Jelly Websites - Part 16

8 Tips for Creating a Great Website Footer

Often time’s people tend to forget about the importance of their websites footer. The footer of your website is one of the most important locations on your webpage. Although this area of your website may not be designed impressively, your visitors look for the footer in search of important information. It’s vital that you don’t neglect your footer when planning for a web design project.

So, what elements should you incorporate in your footer? How can you go about keeping your footer organized and seamless without over designing? The following tips include ways to create a great footer without it being obtrusive:

Keep It Clean- When dealing with lots of information, you must make the design simple. This way it’s easy for your visitors to find the information they’re seeking and extract it efficiently as they need. Make sure your design has purpose, fresh content and clean spacing.
Provide Links- Two of the most important links on your website are “Contact Us” and “About Us”. When visitors land on your webpage they typically want to know more about your company and its members. So, your footer must be linked to these pages to provide the best service.
Basic Contact Info- Besides including “Contact Us” into your footer, you can add your contact information, like your physical address, emails address and phone number. Try including an icon that offers auto dial, emailing or a site map with your location.
Arrange by Importance- The footer should contain some sort of hierarchy of the elements within the area. Your information should be divided in columns or rows and arranged by relevant important information like contact information, social media, links, etc.
Include Copyright Notice- Including a Copyright Notice is extremely important to your security and can save you from facing many problems. You can copyright your work by including a copyright notice. This statement includes the copyright symbol, name of the copyright owner, and the year it was created.
Include Call To Action- All of the best website design include a call to action, and many businesses find that including one last call to action in your footer can be the extra nudge your visitors need to sign up for newsletters, subscribe to blogs, or to send an email requesting a quote. Make sure to keep your footers call to action brief and straight to-the-point.
Contrast and Readability- Your footer is typically small in size and much of your info is kept in that small block. That being said, you must make sure to balance the background and contrast of the text to make it readable. Also, color, brightness and contrast must be taken into consideration.
Use Graphic Elements- Many times footers are just block of text. Add logos or graphic elements for added visual interest, but be careful not to overdo the small space with too many elements. So rather than spelling out “Follow me on Facebook/Twitter” include icons for these outlets.

Your footer is an extremely important part of your web design. Make sure you include the right mix of information, design elements and usability to get the most out of your footer in every web design project.

If you’re ready to take your company to the next level with a beautiful website, call Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com to learn about the services we offer.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

Is Infinite Scrolling Right for Your Website? | Web Design

Infinite scrolling has become an increasingly popular trend in web design. The design of infinite scrolling is as simple as it sounds, it displays your content and allows your viewers to keep scrolling without having to stop. So is this a trend that you see working for your website or does is sound like something you would like to avoid?

Like any trend, infinite scrolling had its pros and cons. But that all depends on the type and goals of your website. Infinite scrolling is a type of web interaction technique that continuously loads content as your visitor scrolls though your site rather than having to click on links. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are the best examples of infinite scrolling. However, many other sites have taken notice to this trend and implemented the design into their sites as well. Infinite scrolling isn’t for every website, so before you decide to join in on this trend I would implore you to inform yourself of the pros and cons listed below:

PROS:

Great for Touch Screen Devices- Today most mobile devise and tablets are made with touch technology and it’s can be difficult to tap those tiny page links, which is why infinite scrolling solves this problem.
Great for Visuals- One of the best way to display high quality images and image content is by implementing infinite scrolling into your web design. Great examples of how visual oriented websites benefits from infinite scrolling include Pinterest and Flickr.
Quick and Simple Browsing- Infinite pages are typically faster than regular webpages. The reason for this is because as the user scrolls down the webpage more content automatically loads on the same page which eliminates the need for clicking on links and reloading new pages every time.
Keeps Users Engaged and Curious- Infinite scrolling tends to trigger automatic responses based on curiosity and ease which keeps the users engaged while waiting for new content to load. People are wanting to be constantly entertain and not disrupted by having to click a “load more’ button and then having to wait. Infinite scrolling takes advantage of that.

