Tutorial Blog » Website design

How to Choose a Web Design Agency to Build Your eCommerce Site

gary.stonehouse — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:00:52 +0000

These days, anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can build a website. The question is, what kind of website will you get? Will your new website function well and be able to expand as your company grows? Your website is often the first impression that clients have of your business, so you need a professional web design agency—not some guy who pirated a copy of Dreamweaver with a stack of business cards using a VistaPrint template.

There are a few things which you need to check before signing a contract and handing over a deposit—especially if you are building an eCommerce site. Below are some of the key points to check before deciding which design agency to use.(...)
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How to design websites that appeal across cultural divides

Christian Arno — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:54:18 +0000

When you’re designing websites for a global audience, you need to be aware of cultural differences that will affect the way they are viewed in different parts of the world. You cannot expect the exact same website to be well-received around the globe. You need to adapt your websites to allow for cultural differences and make sure they are equally effective in whichever region you are targeting. (...)
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Beyond the Blog: Get on the WordPress Bandwagon

Barbara Holbrook — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:00:24 +0000

WordPress, long known as one of the most popular blogging platforms, has turned into so much more. With the release of WordPress 3 “Thelonious”, the platform really steps into its own as a powerful content management system for writers, designers and everyone else to create or manage stunning, cutting-edge websites.

Most people prefer WordPress because it is not only is it easy to use, it’s totally free. You can host your WordPress blog on your own servers or use free hosting with WordPress.com. Either way, using WordPress to manage your website is easy—add pages, delete pages, schedule content, add functionality with plugins and connect to the WordPress community.

The first thing most WordPress users learn to do is change their theme. There are hundreds of free WordPress themes available to download as well as many premium WordPress themes with special features such as built-in SEO. Installing and customizing WordPress themes is your ticket to creating brilliant websites that are also user-friendly. Changes to WordPress in the last year make installing new themes easier than ever. For newbies, it’s a good idea to start with a WordPress tutorial on how to install a new WordPress theme or change an existing WordPress theme.

In fact, most users will get the most out of WordPress by using and learning from the many free WordPress tutorials available online. Finding useful WordPress tutorials on the web will show you to create stunning websites with this free platform, and even add unique features to make your website stand out. (...)
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How to Create a Hover Effect Using CSS

Barbara Holbrook — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:24:03 +0000

Hover effects, rollovers, super-fancy link styles — regardless of what you call them — are a great way to get extra bang for your buck when putting together a website.

Today we’ll be learning how to add a unique and creative feature to your website’s links using CSS. Using CSS Pseudo Classes, we can alter every aspect of a link when a visitor “hovers” over it, or puts their cursor over the link. (...)
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Cheap WordPress Themes: 5 Semi-Premium Designs for Business Websites

Barbara Holbrook — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:26:39 +0000

We’ve talked about Premium WordPress Themes ad infinitum on TutorialBlog. But, sometimes you need a cheap WordPress theme that you can get online and looking good in less than an hour. What do you when you (or your client) want it all … and your budget is under $25?

You call in reinforcements!

Take the pain out of working under an impossible budget by making it easy. Your “client” will be pleased as punch with any of these semi-premium WordPress themes and you’ll still have money left to buy a fancy coffee from your favorite java dealer.

What is a semi-premium theme you ask? These themes may not have everything as the expensive, bells-and-whistles-included brand of premium themes. That could mean fewer choices on the theme options screen or only a single page template or fewer plugins pre-built into the site. However, in most areas a good semi-premium theme has everything you need to build a quality website, quick and easy.

Elegant Themes is a WordPress theme club that specializes in semi-premium themes. (...)
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Awesome Customizations: 10 websites based on the Yamidoo Magazine Theme

Barbara Holbrook — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:18:39 +0000

Premium WordPress themes can be a designer’s best friend. But most websites worth visiting know better than to use a theme straight “out of the box.” Your site design is part of your branding and it’s the first impression visitors will have of your product. It only takes seconds for a new visitors to decide whether your site is “reputable.” And, like it or not, they will make that decision based on looks.

That’s why when you’re deciding which premium theme to buy the most important question you can ask is, “Can I make this theme look custom without reinventing the wheel?” To help you make this decision, TutorialBlog will begin showcasing a selection of sites all based on the same theme. Take a look and see for yourself some of the customized themes that started with a premium foundation.

Today, we’re taking a look at customization ideas for the Yamidoo Magazine Theme from wpzoom. (...)
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How to Get a Google API Key

Spencer Spellman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:31:49 +0000

To fully take advantage of Google maps and to integrate it into a blog or website, you’ll have to sign up to receive a Google API Key. This allows you to insert Google maps into your own web pages on your own domains. The only requirement is that you must have a Google account, as your API key will be connected to your account.

Even though there are many plugins and scripts that require an API Key to work, developers often overlook explaining just exactly how to sign up for a Google API Key. Today we’ll walk you through that process. (...)
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5 More Places to Buy Joomla Templates

Barbara Holbrook — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:00:38 +0000

Last week we posted an article about where to find joomla templates. After being roundly smacked about by our readers for leaving out some of the larger (and popular) Joomla template design websites, we’ve decided to try and redeem ourselves with yet another article about finding quality Joomla Templates.

Like we said earlier, a well-made template is the foundation for a good website. If the template doesn’t include the right code for proper SEO, then it’s going to make life difficult later. This is as true for Joomla as it is for WordPress, or Drupal. That is why we recommend sourcing out premium template companies that you can rely on. (...)
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How To Create a Custom Myspace 2.0 Page

Spencer Spellman — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:00:46 +0000

Last time I discussed how to make a professional looking Myspace page — 1.0. Customizing social media pages is an important for skill for designers, musicians and others. The ability to create custom backgrounds and designs for myspace, twitter, etc. can become a lucrative business model for savvy designers.

Compared to many other social networking sites, Myspace offers the most flexibility in the layout and design of a profile page.

Last time I discussed how to create a professional-looking page with the older Myspace. Today I’m going to discuss how to customize a Myspace profile with the new Myspace 2.0. (...)
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Create an Online Magazine With WordPress

Spencer Spellman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:00:43 +0000

Many of us have dreamed of writing for a magazine or even being a magazine editor. However, now with WordPress you can be the writer, editor and owner of your very own magazine. With a few steps you can have the magazine designed, laid out and have writers who are writing articles for your own online publication. Below I’m going to go through the steps of starting your own Magazine with WordPress.

The first thing you’ll have to do is find the right them.(...)
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