The first thing to know about custom web design in NJ is being aware of what you need. This is because there are firms that are set up to work with you over a long period of time, serving as a support team that will help you as you grow. Other teams for custom web design in NJ are set up to treat the work as a single job, helping you build a site with an online store or as an info page that you will be able to adjust on your own after it is built.

With the varying needs for clients and consumers alike, it is a good idea to explore your options before you hire a team for this sort of work. Once you know that you have found the right team for your needs, it will be time to set up a plan moving forward for how to improve your web presence. This may include adding on to the site that you are using already, or it may mean taking the old site down so that you can start from scratch and use a brand new site.

The cost of services will vary based on the expertise and timeline of your needs. For the most part, the choice to start fresh or just build on what you have at the moment will not adjust the total cost. Rather, the amount of time the experts you hire will spend is what impacts the overall price for web design. This can mean that a new site is actually less costly, if you have a site that is having issues that takes more time to repair than it would take to start all over.

The Blackwave Creative team knows how to take great notes and understand your marketing needs. We will meet with your team, hear what they want and then help create a digital product that meets the needs of your clients. This is why you should seek a local New Jersey team to help with your design.

There is nothing more frustrating for a user than to visit a website that displays the following message: ‘To view this page, you must download the latest version of Internet Explorer.’  If you want people to remain on your website and return in the future, it must be compatible with all web browsers.

It is also important to note that following web standards helps a website become more search engine friendly.  This makes it easier for the search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo) to access and index a site.  It also makes it less complicated to convert to other formats and easier to access with program codes such as JavaScript.

Accessibility is Important

A website’s accessibility is an important aspect of any website, especially if your users have disabilities.  Abiding by the latest web standards will make your website more user friendly for people who are blind or suffer from a mild impairment.  When a website is built the proper way, the computers actually read web pages for the blind. When a website is designed the proper way, people with disabilities can magnify and rearrange the web pages to suit their needs.

Avoid being browser-specific

Many web designers create web pages for a specific browser.  When you design web pages to the web standard, it makes the page a lot easier to design, plus, it is more likely to work with more browsers.

If you’re not sure whether or not your website is up to standard, contact Blackwave Creative. We will provide you with a complimentary website analysis.

Mistake #1 – Sending out too many follow-up emails.

Most seasoned marketers understand the importance of email etiquette. However, many new email marketers tend to overdo it when sending out follow-up emails. The general rule for email marketing is to send out one follow-up email once a week.  Most people do not have time to read a lot of emails.  Sending out follow-up emails on a daily basis can give people the impression that you’re pushy or desperate.

Mistake #2 – Emails that contain spelling errors.

Make sure you thoroughly proofread your email marketing letter before sending it out to clients.  One simple spelling error can ruin a campaign. Your target audience will not only judge the appearance of your website or company brochure, they will also judge your content.

Mistake #3 – Your email marketing sales letter doesn’t contain contact information.

Believe it or not, many entrepreneurs miss the mark when providing contact information. Every marketing sales letter you send out should include the web address, email address and phone number.  The more forms of contact you provide the better. It won’t hurt to provide your social media contact information as well (Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn).

Mistake #4 – Your email marketing sales letter is too verbose.

Showing off your ability to create marketing sales letters with sophisticated words is not appropriate for email marketing.  Using words like ‘hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian’ should not be included in a marketing sales letter.  Marketing experts suggest writing content at a 12th grade reading level.  However, if your target audience consists of people with an advanced vocabulary, then more power to you.

Also, make sure that your marketing sales letters are short and to the point. Most people don’t have the patience to read a three thousand word email, especially if they’re reading it from their mobile phone.  If the product or service you’re offering requires detailed information, provide people with a short sales letter and then provide them with a link to a web page for more details.

Mistake #5 – Your email sales letter doesn’t contain a hook.

Before sending off your email, make sure you have clearly identified your hook?  Notice how every Fortune 500 company has a hook?   For example, Panera Bread offers free samples of their flat-bread pizza at select locations. When ever they offer their free samples, I always find myself purchasing the food item they’re trying promoting.  If you want to attract more clients, you have to offer them something they’ll sink their teeth into.

A hook could be a free 30 minute consultation, a 30% off coupon or even a free e-book download.  Providing people with a hook is giving people a taste of what they could have if they invest in your product or service.

Need help developing a new email marketing campaign?  Want to reinvent your current campaign?  Contact Blackwave Creative, our online marketing consultant will steer your marketing campaign in the right direction.