CONS:

Navigation Problems- One of the basic UX principles states that users need to always know where they are on your website. This is key for website usability. In the case of having an infinite scrolling page it can be quite difficult to understand where you are on the webpage at a certain point. In addition, when clicking on a certain link and then wanting to return to where you left off, you are brought back to the top of the webpage.
No Skipping- A huge advantage of paginated content is when you need to skip the first 10 pages and go the 11^th page you can do so. This is impossible with infinite scrolling. You just have to scroll down to find something that interests you.
Footer Problem- This is a big issues with ecommerce websites. If you’ve made an online purchase before you know exactly where the important links are located: in the footer. Now imagine you want to visit the “shipping information” on an infinite scrolling page. This can be a big hassle when a link could be just a quick click away.
Overwhelming Content- It’s great to have a lot of quality information on your website. But when there’s infinite content loading every second users may start to feel overwhelmed and out of control.

Infinite scrolling isn’t for every website. So before choosing to implement this web design trend into your website make sure it’s the right choice for you. For more information on web design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com to learn about the services we offer.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

5 Ways to Overcome Creative Blocks | Web Design

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We all hit creative blocks once in a while, its completely normal. Even the most creative people hit a stand still now and then. And as agitating as creative blocks are, they are unfortunately a part of the creative process. When you find yourself hitting a creative block, rather than taking a break assuming a spark a brilliance will appear out of thin air, try rebooting your creative thinking. The following tips are here to help get those creative juices of yours flowing again:

Seek Input- When you feel stuck with your design or a certain idea, try asking for others their opinions. Even if you don’t use your friends or coworkers suggestions, it may spark a new way of thinking, helping you look at your work from a different perspective.
Exercise or Take a Walk- There have been studies that have shown that regular exercise enhances creativity. If you’re not fond of exercising, even the act of taking a walk can help boost creativity. No matter what sort of exercise you choose it allows for you to access fresh ideas from your subconscious.
Write or Sketch by Hand- Hitting a creative block doesn’t mean you’ve stopped being creative. Your mind is constantly running, from the moment you wake up, to the moment you fall asleep. It’s just a matter of capturing that great idea. Try keeping a journal on you at all times and write or sketch whatever is on your mind.
Listen to Music- It’s been proven that music helps boost creativity. No, and not only Mozart. You must listen to music you like, it will put you in what is called “mind-wandering mode”. Mind-wondering is an excellent way of capturing new ideas. Matching music to your mood at the moment is key.
Rearrange Your Workspace- If your office or workspace is not helpful to your creativity, it may be time to rearrange your surroundings so they stimulate and motivate you to be more productive. Changing up your workspace could be as simple as decorating with new photos, artwork, plants or even favorite quotes. Add anything that inspires you.

Remember we all hit creative blocks, but that doesn’t mean our creativity has ceased to exist. It just means that’s we need to take step back and take a look at our work from a different perspective to ignite fresh ideas. Don’t be afraid to try new things to help refresh your creative visions.

For information regarding web design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com to learn more about our services.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Web Design | Web Design

It takes more than an extravagant web design to make your website a success. You must also take usability into consideration, as your site is built for your visitors and not yourself. Even some of the most experienced designers make some of these common mistakes, but learning from your mistakes is vital to your long-term success. The following includes 7 of the most common mistakes web developers and web designer’s make:

No Consistency- When it comes to designing multiple pages for a website, it’s best to keep it simple. For example, visitors expect to see the same colors, fonts, logos, and navigation tabs on every page of a website. If your page design is inconsistent you visitor may become confused and wonder if their on the same website.

Confusing Navigation- I’m sure we’ve all had the experience of clicking onto a webpage and being immediately confused by the layout and navigation. Your visitors want to explore your website at ease, and when your websites navigation is too discreet or completely hidden visitors are likely to get frustrated. It’s best to remember the three-click rule; all of your important content should be accessible within no more than three clicks from your homepage.

Irrelevant/Outdated Content- Think less is more when it comes to your websites content. Making sure your websites content is up to date should be a part of your regular website maintenance. When you leave outdated content on your website it looks unprofessional. Say your last blog was posted in 2011, this may make visitors think your site has been abandoned and therefore they won’t return.

Poor Readability and Legibility- Visitors come to your website in search of information, so making sure they can read it is extremely vital. Make sure to use easy to read color schemes because using the wrong color combination can make reading more difficult for your visitors. Also, limit yourself to no more than three different fonts and font sizes.

Non-Responsive Design- In this day and age most web browsing is done on mobile devices, yet some web designers still don’t take this into consideration when designing websites. Your website should be mobile friendly to enhance its usability. Visitors don’t want to have to zoom in on their mobile devices just to make out the content on your website.

