Website Development Tips

Welcome to my Blog!

2006-07-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

In my Web Development Tips Blog, I will tell you free hints and tips to get the most out of your website building experience! Scroll town for the free articles! Also, be sure to check out my Seeling On Ebay Blog! Go to http://selling-on-e-bay.blogspot.com

Avoid Getting Ripped Off - Spot Bad Web Hosts

2006-07-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

Getting ripped off in the web hosting industry is very common and a lot of people fall victim to scam artists each year. This article will reveal how to spot the bad hosts and give you tips on how to avoid them.

The easiest way to ensure you are not going to be scammed is to only sign up for a hosting company that is recommended to you by a reliable source. A good source of information and approved hosts can be found at www.hostinginfo.ws - it also has other valuable resources for people looking for hosting. If this is not possible, there are a few things you can try to see if your host is genuine.

Firstly, go to the potential host's website. Find their contact details and call them (if they don't have a phone number, then you should not bother - it means that this host is most likely operated from somebody's bedroom. If they call and it doesn't sound like a business (kids screaming in the background, not a professional, business greeting, etc), you should also ignore the host.

While you are at the website, look at the general design. Click on a few links. Do they have a support forum? If the website does not look professionally designed, you shouldn't give up on them, but a you should see a warning flag - it could mean a new company without the staff to properly support you. When you looked at the forum, did you see a lot of unhappy customers? If you only see one or two, you can ignore them - everybody has customers that complains, and many of them over things that is out of the hosts control. If the general mood of the forum is pleasant, it usually means the customers are happy. If you see a LOT of complaints, you should find somebody else. If it's a very empty forum, you should also go somewhere else - it most likely means that it's a company without a lot of customers.

The last things you can do is to look up how old the company is. New companies are usually small and will not be able to provide proper support if something goes wrong (the owner and only staff member will most likely have a day-job). The easiest way to see how old the company is, is to see how long ago he's domain was registered (the address of the site e.g. microsoft.com). If it was registered recently, you should be wary, but if it's a few years old, it means the company will have many happy customers, or they wouldn't still be around. Doing this lookup is tricky sometimes, but the easiest way by far is to go to www.hostinginfo.ws - find the "Domain Lookup" link and click on it. You must then type in the domain name of the host, without the www bit. For example, www.microsoft.com will become microsoft.com.

Once the lookup is complete, you will get all sorts of information about the host, including the name, address, phone number and when the domain was registered. The last thing to do is to see if any of the information looks fake (e.g. a phone number of 123-1234) - if it does, you should not do business with them. If a company does not give you their real address and phone number, would you like to do business with them? Would you give them your credit card number?

There are many good hosts, but even more scam artists and rip-offs. If you follow the information in this guide, you shouldn't encounter any of them. One thing you should always remember. If your gut feeling says a company is bad, then they most likely are.

From Idea to Design

2006-07-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

So you know what your new website is going to be about - how do you set out to design it?

You need to think of two things. What content are you going to have on your site, and secondly, what is your site going to look like? And what will the layout of the pages look like, the colours etc. (It is presumed at this point that you already know what your website is going to be about!)

Content

The first thing to think about is the possibilities that a website gives you. Even if your website is going to be an online store, do not think about the site as a catelogue. The benefits of the web is that your website does not have to follow a linear format - it is not restrictive like a book. The format of the web means your visitors will be able to dip into your site at any point, and also be able to jump around to those parts which are the more interest to them.

Don't, therefore, set your site out like chapters in a book, where later chapters rely on information which has been picked up in earlier ones. Instead your pages should all be able to stand as items of interest in their own right, and have links through to other relevant information your visitors might need!

No one needs to start with a blank sheet of paper - there are millions of web sites already out there. The first thing you can do is research. Look at what other people have done - no, you are not going to copy their ideas, but you are trying to see what appeals to you, what you think works well, and what turns you off completely!

So you've looked around, had a few ideas. How will you know that your ideas are going to work? How can you waste hours of abortive effort?