K.I.S.A.P. – Keep it Simple As Possible

When it comes to designing a mobile app, keep it simple as possible.  For some reason, many people believe that the more features a mobile app has, the more downloads they will receive.  This isn’t necessarily true.  People aren’t solely interested in the features an app provides. They want something that they can actually use.  If an app doesn’t immediately solve a problem or make life easier, people will not download the app. Remember, the old saying …less is more.

Have you ever noticed what the most successful apps all have in common?  They all provide people with an ‘easy’ user experience.  The app you provide your users should be easy to use — almost effortless.

Keep an eye on the time.

Performance is the key to having a successful app. The mobile industry is constantly evolving. Most mobile users don’t have time to wait for a mobile app that takes 25 seconds to load. Your mobile app should only take a few seconds to load and the transitions within the app should be swift. Remember, you only have a few seconds to entertain your guest before they decide to go AWOL.

All app developers aren’t created equal.

It seems as though every web designer out there is now providing mobile app design services. Unfortunately, not all designers are good mobile app developers. The key to having a successful app is to hire an ‘experienced’ mobile app developer. A skilled developer will not only create an attractive-looking app, he or she will invent an app that is easy to use and marketable.

Keep them excited.

There is a popular saying that many famous comedians use – ‘Keep them laughing’.  If you want to keep your customers interested in your mobile app, you have to keep them excited.  To accomplish this, you have to release updates and engage your users on a regular basis. This will help keep your users loyal.

With so many apps available on the market today, your app is more than likely not one of a kind.  The good news is, you can still gain and keep loyal users. If you have an app that fulfills a need and it contains all of the requirements mentioned in this article, you’re headed in the right direction.

Need a mobile app designed?

Blackwave Creative mobile app developers will design a mobile app that’s easy to use and engaging to your target audience. Contact Blackwave creative for a free consultation.

If your website isn’t mobile ready and your competitor’s site is mobile ready, you could lose potential clients. If your website is not up-to-date with the latest mobile standards, now is the time to upgrade.

Steps to Mobility

Determine what information your clients will want instant access to when they’re on the go. If you’re a salon owner, you may want to include your home page, hair service page and contact page. If you own an IT firm you may want to include your support page. It all depends on the type of business you own – every company is different.

The next step is to identify which screen resolutions and mobile browsers your visitors are using. A New Jersey web design company can figure this out simply by analyzing your web traffic data. Once your site is mobile ready, then your web users will have a smooth user experience.

Mobile Marketing

Whether we like it or not, the use of mobile devices is growing. Business owners who want to gain more clients and increase revenue will have to use new marketing strategies to reach their target audience. For example, many website owners are using mobile coupons to attract new business. Mobile coupons are like magnet for getting people to visit your website.

With mobile marketing, an eCommerce store owner can build a mobile version of their e-store and mobile users can transact business directly from a mobile device. Most of all, mobile marketing is a cost effective and efficient way of engaging with clients.

Want to get mobile ready?

No problem. Our web developers at Blackwave Creative can help. Contact us for a free consultation.

Font Styles

Choosing the wrong font can spoil a good website design. There were times that I’ve left a website because the font was headache-inducing. Although there are several creative fonts such as Bennie Goethe, Heavenetica and Forefront, not every font is right for every website. Make sure the New Jersey web design company you select customizes your fonts for your website. Style is a very important aspect of web design but readability is even more important.

Huge Photographic Backgrounds

Large photographic backdrops are in this season. When you have a large high resolution photograph as your background, it will give your website a more modern look and feel to your site. Just keep in mind, the background photo must have a purpose and it should never work against your content. Otherwise, it will completely ruin your user’s web experience. Your content should be easy on the eyes.

Interaction

Web users love visiting engaging websites. A static page can put an insomniac to sleep. If you want to keep your visitors excited about your website, make sure you add a forum or a blog. This will help build rapport with your clients. Websites that are focused and well maintained blogs are more likely to have greater conversion rates. It is also an excellent way to convince people that your site is worth returning to in the future.

Creative Domain Extensions

This spring you’ll see more innovative domain extensions. At one time, having a .com extension was considered extremely appealing. Don’t get me wrong, .com extensions are still in season. There are just more alternatives available. A creative domain extension like .us or .me can really set you apart from other .com sites.

The above spring trends only scratch the surface for web design. There are many other innovative trends for this season. You just have to choose the appropriate one for your type of business.

For further information about enhancing your website with the latest trends, contact Blackwave Creative today.

