What is a Sitemap in Web Design?

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A sitemap is one of the most crucial aspects associated with developing and designing a website, but what is it exactly and why is it so essential to creating an effective, user-friendly site?

Sitemaps explained

A sitemap is akin to a blueprint or road map for a website. It’s a visual representation created by a web developer to detail the layout of a website and its contents before it gets produced.

Usually drawn on a large piece of paper, a sitemap consists of boxes to represent each web page, set out in a hierarchy, with the most important at the top. The boxes for each page will detail what content will be included, with arrows to show how each page connects to each other.

A web design company will also list on the sitemap what the goals and functions of the website will be, so close collaboration between the website management company and the client is key to creating a successful sitemap, and, therefore, an effective website.

Easier collaboration

Since there are often lots of parties involved with creating a website, including the client, developer, designer, web hosting company and, possibly, an account manager, having a sitemap that everyone agrees on before the website is created ensures it can be developed smoothly and seamlessly, with fewer problems along the way.

By creating a website’s layout on paper before it gets put together for real, the website design company can make sure each part of the site will flow together and function effectively so that no costly or time-consuming changes would need to be made once the site is in the actual design and development stages

Improved user-experience

A sitemap also provides benefits for anyone visiting a website, as it allows a user to see how the pages are organised in a hierarchical structure, to enable easy navigation and an improved user experience. Since the sitemap includes details of what will be included on the website, it also ensures there’s no room for any duplicate or superfluous content. This promotes a high-quality website that will be favoured by search engines.

Indeed, search engines and web crawlers look at sitemaps when determining the ranking of a site, so it’s a good move to have an effective sitemap as part of your SEO strategies.

If you’re looking for effective web design services in the South West UK, contact us at Real Internet today.

What is a Web Design Company?

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Having a top-class website is a must for digital marketing in the modern age. To create a great website, you’ll need to work with a reputable web design company, but what are they and what do they do?

What is a web design company?

In simple terms, a web design company is a company that designs and builds websites for businesses, public bodies, charities, and personal use. During your first consultation with a web design company, they will sit down and find out more about their client. They will also dig deeper into what the client needs their site to do, how they want it to look and what features they need on it. Once this consultation phase is complete, their team of expert web designers will build the site according to the client’s wishes.

Web hosting

Although designing and building websites is their prime service, many web design companies also offer web hosting services. This makes it convenient to find reliable hosting in the same place you have your website built.

In addition, some can bring existing WordPress sites into their hosting plans, even if you do not want a new site built. Some web design companies also specialise in areas such as graphic design and branding, which can be useful if you need help in sourcing the best marketing materials to stand out from competitors.

Why hire a web design company?

Some business owners may wonder why they should spend money hiring a web design company. After all, could you not save money by designing and building it yourself? While this is possible, it is likely that the site you end up with will almost certainly not be as responsive, stylish, and practical as one built by professional web designers.

Contact Real Internet today

At Real Internet, we have many years of experience in building websites that are not only feature-heavy and fast, but great to look at too. We also offer a range of additional services to clients in South West UK, from web hosting to graphic design and branding. Get in touch with us for more details.

 

 

What is a CMS in Web Design?

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If you’ve ever tried to build your own website, you might have come across the term ‘CMS’. CMS stands for Content Management System, and it’s a type of software that can be used to build and manage a website. Building a website using a CMS is a cost-effective and practical way to create a website that can be edited by anyone in your team for years to come.

What is a CMS website?

A CMS is any specific software that is used to create a website. Inside the CMS dashboard, users can edit website features, tweak the website design, and add and remove content to webpages. To manage websites at this simple level, most CMSs do not require any programming knowledge.

Some examples of popular CMSs include:

  • WordPress
  • Drupal
  • Magento
  • Duda
  • Joomla
  • Wix

While all CMSs are designed with the goal of creating easy, accessible website building and editing, they all look and work a little differently under the hood, which is why many people prefer a particular CMS over others. Here, at Real Internet, we tend to use WordPress, but we also have experience in using other systems.

