For our last blog post I went through a number of website design terms that are very helpful to know and understand if you are embarking on a site build or refresh. As a website designer I am very comfortable with the sometimes complicated vernacular that describes what I do. But I am well aware…
Every job comes with a whole lot of jargon, and website design comes with more than most. As a website designer for more than 15 years, I’ve seen many trends come and go, and trust me, it’s even hard for me to keep up with the constant changes in vernacular. When we discuss your website…
After you’ve had your much-needed (and well-deserved) rest and relaxation for the holidays, it’s time to get back down to business again. When it comes to web design and maintenance, there’s nothing worse than aimlessness. Rather than float into the new year without a solid plan, why not jot down a few goals to keep…
Anyone who has ever worked in print publications will know there is a constant jockeying between the designers and the writers. Designers want space to be artistic, writers want space for their words. And an 8.5×11-inch piece of paper doesn’t get any bigger, no matter how clever you are. The best thing about the Internet…
Part of my job as the content creator for Emphasize is to keep on top of how results are being displayed on the Google search page. Optimizing content to show up properly and provide the right sort of information when it’s found is an integral part of the website design services we provide. Major Elements…
In our last blog we went through five ways to improve your SEO results while also improving your website and the user experience at the same time. Thanks to continuous improvements in Google’s algorithm, nothing is more important than good content and smart website design. Your site’s search performance is dependent on its overall quality,…
As well as being the website design expert for Emphasize Design of Calgary, I am also responsible for all things SEO. Search engine optimization walks hand in hand with the design and functionality of your website. Intuitive site information architecture, great, easy-to-read, and informative content, combined with attractive, brand-friendly design are just as important for…
I love designing websites. It’s both a creative and technical process, which means I get to use all the parts of my brain, and it also means I’m helping some of Calgary’s entrepreneurs reach their business goals. Calgary website design has developed exponentially over the years, and there are more and more options to help…
Trends change quickly online, and deciding when to update your website to keep up with the latest standards can be a real challenge. You want your site to look and feel fresh, and usually the most important updates relate to function. The machines that we use to access the Internet have become more powerful and…
Clean, clear navigation is vital to successful website design. You can have the best content, advertising, and page design in your industry, but it’s of little use if your site visitors don’t know how to find it. With well-planned navigation, your customers will be able to move through your site seamlessly, without stumbling over discouraging…
It would be easy to brush aside the frequently asked questions (FAQs) page as a relic from the early years of the Internet, right next to dial-up modems and unsolicited free-trial discs. It would also be a big mistake. Used correctly, a FAQ can still offer tremendous value to you and your customers, even in this era of…
Reading is generally taught in a very specific way. You read from right to left, moving from the top of the page to the bottom. We learn this basic, fundamental method at such a young age that few of us question it. It’s simply the way things are, whether you’re reading a history textbook or…
Have you ever landed on a website that’s just a little off? You might not be able to put your finger on the exact reason, but something is keeping you from using the site effectively. Maybe it’s difficult to navigate, or a key feature isn’t functioning correctly. It could be that pages are slow to load,…
Trends change quickly in the digital world, and sometimes that’s a good thing. But when it comes to web design, a few misguided design choices can be enough to ruin an otherwise valuable website. If your business is like most in the digital age, then you probably make a considerable investment in marketing to your…
Do you remember what connecting to the Internet was like in the early days? It wasn’t that long ago, even though it feels that way, that first you had to sit down at your desktop computer or nominally portable laptop, and make sure it was connected to a phone line. Then you had to make…
You’ve worked hard to build a reputation for providing excellent service. The last thing you want is a website design for your Calgary business that makes your customers think you don’t care about them or their time. Don’t let poor design choices get in the way. In the interest of helping you avoid the mistakes…