MH1 Web Design Blog

by Christina Warren

In the past 12 months, we’ve seen a lot of changes in the world of web design. Growing popularity in the mobile device space — including smartphones and tablets like the iPad — have refined the way many users access and interact with content.

Likewise, the formal adoption of web standards like HTML5, web fonts and CSS3 by browser makers means that more and more users are now able to take advantage of the latest and greatest features on the web.

It’s often tough for small businesses to stay up on the latest web design trends because of the cost involved with redesigns and the necessity of being accessible by a broad range of users. Still, there are some great web design trends from 2010 and leading into 2011 that small businesses should consider incorporating into their sites.

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I started MH1 Web Design in 2003, and today we are fortunate enough to receive most of our new business from referrals, and from people who find us on Google. So, on a weekly basis I have three to four potential accounts walk in the door for web design, public relations, social media strategy, database development, or web marketing help. Understand that we have clients across the US, in Mexico, and in Canada, so we don’t get to meet everyone face-to-face. However, if a new account lead is in the greater Houston area, I like to meet them and get to know them.

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by Mike Hallaron, MH1 Web Design

Grace Smith writing for the American Express OPEN Forum this week offers:

“The importance of having an attractive website that converts visitors into buyers and helps cleverly promote your small business is essential in these fiercely competitive times.”

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by Mike Hallaron, MH1 Web Design

Small business owners planning a new company website need not worry about copying the look, feel, and function of larger, corporate websites. Instead take advantage of the uniqueness that is your small business venture.

In 10 Things Customers Want on a Website, Entrepreneur.com’s Monte Enbysk explains, “small businesses have a personality, flavor and sensibility that big company sites can’t match.” So, don’t join them them, revel in your smallness.

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This blog topic could also be called “Avoiding Paralysis by Analysis”. On occasion we sign on a new web design client who wants to monitor the course of their website project by committee. Composed of some four or more well intentioned employees, each feels they must contribute their fair share of criticism. This scenario often breeds a nightmare where no one gets what they want and our designers are left spinning in confusion. Our advice will help you prevent this train wreck when managing your next web design project.

In small companies and non-profits, owners and managers sometimes appoint a committee of staffers to oversee these projects to avoid making their own decisions or taking responsibility for them. In theory, the committee members will each bring some experience or value to the process. In reality, this is only true before the design or development of the website begins. Afterwards, it is a simple case of too many cooks spoil the soup.

The best time to put your committee to work is before you begin working with your web designer or developer. The committee should look at website examples, competitors websites, hash out goals, features, colors, and other aspects of the new site. This information can be distilled into a very effective design brief that will guide your web team to your final goal. A goal that is agreed upon after much argument, exploration, and debate.

Once the web designer has your design brief to serve as a guide, the committee’s work is done. Then the decision-maker or a liaison assigned to the project can make sure the project meets your organizations goals and design criteria. The design brief is the rich culmination of your committee’s hard work and preparation. It will keep your website project on track. It is impossible for a designer or developer to be effective when facing a flurry of repetitive changes from several different and usually contradictory voices. So, make sure your company speaks with only one voice.

And if the owner or final decision-maker appoints a liaison to oversee the job, be sure they are frequently shown progress updates. Their buy-in is critical at every stage of the development as they will sign the final check.

Save yourself time, money and heartache by using your committee to your best advantage.

Here is MH1 Web Design’s Design Brief template for your use: http://www.mh1webdesign.com/files/design_brief.pdf