When it comes to web design and its usability, it’s best to think from your visitor’s point of view. So make sure to steer clear of the common web design mistakes mentioned above. For more information regarding web design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

5 Advantages of a Single Page Website | Web Design

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Single page websites have become increasingly popular over the years and for good reason, they work. A single page website is built with all off the necessary content on one page and can be built for multiple purposes. Those typically include product promotion, portfolios, announcements and others that don’t require much content. Single page websites allow for so many benefits, listed below are just a few:

User Friendly Experience- Visitors will be sure to have a seamless experience, as there are no pages to navigate. They will also have easy access to information they are seeking right away and will have no trouble finding it.
Simple Navigation- Navigation on a single page website is easy as 1, 2, 3. Since there is only the one page, your visitors can’t get lost. Your visitor will only be a click or a few scrolls away from the information they are seeking.
Focus on Quality- With a single page website you are able to focus on the overall quality and not quantity. Since there is only one page you able to put all of your creative work into one page. A good quality website will produce better results.
Easily Informed- Another benefit of a single page website is that the amount of available space makes it easy to get you your point across or to convey information.
Google Ranking- With a single page site you will having a better chance of ranking higher on google because there is just the single page. This can ultimately lead to more traffic since the ranking applies to the whole site.

If you’re interested in obtaining more information regarding single page websites, call Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com to view our portfolio.

Proudly serving Corona, riverside, Chino, Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

What Makes a Great Homepage? | Custom Web Design Corona, CA

Most of us judge a book by its cover, and it’s no different when visiting your homepage. Your homepage is essentially the first impression your visitors get of your business, and you want to make a great first impression, right? There are many aspects that make a great homepage, and it usually comes down to the basics. Read on to learn what it takes to take your homepage from drab to fab.

Clear Answers- When someone lands on your page it’s generally because they are seeking something of interest or because they’re looking for some sort of assistance. Your homepage must provide clears answers such as, who you are, what you do, and what you can do for them (the visitor) so your visitor knows they’re in the correct place. Most people often scan a page for bulleted items and short paragraphs.
Clean Design- You may think you have the best design out there with all of those flashy photos and music, but in all reality this is probably just slowing your page down and distracting your visitor from getting the information they are seeking. Make sure to effectively utilize white space, color scheme, and font appropriately.
Periodic Changes- When a website updates its services or products it can draw visitors back. Some of the best homepages are constantly changing by reflecting on the visitor’s needs, wants or questions.
Value- You want to entice your visitors to stick around. Provide them with value and share what makes your business different from your competitors. Make sure to use original content and credible information to set yourself apart.
Call to Action- If you want to encourage your visitor to “dig a little deeper” you must incorporate a CTA (call-to-action). Your CTA should lead your visitors to take the next logical step. For example; “Learn More,” “Free Trial,” or “Buy Now” You may need to have a secondary CTA or try different CTA placements.

For more information regarding custom web design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and all surrounding areas.

4 Ways to Make Your Website Stand Out | Web Design Corona, CA

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We all want our websites to stand out among our competition, we don’t want our website to simply blend in with the rest. If you are ultimately following your competition you’ll always be step behind in design. Fortunately, there are a few simple changes you can make to transform your entire website from drab to fab! These flowing tips can help create a stunning, memorable website:

Simple to Understand- People don’t typically read websites- they quickly skim them. Make sure the content is easy to understand so that your visitors will be able to find what they’re looking for in a timely manner.
Large Images- By using large images you are able to capture your visitor’s attention instantly. Use full screen images with little text (ideally 2-3 words). The type of image you choose is just as important as the images resolution. Make sure it’s interesting, relates to your company and is also beautiful.
Typography- Using large fonts is a growing trend that doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon. The objective of using larger font is so your visitors don’t have to read as much, while still getting your message across to them. The idea is to focus on your message and but down the words to display them in a big beautiful font.
Responsive Design- Now that most searches are done mobile devices it’s extremely important to make sure that your website can convert to any size screen. A responsive site adapts to the screen of any device your visitors may be using, which will make for a much for user friendly experience.

Establishing a stunning, memorable website is no easy task but with a determination and creativity you can achieve it! Don’t go on being in the shadow of your competition, get a little risky with your design.

If you’re ready for the website of your dreams, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com for more information.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and all surrounding areas.

3 Reasons to Redesign Your Website | Web Design Corona, CA

Web design trends are changing every single day and they’re changing quickly, so it’s extremely important for your website to stay current and up to date with all of the changes going on in the world of web design. In this day of age your website is the face of your business and most of the time it’s your visitor’s first impression of you as well. From a bias opinion you might think your website is spectacular which will make it tough knowing when it’s time for a redesign. It’s important to keep in mind that redesigning your website could only require a few changes to produce the results you’re expecting.

