Why create a sitemap when planning a new website
If you are commissioning a new website or undertaking a redesign then you should include a sitemap in your brief. Doing so provides a valuable reference point that immediately helps external providers understand the scope of your requirements. You should see your preliminary sitemap as a working draft. As it is highly likely that your sitemap will be altered and refined throughout the research, design and development process.
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How to plan a successful website or redesign
Businesses often throw themselves into web design or web development projects. It may take a while for it to happen but once a project is green-lit there’s normally a mad scramble to compile requirements, source quotes and kick-off the project as quickly as possible. This is totally understandable but it can get in the way of doing the research, planning and testing needed to deliver successful outcomes.
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Moving off of Amazon Web Services
We recently decided to rethink how we host this website. Since 2008 we’ve used Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host our live and development websites as well as all of our other tools and software.
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Producing images for an ecommerce store
Commissioning and producing high-quality images that really sell a product online isn’t as simple as it sounds. Forget the subjective arguments over what makes a truly great product shot it’s the cost and logistics that’s a killer.
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EU directives, cookies & the issues of a grace period
Organisations that operate online should be well aware of the revision to the EU’s Privacy and Electronic Communication Directive. The changes dictate that “explicit consent” must be gathered from web users who are being tracked via “cookies“. This was supposed to come into effect on the 26th of May.
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Why we decided it was time for a rebrand
When we started out in 2006 we were focussed on building cheap and cheerful products. We had a few in the works so we needed a core identity that could be spun out for a number of stand-alone products like Border Crossing TV. After a long search we found the wonderful Kirsten Murray, who developed the branding that we’ve used for the past 5 years. She really nailed the brief and gave us something that really encapsulated what we needed at the time.
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Must watch: The ROI of user experience design
This is an accessible and engaging overview of user experience design and the benefits it provides. This video focusses on the importance of defining the value your work can deliver.
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Why we always ask questions at the start of a project?
In a previous post, What is getting tacked on to your brief?, I outlined some of the problems we are increasingly coming across in the briefs we receive. This is a universal problem that doesn’t just affect us.
Our work involves both the creative and the technical, complicated beasts at the best of times. It’s our belief that the best way to tame these is a clearly defined and well researched fulfilment strategy.
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Do we really need the user research & usability testing?
This is a question we are often asked by prospective clients. Normally a quick conversation is enough to convey its importance and the fundamental role it plays in the design and technical projects we undertake.
Seeing is believing
If that doesn’t work we’ll ask that person to partake in a quick and dirty test. If we can’t do this in person we’ll do it remotely by setting up a screen sharing session via Skype and then asking them to complete 3 tasks on their own website.
Now you’d think because it’s their website they won’t run into any issues. But it really is surprising how usability issues and poor design can continue to frustrate even if you’re used to it.
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Kids, work & websites
Judging by our website you wouldn’t know it but we’ve been flat out over the last couple of months. We’ve had babies, deployed several websites and undertaken more consultancy work than we’ve done since starting out in 2006.
It’s been great and well worth all of the hard work. However, our website has been very much been relegated to an afterthought during this time. We planned on overhauling it in November but due to a lack of hours in the day we just haven’t been able to do this.
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