Category Archives: Design

The monetisation mistake

Have you noticed how many websites entice you with provocative headlines? Often the headline is accompanied by a thumbnail. So you click the link and the site loads, bombarding you with adverts, videos, mailing list sign-ups and the rest. These websites do this because they want to make money. The links are known as ‘click-bait’.

And here lies the monetisation mistake.

If there was a genuine interest in sharing news, messages, interesting discoveries and the rest then things would be different. But at the present time many websites are simply in existence to make their owners money.

In the early ’90s we were told to prepare for the information super-highway. This would revolutionise our lives with fast access to data.

The reality some 25 years on is a little different.

For a start the term ‘information super-highway’ was dropped long ago in favour of ‘the Internet’. And we now are in a culture of ‘monetisation’.

So really the Internet is being used by many as a form of gold mining.

That’s not to say there’s no innovation or new ideas. But the simple reality on a day to-day basis is that more and more sites seem to be happy to cover their content in advertisements.

These advertisements usually have nothing to do with the original website. Or anything to do with the original content.

News Aggregators best for latest info.

Over the last six months I’ve been testing news aggregators. There is a good one from Apple called ‘News’ and a few on the Android platform. These aggregators take feeds from lots of sources and combine them into categorised news collections. Each aggregator allows you to completely customise the content.

The main thing I’ve observed is that content is cleaner in the aggregators. So you get the story without all the ads.

For example Wales Online have lots of stories relating to my locality. On the aggregators the Wales Online stories are organised and load really fast. If I then go to the Wales Online website to find the same story I meet video overlays and video inserts that play automatically. This is while I’m trying to read an article. So I turn off the ads and then the page jumps around while it loads another set of ads.

By this time I’m thinking to leave the site and go back to the news aggregator. Can you relate to this?

An interesting app called Medium is another slightly different tool and I’m just checking it out at the moment. It’s aimed at ‘writers and thinkers’ but so far seems full of things like ’10 ways to look clever in meetings’.

Do you need it?

If you’re a website owner you should ask yourself. Do adverts undermine your messages?

Are there other ways to get this website to pay for itself and make extra?

SCL Internet launch updated website

Congratulations to friends and colleagues at SCL Internet Services. They just launched their newly updated website.

And its sleek, streamlined and super-fast. Even though they describe it as an ongoing project its great to see the new site live.

Experience and flair to get the job done.

SCL are experienced web and software development pros. Their team combine a wealth of skills and experience. They are free from airs-and-graces and practice the ‘Agile’ approach to development, project management and the business as a whole. So there’s no wastage.

A client recently told me about SCL.

“Everyone else I asked failed but SCL succeeded. That’s big companies and agencies that couldn’t do the job. But SCL achieved what I wanted.”

And he wasn’t the first person I’ve heard say it.

Tusler Design have worked with SCL since 2005 on many projects; large, medium and small. Always happy to recommend them.

Check out the new website at www.scl.co.uk.

Fifty books for fifty years campaign

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrates 50 years of incorporation in 2016.

The ISKCON 5050 Campaign is an initiative to encourage and support all members of the society to give out fifty books during the year.

These are not just any books but books filled with transcendental knowledge from the Sanskrit Vedas of ancient India.

It was a pleasure to work with the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on developing the website and Facebook page for the campaign.

The website includes a password protected resource area for temples and communities worldwide to download. Resources include certificates and print artwork.

Check out the website at www.iskcon5050.com.

Mobile everything

The revolution goes on. Now users can do it all on a mobile device. This blog post is being written on a touch screen while sat at someone’s kitchen table. All new work is now tested on mobile devices before being published. It’s the new way.

Are you mobile ready? Checking stats for visitors using mobiles?

People expect it to work.

A generation or two ago it was not expected to work. But that was then. Now everyone expects their mobile device to work everywhere, for everything.

Sitting in the theatre last week we were surrounded by people on their phones. As soon as the interval began they whipped them out and started Facebooking and emailing. It was at least half the people there if not more.

This photo was taken on a mobile – few years ago now. And chances are you’re reading this on a mobile (or tablet).

