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Conversion Rate Optimization, Landing Page Optimization & Attention Heatmaps
Attention heatmaps analyze levels of attention, brand effectiveness and placement, as well as breaking down the ad’s Flow of Attention. Such Pre-testing can be used to identify weak spots within an ad and to improve performance and location of brand. Attention heatmaps are not a substitute for landing page testing, but it can help you to improve the quality of your landing page, to make sure that the call-to-action is clear, and to make sure that other visual elements do not distract from the stated conversion goals.
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Review of SEMRush.com
For those of you that do not know about SEMRush.com, you do not want to miss this review. SEMRush is just one of many SEO / SEM tools under the SEO Quake Team umbrella. The purpose of SEMRush is to, in their words, “satisfy your needs in advanced SEM and keywords research.” To find out about a site’s adwords competitors, keywords, volume and rankings. Also, you can see organic keyword results with volume, position and other great measurements.
As far as pricing, they offer a Free, Organic Only, Organic & Adwords as well as an Enterprise plan. If you sign up for a recurring monthly fee, you get a discount up to 30%. So why not start with the free version to show the power and time-saving ability of this solution today? What do you have to lose?
Photoshop 101 – Working with Slices
Working with slices in Photoshop can sometimes be a pain. In this tutorial I’ll show you how to use the slice tool and show you some easy methods of slicing up your designs.
Download the example photoshop file we will be working with: Slices.psd.zip
Using the slice tool
First lets talk about the slice tool. The keyboard shortcut for this tool is ‘K’. Select the slice tool and draw a selection around the type in the middle of the header. When you draw a selection with the slice tool photoshop automatically creates slices around the slice that you draw.
You can select individual slices by using the slice select tool. Click and hold on the slice tool in the tools palette and a pop up menu should appear.
Right clicking on slices with the slice select tool gives you several options:
Slice options include renaming, linking and adding alt text. This is used when converting slices to a table based layout. Wich I dont recomend for a nything but e-newsletters.
Aother handy feature is the divide slice option. No more worrying about getting everything evenly spaced of lined up!
Now that we have learned about some of the options and how to use the slice tool I’m going to show you a super quick and easy way to create slices.
Creating Slices from Guides
Guides in Photoshop can be easily created by clicking in the ruler space to the top and left of the document and dragging a guide onto the document. If you don’t see the rulers go to view>rulers or Apple+R.
Drag your guides to the appropriate places. In this design we are going to slice the design into 6 pieces – so we drag guides to separate the text on the bottom and to separate the red area from the black area.
Next click on the slices tool in the tools pallet.
With the slide tool selected click on slices from guides.
Photoshop crates 6 slices based on the location of your guides. When saving the guides photoshop will number them accordingly with the number and file name.
Go to file>Save for web and save the document as a .gif file. (Not a jpeg like pictured… oops!)
Photoshop saves the images with their corresponding number into a folder in the directly you specified.
What do you think?
Leave a comment and let us know if you have any questions or if you have any subjects you would like to see covered in this Photoshop 101 series!
Tutorial written by Niki Brown – author of The Design O’Blog and Daily Design Bits. Follow Niki (@nikibrown) on twitter!
A Round-Up of Super Javascript and jQuery Plugins
jQuery has been flying the flag for Javascript for quite a while now, and rightly so, it is amazing. And, with its huge popularity, the volume of free plugins and tutorials has not only greatly increased, but also the quality and power of each plugin are continually pushing jQuery to its limits. Does it even have limits?
40 Super-Neat JavaScript Plugins
With the right combination of JavaScript plugins you can turn a simple website into a fantastic one. In this post from net.tutsplus.com, they have reviewed forty of the most popular javscript plugins that are freely available. The plugins are not limited to only jQuery, which is normally the case, but also offer plugins from the other major frameworks (well, MooTools anyway). You would be hard pressed to find a better all round selection.
40 Super-Neat JavaScript Plugins
10 Incredible JQuery Navigation Menus
In this post, the author has showcased 10 cool jQuery navigation techniques. Remember, not all nav systems need to be mixed with Javascript or jQuery, sometimes the simpler the better. But when jQuery is mixed with the proper ingredients the effect can be very impressive.
10 Incredible JQuery Navigation Menus
15 Great jQuery Plugins For Better Table Manipulation
When talking about tables within web design we are, thankfully, not talking about an “ancient” layout system that should have died with the dinosaurs. We are, of course, talking about dynamic and sortable data tables. With the popularity of jQuery the volume of plugins available for displaying tabular data has greatly increased, and this post has a great round-up of the best.
15 Great jQuery Plugins For Better Table Manipulation
By Paul Andrew (Speckyboy and speckyboy@twitter).
