773.732.4782

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1951″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’re thrilled to have launched our updated website.  This site showcases some of the elements of modern website design.

Good web design is built around the user’s experience.  Today’s standards are in response to the way people currently interact with the Internet.  Visitors to your site will not only be on desktops, but also mobile devices, so your site needs to be responsive.  Notice how the site automatically resizes to fit any window.  When the size gets to certain points, the elements change, disappear, or reorder to give the viewer to best interaction with their particular circumstance.

Large Hero Image

On the homepage, we’ve placed a large, simple image to communicate our core message.  The idea is to visually tell the story instead of paragraphs of copy (save that for the “about us” section).

There is plenty of bandwidth and high speed Internet to serve up large graphic sites with loads of impact.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  We don’t open the slideshow of hero image with samples of our work.  An image that comuicates our benefit to clients and emotion sets us apart for other firms that hit you in the face with their portfolio.

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Large Type

It’s effective to use large, simple headlines. The message and bold call to action buttons on the hero image are pretty short and to the point.  KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Years of AB testing data has definitely proven that your visitors respond to simple messages.  They need to know what you do and how to contact you.

Also, on mobile devices, you need bigger type.

The Hamburger Menu

HamburgerNo, this isn’t where you get a double bacon burger.  The “hamburger menu” is the responsive button that replaces the navigation bar on when viewed on mobile devices.  The traditional navigation just doesn’t fit on phones.

In the future, we may eliminate the horizontal navigation altogether and just keep the hamburger on the screen at all times.  Some sites already do this, but we like the ease of being able to get to the page you want with one click.

The Long Scroll

In the old days of a couple years ago, it was a sin to have valuable information “below the fold”.  The fold is just what you see on your screen without scrolling down.

With today’s touch screens, it’s easier to scroll than to click to another page.  So today, it’s a sin to have content hidden on another page when you could have just put it below the fold.

Our blog features a “card design” like Pinterest on a non-ending scroll.  Content continually loads as you scroll down.  You’re welcome to scroll down and read about our last redesign.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1954″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Large Graphic Buttons

What’s the point of having those buttons that list “Web Design”,  “Marketing”, and so on?  Again, it’s a simple, graphical way to instantly show visitors what we do and give them easy navigation to get to that content.

Yes, it’s redundant.  Providing more than one way for visitors to get to where they want just makes it easier and increases the chances they stay on your site.

Simple Contact Forms

The main goal of our site it to get business. This makes sure your business attracts more clients using social media. Visitors that find the site need a simple way to hire us.  Step one is to fill out that contact form.  Of course they could pick up the phone and call, but 90% of business is from these contact forms.

Why do all Websites Look the Same?

It’s true that with the common use of templates and modern design standards, many sites follow similar paths.  However, most of the design trends we’ve followed have good reasons for existing.  The site feels modern because it is modern.

 

The Best Part of the Design

The header element has a brick background and the footer element has a wooden background.  These images are the walls of the office.

The bricks were always a part of our branding.  Our corporate colors were taken from our wall colors which were taken from the color of the bricks used to build the space.  We love the concept of the website being a digital extension of our physical space.

The reclaimed wood was part of our last office redesign and it’s cools that it’s part of our website redesign. Somehow, it all ties together just right.

Finally, we plan on continually updating the site.  This update will be a solid foundation to build from.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]