Creative Website Imagery

Using imagery on a website is a great way to capture the attention and imagination of your users. But use too much imagery or do so improperly, and those eyes are just as likely to flick back to Google. We’ve put together these tips – some innovative and new, some tried and true – for drawing those users right in.

Be economical

Never has the term “more is less” been more true than when using images on a website. We’ve all visited sites that don’t follow this advice – sites with links sprawled from one end of the page to the next and graphics squeezed into every available bit of white space. We’ve all abandoned those sites, too.

Avoid this fate by concentrating first on a few key images, including your logo, your primary navigation, and the most important, relevant or current content. Any added imagery should support these features rather than overpower them. This could mean using no photos or extra images at all, or it could mean placing one or two clear, unique and powerful images well above the fold. Just pick your theme, find the most important images to bring that theme to the forefront, and use the least that you can.

If you don’t have access to a photographer or designer, consider using stock photography or stock footage in your design creation.

Use powerful colors

It’s best to be economical when it comes to colors, too, staying true to one scheme. Better yet, stick with just one main color. That way you’ll be able to grab a reader’s attention when you switch briefly to another.

No matter how much you love that bright fuchsia, be gentle on the eye, using flat colors, subtle contrast, and smooth gradients and curves. While it’s fun to experiment, know that many colors show up very differently on different screens. Going too far out of the box can create an unintentionally unpleasant experience for some of your visitors.

Don’t fear the white space

Use white space to contrast with other colors. This will help visitors focus their attention, and it will give their eyes a break. Plus, white space just looks fresh and clean, giving your site an inviting contemporary look.

Play with typography

Typography can help convey tone, voice and message. You can go funky and fun, slick and professional, or purely utilitarian. Experiment with a number of choices before you settle on one. Stick with your choice throughout the site, using no more than two different fonts – one for the headers, one for the body. Just like all other images, make sure typography supports the theme rather than distracting from it. Pay attention to spacing, too, both between letters and between sections on the page.

And last but certainly not least, remember that it’s function before style. Don’t sacrifice readability just because you love how old timey a text looks.

Stay relevant and be direct

The core purpose of having a website or blog is to send a clear message. That’s why it’s so important to stay on theme, no matter how creative your site may be. Users will feel cheated, annoyed or misdirected if Google brings them to your restaurant review site and the feature image is of a Ferrari. With every image you add, stop and ask yourself, “How does this support my site’s voice, theme, or purpose?”

But don’t fear the abstract

That said, relevance doesn’t have to mean a literal translation of your ideals. There are, for instance, far too many business websites out there featuring stock photos of models in suits shaking hands. Showcasing businesspeople just because you’re in business doesn’t tell us much about who you are and how you’re different than the competition. Try experimenting with abstract shots or vectors instead. This will enable you to create images that are truly unique. They’ll still be compelling and relevant if they relate to some aspect of your business, like your voice or emotional tone.

Overall, the images you use on your website should send a clear message about who you are, what you do, and why you do it. With these techniques in your tool box, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd.

Written by Rob Toledo: Rob Toledo loves all things CSS3, staring at source code and no longer supports IE7, he can be reached on Twitter @stentontoledo

500+ Symbolicons Vector Icons from Mighty Deals

Whether you’re creating an application or a website, anyone who appreciates design knows how the right set of icons can add that perfect, final touch to your project. After all, it’s the icons that users will usually interact with the most. And today Mighty Deals bring you the perfect set of icons that are nothing short of spectacular. They’re precise, elegant and quite simply…gorgeous!

You can get thisset of 505 Symbolicons icons for just $15, that’s more than 60% off the regular price of $40!  You’ll also receive free updates as this set continues to grow.

Check out this awesome set on Mighty Deals right away, as the deal is available this week only.

Beginners Can Learn Web Design Online

Learn web design online and you save both time and money while making a smart investment in yourself. Whether you are looking to learn a new skill that will allow you to earn a good income or whether you are looking to learn how to create your own website for your personal or professional use. Getting the training that you need to master this craft is the right first step to take.

When you choose to learn web design online you are choosing the most cost effective way to increase your professional knowledge, skills and abilities. Everyone knows that having a high quality web design is a crucial part of having an attractive and appealing website.

Without an attractive, functional and search engine friendly web design a website is certain to fail. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important that you learn these skills for yourself.

By choosing to learn web design online you will be able to learn the disciplines, technologies and tools needed to be able to create your own personally designed web pages. And if you plan on having your own website then you will be able to make any and all changes or improvements that may be needed to help you grow your business and increase your income.

Many website owners may start an online business by paying someone else to design or create their website for them and end up wishing that they taken the time to learn these key online skills themselves.

It can become a financial nightmare to always have to pay someone else to make the changes or improvements that you need made on your website to grow your business. However when you take the time to learn web design online, this can be a skill that you can benefit from many times over.