What you want in three clicks.

Want to know the golden rule? You should make sure your site visitor can find what they want in a maximum of three clicks! You should remember the three click rule when deciding how to set out your pages.

A common suggestion is to use a story board approach but the problem with a story board is it makes you think in a linear way - and as we discussed above, with a website you've got the ability to go backwards and sidewards as well as forwards!

One method of thinking about designing a new website is to use a mind mapping process, or to draw up a spider diagram.

You start with just your main subject in the centre - this will be your home page.

First layer -

Next think of the main topics which people may expect to find in a site such as yours - on a retail site for example, the first layers may well include the catelogue as a general heading. On a site about dogs the first layer may be 'breeds'.

Second layer -

You are now able to go further into each of your subjects. A catelogue for clothes may be divided here into Men's clothing, Children's clothing etc., and the dog breeds may now be listed as Gun Dogs, Toy Breeds etc.

Third layer -

Not all of your first layer menu items may lead to a third layer, but some will. To continue our examples above, Chidren's clothing may now be divided into boys and girls. The Gun Dogs will be divided into the Retrievers, Spaniels etc.

By playing around with your ideas on paper in this fashion you can see where your topics fit best. It may be that some third level pages fit under two second layer pages - no problem, you can link a page to each, and have it appearing on more than one menu. It is what makes sense to the visitor that counts!

Having your site set out in a diagram also makes it easier to see how to link up your pages using hyperlinks, i.e., but clicking on a word on your site, the visitor gets taken to a different page without having to go back through the menus.

Colour scheme, templates etc.

Once you have the plan of what you are going to put onto your site you can start to think about individual page layout and colour schemes.

Again, look at other people's sites, especially those you like. What looks good about them? Sites which have a uniform layout on each page often look far more professional than those which experiment with different colours on every page and different templates. This isn't to say that every page must be the same, but have some consistency, for example, where you place the menu buttons, so that people know they are still on your site. If the navigation menu buttons are always in the same place people will quickly become familiar with the feel of your site, and be able to move round it a lot quicker, and therefore take in a lot more of the information which you want to provide them with.

Making your site look professional is important unless you are just putting up a few pages to share with family! Let's assume the reason you wish to make a website is to earn some extra money at home, or to advertise your business or promote an activity. Apart from colour and consistency here are a couple of other tips. Firstly, look at the size of font you use - don't mix it up too much, or use too many different colours. Make your the type face you use can be seen clearly on the background colour. Secondly, is it easy to get to the information

The most important person!

Finally, don't forget that YOU have got to like your site. You will be having a very close relationship with it and it will be very demanding on your time, espeically in the early days. Take advice from friends or colleagues, but at the end of the day, go with what you are happy with. If you are uncomfortable with your site you will not have the same enthusiasm to work with it.

Your first pages

Now you have the schema for your website, you have chosen your colours and background, you can start to put together your first pages.

Here are a few tips:

1. Get a few pages together and get your site up there and published! It will take anything from a few weeks to 7 or 8 months to be indexed by the search engines. The main search engines such as Google like to give comprehensive listings only to mature sites. The sooner you get your site published the sooner you will get good rankings in the search engines.

2. Do not use the words 'under construction'.

3. Get other people's opinion on your site - good comments will give you confidence. If your hosting company has a forum you may be able to showcase your new website there to get advice from others using the same software.

How To Choose A Web Designer

2006-07-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

A little while back I had a bit of a discussion about a certain profession that I won't mention here in case someone from the industry in question takes it the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, every major profession is there for a reason and adds a tremendous amount of value to society. The fact of the matter is that every industry and profession has good aspects and bad. When you think of a doctor, lawyer, architect, accountant, etc, you tend to have a personal frame of reference, as well as a more widely held stereotype. There are usually some aspects of that profession that irritate you, or that you think could do with some improvement. Perhaps you don't make use of certain professional services because of these perceptions, whether or not they are commonly held or based on fact.