So we humans have embraced mobile technology and all that comes with it. But how does it affect us? Is our dependence on technology beneficial? Is it helping us in our journey? Do we even have the vaguest idea as to why we are here? And does using all our time checking pics and posts benefit us? Will we wish we’d spent more time on Candy Crush Saga or whatever when we are on our death bed? I don’t think so.

We should be giving our customers a great experience. An easy experience and a timely experience. Meaning it shouldn’t be ‘hard’ for them to use our services and buy from us. And it should be fast and secure. All available when they want to buy/use.

Drop Pat a line to info@tusler-design.co.uk about making your website mobile friendly as well as user-friendly today.

Think Mobile

The Internet has changed it’s user interface over the last few years. It’s gone mobile. You probably noticed.

Do you ‘think mobile’ when creating content?

Do you check your pages and newsletters on your mobile before you publish?

If you have a website, a web shop, a web presence of any kind – it needs to speak to people using mobiles.

Tablets and smart phones are the main devices used to access the Internet now.

TVs are also used increasingly. They are different though because they access specific services rather than general websites and social media platforms.

So as a content creator you need to look at your text, images, videos etc on as many devices as you can. It can be a shock to see your work, that you’ve spent hours creating, looks a mess on a iPad. Especially if many of your potential market is using an iPad to access content.

The same website working on three different screen sizes at once.

Think mobile first!

If you’re working with a developer (or team of developers) they will be telling you to think mobile first. It has become the buzz word at the moment in the online design industry.

Improves SEO.

Designing and creating for mobile first means you are automatically going to get a better SERP (search engine result position) than before.

Improves Accessibility.

Creating for mobile first means you will also be making your content accessible to everyone, regardless of device. This is very important.

Improves Design.

Designing for mobile is more challenging than for big screen so usually you have to work a bit harder to get it right.

Good for Business.

Mobile first design and development is good for business because it means your customers can access your products and services wherever they are. And whenever they like. As mentioned above it also helps search engine position which means more traffic as well.

Who knows what the future will bring but for now – think mobile!

Top 50 design blogs

Tusler Design are among the top 50 design blogs in the UK.

It’s nice to be noticed.

The listing is by Gabriel Price and is posted on ‘RebatesZone’ at http://www.rebateszone.com/top-design-blogs.

Will have a look at the other 49 above Tusler Design and see what they’re up to.

Hopefully there will be some gems to add to the Design Directory.

If you know of a good website or resource please drop a line to info@tusler-design.co.uk.

Also if you know of a site that’s not in the top 50 design blogs in the UK but should be …

Thanks for reading the Tusler Design blog.

New look for Completeness

Lovely Completeness have a new look and feel to their site.

Kasturi wanted a bit more scrapbook style for the site and she wanted it re-focused on her crochet and craft classes and workshops.

Check out the whole new thing at http://www.completeness.co.uk

Using analytics data for your decision making

Owners of websites can make huge improvements to the effectiveness of their sites by learning to understand their analytics user data.

Google’s own tracking tool ‘Google Analytics‘ is a fantastic piece of software that anyone can use to their advantage.

Adding Google’s Webmaster Tools to Google Analytics gives website owners and developers a broad and highly informative set of data tools.

All this data is there to help decision makers choose where to focus energy and investment to foster growth and expand reach and sales.

Since 2006 Tusler Design use Google Analytics along with Webmaster Tools to understand website users and how sites are attracting traffic from searches and keywords and phrases.

Tusler Design provide bespoke services in this regard to our clients. Services include full SEO and content creation based on keyword analysis and competitor analysis.

We provide training too

Tusler-Design’s services include training for business owners in using Google’s data tracking tools to their advantage. This includes using adwords to improve your site performance for both organic and paid searches.

Shapez new website

South Wales based ‘Shapez’ can make anything using polystyrene and Styrofoam.

They use a clever hot-wire cutting machine linked up to a computer design system. Then they put beautiful stone, wood, painted or marble effect on. All rather amazing.

Tusler Design worked alongside the team at Shapez to develop the brand identity and new website. More to come in the next few months on this.

See their new website at www.epsshapez.com (link opens in new window).

WordPress Website Examples

The wonders of WordPress as a CMS (content management system) website development tool.

Tusler Design use WordPress a lot. Its become one of the most useful pieces of software used in Internet development.

