Your website design can make you. Or break you.
Is your current design up to standard?
Your site design is the "face" that you present to your online visitors. They can't see YOU, but they can see the design that you present to them, and they will judge you by that.
Graphic designers like to think that the look of a website is the most important thing. Wrong, wrong wrong! You and I both know that content is king, but presentation and website functionality certainly do play their part.
"My Consistent Parenting Site has gone to PR3 and Alexa 326,000 since the new template - just 5 weeks later. I have all 120 pages changed over now. Traffic way more than doubled, adsense as well. Heaps of requests for links now too... I'm very happy with it all and regularly endorse your product thru the many requests I get about it."
Helen
5 ways to tell if you need to redesign your website.
1. Your visitors tell you
Ever get emails from visitors asking questions that are already answered on your site? They may be too lazy to look for the information... but the more likely explanation is that they simply couldn't find it.
2. Your Adsense CTR is very low
A good average CTR is around 5%. If you only get 1-2%, then how much money are you leaving on the table each month? A site redesign (or Adsense placement overhaul) is no guarantee that your CTR will improve. But chances are good that it will do.
3. Site is too slow to load
Does it take more than 10 seconds to load a page on your website? There can be many causes of this: poorly optimized graphics, too many scripts, nested tables etc. You only have a few seconds to make a good impression. It doesn't matter if you have the most beautiful design known to man... if it takes too long to load, nobody is going to stick around to see it.
4. Very high bounce rate
This is a dead giveaway. A high bounce rate (over 60%) means people are finding your site, don't like what they see, and hit the back button.
5. Few pageviews compared to visitors
This can be a sign of two totally different things. Either your content stinks (let's hope that isn't the case). Or...visitors find it too difficult to move around your website, and go elsewhere. The good news is, that is so easily corrected.
Put yourself in the hands of an expert, who actually cares about you and your site
I could sum up my design philosophy in one sentence...
I will never supply a site design to anyone that I wouldnt be proud to put my name to, and use myself.
I have been designing websites and working with HTML/CSS for over 15 years. I have worked with SBI in the design and testing of their 3 column css templates, I'm the creator of the "capped fluid width" template, and I specialize in designing/creating websites that not only work perfectly, they look great too.
So I'm not just some cowboy that has strolled into town, looking for a quick buck. Because I also create my own websites, I know what goes into making a site "visitor friendly". I know what works, and what doesn't. And more importantly, why.
The success of your site is important to me. When you trust me to create a design that is going to lift it to the next level, I take that trust very seriously. I work with you to ensure we do all we can to get the best results.
Hi, AJ,
Just wanted to say 'Thanks' for completing this quickly and efficiently ... and for the crystal clear communication. I appreciate your hard work ... and your skill in turning this around. [quote me, by all means ... if that's any help - I'm sure you don't need it!!]
Best wishes, Robert (www.leadership-development-coaching.com)
This design is just plain nasty! Dirty, ragged, rusted and most definitely grunge. Not a suitable design for all niches (imagine a gift basket website with this design, if you can), but it fits with the target audience of this site. And that is what good design is all about...knowing your target audience, and catering to them.
Recently completed redesign
Take a look at this website...the brief was for.... "fun, colorful, funky, and different. Warm colors, not all greens like most health food websites tend to be. And I really like my header, so can we incoporate that somehow?"
The results can be seen in the before and after picture below. Click on the image if you want to visit the site.
"First try out of the gate and I must say, AJ, you are a genius!!!!!!! I truly love what you have done. I wanted to tell you how beautiful the site looks, and thank you so much for all you are doing. You do such a fabulous job, AJ. Thanks for being such a perfectionist."
Sassy, owner of VeganCoach.com
Contact AJ to discuss a site redesign
Simply email me, at site.designsnz (at) gmail.com to discuss
your requirements. Together, we can take your website from just "okay" to something you will take pride in (and that
your vistors will love!) I will make every effort to reply within 24 hours or sooner.
There is no obligation to proceed further after emailing me, so you can change your mind at any stage.
Example redesigns
Here are just a few examples of redesigns. Note that these can change from time to time, so what you see today may not be what is on display next month.
Traditional layouts are often the best. You can can have all the flash and glitz you like, but if your visitors find it confusing....the navigation is complicated or difficult to use, then they are NOT going to stay long. Present you information in a way that is easy and intuitive to follow. Don't make your vistors work to find the information they need.
A small reusable logo was created to go with the new design. This helps to build your brand. There are many requirements to creating a good logo. Easily recognizable, able to reduce to business card size, looks good in black and white etc.