Apple Inspired Home Office Furniture
Are you a MAC or a PC? It doesn’t really matter, it is entirely up to you. We could argue about the differences between the two until we are blue in the face. There is one clear and defined difference between the two though, and I am sure that there will not be many that would disagree: MAC computers are sleek and stylish and look really, really cool.
The MAC style is a definition in itself, and has inspired designers for many years now. It has inspired a huge range of unique furniture designed to accentuate your MAC products.
In this post we have collected 9 of the best MAC Inspired Furniture for your Home Office, and best of all 9for PC users anyway, most of the furniture can be used for the PC as well.
Novanta Workstation
Novanta, (translating as 90 due to its shape) is a workstation that has a completely unique style that sits perfectly with Apple designed products. Don’t be deceived by this minimal looking desk, it hides an awesome array of features. It has an inbuilt monitor stand, a really nice touch with the keyboard and mouse bay and an integrated iPod dock. The leather lined front drawers have been especially designed to accommodate a MAC laptop or A3 sized paper, or hide all the cabling that can accumulate from modern computer systems. Overall, this is an awesome workstation.
iGo Desk / Workstation
The feature rich fashion statement that is the iGo desk is designed to fully integrate with your iMac and Mac mini with Cinema Display, so that you don’t have to compromise on the aesthetics of your environment. It is fully adjustable to allow it to be used comfortably in either a standing or seated position, it also comes with an iMac turntable so you can turn your monitor to exactly the right angle and if you but the sitting model it can be pushed around on it’s wheels. Overall, this one really cool workstation, the only thing I would worry about is could anyone sit at this desk all day, and be comfortable? Who cares, it looks good!
iDesk
Knowadys the computer replaces your radio and TV, as well as music and movies storage. It connects you to your neighbor and the rest of the world through chat and phone. And using the internet gives you access to information as well as entertainment. Your computer should be given a central and not to space consuming position. IDesk is the solution. The strong, small and minimal iDesk can be wall mounted, giving your office or living room a convenient solution to compact space and its useful drawer can be used to hide unsightly cables and peripherals that always gather around a computer set-up.
Calligaris Stealth Desk
The reasonably priced (only £622) and elegant Calligaris Stealth Desk is among the best in contemporary Italian furniture. With its clean lines, smooth elegant curves, frosted glass surface and compact design would make this desk a welcome addition to any living room or office.
The Tank Collection Desk
The height-adjustable desk from the Tank Collection radiates lightness and elegancy. The fineness is emphasized by the urgent smoothness which combined with the sturdy materials add strength and weight. This sturdy desk has a large and comfortable working surface, plenty of leg room and the elegant adjustable legs barely touch the floor bringing a sense of lightness “resembling a ballerina” (quote from the site).
SFP-302628 FP Series MACTable
Styled as a typical classroom desk, the conservative FP Series MACTables are tailor built to accommodate both iMacs and Apple Cinema Displays. Your iMacs sits on the adjustable depth shelf, were there is easy access to the drives and connections and the keyboard and mouse sit on the spacious worktop. The worktop is large enough for not only the iMAC, it also offers plenty of surface space for writing, books and the always important cup of coffee.
SFP-302628 FP Series MACTable Homepage
StudioDesk
The stylish StudioDesk is specifically designed for laptop users, with its clutter free and professional working environment, this would be a welcome addition to any home office. All peripherals and excess cables are hidden just under the sliding desktop surface and the storage compartment is therefore conveniently accessed from above. An elongated slot across the width of the desktop allows the necessary peripheral & power cables to enter/exit at any point, maintaining the clutter-free environment the StudioDesk promotes.
XYZ Computer Desk
The XYZ is a marvel in desk and computer design with its modern and sleek exterior, to a high spec interior that contains all the computer components, cables and drives all neatly hidden within the thickness of the desk. Specifically made for the more functional and versatile PC (I will whisper that), but designed to be as beautiful as a Mac.
MILK
MILK is a series of beautiful tables designed to match the computers that sit on top of them. The desk height can be electronically adjusted for seating or standing. Its large 140 x 80cm desktop keeps unruly cables neatly in check within a drawer, there are also four modular storage square spaces that can be used for absolutely anything (even an aquarium, just look at the image below).
i-Con I – Integrated Desk and Computer
Almost everybody with a computer has the same problem. An ugly looking skin-colored box under the desk, all kind of ugly wires, all the peripherals like sound-systems, transmitters and so on are annoying too. No matter how nice the desk looks when you buy it, by the time you have everything installed there is not much left of it. There is a solution : i-Con I is a a modern designed desk with a fully integrated computer. The only things visible are the monitor and the wireless keyboard and mouse. No wires, no mess and looks good as well.
i-Con I – Integrated Desk and Computer Homepage
OneLessDesk
OneLessDesk is a beautiful, ergonomic, space-saving computer desk. At one time, you needed a desk that could fit a mountain of paper, two-foot-deep monitor, printer, and a CPU the size of a small car. Nowadays, your computer is an inch thick, the desk has finally caught up. When the desk is put away it is only 12 inches thick!