That got me thinking about my own industry, and what it is about the internet consulting and web design and development industry that drives people nuts, and that if things were different, people would utilize these services more often. What would people change about the industry if they had a magic wand? What would you do differently if you were, for example, a web developer, to differentiate yourself?

These are some of the things I've been told hold people back when discussing this topic with some small businesses:

* Web design and development is too expensive for the average small business

* Apprehension over how qualified an internet professional really is

* There is too much jargon in the industry, which makes it confusing to assess as a non-technical business person

* There is a shortage of internet programming skills relative to visual design skills in the industry

Personally, my big wish is that a certain level of qualification (a degree combining computer science, design and business) was a requirement to practice, the same way that older professions are required to, like accountants, doctors, lawyers, etc. The low barrier to entry makes it difficult for businesses to distinguish experts from hobbyists. Imagine having to choose your doctor based on what he tells you he knows how to do for you!

So, how then does one assess a potential internet partner, who can and should be a long-time partner in the online success of your business? Here are some things to look at carefully when choosing a web designer, web developer, internet business consultant, or related service provider, from my experience:

* Technical and business qualifications and experience. Is the business comprised of an inexperienced person with a web design hobby, or has the business got people with tertiary level business, programming and design skills in-house? Make sure they have real-world business experience in developing e-commerce solutions, and look into how far back that goes.

* What online business applications has the business developed previously, and how does this match your requirements? Some web design businesses will give you a very nice looking static brochure site, while others will be able to offer advanced functionality, such as a database and content management capabilities, e-commerce functionality, internet business consulting services, site promotion, site management, hosting, domain registration, design, application development, site optimization, newsletter systems, form processing capabilities, logging of user activity, online surveys and polls, user registration and authentication, advertising management, content syndication, and the like. Check how many of these are optional extras an how many are included in the price you are quoted up front. You should always get a detailed proposal up front, and compare apples for apples rather than being too subjective initially. RealmSurfer, for example, differentiates by bundling over 250 enterprise-level applications into our small business package, at a lower price than most web designers will charge just for the design and some basic functionality.

* Long term cost/benefit. What is it going to cost you the next time you need to make a modification? I've never yet come across a successful website that was designed and left as it was created on day one. Your site needs to change with your business, so make sure you know how you will be billed for those changes, and what the time frame for them will be. Every site also has hosting, bandwidth and maintenance costs that most people don't think of when first creating a site. Look into what these will be, and what you get for them, so that you can budget for them when starting your project. Also keep in mind that a cheap solution with one or two features will probably not serve you as well as a slightly more expensive one with extensive built-in capabilities.

* Personal style and preference. Different businesses will bring different styles and methodologies to the party. Make sure that the one you go with suits your personal preferences. If your internet specialist loves graphic-intensive Flash-based sites, they will probably develop your informative content-based solution, just not as well as someone who specializes in your preferred style.

* Online promotion. Make sure that the business you choose is good at promoting their own online presence. Google, Yahoo, and MSN are the three most popular search engines, so make use of them when choosing a provider. If you are looking for a web developer in your local area, search for the terms you find most important and include the name of your area. For example, I optimize my services for the Joondalup area, so a search for "web design Joondalup" or "web development Joondalup", or many other internet-based services, brings me to the top when people are searching for local service providers. An internet business that is no good at promoting itself online will be worse at helping you get yours up to full potential.

* Satisfaction guarantees. No website can make a flawed business model work, but an online expert should be able to help you make it everything it can be over time, much the same way a personal trainer can't make you fit overnight, but they can help you become a top athlete with focused ongoing attention. Find out what guarantees, if any, are provided. This is a real differentiator, because, understandably, many web design businesses won't do this. Those that do are at least serious and confident in their abilities to ensure that their clients are happy and successful.

* Management of expectations. Any internet business that claims excessive short term success rates is probably overselling themselves. Make sure that they (and you) are realistic about the time frames in which your online presence will start producing results.

* Consulting skills. Make sure that you are dealing with an internet consultancy, not just a web design house. Experienced internet consultants have the business experience to help you make your business successful online in ways a web designer will probably not.