A slimline header keeps a lot of content above the fold. There is plenty happening on the homepage, but everything is logically placed and easy to find. If you like recipe sites, you will love this one!
Sometimes a design can step away from the traditional, but still retain its functionality and appeal. Tabs used along the top of the page, and expandable left nav panels are just two of the features used here. See how the page appears to float above the background.
Soft pastel colors, and lots of rose images, make this site a pleasant and relaxing place to visit. A site about such a beautiful flower deserves to look great...a plain boring look and feel just wouldn't do justice to the queeen of flowers :-)
The original design was functional. But inspiring? Maybe not so much :-) The new design is unique, and one of a kind. A fixed background, with a semi-opaque border adds a distinctive touch.
A clean and simple layout... a case of the design supporting the content, not competing with it. The design is ongoing, with split testing and tracking being used to determine how visitors use the site, and how I can make the site even more user friendly.
What you get for your money
The price for a standard redesign is $599.
Some designers might send you the files, and let you get on with things. But I don't work that way... if you are having trouble with understanding or using your files, then just email me. Help and support with your new design is not limited to just a few days, and it won't cost you any extra.
- All include files created
- navbar is fully functional with correct links, no "dummy links"
- Do you have a newsletter? If so, then I redesign the signup form, and create an ecover for it. Almost guaranteed to increase signup rates
- PDF suppplied which explains how to use your files
"Karen-
I have been working in establishing Merchant Accounts since 1990. So you can imagine the sheer number of new businesses and new websites I see everyday. I just wanted to commend your web site and the actual layout of the site.It is extremely easy to navigate and information is easy to read without being inundated with too much data. Even the color scheme transcends a sort of relaxed feeling. Well done by both you and your web designer."
www.los-angeles-alternative-medicine.com
What's involved with a redesign of your site?
There are some important key points to keep in mind, when planning a website design.
- Easy and logical navigation
Did you notice that as your website site grew larger, information became more difficult to find? Once you grow beyond a certain point then the standard navbar listing all tier 2 pages may not be appropriate. Visitors need to find what they want quickly and easily, or they will leave to find that info elsewhere. So I look at your current navigation structure, to see if it will continue to fit your needs as the site grows. If that seems unlikely, then I will make suggestions to improve things (drop down nav, sectioning the site, etc)
- Design should support, not compete, with your content
A simple philosophy. Yet overlooked by designers who are more concerned with showcasing their talents, than presenting your content in the best possible light. Color scheme is chosen to compliment your site. That may be bright and very "in your face" for a site such as http://www.traphimfeedhimkeephim.com
Or perhaps a relaxing feel to the site is needed? www.los-angeles-alternative-medicine.com is a good example of that.
- A design should look good in all browsers,and at all resolutions
If you site doesn't look good with all browsers, then there are going to be some dissapointed visitors. It's the same thing with resolution. Maybe those using an 800x600px monitor only make up 10% or less of your visitors. But even so, why disappoint one in ten? I make sure your site looks good to everyone. Including those using what I consider to be the worst browser in use today...good 'ol IE6.
I have already received many letters from teachers who have previously visited my website saying that they are impressed with my new design.....
My only regret was that I didn't make the change from Block Builder to uploading my own pages a long time ago.....
I can already see the results of using the template that you designed for me. In February when I first contacted you, my traffic was 1381/2060. I have been using my new template for about 3 weeks, and it is only the middle of April, and my traffic has already risen to 1811/2613.....
Heidi McDonald
Unique Teaching Resources
Contact AJ to discuss a site redesign
Email me at site.designsnz (at) gmail.com and we can talk
about what's right for your website.
There is no obligation to proceed further after emailing me, so you can change your mind at any stage.
For Your Information:
Payment is via Paypal (they will also accept credit cards, and your transaction is secure).
50% payable before starting, the remainer to be paid on completion of the project unless other arrangements are made.
Block builder designs are payable in full before work starts.
Timeframe for a typical project is around 10 days. That can vary depending on many factors, so only use that as a guide
(applies to a full custom design, a Block Builder design will average 2-3 days).
If you would like more details on what's involved with the design process, then visit this page.
Other services
These include:- Header design
- Slideshows
- sales pages
- Flash
Prices will be quoted on your particular requirements.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read about AJ's Site Designz. My hope is that one day you will look back on this time, and feel that it was one of the best investments you ever made ;-)
Remember, form+function=beauty.