Garnet and Black Traditions

Leaving m-commerce for responsive web design!
Traditionally online stores developed a smartphone app to provide an easy to use platform for their shoppers to use when visiting their store with their iPhones or Galaxy mobiles. Visiting their sites with a smartphone automatically offered you the download of the app. The app would then lead the user to a mobile only website or m-commerce site.

Enter Garnet and Black Traditions, an e-retailer of University of South Carolina Gamecocks merchandise. Their ditching of their m-commerce site in favour of a responsive web design site could possibly be signaling the start of a new trend.

Developing in stages
The main focus of this redevelopment by Garnet and Black was to accommodate smartphones. They redid their m.GarnetAndBlackTraditions.com using responsive techniques which they plan to apply at a later stage to their main site. In this way one website or online shop will accommodate all sizes.

It’s a clever move to rework the site using more manageable steps. In this way it is also possible to iron out problems and improve usability on only one section of the target market eventually accommodating all user on one singe platform that adjusts to the user’s gadget.

What effect has this had
So far this move to responsive web design has proven to be the right move. First figures out have shown that the conversion rate of mobile shoppers has increased dramatically. Pre responsive the conversion rate was 3.21% and sales accounted for 7.51% of total web sales.

Today the mobile conversion rate is 5.83% and mobile sales account for 18.25% of total web sales. Feed-back from the company’s e-commerce director attributes this gain to the fact that users like to have consistent features on a website. A mobile app will offer vastly differing navigation for instance on the app. This confuses visitors who prefer to learn one system that they can use across all of their computer gadgets.

Creating a uniform user experience
We are creatures of habit. We like our newspapers in the same format so that we can pick up any and quickly find the sports section. We love our grocery stores to keep the same lay-out so that we know where our favourites bits are. Change the road so we have to take another turn to get to work? Not allowed to do that. And so the list goes on.

We want our experience to be the same or at the least very similar. When we want to shop online we don’t want our experience to be a confusing and frustrating time. After all there are so many competing stores online. We can easily find one that serves us right as customers.

Don’t make that mistake when considering your e-commerce website. Responsive web design could be the solution you need in order to make your customer’s experience a great one. Can only lead to sales!

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Responsive web design
As the world goes mobile so does your website need to serve the mobile user market. No way around it. And here are some compelling reasons just in case you thought this was a fad that would pass you by if you closed your eyes and buried your head in the sand.

Quick explanation. Using responsive web design for your website means that your website will respond automatically to gadgets of all sizes by resizing itself so as to look good and be user friendly.

Reason 1: More mobile gadgets being sold than desktop computers
How is that for a mind blowing statistic. More people are buying mobile ‘computers’ than they are buying desktop computers. In fact some tech watchers even predict the demise of those grey/beige boxes. If you love stats then check here for more facts.

It makes perfect sense. Want a gadget that you can carry around with you and that seamlessly offers you information and entertainment at your fingertips? Or rather sit in front of your old PC in your home office isolated from all home activities? No brainer.

Reason 2: No App necessary
Your website will look great no matter what gadget it is being viewed on. That means you don’t need to have a separate app developed for your website to work well on a mobile gadget such as a smartphone or tablet.

Nothing is more frustrating than to have to download a tool so that you can view something. Remember the days of constantly having to update the Flash Player. It seemed everytime you wanted to look at a website that used Flash you had to go to Adobe’s website and upgrade your player.

With responsive web design nobody has to download any player or App so that your site works on an iPhone or Galaxy. It just works seamlessly. No matter what you use to view the website with.

Reason 3: No additional expense for App development
Besides the irritation to your users of having to download some extra bit so that they can view your website what about the cost you are saving yourself by actually creating a website that works on a smartphone no matter what size the screen is.

Cost savings could be quite substantial. Not having to spend a couple of thousand dollars on an app could mean having some money for online marketing rather or even perhaps a holiday with your family. Cost saving is always a bonus.