Even if you are planning to work as a website developer for a company or as a freelancer, there will always be a need for talented people with well developed web design knowledge, skills and abilities.

As a result of choosing to learn web design online you will also be able to enjoy the following benefits:

1.) You will be able to reduce your cost of learning by as much as 80% over what a traditional institution might cost you.

2.) You will be able to learn at your own pace. This means that you can focus as little or as much time as you need to thoroughly learn, practice and absorb the material so that you fully understand everything being covered.

3.) You won’t have to deal with the extra hassles associated with taking classes at a traditional institution, things like getting up early in the morning to get dressed, rush through breakfast, pack a lunch, commute to class, and then deal with the commute home from class.

All of these things can take a big chunk of your time, which will only extend the amount of time it will take you to learn the design skills that you are interested in. By choosing to learn web design online you really are creating a win/win situation by saving both time and money.

You can find more information and tips for beginners on learn web design online at http://www.webmastercourse.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Pardue

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6721699

Cross Promote Online For Maximum Profits

Cross promoting is when two or more businesses promote
their products or services together. I try to find businesses
that have the same target audience, but are not in direct
competition with my business. Doing cross promotions
with other businesses increases your profits, sales, and
beat your competition.

You can find businesses to cross promote all over the
Internet. Participate in e-mail discussion groups, online
forums and newsgroups that deal with your target audience.
Subscribe to e-zines that deal with your targeted audience.
Note on your Web site or e-zine that you are interested in
cross promoting your products and services. Search in
your favorite web directories and search engines to find
targeted businesses.

Cross promoting has many benefits. Save money by
sharing the advertising and marketing costs. Save time
when both businesses share the workload. You can offer
your customers new products and services. Get referrals
from the other business’ clients. Receive valuable
information from the business.

Once you find a business you would like to cross promote
with simply e-mail them your proposal. Tell the business
owner the benefits of the cross promotion. Explain to him
or her why it would be a win/win situation for both of your
businesses. Give them a lot of compliments about their
business, Web site, products and services. Using all three
methods above will greater your chance for a profitable
cross promotion. Good Luck!

Build A Successful Business By Staying Connected

Over the course of your business life you’ll come in contact with a
number of other business people. They could be lawyers, business
services, suppliers, customers, etc. These people are important to your
business in more ways than one. If you hired them or they bought your
product or service, you can also gain their business knowledge,
experience, ideas, and advice. How do you do this? Stay Connected!
Network! Networking is when two or more different businesses stay in
contact on a regular basis to build and improve each others business.

Consider all the benefits you’ll gain from talking to other business
people:

Knowledge or information that you didn’t have before
Advice on how to solve a current business problem
Leads to a new business project or opportunity
Joint ventures and cross promotion deals
Learn important skills that you didn’t have before
Constructive criticism that improved your business
Brainstorming that sparks a profitable business idea
Encouraging and motivational statements

There are many ways to meet business people. Join business clubs and
associations. Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail
discussion groups, and chat rooms. Go to business expos and trade shows.
Use your creativity to come up with even more ideas.

If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold
meetings at a local seminar room, at a park , or at your own business
building. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a private chat room.
Publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting
time and dates.

Keep all your business associates’ contact information all in one
place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy
finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you
can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Ohio a
couple of weeks ago.

Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have
used it countless times and will continue too. I have also met a lot of
business people who are now some of my closest friends.

9 Sure-Fire Ways To Increase Your E-zine’s Readership!

You Have Won!

Hold an ongoing prize drawing in your e-zine. The prizes should
be something of interest or value to your subscribers. Most
people who enter will continually read each issue for the
results.

100% Original

Give your subscribers content they can’t read anywhere else.
I’m not saying all your content has to be 100% original, but a
portion of your e-zine should have original information. People
will usually read information they haven’t read before.

Was I Right?

Give your subscribers a quiz or a series of trivia questions.
Publish the correct answers in your following issue. The people
who participate will want to see if they were right.

Read All About It!

Supply news stories related to your e-zine’s topic. People want
current and up-to-date news. If you can be their first source,
they will become loyal readers.

The Polls Are In!

Hold an interactive poll in your e-zine. Ask subscribers a poll
question. Have them e-mail their vote or opinion. People love
to give their 2 cents worth. They would also like to read the
results in your next issue.

Become A Jester

Give your subscribers a little humor now and then. Don’t be so
serious, tell them a joke. If they associate your e-zine with
being happy they will want to read every issue.

The Information Free-way

People love to get free stuff. Tell readers were to get free
stuff online or offline. It could be software, services, sample
products, e-books etc. The freebies should be related to your
e-zine’s topic. Keep the freebies coming and your subscribers
will keep reading!