Below you will find a few benefits of HTML5:

1. Brings in new elements to structure the web pages such as: header, footer, nav, aside, section and article.

Article – Symbolizes a specific section of a web page such as: newspaper article, testimonials, blog posts, user comment, forum post, etc.
Footer – This is not limited to one use at the bottom of a web page. The footer can be used to mark up the footer of a blog article and the footer of the entire document.
Nav – Is used to wrap major navigation blocks, for example, the pagination links and table of contents.
Aside – A section of content that is associated with the content, sidebar or a pull quote.
Header – A collection of navigational aids. It is also used to create the document outline. You can use the header multiple times. For example, you use the header to mark up the author’s name on a blog post.
Section – An element that accommodates a broad category of a web page

2. Videos can be embedded on web pages without using Flash.

3. Video games can be played on the browser.

4. Includes several new tags and new names for older tags – it also includes additional features like: Flash, JS-based hacks, validation form, etc. This makes applications a lot easier and faster.

5. It denotes to scripting of API including – document editing, drag and drop, Canvas 2D APIs, database storage offline, etc.

Like all New Jersey web design companies, Blackwave Creative is looking forward to what HTML5 has to offer. Currently, there is a 15% browser penetration on the web. A good example of a site that’s created by HTML5 is joydefinesthefuture.com. We are waiting with anticipation when all web browers support HTML5.

At first, they become fascinated with the whole concept of driving traffic and increasing sales conversions with a blog. After discovering how much work is involved in maintaining an active blog, they become discouraged and give up.

Having a successful blog requires a lot of time and patience. It also involves blog marketing. Here are a few creative ways to increase your website sales with your blog:

• Post blog articles on social networking sites like Squidoo and Hubpages.

• Submit your articles to RSS feeds.

• Post links to your blog articles on Facebook and Twitter.

• Submit your blog articles to high-ranking article directories and ezines.

• Always bookmark your articles using De.li.cious and Digg.

• Add an auto responder to your free ebooks and other offerings that directs people back to your blog.

• Submit your online videos to Vimeo and Youtube.

Having a profitable blog requires a lot more than simply posting thousands of random blog posts. Your blog posts should be interesting to read and informative to your target audience. If you’re promoting your business or a product, make sure you add variety to your blog posts. Give people something to sink their teeth into. Never write blog posts that are completely centered on your product or service. If all of your posts are about how great your new product is, this will turn off your readers.

Another important aspect of having a successful blog is design. Your blog must also be visually appealing to your readers. If your goal is to attract more business with your blog, Blackwave Creative can help you with creating a unique blog design and assist you with blog marketing and promotion.

Admin Bar

Displays an admin bar along the top of the page when you’re logged into the site and visiting the public page. It allows for access to the admin functions by going directly to the admin area. You can get updates and make quick fixes to your site instantly. It also gives you access to page editing, statistics and more.

Custom Post Templates & Styles

With 3.1 you can create unique custom post templates and styles. For instance, you can display a post as a certain style or type. A few styles are link, gallery and quote. This allows a theme to style a post accordingly.

Improved Admin/Writing Interface

The admin area of WordPress 3.1 is more updated, especially on the writing page. Plus, the admin area CSS is less cluttered.

Internal Linking

Everyone knows how important SEO is for a website. With internal linking, users can search through current posts and add links within the content. You can also browse through a list of current posts by author, title or date. This feature is only available with the visual editor.

Haven’t Upgraded to 3.1 Yet?

It’s not too late. The good thing about upgrading to 3.1 is that there are many features available for you to choose from. You can really benefit from using them now and later on. Whether you need a WordPress blog or a website, our talented web design team is here for you. Contact Blackwave today for your next project!

Choose the Right Font

Make sure you choose a font style that will compliment your business. The latest typography trends for this season are large attention-grabbing bold fonts ranging from traditional to modern. Use the bold fonts sparingly. Otherwise, it will cause your web page to appear cluttered.

Use Authentic Photos

Although you can purchase a variety of eye-catching stock photos online, there is nothing like original photography. For example, let’s say that you own a call center, rather than use a typical stock photo of professionals talking on a phone; consider hiring a photographer to take original photos of ”real” employees at work. This will set you apart from the hundreds (or thousands) of other businesses who are using the same stock photos. Also, make sure that your photos are high-resolution.

Provide a Call to Action

There should be no confusion with a call to action – it should be clear as crystal. You should know exactly what you want your visitors to do as soon as they enter your website. Do you want them to sign up for a subscription? Do you want visitors to make a purchase? Do you want them to call for an appointment? This should be decided before you contacting a New Jersey web design company. Make sure your web designer uses a color and size that will make it stand out. Your call to action should be in the same location on each web page. It should also stand out so that your visitors will instantly take notice.

If you’re looking for more effective ways of improving your web presence, Blackwave Creative will help take your website to the next level.