Reason 4: Keep your users happy
Visitors to websites have a notoriously short attention span. A second or so is all you have. So why make their visit a bad experience. Your visitors will leave quickly if the website doesn’t work on the mobile gadget they are using.

It’s not only the fact that visitors leave quickly that is a worry to website owners. The other problem is that 42% of visitors won’t come back if the original visit was not pleasant. They would rather go to your competitors. Not good at all.

Reason 5: Better search results
Google loves Responsive Web Design and have named it as standard or best practice. Responsive design sites have one URL and the same HTML regardless of what devise is visiting the site. It’s therefor more efficient for Google to crawl, index and organise content.  And content is all on one URL. The main reason though is that users prefer it. And that’s what Google is always working on. What do people want.

Don’t wait go responsive web design
If you haven’t considered it as yet, then do so now. Your web site needs to be responsive. And the above provides you with five really good reasons to consider the move. Speak to a good responsive web design developer to make sure your website speaks to all gadgets that your visitors are using.

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What is responsive web design
In brief, responsive web design is design that is intended to ensure that a website’s lay-out and content change in one fluid move to the size of the screen it is being viewed on. The website responds to the gadget it is being viewed on and delivers the appropriate content to that user.

As described in the graphic below. Yeah Can’s website as viewed on different screens.

Yeah Can’s responsive web design site

Considering responsive web design?
You should be. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is. If you are online with a website (what you aren’t?) you need a responsive web design for your site. You do need to accommodate all of your website visitors.

More people are accessing information on mobile devices. Your website needs to invite them to view your site based on the gadget they are using. And not the other way around. You can’t dictate to your visitors what they need to use in order to view your website. The visitor is king. Adapt to her needs.

Here are a few quick stats to show you how mobile technology is changing how people use the web.

* 1.1 Billion Global Smartphone subscribers by end of 2012. Makes it a 42% growth.
* Mobile traffic growth of internet traffic has increased from 4% in 2010 to 13% at end of 2012.
* In some countries such as India more people access the internet on their mobile devices than via desktops.
* Online shopping increased to 24% of sales in 2012 up from 14% the year before

(view Mary Meeker’s talk for more interesting info.)

Make your website responsive
It’s not entirely necessary to have your website rebuilt or redesigned. There are websites where you can make a mobile version of your website in quick time and at little or no costs.

For one such option that we recommend click on this link to take you to Ginwiz.  Please note this is an affiliate link and we make a small commission should you sign up for their free service. There is no charge to you of course.

However, if you have been considering updating your website then perhaps it’s also a good time to have your site redesigned and rebuilt to be responsive. If your website is older than two years it is definitely time to have a new responsive web design site done for you. Ask for more information by emailing us now at talk (‘at’) yeahcan.com.

No excuses
Whether you are looking for a quick and no-cost solution or are prepared to upgrade your website to be a fully functioning responsive site there are really no excuses not to go with responsive web design. It’s a must for this new mobile age that we are in

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Responsive Web Designs
Amongst web designers and a fair number of business owners the concept of responsive web designs is becoming well known. After all when one hears that more and more people are checking websites via their mobile phones or tablets you know you have to consider that websites need to work on a range of gadgets and screen sizes. In fact the range of monitors is mind blowing.

Are you ready for a mobile friendly website?
Not? You should be. Your customers, visitors, clients are migrating to their mobile phones in big numbers. And what’s worse, once they have found your website not to be mobile friendly they don’t come back. That is over 40% of them don’t. That’s a big chunk of possible customers.

Here are 3 great responsive web designs by Yeah Can

Yeah Can’s new site

Yeah Can’s responsive web design site

Let’s start at home. Team Yeah Can redesigned and rebuilt their own website at the end of 2012. After all if you preach responsive web designs to your clients you better get your own house in order.

The problem with responsive web design is that it’s not just a quick fix solution. The entire site needs to be rebuilt. There is no tweaking, quick drop in of a bit of code, a restyled design or even the wave of a magic wand. A site has to be redesigned and re-engineered from basics up.