Mini-Yahoo

Tell your subscribers about Web sites related to your e-zine’s
topic. The web sites should be interesting and helpful. Become
your readers miniature “Yahoo”, you know how many readers
they get.

In Our Next Issue…

Get your subscribers excited about your next issue. Tell them
about upcoming articles, prize drawings, freebies etc. If they
know what’s in store for them, they won’t want to miss reading
your next issue.

6 Ways To Keep Your Online Customers Away From Your Competition

1. Stay In Touch

Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis. Offer
them a free e-zine subscription. Ask customers if they want
to be updated by e-mail when you make changes to your
Web site. After every sale follow-up with the customer to
see if they are satisfied with their purchase.

2. Friendly Web Site

Make it easy for your customers to navigate on your Web
site. Have a “FAQ” page on your Web site to explain
anything that might confuse your customers. Ask them to fill
out an electronic survey to find out how make your Web
site more customer friendly.

3. Easy And Free Communication

Make it easy and for your customers to contact you. Offer
as many contact methods as possible. Allow customers
contact you by e-mail. Hyperlink your e-mail address so
customers won’t have to type it. Offer toll free numbers for
phone and fax contacts.

4. Teach Your Employees

Make sure employees know and use your customer service
policy. Give your employees bonuses or incentives to practice
excellent customer service. Tell employees to be flexible with
each individual customer, each one has different concerns,
needs and wants.

5. Impress Your Customer

Give your customers more than they expect. Send thank
you gifts to lifetime customers. E-mail them online greeting
cards on holidays or birthdays. Award bonuses or discounts
to customers who make a big purchase.

6. Be Nice

Always be polite to your customers. Use the words Please,
Thank You, and Your Welcome. Be polite to your customers
even if they are being irate with you. Always apologize to
your customers should you make a mistake. Admit your
mistakes quickly and make it up to them in a big way.

5 Sure-Fire Ways To Attract New Customers Now

1. Give Away An Electronic Information Product

The product could be a simple report posted on your Web
site or autoresponder to a downloadable e-book. The
information product should relate to your target audience. Just
place your advertisement somewhere on the product. Allow
other people to give away the information product to attract
even more customers.

2. Offer Free Consulting Via E-mail

Allow potential customers to ask you specific questions
relating to the subject of your business. Giving away free advice
can show your prospects your expertise and give you instant
credibility. Another benefit is when you e-mail them back the
free advice or information include your signature file to get free
advertising.

3. Hold A Free Chat Room Seminar

People go to seminars to learn about a particular subject.
With chat rooms you don’t need to fear public speaking or
spend money to rent out a seminar room. You can use your
own chat room or hold the seminar in someone elses.
Holding a chat room seminar is an incredible way to get free
publicity. Just send a press release to the media announcing
your free seminar.

4. Start A Free-To-Join Club

Having people join your club is a creative way to attract
new customers. People want to belong to something, why
not your online club. The club should be related to your
product or service. You could give away a free e-mail
newsletter for club members only . Have a members only
message board, e-mail discussion group or chat room. Post
your advertisements on all the club information.

5. Provide Your Product Or Service For Almost Free

Tell potential customers you’ll accept barter deals for your
products or services. You may not be getting money but they
will become your customers. If they are satisfied they might
pay money the next time they make a purchase. Barter for
things to improve your business or your own personal life.

How To Draw Visitors To Your Web Site By Holding An Online Contest Or Sweepstakes

How To Draw Visitors To Your Web Site By Holding An Online Contest Or Sweepstakes

Holding a contest or sweepstakes can draw a lot of traffic
to your Web site. You can announce your site to hundreds
of Web sites that list free contests and sweepstakes. Send
out a press releases about your contest or sweepstakes.
Ask entrants to your contest or sweepstakes if they would
accept offers from your business in the future by e-mail.

The prizes should be something your target audience would
need or want. Try to be as original as possible with the
prizes you are offering. Always offer more than one prize,
a grand prize and runner-up prizes. Use your products or
services to give away as prizes. Make sure your prizes have
some value, nothing cheap. Give enough information about
all the prizes, so people will be interested in entering.

Make it easy for people to enter your contest or sweeps-
takes. I feel the easiest ways online are from an entry form
on your Web site or by e-mail. Capture as much info. as
you can when they enter your contest or sweepstakes like:

Company Name
First/Last Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Day/Evening Phone Number
E-mail Address
Web Site Address
Purchasing History
Survey Questions

Give your contest or sweepstakes a professional look and
feel. Provide an “Official Rules” Web page for your contest
or sweepstakes. Include a time period of how long your
contest or sweepstakes will be held. Tell visitors how you
will deliver the prizes. Include pictures of the prizes on your
site. Tell visitors who will judge your contest. Check out
other contests and sweepstakes Web sites to get more
ideas.

