Why are Responsive Websites so important?

Modern websites are versatile, multi-functional marketing tools that allow businesses to broadcast their message across the web directly to the online market. Making sure the message is clearly legible on all of the different devices available to customers can be tricky.

The word ‘Responsive’ refers to the sites ability to be viewed on different screen sizes. Responsive website layouts “respond” or rearrange elements to the screen size they are being viewed on in order to be “mobile-friendly”. Screen sizes come in a variety of different sizes we are able to design them for. Some standards do apply:

• Desktop computers are 960+ pixels wide
• Tablets 768 – 959 pixels wide
• Mobile Phones anything less than 768 pixels wide

So now that you have learned how different screen sizes are viewing websites online, let’s review how responsiveness is applied.

Before responsive website technology was available, we designed individual websites intended to only be viewed on a desktop computer. We tested that one website in a variety of available website browsers (Internet Explorer, Safari, Fire Fox and sometimes Google Chrome). Done! Everyone viewing that website around the world saw the same site… which was on their desktop computer. You can go home now.

In 2013 we received our first request for a “responsive” website. What is that? After some extensive research and late night discussions, we decided we had to move forward with learning and implementing responsive website technology in order to accommodate mobile smart phones and tablets.

Before web developers were jumping directly into responsive websites, mobile companion sites bridged the gap. Now we were designing TWO websites for customers. Twice the work, five times as much testing and somehow we have to bring the cost down in comparison to the MASSIVE amounts of time we were dumping into these projects.

As soon as we get going on including mobile companion websites with all website projects; Google makes another announcement: “Google will now be penalizing any websites that is not responsive with downgraded mobile search engine rankings.” Ugh.

Google was reporting that through analytical information they had been gathering; tablets and mobile smart phones were becoming the key players in online traffic. Google predicted that due to portability and cost, mobile phones and tablets we’re going to render those clunky desktop computers obsolete. And they were right.

In April of 2015, mobile online traffic surpassed that of desktop for those two very reasons. We’ve been building good looking, stylish and highly functional responsive websites ever since. By viewing our portfolio, you may notice that some of the web elements are similar in form. This is to accommodate and provide optimal mobile smart phone experience when viewing our websites. The general population of smart phone users made web developers change their focus from heavily-designed graphics created from scratch to site speed and ease of use.

The team at New Adventure Web Design & Digital Marketing are proven experts when it comes to responsive website design in Southern Illinois, best practices and user behaviors. Let us walk you through getting your company and your message moved into the mobile era. Your website will always be accessible and mobile-ready so that users can navigate your site easily and get to the information they are looking for, directly and intuitively. This formula laid out for each of our clients is essential to reaching your online marketing goals.

What Makes Our Southern Illinois Web Design Services Successful?

Successful website design is more than clever artwork. Web design is more than making a design appear on a screen. Whether you need a simple business website or a complex E-Commerce system, the solution we deliver for you will be the product of a thorough process. There are elements of business analysis and marketing as well as creative and technical skills.

An effective website enhances your brand and reputation, is accessible and easy to use, and delivers objective, measurable benefits. As a well established small business web design company, New Adventure Web Design & Digital Marketing can offer a range of web design services to any small business or company. We have built a strong reputation by consistently building and producing websites that are aesthetically pleasing for small businesses and organizations, and produce results!

Whether you are a small local business needing web design services, or a larger business/retailer requiring a custom e-commerce shop, our experienced web design company has the expertise to deliver just what you want for your business; on time and budget. With our web designs you will experience an exceptional level of personal service and flexibility. As a professional website design company based in Southern Illinois, we offer a unique pricing structure for our services. We are able to provide your business with a range of options to ensure we can create the website you require.

All of our websites are designed from a ‘blank canvas’, so your site is guaranteed to be unique and created just the way you want it. We offer a superb after sales service and are always available for any alterations or tweaks to your website after completion. Our designers and developers work closely together. With New Adventure Web, you don’t have to choose between design and technical expertise. You can choose — and benefit from — both.

Planning is as important to your website as it is to your business. Practical and business-focused, our strategic planning process makes sure the website we build fits with your wider business goals and ambitions. Building effective sites by combining creative and technical expertise with a focus on the wider business is the priority of every project. First impressions count, especially on the internet. Effective web design works with your brand both visually and in how the visitor interacts with your website. In a crowded market, what makes New Adventure Web different from the rest? We believe it’s not just our creative and technical abilities which make us stand out. It’s our dedication to delivering sites which really work for our clients.