* Find successful web sites online. Many will have the site developer's details in the footer, or in a credits section of the site.

Some Guidelines For Website Design

2006-07-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

You have a great product. You also have a great company image and marketing model. Now it is time to implement all your plans and bring together a website. You know very little about websites. Finding websites that have failed is easier than shooting fish in a barrel. Many people come into the internet business with the notion that if they are on the web, they are guaranteed to make money. Not so. The internet market is flooded these days, and in order to get noticed, there is a way to do things.

So, your first idea for a website is one with lots of things that move, flash, talk, or whatever. Most people think this is the best way to draw attention to their website. It draws attention, but if no one knows what your company is, they won’t find the website this way. It also can be a little annoying to visitors. Websites must be picked up by the search engines in order for people to start finding them. However, search engines do not like all those elements because in the search engines view it is the equivalent of a novel, when all they are looking for is a one page report. Granted, once you are a large established business like a television network or a shopping corporation, people will come to your site no matter what, and search engines lessen the penalty for using lots of heavy files.

Now you think you want the easy way out and want to go with a template website. Templates are a cheap and quick way to get a website live on the internet. There are different types of templates, but the ones you want to stay away from are those which are nothing but images. These websites are created in a photo editor so that all the components of the site like buttons, information, and descriptions are all just pictures of text, and not actual text. Search engines use programs that review your website to read what it’s all about. If all they see are image files, it doesn’t really tell them anything about the website. You also run into the same problem of presenting a book rather than a piece of paper. Images are large files, while pure text is not. It is in fact quite small in comparison.

So you realize you are going to have to put some work into the site to have it look how you want, and also be functional for search engines looking at it. Text is very important. All your buttons should be text. All your descriptions and company information should be text. Choose a layout that is easy to navigate with menus to locate all pages within the site. Also important is a site map. A site map will help you keep your site organized and it will help the search engines when they come to visit your site.

Choose a search engine optimization company that will help review your site. They can pick out things you may not notice. For example, design editors can help clean up html code and find any spelling errors. They can also help you choose the best web site design elements that will make your site look how you want, and also make it search engine friendly.

5 Good Reasons To Use Web Site Templates

2006-07-18T16:53:00.001-07:00

Professionally designed site

First appearances are everything, this is especially so on the internet. If your site looks amateurish then it is more than likely that someone will press the back button on their browser before they even read your home page, let alone buy anything from you.

Web site templates get round this problem as they are designed by professionals who are creating web sites every day. This means that graphics will be well designed and load quickly when people visit your site. The basic design of the site will have been tested with several browsers to ensure compatibility and the navigation system will be functional.

Cost

A web site template costs between $20 - $70, compare this to a design cost from scratch of about $500 from a web site designer and you can see that you can make substantial savings by opting for the do it yourself approach.

A template is a great starting point for a good looking, well designed site. All you need are some basic editing skills and appropriate software.

Speed

Quite simply editing a partially completed web site is much quicker than creating a site from scratch. You avoid problems such as creating navigation menus and optimising graphics for fast loading of web pages. It typically takes a web designer 5 - 15 days to produce a high quality site.

Set structure

A lot of time can be wasted in deciding on the layout of a site. Using a template helps overcome design issues and enables you to focus purely on content. That way you can achieve a more polished product.

Universal language

Most web site templates are available either as basic HTML files or as more sophisticated flash sites. The more professional retailers will give you both versions.

This means that if you are working to a budget then you could use a low cost HTML editor to get by or, if you wanted your visitors to have a more involved experience, then you could invest in premium products from Macromedia, Adobe or Microsoft that support most of the features you could ever wish to add to your site.

Create a High-Quality Website – Quickly!