It is available in silver, black, red, buttercup (I think thats yellow) and cream.
OneLessStand
OneLessStand's rear-facing, hidden shelf hides your wifi, cable modem, networked hard drives, and the mess of wiring that comes with them. The height of the shelf is in-line with most power and cable wall outlets – so it even hides that mess as well.
OneLessFile
OneLessFile would be a perfect and necessary addition to any home office. Ideally your work area would be paperless, but if that is not possible, the One LessFile, with its convenient carrying handles and pull holes, is probably the most stylish filer money can buy.
Sonic Chair
When the stress of everyday office work gets to you, the Sonic Chair offers you a great way to relax and unwind. It provides you with a unique audio experience, allowing you to sit at the very centre of a top-notch sound system. Whether you enjoy listening to symphony orchestras, rock concerts, or audio books – the integrated satellite speakers are precisely adapted to your ears.
By Paul Andrew (Speckyboy and speckyboy@twitter).
A Collection of Wordpress Tutorials, Tips and Themes
As far as CMSs go, WordPress is a phenomenon. And rightly so. It is a very powerful blogging and CMS tool that can be used to create almost any possible type of web site that you could possibly dream of. Still as with everything involved with web design and development, you need to learn and understand WP to fully unleash its power.
In this news edition we have collected the best WP tutorials, tips and themes, to help you with Wordpress development.
7 Very Simple Tips and Tricks for getting More out of WordPress
In this post there are a few handy little tips that even the seasoned WP developers may not have heard of. There are, of course, some basic tips, the rest are very useful, like the pagination implementation tips and the styling author comments tips. There is a tip for separating comments and trackbacks, which is very helpful, but won’t work on most advanced themes (speaking from experience). A little bit more fine tuning is required. Overall, this is a great round-up of Wordpress tips for getting more out of WordPress with very little effort.
7 Very Simple Tips and Tricks for getting More out of WordPress
45+ Excellent Fresh Free Wordpress Themes Around
Keeping up with the release of free Wordpress themes can feel like a full-time job, there seems to be several new themes released everyday. The easiest way to find the highest quality themes is by bookmarking a post like this. This post is not your traditional long list with all the available Wordpress themes on the internet but its an refined collection of the best handpicked fresh Wordpress themes.
45+ Excellent Fresh Free Wordpress Themes Around
15 Unconventional Uses of WordPress in Action
WordPress is known as one of the most powerful open-source blogging platform, but it can be a lot more than just a blogging platform. We already know about using WordPress as a content management system (CMS), but WordPress is much more flexible than that. With the combined use of plugins, and hacks, WordPress can be manipulated into many unique and unconventional web sites. In this article, the author, highlights some of the most unconventional uses of WordPress and shows you how you can use WordPress in these unconventional ways as well. Cool.
15 Unconventional Uses of WordPress in Action
100+ Massive Wordpress Tutorial Collection
In this post, from Tripwire Magazine, they have collated a collection of 100 and more resources and tutorials for Wordpress. The post mainly focuses on version 2.7+ but most resources will be relevant for earlier and later versions as well.
100+ Massive Wordpress Tutorial Collection
By Paul Andrew (Speckyboy and speckyboy@twitter).
20 Stunning Examples of Pure HDR Photographs
Out of the several photographing techniques that exist, High Dynamic Range-technique (HDR) can produce astonishing images that blind our sense of reality with a dash of creativity. HDR photography is a technique that uses greater dynamic range between light and dark areas of an image compared to the usual basic digital imagery.
Below you’ll find eye-candy that will get your creative juices flowing in the right direction as you look over 20 Stunning Examples of Pure HDR Photographs.
Techniques For Creating HDR Photos – That Work
Just in-case you were wondering how to create this special effect on any photograph, here are a few sources that will reveal the secret!
- How to create HDR Photos – (HDR/Photomatix tutorial)
- How to Make HDR Photos
- 19 Tutorials for Creating Beautiful HDR Imagery
- The Definitive Guide to (MORE) Realistic High Dynamic Range Images
- How to Create High Dynamic Range Images
- HDR 101 – One of the Most Visited HDR Tutorials
75 Inspirational Web Site Designs + 25 Nostalgic Designs
There are more web design inspiration galleries web sites than you can shake a stick at. Some old stuff in most sites, what if you want something different? What if you are looking for something new, fresh and delivered in a unique way? It can be difficult to find. Hopefully this news edition can help, we have collected the best inspirational web design posts that truelly worth a look at.