The following are a few reasons your company may be in need of a redesign:

Brand Has Changed- If your businesses services, products, or purpose have changed over the years, so should your branding. You site should reflect what your business offers whether you’ve increased or reduced what you’re offering. Don’t let your website mislead a potential customer.
Outdated Website- Like I mentioned above, your website is your visitor’s first impression of your business. There has been research that has shown that it only takes about 8 seconds for a person to judge your site, and if you have a terrible and unsightly design I guarantee visitors won’t be returning.
Not Mobile Friendly- Now that mobile devices have become increasing popular for everyday use to browse the internet, it’s extremely important that you either have a responsive or separate mobile site. It’s almost impossible to make a website compatible across all devices, but if you have no compatibility it will be a large disadvantage.

For more information regarding website design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and all surrounding areas.

Does Your Website Make a Good First Impression? | Web Design Corona, CA

When a visitor lands on your websites home page are they immediately impressed or thrown off by your content? Is your visitor able to determine what it is you do, and what you can offer them? If your home page is poorly designed with crazy colors, confusing text or is completely bombarded by music and/or video I guarantee it will not be making a very great first impression. You want to provide your visitor with a seamless and user friendly experience if you want them to think about returning to your website. The following points provide you with a few simple ways to make sure your website is making a great first impression:

Provide Clear Answers- When a visitor lands on your homepage they are usually in search of product, seeking information or looking for some sort of assistance. Your homepage must be able to clearly identify who you are and what you do to assure your visitors they are on the right webpage. People often scan for short paragraphs and bulleted items so try incorporating that into your site.

Provide Simple Navigation- Simple navigation is key, no one likes to get lost or confused when entering a website. Make sure your navigation bar is visible and easy to locate so your visitors are able to explore your page at ease.

Provide Value- Make sure to point out why your company is different and unique from your competitors, while making it simple to read and understand. Try incorporating original and credible content such as testimonials from happy customers or clients.

Provide Clean Design- You may think that if your page is full of flashy photos, video or music it will attract more visitors, but the fact is this sort of content actually drives most visitors away. Not only is this a distraction to your visitors but it also can slow down you’re a websites loading time. Make sure to effectively utilize white space, colors and fonts appropriately.

Provide Occasional Changes- When a website remains entirely the same visitors will have no real reason to return to your website. You want to make sure to provide periodic updates to create evergreen content. In simpler terms, stay current.

Keep in mind that first impressions last a lifetime, so if you want people to continue to visit your website you must make that first impression count.

For more information regarding web design, contact Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 or visit our website at www.jellywebsites.com.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and all surrounding areas.

3 Reasons You Must have a Mobile Friendly Website | Web Design, Corona CA

Almost everyone in this day of age has a smartphone, and it’s become one of the preferred methods to browse the web. Most people won’t even leave their homes without their smartphone. Mobile devices are used on a daily basis for tasks such as sending texts, getting directions, emailing, listening to music, and of course to accessing the internet. About 60% of internet searches are done on mobile devices now, and that number will continue to rise as the mobile world keeps on advancing. The following list includes three major reasons why you must have a mobile friendly website:

Google Says So- We use our phones for just about everything, such as searching the internet for restaurants, hotels or even specific products. If your website isn’t mobile friendly it won’t be coming up in Google's search anytime soon. Now the Google has changed its algorithm they are penalizing sites that aren’t mobile friendly, which means your site won’t be coming up as well as it did before if it’s mobile friendly.

It’s What Customers Want- As I stated earlier, about 60% of internet searches are done on mobile devices now. If your visitors has to zoom in and out constantly to navigate, I can almost guarantee this will decrease your visitors overall experience. Make sure with either have a responsive site or separate mobile site for the best user experience.

You’ll Lose Business- If you’re only using a standard website you’re probably losing business, if you already haven’t that is. Several people are ditching computers or laptops for their mobile devices. Don’t let your website take a toll on your business by not being mobile friendly.

Don’t limit yourself or your visitors by not having a mobile friendly website! If you’re interested in converting to a mobile friendly website, call Jelly Websites in Corona, CA at 951-371-9327 today or visit our website www.jellywebsites.com for more information.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Ontario, Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and all surrounding area.