2006-07-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

If you are a business owner and want to expand your clientele and market-share, and create a place where potential and current customers can go to learn more about your company and easily find contact information, what you need is a website. If you are a small start-up looking to begin an online venture, you need a website. And most likely, you want to achieve your business goals within a reasonable timeframe and for a reasonable price, without skimping on quality. After all, you need more than just visitors to your website. A successful business requires visitors who turn into paying, repeat customers and trust your company. The best way to do this (in addition to offering a quality product or service) is by producing a professional website.

In the past, online businesses were given little choice when it came to creating a high quality website. You could either hire an expensive professional web designer or web design company to make the entire site for you or you could produce the website on your own. The first choice would cost you big bucks – anywhere between $50 and $200 for only one web page! The second option required at least a small knowledge of HTML and design elements as well as a large chunk of your time – something most business owners don’t have.

Luckily the times have changed and web entrepreneurs have a lot more choice when it comes to creating a professional website with or without all the bells and whistles (depending on the type of site you plan on having). In fact, a growing trend in website design is the use of ready-made website templates.

What exactly is a template?

Website templates are basically ready-made web pages that you can download from a template design company. The HTML code is ready to go – all you have to do is choose a template that suits your business and customer base, download it and then edit according to your specifications. Most companies showcase all the available designs on their site for you to preview before downloading, so you’ll know exactly what you are buying beforehand.

A website template is almost like a hybrid creation, perfect for online businesses because it is so flexible. With a template you have the best of both worlds – the professional image and functionality that normally come from a website designed by a hired designer coupled with the affordability and flexibility of a DIY web design project. One such website template company that offers reasonably priced, quality templates is http://templatedogma.com/.

Once you have the basic design in your hands, editing is a cinch. Editing involves adding your own content, logos, pictures, graphics and more to the template to make it unique. Keep in mind that a template will not usually come with ready-made content or other features, as this is something that must be created afterwards. Good website templates can be edited with a variety of popular HTML editors, so make sure you purchase website templates that mention the editing programs with which the templates are compatible. Search for website templates that can be edited using software such as DreamWeaver, FrontPage, GoLive and Photoshop. Most people either already know how to use these simple, user-friendly editors or can learn very quickly.

Another option is to have someone edit the template for you. If you really have no clue when it comes to web design, even with a prepared template, most website template companies also offer a custom design service. This keeps the cost down, which is the main benefit of utilizing a template in the first place, while still letting you enjoy the perk of having someone else do the editing.

The Price is Nice

Arguably, the most popular selling point of website templates is the price. For as low as $20-$40 you can purchase a template that looks just as good or better than a “professionally” designed site costing you much more. Many web designers charge thousands of dollars for website creation that simply isn’t that good. And working with a designer takes a lot more time – hence the hefty price tag. You have to work back and forth over a period of several weeks just to come up with a design that works best for your company. Website templates are much more cost-effective to produce, which is how the prices are kept so low. And of course, you save time as well as money. You can literally have a website up and running – earning you revenue - within a few days or less. Website templates make setting up your online business as easy and efficient as possible.

Flash Websites

What if you require more than a simple, straightforward website? Perhaps you want a flash-based design for your site? No problem – flash website templates can also be purchased for a decent price without sacrificing quality, simplicity and usability. Many template designers offer a wide range of template styles, so don’t fret if you require something a little more complicated than the average website. Website template designers offer the consumer a lot of choice, making it easy to create a website that will work for your business.

In addition, businesses that want to buy a template no other website will use in the future (a unique site) should purchase a copyrighted template. When you opt for a copyrighted template you receive all rights to the site design and can be sure it will not be re-sold to another business. On the other hand, the rights of non-copyrighted templates remain with the template company, and as a result, anyone can buy the same one. If this won’t interfere with your business buy non-copyrighted templates and save some money, but if you want an entirely unique site, spend a little more for a copyrighted site that won’t be found anywhere else on the web.

Whatever you decide to choose, website templates are the future of web design. You can’t go wrong – nothing could be more cost-effective or simple.

How to Pick the Perfect Domain Name

2006-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

What makes the perfect domain name?

