Some Basic Principles and Techniques for Web Site Design

This is guest post by Brianne Walter on basic principles and techniques for web design . It's also helpful for you who want to make a custom template for blog.

The principles and the techniques are essential for any design. Therefore, in this case, the website design is no exception. For a good website designing, you will need to apply the principles and techniques in a wise manner. Therefore, you will need to know about these elements and its functions. Therefore, some principles and techniques are discussed for your need.

Layout

The layout of a website can create its aesthetic meaning to the visitors. Therefore, it is very much important to use the composition of the page in the subtle manner. How you will design, the website's page is a vital concern for making the stunning layout. Therefore, for achieving the success of the layout, you have to apply the grid technique in the layout segment. Particularly, the rules of third should be used to make a stunning compositionfor the website layout. For good layout, you have to consider putting some surprises in the design, so that the visitors can stay on the website page for a long time.

Color

The color for any website design is an important element. So, the color should be used in the website design in intelligent way. Remember color can make or break the consistency of the website layout. Before using color in the website page, you have to study the color harmony in deeply. So, that there will be no scope for error for color placing on the website layout.

Typography

Before using the typography on the website, you have to know the aesthetic sense of the fonts. The reason is that if you use the right font for the website design, then you will make it more user-friendly for the visitors. The exact typography for the website design is vital for the eyes, because, the wrong fonts can damage the viewing angle of the monitor screen.

Navigation

When you are going to design the website, you should remember that navigation in the website should be user-friendly which means the visitors can access the website without any trouble. Moreover, you have to use your intuition in advance, about where the movement of the visitors' eyes will be on the web page.

Usability

When you are designing the website, you should think about the visitor's mind. In advance, you have to realize that what the visitors will do when they make a visit on the website and you have to think about what the visitors will do on the website.

Clarity

The clarity of the website design depends on the pixel usage. So, how you will use the pixels in the websitelayout which will determine the crisp and the sharpness of it on the monitor screen. Moreover, the edges of the pictures or fonts should be clear as well as looking great on the monitor screen also.

Consistency

Always, remember that the website design should have consistency in all segments of the layout, because, the consistency in every aspect of the website will determine its success. Generally, consistency means making everything match like font, spacing, heading sizes .Etc.

Therefore, the website design requires the principles and techniques to build a good-looking website for the visitors.

About guest blogger

Brianne Walter is a freelance blogger who is passionate about writing. She frequently writes on SEO, marketing, design and social media related topics. Her favorite sites are ecofriend and style guru, which she also happens to work for.

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7 Essential Design Elements of E-Commerce Email

Email is still king. Even as other channels become more popular, email remains popular among Internet users.Marketers still value email as a way to communicate with consumers.

It's important for designers to understand the value placed on email and email design.

With this in mind, let's look at the essential elements of e-commerce email design.

E-commerce companies work hard to build their email subscriber lists. These folks realize the importance of having a list. To have a consumer opt-in to an email program is a sign that they want to receive valuable correspondence from a company. If you can create great email designs you will be a valuable resource for any company looking to hire.

1. Visual Brand Relevance

Source

If you are looking for email inspiration you can't go wrong with Fossil. In the last year or so their program has been stellar. The design really establishes what their brand is about and these days the Fossil brand is cool, laid back and stylish. Fossil has become known for way more than just watches. Their apparel and accessories are sought after by folks that have a little funky and organic style. Use brand images and photography in emails for e-commerce brands like Fossil. It's a great way to really entice people to click through to the site to shop, but it's also something they'll actually look forward to seeing in the inbox each week.

2. Purpose & Call-To-Action

Source

The simple concept and design of the LL Bean Signature emails are great. They focus on simplicity. You won't see a ton of calls to action. Instead, each email has a basic purpose and a call-to-action to support that purpose. In this case, LL Bean Signature is promoting their polos. There are two main calls to action. Shop the featured polo or shop all polos. Simple. Easy to understand.

3. Cohesive Theme

Source

Levenger often has a theme for their emails. This email featured a theme for graduates. The entire email was focused on items a graduate would need for their professional career. Cohesiveness is important when creating emails like this. It is relevant to a target customer. The email is not relevant to everyone, but there are still a few small links near the top and the logo for others to click through to the website.

4. Descriptive Headline

Source

Johnston & Murphy did a great job with a headline in a recent email. The headline is only two words, but you instantly understand what the email is about. This is important. Headlines are key to letting the email opener know they are looking at the right email. The subject line needs to lead to the headline, which leads to the landing page. Johnston & Murphy did this plus they took advantage of a timely event, The Kentucky Derby.