The Secrets Of Chat Room Marketing Exposed

Chat Room Marketing is the use of online chat rooms to
promote your product or service. Chat rooms are usually
broken into categories. Find the right chat room where your
targeted audience would gather. Create a chat room profile
with your ad, business info, or signature file in it. Announce
to everyone in the chat room something interesting or free
that’s offered on your web site. This will draw visitors to
your web site. Always be aware of chat room rules before
engaging the visitors in a sales pitch that could be considered
SPAM.

Send electronic messages to target people in the chat room
that would be interested in your products or services. Start a
conversation with them. After a few moments indirectly
bring your sales pitch into the conversation. This is a great
way to do one-on-one selling electronically. Do not directly
SPAM them with your messages.

~Marketing With Your Web Site’s Chat Room~

Just having a chat room on your Web site can create an
online community and bring visitors to your Web site. Host
a free online seminar in your chat room about a subject of
your expertise. Use a chat room to meet with current
customers if they have any questions or problems. Regularly
schedule free events in your chat room. Schedule experts to
speak in your chat room.

Host other people’s chat rooms as an expert. Charge for
doing this to earn extra money or just do it for free to gain
publicity. Make sure your spelling and grammar is correct
when chatting, so people understand what you are typing.
Use some chat room emotions and acronyms to help people
understand you’re typing.

Use ” ” to show your laughing

Use ” ” to show you are smiling

Use ” BTW ” which means “by the way”

Use ” FAQ ” which means “frequently asked questions”

Use ” IMHO ” which means “in my humble opinion”

Use ” LOL ” which means “laughing out loud”

Use ” TU ” which means “thank you”

Marketing your products or services in chat rooms is a
more personal way to gain new customers. Prospects are
actually communicating with you instead of reading your ad.
You may even make a few friends along the way.

18 Reasons To Write An E-book And Then Give It Away

1. People will visit your web site to get the free valuable
information.

2. Advertise your products or services in the e-book.

3. You will become known as an expert on the subject
of the e-book.

4. Offer the e-book as a free bonus for purchasing one of
your products or services.

5. Allow other people give away the e-book to increase
visitors to your web site.

6. Gain new leads by having people sign up and give their
contact information before they can download your e-book.

7. The word “FREE” is the most appealing word on the
internet.

8. Conduct market research asking people to fill out a
survey before getting the e-book.

9. Make money selling advertising space in the e-book.

10. Give away the e-book as a special gift to your current
customers letting them know you appreciate their business.

11. Gain free advertising by submitting the e-book on
freebie sites.

12. Make money selling the reprint rights to people who
would like to sell the e-book.

13. You’ll gain valuable referrals from people telling others
about your e-book.

14. Make money cross promoting the e-book as a free
bonus with other people’s products or services.

15. Gain free publicity sending press releases announcing
your ”Free E-book Giveaway.”

16. Increase subscribers to your e-zine by giving away the
e-book as an incentive to subscribe.

17. Give away the e-book to people that join your affiliate
program.

18. The biggest reason you should write an e-book and
then give it away for free: you’ll feel good helping people
improve their lives.

How To Turn Freebies Into Sales

You can increase sales and profits by offering freebies to
people who buy your main product or service. They
increase the over all value of your main offer and in return
people feel they’re getting more for less.

It’s important that you have a high enough profit margin so
you can afford to give them away. Some freebies can be
created without a lot of expense; like electronic information
products. With these type of freebies there’s no shipping or
physical material costs.

Below are some popular types of freebies. In the examples
are some other benefits and a tips for offering freebies to
your buyers.

FREE COUPON/GIFT CERTIFICATE

Offer potential customers a free coupon or gift certificate
for a back end product or service you’re selling. This will
increase your chances for repeat purchases.

FREE BOOKLET/E-BOOK

Offer a free booklet or e-book related to your main product
or service. Inform potential customers that it is a limited time
offer and it will only be available before a specific date.

FREE MEMBERS ONLY WEB SITE

Offer a free membership into your members only web site.
Tell them what it normally costs for people who don’t
purchase.

FREE AUDIO CASSETTE/VIDEO

Offer a free audio cassette or video to people who buy. Let
them know this audio cassette or video can’t be found
anywhere else, only through this special offer.

FREE E-MAIL COURSE

Offer a free e-mail course on a topic related to your product
or service. Add your back end product ads to each e-mail
course lesson.

FREE CHAT ROOM SEMINAR/CONSULTING

Offer a free chat room seminar or consulting to give away
as a freebie. You will become know as an expert on the
topic by electing to do the seminar or consulting yourself.

FREE GIFT

Offer a free gift if they buy your product or service. Giving
the value of the free give will attract them to purchase your
main product or service.