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PO Box 1282 Cottonwood, Arizona 86326 928.649.3207 info@highskydesign.com |
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Where function meets style |
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Accessibility (U.S. section 508) Is your site friendly to users with disabilities? (Bobbycheck it and see) These users can be accomodated with some simple steps, but it makes a world of difference. Plus, if you receive federal funds, your site is probably required to accomodate users with disabilities. We can help you get your site ready to cut muster. Brand Identity From your letterhead, to your website, to the color scheme of your office -- you're sending out many messages about your company. Are they saying the right things? Your web and print materials, the way your employees communicate to customers, the style of your decor, the tone of voice used on your website -- they should all be saying the same thing about your company. This strengthens your brand, and makes it more recognizable and memorable. Community What makes a website a community? And why bother having one? That's the million dollar question. Since its early days, the internet has been a home where communities could be created -- destinations for people who share like interests, or feel stongly about certain subjects. Bulletin boards, chat rooms, listervs have been their domain. Now those same venues are being incorporated into websites, and supplemented with news, links, and additional information. E-commerce sites are recognizing the value of community (a.k.a. "repeat customers") and try to re-create them on their own sites. Whether or not you are selling something, users love community, they want to feel as if real people are behind those screens. It's a reassuring feeling, and creates a long lasting affinity with your website. Content They're coming to your site for current, entertaining, and relevant information. Don't let your visitors go hungry. Original and unique information is the "meat" of your site. If you are selling an item, you almost can't give too much information. Shopping online is still fairly daunting to many users, and so you have to anticipate the questions they may have about your products, and address them all on your website. For instance, if you sell herbal supplements, describe the benefits of each, have a picture of the bottle and and illustration of the herb. Make sure to say how many capsules come in each bottle, how many ounces are in a bottle, and include the nutritional facts table. We can help you keep your current up-to-date. We can also craft content with a professional sound, and appropriate to the voice of your site. Cross-browser compatibility Did you know that your site can look very different in Netscape from how looks in Explorer? Since the developers of those two browsers developed them independently, they have different standards and quirks, and therefore render websites differently. A site can look great in one, and horrible in another, if you aren't careful. And it's not just your site's looks that can be at stake, your navigation may disappear, and users won't be able to get around your site. Now you may say that everyone uses Explorer, so why bother? But if you consider that anywhere from 1-5% of your users are using Netscape, are you willing to lose that many customers? Interactivity One of the facets of the web that distinguishes it from print, is that it is a two way form of communication. When you print a brochure, a customer may take it home, and may contact you through the phone number or e-mail address. But if that customer visits your website, it could be different each time. There might be new information. It might have a new look. It offers an element of the unexpected, and inspires your customers to return in hopes of discovering something new. Your website could also offer other means of interactivity -- this is any element that allows the user input something on the website, and have it react or respond. It could be as simple as rollover in your navigation, or as complex as a multimedia game or quiz. Other options include, user reviews, online bulletin boards and chats (which also help build community). Usability Sure she's pretty. But can she type? Studies prove that sites that are difficult to navigate drive users away -- and keep them away. Some sites are full of flash and sizzle, but neglect to tell you where to click or how to find the information you need. We believe in sites that are attractive and unique, but also easy to use. Let us make your site a nice place to visit. More coming soon! Heard a web or design term, but didn't know what it meant? Send it in, and we'll answer it. |