5. Enticing Links

Source

Danner takes a little different approach with their email program. Every month they send out their Danner In The Details email. It's a great series with a focus on content. The design is simple. There is quite a bit of content for each section of the email, but what is really important here is the enticing nature of the content. It leads you just enough to get excited and then the links call you to action to click through to the website. This is good email design and strategy. Get the consumer to the website.

6. Obvious Links or Buttons

Source

Old Navy's emails are entirely unique. They are flashy and in your face. The brand has changed marketing strategies in recent years. They are promotional and fun. Their email program reflects this brand strategy. Another good aspect of the Old Navy email design is the obvious links. On the left side of this email you'll notice four links for Women, Women's Plus, Maternity, and Men. These basic looking text links, but that's what consumers are comfortable clicking. Don't get too crazy with buttons and links. Make them obvious for users so they are comfortable clicking.

7. Consumer Focus

Source

Woolrich has a great email program. The design is visually appealing. The company very much communicates their brand message with their design and imagery. In this example you see the photo of the woman. It's something the target audience of Woolrich will see and understand. Photos like this are great for connecting with an audience.

But what I love even more about this email is the customer-focused list of benefits. It can be difficult to focus on the customer benefits when referring to products. Woolrich does a good job. They understand that a customer is not just buying a shirt. The customer is getting something that will keep them dry in the summer months. This email is selling more than just a shirt. It's selling comfort.

About the Author: BloggerDayne Shuda is a contributing blogger for Fluttermail, email marketing for small businesses.

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UPDATE FOR SUBSCRIPTION POP-UP

In comments of my previous post "Using Jquery to make an one-time subscription pop-up" ,YellOblog said that he want the pop-up appear after an amount of time and the pop-up is always at the center of viewport .Thanks YellOblog for the suggestion . Here is the complete code for your request :

Live Demo 

To make a Subscription Pop-up ,you can read my post  "Using Jquery to make an one-time subscription pop-up" and follow steps from 1 to 3 .

For the step 4 - Jquery code ,replace the code in the post "Using Jquery to make an one-time subscription pop-up"
with this one

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5.0/jquery.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>   
<script src="http://dinhquanghuy.110mb.com/jquery.cookie.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
         var popupStatus = 0;

//loading popup with jQuery magic!
function loadPopup(){
    centerPopup();
    //loads popup only if it is disabled
    if(popupStatus==0){
        $("#backgroundPopup").css({
            "opacity": "0.7"
        });
        $("#backgroundPopup").fadeIn("slow");
        $("#popupContact").fadeIn("slow");
        popupStatus = 1;
    }
}

//disabling popup with jQuery magic!
function disablePopup(){
    //disables popup only if it is enabled
    if(popupStatus==1){
        $("#backgroundPopup").fadeOut("slow");
        $("#popupContact").fadeOut("slow");
        popupStatus = 0;
    }
}

//centering popup
function centerPopup(){
    //request data for centering
    var windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth;  
    var windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight;  
    var windowscrolltop = document.documentElement.scrollTop; 
    var windowscrollleft = document.documentElement.scrollLeft; 
    var popupHeight = $("#popupContact").height();
    var popupWidth = $("#popupContact").width();
    var toppos = windowHeight/2-popupHeight/2+windowscrolltop;
    var leftpos = windowWidth/2-popupWidth/2+windowscrollleft;
    //centering
    $("#popupContact").css({
        "position": "absolute",
        "top": toppos,
        "left": leftpos
    });
    //only need force for IE6
    
    $("#backgroundPopup").css({
        "height": windowHeight
    });
    
}


//CONTROLLING EVENTS IN jQuery
$(document).ready(function(){
    if ($.cookie("anewsletter") != 1) {    
        
        //load popup
        setTimeout("loadPopup()",5000);    
    }        
    //CLOSING POPUP
    //Click the x event!
    $("#popupContactClose").click(function(){
        disablePopup();
        $.cookie("anewsletter", "1", { expires: 7 });
    });
    //Click out event!
    $("#backgroundPopup").click(function(){
        disablePopup();
        $.cookie("anewsletter", "1", { expires: 7 });
    });
    //Press Escape event!
    $(document).keypress(function(e){
        if(e.keyCode==27 && popupStatus==1){
            disablePopup();
            $.cookie("anewsletter", "1", { expires: 7 });
        }
    });

});
</script>

pay attention to this line setTimeout("loadPopup()",5000); 
5000 is the delay time in millisecond . You can set another value if you want .
That's all . I hope this update can fill your requests and make the subscription pop-up more profesional. You can check it out yourself and see the result .
By The Simplexdesign

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