Google recent released a change to its search engine results page. While the change is subtle, one of the new features is a handy, easy to access tool for performing keyword research for optimizing your web site for the search engines.
Improve Website Relevance & Conversion via Google Analytics
Search engine optimization is an ongoing task that covers a variety of aspects of your website. One item of note is the relevancy of your landing pages. I’m not referring to search engine ranking, but meeting the expectation of site visitors when they first arrive on your site. Here’s an exercise that can improve your…
Do Online Presentations Right
I’ve done several presentations in my time. They tend to be text heavy, as I want the presentation to have value long after I’ve delivered it. In the last several years, there’s been a trend in the Internet community to give presentations where primarily supportive imagery is displayed on the slide, while the presenter talks…
The Way We Build Websites
Late last year, I wanted to verify thoughts I had on web design and the industry, specifically related to the web design process. I tapped my network at LinkedIn to poll. The results are definitely not scientific, as the questions were polled at different times, with different responders. Consider this just a quick check into…
Text-Decoration vs. Border-Bottom
The topic of using text-decoration versus border-bottom for hyperlinks recently cross my mind. To be honest, I had never consider the effects and impacts of these two different implementations. However, since playing with these concepts, it has become quite an important usability item to me.
Evangelize Yourself for a Change
I evangelize about things that I’m passionate about. I’ve evangelized about the web and web design for over ten years. I attend web-related meetups and get really wound up about the topic. Segue to the networking side of those same meetups. I stumble. Ok, I fall flat on my face. I typically find someone to…
Modular CSS – Flexible Web Design
I really don’t know the official term to describe this method. It’s not new, by all means. However, it’s a powerful method of using CSS code & classes effectively and efficiently. Multiple CSS Classes First, you may not be aware that you can use multiple css classes on elements. Example: <p class=”classone classtwo”></p> Here’s where…
Great New Web Design Podcast
Just learned of a great new web design podcast. The Pipeline, hosted by Dan Benjamin, features interviews with leading designers, developers, writers, and entrepreneurs. The first episode featured Jeffrey Zeldman, designer, founder of ALA. I found this to be the best interview with Jeffrey. Other shows feature interviews with Ryan Carson and Jason Fried, with…
Let’s Eliminate Sexism in the Web Industry
My typical post center around sharing my knowledge and experience with other web professionals. This particular post will depart from the norm and cover the very important topic of diversity & respect in the web industry, specifically related to gender. I recently attended the 200th episode of the Boagworld podcast. The podcast celebrated by spanning…
Too Much Emphasis De-emphasizes Content
Early in my web career, say 2000, I was always told to limit what you emphasize. The theory is that the more you emphasize, the less something is emphasized. I remember debating with several content producers on this topic.
BLP Labels
This website redesign project was referred by my web design partner. A printing business has an existing site, which was outdated and not representing the company’s products and services. We worked with the client to examine their competition and agree upon an information architecture that would provide results. After creating wireframes that represented the content…
Lindblad Alaska
Lindblad Alaska is a standards-based, lead-generation, travel-related microsite designed for an existing client and developed on a WordPress CMS. Much of the look n’ feel was derived from existing branding from travel supplier print material. I participated in the end-to-end design & development of the website.
User Experience and Mobile Flash
I recently had a bad experience at a local restaurant. So what does that have to do with web design? My wife & I were told to view the carryout menu online. As we were physically at the restaurant, we attempted to view the menu on the restaurant’s website from our smart phones. That failed,…
Update Your Copyright Date Automatically
It’s a new year, and it’s time to get back to work. So why do your websites still read © last year or worse? Most web site owners forget to update their copyright date. And it’s easy to understand why. For most sites, the footer, where the copyright date usually sits, is below the fold…
TrubyLaw
This web design project was for a business lawyer client in Los Angeles, California. The project involved information architecture, wireframes and Photoshop design mock-ups. The site was then built on the WordPress CMS platform leveraging a web standards approach. It encompasses the clients need to communicate that their legal services provide direction. Highlights About the…
December Chicago Dreamweaver Meetup Wrap-up
We are truly blessed. No, I’m not getting religious. As a web professional, we here in Chicago are truly bless.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands is a standards-based, lead-generation, travel-related microsite designed for an existing client and developed on a WordPress CMS. Much of the look n’ feel was derived from existing branding from travel supplier print material. The site leverages Cufon, a font-replacement technology, that allowed me to target the well-established supplier branding. As the Galapagos…
CSS Styling for ASP.NET Applications
I just concluded a month long, onsite project for a mid-to-large sized company. The project was to consolidate several client-side applications into one web-based application for corporate & field employees. It was personally rewarding on several levels (besides financial). First, got to work with a company that has a seemingly great culture of teamwork and…
New Website
Well, the planets all lined up again. Which meant, my intent to redesign my personal website had to be placed on hold. Yet, moving off of a web host and getting things updated took precedence. So with that, here’s the latest website redesign. It’s based on the wpFolio WordPress theme, with just a few customizations.…
Previous Blog Posts
My previous blog posts will remain on the WordPress.com platform for historical purposes. View past blog posts (pre-Oct. 25, 2009)…