How 20 popular websites looked when they launched
Remember the days when the word Google was not interchangeable with internet? Or when every site seemed to have a Netscape icon on it? Or when Flash was still something you cleaned your floor with? Then you were clearly using the web in the mid to late 1990s when pages were rudimentary affairs containing lists of links and information. This post is a nostalgic look at web design trends gone by, thank god they have gone by!!!
How 20 popular websites looked when they launched
25 Examples of Web 2.0 and Traditional Design Rules Coming Together
At its best, Web 2.0 stands as an equal to the traditional design rules practiced for centuries, though it is no doubt a reflection of our society in its current state of hustle and bustle.
In this post you will find a collection of 25 sites showcasing how Web 2.0 and traditional design practices can come together to form truly stunning websites.
How 20 popular websites looked when they launched
50 Websites (and More) for Your Design Inspiration
50 Websites (and More) for Your Design Inspiration20 of the Worst Designed Websites In the World
By Paul Andrew from Speckyboy Design Magazine, you can follow him on Twitter
The newbie freelancer’s guide: 10 tips to start out as a freelancer
Starting out as a freelancer can be quite tough, especially in these rough economic times. If you are going to take your chance anyway, you should take a look at the following advice.
1. Build yourself a solid portfolio
You are not going to convince anyone to work with you if your prospects can’t see what you are capable of. Of course if you are starting out right after design school you may not have so much real-life work to show, in that case don’t be afraid to put your school and personal projects in the portfolio. Also don’t forget that the portfolio design itself can be what convinces the client to work with you.
Jason Reed’s website is a great example of portfolio design.
2. Get some marketing material
Start by getting some nice business cards, it’s quite cheap and still a good way to leave your contact info to someone you have just met.Having a brochure introducing your services will also help.
Photo by bargainmoose.
3. Let people know that you are freelancing
Sounds too obvious right? You’d be surprised by how many people don’t even contact their family and friends to let them know about their newly started freelancing career. This is also a good time to start spreading your marketing material.
4. Start networking
If you don’t already have a wide network don’t worry, it’s not too late! Join some local groups and associations, attend industry-related events or the local chamber of commerce. The most important thing is to be out there and meet people in real-life when you’re a freelancer.
5. Build yourself a strong onine presence
The web as it is now makes building an online network quite easy, but it can also make it confusing so you should make sure that you are branding yourself consistently across social media sites. Start your own blog, tweet, apply to LinkedIn or be on design-related social networks, every little step will help.
6. Learn to stay disciplined
When freelancing, you will get periods with big pressure, thight deadlines and 15 hours working days. The rest of the time, it will be harder to motivate yourself to work, which is not as easy as it looks. The best way to handle that issue is definitly to stay disciplined, get up on time and start working without playing around. Setting regular working hours will help you to set up such a routine.
Photo by Szift.
7. Get a good insurance
Since this article can be read anywhere, I won’t go into details about insurance plans or companies. However you must know that you will be at risk without insurance. In case of sickness or accident, you still have to pay the bills. Being insured against theft for your working material is also a good idea.
Photo by Miss Rogue.
8. Manage your office work on a regular basis
I’ll have to pledge guilty of not following my own advice on this one, I don’t do my accounting regularly enough and waist a lot of time on that when tax time comes. Get yourself some good accounting software, some client-management and invoicing program. Office management can be quite boring and time-wasting, mastering this will hugely help your freelancing career.
A screenshot of Freshbook’s admin.
9. Try your best to stabilize your income
There is two ways to achieve that: getting loyal customers or building a passive income. No matter what, you should try to make your customers loyal, if you don’t do it you will spend way too much time hunting for new gigs. The simplest way to keep those clients is probably to work well and be trustworthy. On the other hand, building a passive income requires a big initial effort, but it can become very interesting on the long term. FreelanceSwitch has published a sweet little guide to achieve that.
10. Keep learning
In the early days it is quite easy to keep on learning new skills, you are new in the freelance universe and want to prove that you can innovate. When you’ve been around for a while, it becomes harder, especially if you get less time on your hands. Try to pick up the habit of setting some time aside for your self-education since your early freelancing days, it will make it easy in the future.
Photo by jm3.
About the author: Mirko Humbert is a freelance designer from Switzerland. He shares his thoughts about his passion on his design blog. To connect with Mirko, you can follow him on Twitter. Header picture by Teo.