WordPress is so versatile it can be used for almost any type of website. It has a worldwide group of developers who make it and keep it secure.

Tusler Design recommend most new websites and website re-vamps to use WordPress if they’re not already using it.

Example WordPress Websites

Some examples of websites designed and developed by Tusler Design working with WordPress.

Orissa Designs

Orissa Designs is owned and run by artist Tracey Jenkins. She specialises in producing art and shabby chic furniture.

The website uses WordPress and is linked to a PayPal account for accepting payments for online orders. Tracey updates the site herself adding new items as her catologue grows.

http://www.orissadesigns.co.uk/

Camping at Mwnt

Ty Gwyn Farm and Caravan Park (on the cliffs above Mwnt in Ceredigion) wanted a new website and commissioned Tusler Design.

The website gives an instant feel for the unique and wonderful location of the site. To improve the search engine recognition of the website ‘CampingatMwnt.co.uk’ was chosen as the domain name. Site includes a blog and is linked to the Facebook page for Ty Gwyn.

http://campingatmwnt.co.uk/

Completeness

Completeness is the online home of Kasturi Tusler, creative artist and crochet teacher.

The website features her crochet patterns, video crochet tutorials, a blog, downloadable recipes for home cooking (including one for homemade deodorant!). This site is also linked to Completeness’ Facebook page.

http://completeness.co.uk/

Custom House Cardigan

Custom House Cardigan is owned and run by creative designer and artist Karina Servini. The Custom House is one of Cardigan’s oldest buildings and has an atmosphere all of it’s own. It now houses a gallery and shop where over 300 local artists and craftspeople have their work on display and available to buy.

The website uses WordPress alongside an e-commerce shop using Magento E-commerce System. The whole thing is integrated within the main website.

http://www.customhousecardigan.com/

Cardigan Bay Company

The Cardigan Bay Company wanted a super simple site that could show some of their great designs and artwork that was also ready for them to build upon.

This is a fine example of using custom graphics with WordPress to create an instant impression upon the visitor.

http://www.cardiganbaycompany.co.uk/

HuwBryn

HuwBryn is owned and run by Huw Jones of Bryn Farm near Cardigan in west Wales. HuwBryn produces specialised natural animal bedding for a whole range of pets and animals.

Visitors to the website can order varieties of combinations of natural meadow hay, straw and chippings for practically any animal kept domestically. Visitors can purchase products using PayPal.

http://huwbryn.com/

JR Fabrications

JR Fabrications is owned and run by Jason Rice and are a welding and fabrication company based in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire.

The website uses WordPress and features many examples and testimonials from clients of Jason’s. He updates and adds things to the website himself with the occasion bit of tech support from us.

http://jrfabrications.com/

Get your new website built in WordPress and enjoy the benefits of creating and publishing your own content whenever you like…

Contact us now to get your WordPress website rolling.

CMS like WordPress is best value

It might sound like a bold statement but using a content management system to run your business website is actually about the best value you can get.

Many clients (and clients of our friends who are web designers) say that the cost of updating, adding and improving their websites went down when they switched to using a CMS like WordPress.

The simple explanation for this is that once you’ve understood how to use WordPress’s publishing tools you no longer need to pay for all your changes and updates.

WordPress is very easy to grasp

Within one hour most clients are comfortable creating and editing new pages and new posts, adding links and images or whatever they need quickly and without needing to attend a long-winded training course.

Even use your smartphone to update

You can use your smart phone or tablet to add pages and posts. Upload images straight from your device, tag and publish them to your blog or news pages.

WordPress is a very easy to learn and use tool for your content management system.

Hi-end web publishing for us all

We all benefit from access to high-quality web publishing tools nowadays without finding enormous budgets to run it all as in the past.

The Internet and accessible technology has given us the opportunity to present ourselves as we like to be seen.

So, if you have a mission to accomplish, a purpose, aim, target, goals, intention, idea, message or whatever; the Internet is the place to present it.

Use Facebook and Twitter to deepen connections with audiences

Inter-linking your website with your Facebook and Twitter pages gives your visitors and customers a ‘seamless’ experience and connection with you. So your dialogue can continue with your online followers and friends all the time – even when you’re asleep in bed.

