Small Business videos sponsored by Ovaleye Cloud Services.  This was a website redesign and it was a fun project for me because I love watching these content rich and entertaining videos.  Kathy and Jenn – the mother & daughter team – are really fun to watch.

www.ovaleye.tv

From the words of the admired man who revolutionized the gadgets we use every day, Steve Jobs even admitted designing with simplicity is not an easy task:

I couldn’t agree more about designing websites.  It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices of options to place on a site, especially on the home page.  The amount of information you want the visitor to see right away, all the great colors and fonts that you want to utilize to make your site stand out can be very exciting.  However if thrown on the page without any thought or analysis of the  first time visitor’s perspective a busy site can be detrimental and turn people away.

Recently I read a fabulous article in the web commentary section of one of my favorite publications, Website Magazine, by Linc Wonham, the Senior Editor.  The title was “Simple Is as Simple Does” and starts off by pointing out that the beloved Forest Gump was an uncomplicated man with a simplified view on life.  Eventually it brought him happiness, fortune and fame.  Designers and developers in the web community are starting to take hold of this idea that simplicity works and can be fruitful. ” Simple designs, simple colors schemes, simple typography, simple verbiage, simple navigation and simple calls to action are what work best in 2012 and beyond. But why did it take us so long to figure out?”

The truth is that it is human nature to overcomplicated things and there is evidence of this all over the web.  With the daily influx of information  & new technologies its no wonder we may feel overwhelmed and feel we must share all that we know and the resources we have found.  However when it comes to the message and look of a website, “the most successful sites going forward will be the ones that focus on functionality and usability rather than shock and awe.”

Linc Wonham provides these three guidelines for keeping web design simple:

1. View all designs from the user’s perspective:
   Hours of brainstorming sessions and creative presentations can lead a team to forget whom they are building a site for.  The users come first and always will.
2. Be a team player (and be open to criticism)
   Whether it is a CEO of a large corporation or the designer of a small business website, nobody has an easy time accepting criticism.  But if your ideas or designs are generating more negative feedback than rave reviews, it’s time to take a step back and start listening.  Show your site to friends and family that you trust will give their honest opinion.  Listen to their reactions of viewing and using your site for the first time.
3. Be consistent, but not boring
   One of the biggest mistakes brands make on the Web today is failing to remain consistent in their designs.  Oftentimes, sites are constructed and added to piece by piece and, in an effort to stay ahead of the latest trends, that consistency can be lost – hurting their brand.  In no way does maintaining a similar look and feel with regards to graphics, colors and fonts limit oneself to repetition and even blandness, but instead it helps reinforce a brand’s or company’s image.

It is difficult to peel back the layers and focus on the simple, but in the long run the time and effort placed into keeping your site design uncomplicated will invite visitors to stay longer, read more, follow your call to action and make your site successful.

Do you have any favorite sites that have a simple design and are easy to use? One of my favorites has always been Netflix.  I feel they share a great deal of information in a easy to use  layout and don’t alter things up so much  that a visitor can get confused after a change (ahem, Facebook).

The day has finally come!  My site no longer reads “coming soon…”  I think after 2 years “soon” is not quite the appropriate word to use.  But “soon” has finally arrived and I am so relieved to finally be a Web Designer with a Website.  Yes it has been a little embarrassing to not have had a website representing my business.  I am always emphasizing to anyone who will listen that a website is the base of marketing your business, whether big or small, whether representing a personal or corporate brand. A website is the spoke of your marketing wheel and many paths of online advertisement, comments, tweets, Facebook posts lead back to more information on your site.

Why oh why did it take so darn long?  3 reasons really:

1. I have been extremely busy with new requests coming in on a consistent basis and paid work comes first. This is a good thing, of course.
2. My family, which includes 2 young high spirited girls, keeps me on my toes and very busy.
3. The fear of failing…read on.

Ok the final reason needs some explanation.  Building a website for your own business is really an overwhelming task and a little scary – that’s why small businesses come to me in the first place.  Let me tell you, designing sites for other people is much easier than building one for myself.  I am just too close to my own business and quite critical of my own work.  Anyone else feel that way?

Building this site has been an emotional process as well because ideas have been running around in my head for several months about how I want this website to look and what I want it to say.  Recently there have been many incidents that have pushed me to get my site up, especially meeting the wonderful team at Ovaleye Cloud Services and working with Connie Berg on the Random Acts of Kindness of Duvall website.  They have inspired and supported me to move forward.  The process has not been easy though.  There have been several times I’ve wanted to throw in the towel due to my frustration at trying to get areas on my site to look just right when launched.  I should know better – websites are a revolving process and are constantly being tweaked.

On the other hand, I am very excited to finally have a blogging platform to discuss my ideas and a place to test some of the latest web design/development trends – something I love to research.  Also I no longer have to hesitate when handing out my cards or tell people my site is under construction.  I no longer have to hold back commenting on social media pages or blog posts as a representative of my business.  It’s time to BRING IT!

Good things are on the horizon, my friends.  Please stay tuned.  This site will constantly be changing and improving.  I encourage you to sign up for future blog posts (see sidebar) because there will be some “good stuff” to come. My ideas for blog posts range from small business online marketing advice to new advances and techniques in website functionality, from basic tutorials in WordPress to “did you know?” improvements to your site.  You may even find a few blog posts about my favorite online discoveries especially concerning kids.

Thanks to all who were patient with me over the years – those who came to my domain to find…well, not much.  My appreciation especially extends to my husband who patiently dealt with my exhaustion and helped with the kids while I got this puppy off the ground.  Ready…Set…Go!!

Shine On!

What do you think of the site so far?  Please give me your suggestions.

www.rakduvall.com

Random Act of Kindness is a wonderful movement in Duvall, WA stared in 2006 by Connie Berg – a big-hearted, inspiring woman. Have you performed a random act of kindness lately?

www.childrensgarden.org

The Childrens Garden School is a Preschool & Kindergarten located in Issaquah, WA. The school wanted not only an informative and friendly public website but also a password protected private area for the staff, board of trustees and parents to communicate and interact.

www.deannebrining.com

Deanne Brining, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, wanted a website that represented her therapy business and her upbeat personality.

www.thetreasuredhome.com

Fabulous Interior Designer in Sacramento, CA. A great example of a working successful blog site. This is the second revision of Barbara’s website

www.geminifish.com

Voted Western Washington’s favorite seafood market the first year it was open – even beat out Pike’s Place.

www.hmscareers.com

Hospitality Careers, a career placement company based in Canada.

www.trafalgartraveltalk.com
www.trafalgartraveltalk.ca

Custom interactive pages for Trafalgar’s travel presentations in the US and Canada.