are “not likely at all” to buy
 from an  unprofessional, poorly designed site.

And if you think you’ll get a break from customers because you’re a 
small business. Online customers, at least, don’t care where their 
product is coming from so much as they care about whether they can trust
 the merchant. They don’t have any idea your a small business and they 
will not care when it come to trusting in your brand. 

Your website and its appearance speak volumes about how trustworthy 
your business is. It also tells a story about the way you run your 
business. Poorly designed sites equal a poorly operated business. 

If your site isn’t live yet, don’t rush things. If the site is  
riddled with errors or lacks detail — another important factor for 
consumers, according to Vistaprint’s data — consumers are likely to  
“walk” away from it. Inspect every portion of your site, blog, checkout,
 landing page and be objective. 

So, before you go live with your site, make sure these things are in 
order. Make a plan to include all elements so that they are as close to 
perfect. And if your site is already live, check for these key 
indicators of a site that is costing you customers:

Take great shots under professional-quality lighting to really get 
the best images of your products. Take them from all angles and upload 
them to your product pages. Customers want to see as much detail as 
possible. 

Don’t be clever with your product descriptions. Don’t confuse your  
customers. Get the basic information and all of it, about your products 
onto the site, then maybe, just maybe you can pepper in some cute 
language to show your business’ personality. The important things are 
first! 

Create and Set a Terms and Conditions Policy

Customers want questions answered.. product returns, shipping info, 
who to contact about their order, how do you use their information all 
the details in legal form for how your <a href="https://www.power3designs.com/terms-of-service/">business operates</a> and what you do when an issue arises. A <a href="https://www.power3designs.com/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a>
 for what information you collect and what you do with that information 
should also be included. A quick solution would be a either a terms and 
condition generator or privacy policy generator or for really safe 
measure: <a href="https://www.rocketlawyer.com/">Rocket Lawyer</a> is a great option!

Customers that may not be familiar with your brand need a story to 
attach to your business. Explain who you are and what your company does 
in <a href="https://www.power3designs.com/" target="_blank">an About page</a> that’s easily accessible from any page on your site.

If you’re not a web design expert, <a href="https://www.power3designs.com/start-your-project/" target="_blank">hire one</a>.
 This is an investment into your business, your future! Don’t skimp, 
it’s a costly mistake. If you can’t not afford one then a DIY site 
builders are your next best option.

Clean up all broken links. You can’t sell 404 pages to your customers
 and once they reach one on your site, they’re gone for good. Make your 
site easy to navigate, focusing on the main goal sell more products or 
services.

Your Ugly Website is Costing You Customers!

A great website should first and foremost be an informative avenue. 
Whether it’s a product or service, you want to engage and excite your 
visitor. You want to portray a reaction like a beverage company that 
makes you thirsty just by looking at the front page. Another purpose to a
 website is to get customers. In this day and age almost all consumers 
look to the web for what they are going to buy, where they are going to 
go, eat, entertain themselves. A business should look at a website as an
 investment into the future of their business.

Design, Develop & Engineer