Well, it has to be:

1. Relatively short
2. Simple to remember
3. Easy to spell

I was speaking to a customer recently who had a business called 'Otway Valley Trading Company'.

The domain name he wanted was:
www.otwayvalleytradingcompany.com

Can you spot some of the problems with this domain name?

Here's a few:

1. It's too long:

Having to type a long domain name into your browser is annoying and also increases the chances of your customers making a spelling mistake.

2. Too many keywords:

Having 4 keywords (Otway Valley Trading Company) makes it hard for customers to remember the name of the site.

Try to stick to one or two keywords in your domain name.

3. Easy to misspell:

The word 'otway' can be easily confused for 'ottway'.

4. Makes the email address too long:

An email address for this domain name would look like this:

sales@otwayvalleytradingcompany.com

.. that's a mouthful for anyone to remember.

Picking a Good Domain Name:

1) The shorter the better

Having a short and snappy domain name makes it easier for your customer to remember your website address, and easier to type into their Internet browser.

2) Go for something catchy

Keep in mind that your domain name doesn't have to be boring. In fact, if you can come up with something catchy - it's a great way to distinguish your business from the competition - just ask the people at Yahoo!.

3) Avoid using hyphens

We've found that hyphens in domain names tend to confuse people.

Sometimes you'll see websites that have a hyphen separating keywords (e.g. ace-accounting.com). This is almost always because the preferred name (aceaccounting.com) has already been registered by someone else.

If the domain you want is already being used by someone else, then you're better off coming up with an alternative name then using hyphens.

4) Avoid using numbers

If possible, try avoiding the use of numbers in your domain name, as this can also lead to confusion (e.g. was that 3phones.com or threephones.com ?).

But if you have to use a number, make sure you register both the written and numerical versions of your domain name (3phones.com and threephones.com).

5) Grab a thesaurus

If you're struggling for inspiration or finding it difficult to come up with a name that hasn't already been taken - grab a thesaurus (or visit Thesaurus.com)

Say you run an adventure tour company and you want to register excitingadventures.com - but somebody has already registered the domain name.

Lookup the word 'exciting' at Thesaurus.com and you can quickly find an alternative like 'breathtaking, sensational or fascinating'.

And don't be afraid to use a little imagination - companies like Google and Yahoo! have benefited a lot by having a unique web address.

Understanding Good Web Design Principles

2006-07-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the line 'Don't judge a book by its cover'...but let's get real for a moment.

In the real world everyone judges you (and your business) by the image you project. The same goes for your website.

For many businesses, a website is the first point of contact for potential customers so it's vital that you make a good first impression.

The three key components of any web design are:

1)Presentation
2)Functionality
3)Usability

Presentation refers to the way your website looks.

Great websites are easy to spot because they:

- Look clean and professional
- Make sensible use of colors and graphics
- Attract the right target market

Bad sites are equally easy to spot, because they:

- Are difficult to use
- Make bad use of color combinations and graphics
- Have text that is too difficult to read
- Pages that take too long to load

Functionality refers to your website's ability to give users what they want.

For example, if you wanted to a book an airline ticket online, a site with good functionality would allow you to:

- Easily view the available flight times
- Compare pricing options
- Make a booking with your credit card

A less functional site, would:

- Not have the ability to check pricing or book flights
- Contain vague or ambiguous information
- Have a confusing payment process

And finally, Usability refers to how easy (or difficult) it is to use and navigate your website.

Have you ever visited a site that took too long to load?
A website where the text was too small and you struggled to read it?
Or a website where the menu system was confusing to navigate?

That's bad usability in a nutshell.

If you want to create a website that is functional, easy-to-use and quick-to-load, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

DO:

- Immediately tell visitors what your company does.
- Allow visitors to find information with a minimum amount of clicks.
- Keep your menu options clear and simple.
- Use decent font sizes that are easy to read.
- Keep sentences short and split paragraphs into chunks.
- Give your visitors relevant content.
- Use dark text on light backgrounds.
- Make liberal use of 'white space' as it helps break up the page.
- Keep your website quick-to-load by using graphics sparingly.
- Design for your target audience, not your own personal preferences.