Scott Paterson Martial Arts Entrepreneur

Martialpreneurs has responsive web designs

Scott, one of the more forward thinking business people, has a great business concept. With the popularity of fight clubs and martial arts gyms exploding, Scott realised that there could be lucrative careers for martial arts trainers. But at the same time these highly specialised and skilled martial arts instructors might have no idea how to go about getting a business set up around their name.

Introducing Martialpreneur and you have a website that is going to be set up as the definitive guide to people wishing to create a business around their martial arts skills. Scott already has a TV show and this new site was designed and built around this popular programme.

Sydney Arborist

Sydney Arborist goes responsive web design

When a client such as Sydney Arborist has a library of fantastic images, it’s really super easy to create a site that is visually stunning. Tree services specialist Antony was able to provide a range of images that made it easy to design and build a site that easily showcased the service he provides to the environment.

Not only are the shots of the grounds and gardens beautiful but the images also provide a clear view of how dangerous the profession is with arborists having to spend their time suspended off branches while wielding heavy saw equipment. Not for the faint hearted.

Need to make your website mobile friendly?
Most definitely. No matter whether you are offering a design service, or advice to entrepreneurs or even a tree maintenance service you will surely find many of your customers are going to use their smartphones to visit your website.

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Responsive website for Jackson Johnson Law

Working towards a great responsive website
Is that all you might ask yourself? 3 easy steps for a responsive website? Of course there are more. But there are three distinct areas you need to be aware of and which you need to spend time and effort on. For two of those steps you should bring in an expert. If you check off these three you will be a fair way towards having a website that serves you well.

Step 1: Content
It seems to be quite strange that so many people tend to think that content is just going to appear out of nowhere. It isn’t. And it will require some effort to put it together. It shouldn’t be the job of the web designer either who generally does not have the relevant copy writing skills.

You are the only one who knows what your website needs to talk about. You know your customers and you know how to sell them your service. Perhaps you might lack the skill to put your ideas into compelling words. Then find a good copy writer to do this for you.

As for images. Those are more important almost than your words. If necessary get a professional to take them for you. Your website is your online shop. Even if you are not actually selling a product on an eCommerce enabled site. Your site is nevertheless selling your service or goodies and the main reason to have a site is to encourage people to make contact with you to discuss their requirements.

Step 2: The visual part
There are two elements to your website, besides the content. The one is what you can see and the other is the code that makes it all work. For the visual part you should find yourself a designer to help create a look for your website that is great and that you are proud to show off.

It’s easy for a well designed website to stand out because so many websites have been designed by amateur designer. Bad choice of colours, fonts and images can really spoil the look of a website. Even if the content is good a bad design can put visitors off.

Most people understand that they need to bring in an expert when their plumbing goes wrong, their car stops working or the dishwasher springs a leak. Yet many of them tend to think that a website is something anybody can put up. It isn’t really. It requires skills and experience to design a good looking and well functioning website.

Step 3: The part you don’t see
It’s a little like never looking under the hood of your car. Not many of us understand how the engine works that makes our car move. But without the engine the car wouldn’t be able to get out of the garage.

In the same way a website has a hidden engine that makes it work. When you click on a link there is a hidden bit of code that tells the website what needs to happen. The more sophisticated the interactivity on a website the more complex the code has to be.

Add to this the fact that you now have to have a responsive website which can be easily viewed on different gadgets such as smartphones or tablets and you get to perhaps understand that the coding part of the website is almost more important than the content, the visual elements and the user experience.

Get a good designer for your responsive website
The need for a website to work on smart gadgets has more than ever shone the spotlight on what a web presence should be about. Compelling content, creative use of colours and images, easy to navigate for the user and a fully responsive website that works on all screen sizes. For all these boxes to be ticked off you need expert help. Find a web designer who can build you a responsive website. The days of DIY websites are over.