An effective website:

1. Enhances your brand and reputation through its appearance and functionality, and the quality of the user experience.
2. Is accessible and easy to use with quick, clear access to relevant information, features and services.
3. Delivers objective, measurable benefits: cutting costs, increasing revenues, expanding market reach.

Getting the right web design company will ensure high-quality which is always desirable for businesses and organizations of all sizes. New Adventure Web Design & Digital Marketing will enhance the value of your business which will ultimately increase your client base. Doing the web design on your own might not be a good idea, especially if you have no expertise in the field of web design. Let us help you with the web design so that you can concentrate on things that truly matter for your business. Give us a call today if you’re looking for Web Design in Southern Illinois.

Our Creative Process

Our creative process produces a design that’s specific to your business objectives and website requirements and in keeping with current design trends.

Functionality & Usability

Web Design is not all about pretty pictures and moving objects. It starts with functionality and usability, which are fundamental for website success.

Consultancy

While our websites facilitate 24/7 contact with the world, and in many cases reduce the need for direct contact, it’s important to get back to basics. That involves meeting with potential clients to develop a framework of the project scope, goals, and expectations.

The Importance Of Website Usability

New Adventure Web Design understands that human psychology affects how long a website visitor hangs around. We also have a complete understanding that website usability translates as user-friendly which means repeat business.

What is usability? Usability is a measure of how user-friendly your web site is. There are many schools of usability with (surprise!!) different theories and commandments. Many companies make big bucks fixating on the theories of the most widely known advocates. But the goal is KISS simple. Putting the first-time visitor to your website completely at ease and then selling them.

Why is Usability important? Usability directly impacts your bottom line! The human factor (or how the majority of potential online customers react to your company’s web design) is at work even BEFORE the first page of your site loads (becomes visible). People on the Internet hate to wait and if your web pages are slow to load they are going to move on and not come back. Unless you deal only Business to Business (B2B) with mid-to-large size businesses, you cannot assume your customers will wait on your web pages.

What are the basics of usability? Usability is not a single quality – it has six components:

1) Familiarity: Does the site have all the important common practices which tells the user immediately he/she will have no surprises navigating his/her way around.
2) Ease of learning: How quickly can a first-time visitor learn to use the web site.
3) Efficiency of use: How fast can an experienced visitor achieve his/her objectives?
4) Memorability: If a visitor has used the site before, can he/she remember enough to use it more effectively next time?
5) Error minimization: How often do users make errors while using the site? How severe are the consequences? How easily can users get back on the right track?
6) Subjective satisfaction: How much does each user like using the site?

How does New Adventure Web integrate usability into its work? Our company works with each client to tailor their Internet presence to be as human and inviting as the best sales person. Everything is considered: color schemes, layout, fonts, monitor resolutions, types of digital presentations, pro-active strategies for repeat business, use of graphics and most importantly page content. The design goal is that no one leave the site for any reason other than the client does not have what the online user is seeking.

Are there priorities in usability? Yes, and they are sequence driven. Website page loading times must be minimal, the page aesthetics must be attractive, the layout should not cause any confusion and last but most importantly the content must be concise. Writing is a creative art – but web writing needs to be usable. The user is asking “is this (website) what I was looking for?” Most people want to quickly scan information and read only small sections. Write in small chunks with many headings. Cut out unnecessary words. Use layouts so people can find information quickly. Follow these guidelines on all pages of your website.

How does usability apply to E-Commerce? More efficient user tasks lead to better sales. Increased satisfaction leads to increased trust and helps to strengthen company’s brand. Increased effectiveness, satisfaction and trust lead to increased customer loyalty, and to more repeat customers (who, on the average, spend more than the first-timers). Reduced errors and more effective user activities lead to a higher percentage of successful transactions (at same cost of hardware and software). If you invest in the usability of your website, it is possible to significantly increase sales, number of registered users and other metrics – without any other costs.

Usability can decrease website costs. Upfront usability analysis and design can identify extraneous features, which can then be eliminated simplifying the system. Users prefer websites with superior usability and fewer “frill” options: they are surfing online to save time first and foremost.

What should be done before usability implementation? You could show your site to people in the office. If they liked it, does it mean it is usable? When a group of people sit around a comfortable table, they’re easily wowed by presentations of a website’s fancy features and multimedia design elements. Get those same people to sit alone at a computer, and they’re likely to leave the same website in short order. But having them sit in front of the same computer with a usability expert looking over their shoulder asking the proper questions will work. Seeing something demonstrated and actually having to use it are two very different things. Post-implementation, surveys of customers who used the website to make their purchase can help.

If you are thinking about building new or revamping your current web site, we suggest you contact us today and let’s exchange ideas for a more profitable company website.