Tusler Design can help you with your CMS

Tusler Design create websites using WordPress (and other systems) regularly and can help you set it all up and configure it correctly. Tusler Design also give you training and support in using WordPress and getting the most out of your system.

And use Google Analytics to see what is working

Tusler Design can help you use and understand Google’s great analytics system to improve your website’s performance and conversion rates.

Why not see for yourself?

Please ask about WordPress via the contact page.

And, if you already have a WordPress site and would just like some help, then please also ask via the contact page.

Thinking about design

Good design can be vital to making your website work to its best potential.

Design is an important but subtle element.

People (like you and me) like easy-to-use websites. We like it to be so clear and easy that we actually enjoy the process.

Jones the carpenters is a classic design

So ‘don’t make me think’

A few years ago I came across a book on website design called “Don’t make me think!” by Steve Krug of Advanced Common Sense.

Steve’s point is that people don’t like to be made to think when they come to a website.

Just like if we go to a new town we look for reliable things like street names and if they are not there we can get disoriented quickly.

It’s not that we are un-intelligent; its that the Internet and computers, smart phones, tablets and all are actually not so easy to use.

Technology is even more challenging when the circumstances are pressured; low or broken connectivity for example disrupting you while you’re trying to book train tickets.

Simplicity rules

Another classic simple design is on the Custom House Cardigan site

Internet users like websites to be easy to use and understand. So it makes perfect sense to keep things as simple as possible.

Of course, you don’t want to over-simplify and lose the main purpose of your site’s offering. But concepts, ideas etc. need to broken into bite-size-chunks to make them easier to understand.

Think of any major website and how easy it is to use. These guys are spending millions of pounds on research and development to create their sites and keep improving. We can learn from them.

Take a look at your favourite websites with a view to their design and notice the elements and how they are working together.

Websites can be excellent examples of synergy – where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

As you can see from our own website we tend to prefer things clean and clear. How about you?

Our creative process

The governing principle in website design is to KISS

“Keep it Simple Sweetie”

With that in mind, we;

1. Listen carefully to the client.

We follow the principle of understanding the client, the brief, the need, etc. first.

2. Research and develop.

Once we understand the brief we research and discuss possible solutions and technology to fulfill the requirements of the client.

3. Design and populate.

Create a staging website where we and client can publish and test content and usability.

4. Revise and review.

Once the site is almost complete or at a working level we review and check that the new site fits the brief.

5. Go live and linked up.

Publish the website to the Internet and link it with our directories and other relevant sites.

6. Timely review.

At an agreed time we meet with clients to review how effective the site is and how it can be improved.

EPOS Shop

EPOS Shop screen shot

EPOS (electronic point of sale) is a competitive market place.

We just re-designed http://www.eposshop.com if you want to have a look.

The project involved re-coding the entire website and re-writing all the content.

Ongoing now we are monitoring the search engine position of the site.

Open Source

Tusler-Design use and recommend open source software for content management system (CMS) solutions and for online shops. Open source has the advantage that it is being constantly improved by developers all over the world and is also free (or very low cost).

WordPress Blogging Platform.

WordPress is a fully customisable web publishing platform and content management system. We take the basic system and modify it for each specific client.

WordPress, like other CMS systems, enables contributors and editors to easily edit and update their website without needing to contact a specialist web developer all the time.

WordPress has thousands of widgets and plugins which make it suitable for a wide range of internet sites.

wordpress.org >

Magento E-commerce System.

Magento Ecommerce platform is the most sophisticated piece of shopping software we have seen. The fact that it is open source is even better.

Magento gives shop owners the ability to quickly display their products with clear images, descriptions, and prices; all linked to customer accounts and secure shopping carts.

Site owners then choose their preferred payment gateway and start selling online.

www.magentocommerce.com >

Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is a full featured open source, linux based operating system.

Not strictly a web development application Ubuntu is more like your Windows or Mac OS but is free and open source. Worth a look if you’re frustrated with Windows and your PC has slowed to a crawl.

ubuntu.com

The Open Source Initiative.

Open Source coding is not new to the Internet.

The Open Source Initiative began in 1998 and created one of the first web browsers; Netscape Navigator.

https://opensource.org/