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A well respected law specialist is offering an online legal resource to people wishing to open a business in the USA. Every business person is faced with umpteen issues to comply with and many times it is something they fear might be too expensive. But not being protected with legal contracts might end up being even more costly. This website is a more costeffective solution for entrepreneurs who need legal assistance.

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Responsive web design for iPads

Quo Vadis the Desktop PC?
For the festive season of 2012 a startling and amazing statistic showed that 48% of American kids asked Father Christmas for an iPad. A further impressive fact is that 29% of adult Americans own an iPad or other hand held electronic reader device. This was a mere 2% less than three years ago. (Quo Vadis: Latin for – Where are you going?)

So where is the Desktop PC going? Most probably into the museum. Of course there will still be those people who use the Desktop computer as their tool for work who will need them. Architects, designers, musicians, film makers and more. But even here there could be changes on the horizon. After all the PC as we know it is experiencing a resolution.

But for the home PC owner the technology scene is shifting. And it is shifting very quickly.

Why the iPad?
What has started this huge shift? There will be many folk talking about the change and they will give umpteen very intelligent reasons. At a quick glance the main ones could be mobility and touch. It’s so much easier to pop the iPad into an over the shoulder bag.

Even the laptop computer still needed a special backpack to safely carry the machine. And at a couple of kg it was always going to be just slightly too heavy. Enter the iPad and you have a handy little computer that fits into a large bag and is lightweight on top of it.

Add to that the touch aspect of the gadget where your natural hand movements will move your applications around, open them, close them and use them at the swipe of fingers. Intuitive, natural, easy.

Of course as with everything else it takes two parties to dance together.  The iPad became successful because developers went into overdrive mode to develop fabulous apps. Apps for games, apps to make your life easier, apps to shop with, apps to do your work with and just so much more. Whatever you can think of, there’s an App for it.

What does this mean for your website?
It means just one thing. Your website has to look as good on an iPad as it does on your computer. Your visitors could very well be using their iPad to visit your website to check your services and products. Can you afford to take a chance that your visitors will be ok with a not so great iPad styled website?

No you can’t hope that your users of your website are forgiving. They will click off your website immediately. They will look for another website where they can find the solution or service to their needs. One that is iPad friendly.

Your site needs responsive web design
Because the scary statistic is that 46% of visitors will not return to your website if they find it tablet or mobile unfriendly. Can you afford to loose almost half of your customers? Use responsive web design to make your website responsive. And that means it will work on all gadgets that your visitors could be using to come to your website.

When you see statistic as above you will realise that the world of the internet is changing as we speak. Of course the web has always been able to change shape and size. We designers have in the past controlled the shape by making only one size (with a few exceptions) fits all available to the users.

This is no longer possible. The freedom that users now have in using whatever gadget they wish to visit your website has impacted on what web designers are doing.

Get on board now. This message applies equally to web designers as it does to website owners. Responsive web design is here to stay.

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A family legal practice with several branches on the East Coast of the States needed to have a modern feel to their website. Team Yeah Can loved this project. We threw in a new logo for free as we thought client didn’t have one. They did, but loved the new one. As a practice focused on family law the site had to be more open and friendly rather than corporate and serious. Family law is just so much more more personal.

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Scott Paterson well known and highly respected martial arts trainer needed a responsive website to support his television programme. He also needed his website to be able to handle growth. His idea is to assist other martial arts trainers to develop their own successful businesses. Scott has plans to develop business modules on marketing, sales, promotions and how to manage your finances. All skills that any business person needs. Of course his new website needed to be mobile friendly too.

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Antony Osborn has been a tree services provider in the Sydney area for over ten years. He felt he needed to improve on his web presence and asked team Yeah Can to design and provide copy for a new responsive website. Antony’s wonderful images made it easy to design something very visual to represent Sydney Arborist. Nothing lovelier than great images of trees and daring tree climbing to make a website both beautiful and interesting.

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