DO NOT:

- Use more than 3 main colors on your site. Try to stick to a consistent color theme across your website.
- Use multiple font styles, sizes and colors. Stick to the one font style to keep your site looking consistent.
- Overuse graphic effects, flashy logos or sound effects - they'll simply distract users from the main message of your site.
- Use lots of industry 'buzz' words.

Your Logo: Much More Than a Decoration

2006-07-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

What are the company logos that you remember the most? As you are about to design your corporate identity, take a look around and notice the logos that are all around us. Most of the time, they are very simple icons. Sometimes they graphically represent exactly what the company does, but others are a simple mark that makes an impression. Here are some tips to help you get a memorable corporate identity of your own:

1) Find a Designer You Can Trust

First of all, you need to find someone that truly understands the importance of the creation and implementation of a company’s identity. Beware of a designer that says “Yeah, I do logo design.” A logo is only part of the package. In order for the logo to work, it needs a color scheme, fonts that complement it, and a complete ‘look and feel’ that ties all your communications together.

Take a look at the designer’s portfolio and make sure that they have designed memorable, striking logos, but also make sure that you take a look at how those logos were applied to different types of items such as business cards, brochures, Web sites and even 1-color giveaway items like pens and magnets. In every occasion, the logo and surrounding design elements should work as a cohesive whole. If they do not work, the designer does not understand the true idea of corporate identity design.

Make sure that the designer can answer tough questions about their design choices. There should be a reason behind everything that was done. Remember, your identity is going to be with you for a (hopefully) very long time.

There are now many cheap, fast logo creation services online. Many people are satisfied with these services, and they seem to do a decent job of creating a logo. But corporate identity design is a whole other matter, and these logo design Web sites don’t fully address this more complex issue.

2) Think Simple

Once you find a designer, make sure to explain to them everything that your company does. Make sure that you can articulate your company’s philosophy of doing business and what sets you apart. The corporate identity process depends on conceptualizing all of these abstract ideas.

Remember, though, that some times the simplest expressions are the most memorable. If your company manufactures widgets, trims them on a machine and then delivers them to a store, don’t expect to be able to show that entire process with one small icon. Instead, concentrate on what sets you apart. Maybe it’s your personal touch, your strong foothold in the marketplace or your innovative ideas. Don’t be afraid to simplify.

3) It’s All In a Name

Sometimes your corporate identity design might simply be your company’s name. Take Sony®, for instance. No need for a fancy icon beside the name. They have made their name speak for itself. Now, you might be thinking that your 2-person company in a small town will never be competing with a large multi-national corporation, and you might be right. You can still make a striking impression with everyone that sees your company’s name, though.

Also, remember that different types of fonts say different things about you and your company’s identity. A serif font, or one with small decorative lines, such as Times Roman, can say that you are a little more traditional, established and conservative. A sans-serif font, or one without the small decorative embellishments such as Arial or Helvetica, looks more modern and clean. Either one has its place.

Some times I use a combination of font types to create a refreshing contrast, or create a clean, modern logo and use a serif typeface to create a balance between traditional and modern. The best part is that there are no hard and fast rules.

4) It Helps to Squint

As you are finalizing your corporate identity design, make sure that you continue to imagine it being placed in any possible situation or surface. A trick I use some times is to put the logo and company name on my screen or print it out and hang it on the wall. I back as far away as I can and squint. If the resulting image is still pleasing to the eye, then it works on an aesthetic level, even without reading the text or knowing exactly what the logo design might be. Make sure that the colors represent your company correctly.

Your identity designer should be able to explain their color and font choices to you without trouble. Don’t let them tell you that they just “thought it looked good.” There needs to be a meaning behind your corporate identity design, even if it is abstracted.

The corporate identity process can take a few weeks or it can take a few months. It might seem like it takes forever sometimes, but remember that once the process is over, you’ll have a lasting look and creative direction for your company for years to come.