CMSs are designed to make website building and editing simple and accessible to everyone. Web developers and designers build websites using CMSs because it’s fast and effective, and because these sites can then be passed on to clients who can update, edit, and re-arrange website content without any input from technical teams in the future. Reasons why CMSs are popular include:

  • A CMS enables non-technical teams to manage and update their own websites without input from developers. This is cost-effective, efficient, and allows content teams to retain control of their own data.
  • A CMS keeps web design and content separate. If you want to redesign your website, you can do so without having to rewrite or re-enter all your existing content.
  • Many CMS packages include additional tools for marketing, SEO, and analytics that can help you track website traffic and improve visibility.

Content Management Systems are designed to be affordable, simple, secure, and ideal for use by businesses of all sizes. Different systems will have their own strengths and weaknesses, but almost any web project can be successfully completed using contemporary CMSs.

Get in touch

At Real Internet, we offer an affordable web design service in the South West UK. Our web design service combines our expertise and experience while allowing you to retain complete control over your website. To find out more about our services, get in touch today.

What is a Child Page in Web Design?

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Websites are key in modern business and give companies an effective digital marketing tool to build their online presence with. Of course, the key to this is great web design which focuses on speed, responsiveness, and user experience. One web design term you might have come across before is a child page. But what are they and why should websites use them?

What is a child page in web design?

In short, a child page is a page on your website which is found underneath another page. The page it is underneath is usually referred to as the parent page. A good example is a ‘Company History’ page on a website which is accessed via the overall ‘About Us‘ page. In this case, ‘Company History’ is the child page as it is placed underneath the parent ‘About Us’ page.

Why are child pages useful in web design?

One major advantage using child pages in web design brings is easier site navigation. It allows you to form relationships between relevant web pages and makes it easier for people to get around. The knock-on effect of this is that your site becomes more user friendly and enjoyable to spend time on too.

What else makes child pages worth using in web design?

Child pages also help to give a professional look to your website and make it obvious to users that you have invested time in creating a quality site. This is great for your brand image and may help persuade consumers to shop with you or hire you. Using child pages is also a good move for SEO. Search engine robots who crawl websites usually look more favourably on those who make navigation simpler with features like this. It will be a lot better than having masses of individual pages to crawl which exist on a standalone basis.

Let Real Internet help you get the most from your website

While the above points set out what a child page is and why they are worth using, you may not know how to implement them. If this is the case, contact Real Internet today on 01454 806570 for assistance. Based in Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, we are a web design company that serves the whole of the Southwest UK.

Get in touch today, so can we unleash the power of child pages on your website!

How to Pick a Web Design Company

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There are lots of web design companies that will promise to build you the perfect website, but how do you know which one to choose, and which is going to deliver? Here are some top tips for picking the right website design company.

Understands your vision

A reputable web design company should be able to listen to your ideas and understand your vision and goals, while translating these as closely as possible into reality, utilising their skills and expertise. Crucially, you shouldn’t feel that you’re being talked into something that isn’t right for you, just to suit a particular web developer.

Complete package

Choose web design services that incorporate all aspects of web development, from the initial design concept to website development, as well as secure and reliable website hosting, digital marketing, and SEO. A website doesn’t stay still once it has been created, so a company that can provide ongoing maintenance will ensure your site continues to thrive long into the future. By picking a website management business that provides a complete package of services, you can enjoy a seamless experience when getting your site designed and developed.

Keeps up to date

When deciding on which web design services to use, ask about what systems, methods, and strategies they use to keep on top of the latest industry trends. A website hosting and management business that stays up to date is more likely to offer web solutions that will be secure, responsive and adhere to the latest SEO guidelines.

Look at examples

There’s no better endorsement for choosing a good web design company than finding examples of other websites online that you like the look of, and then seeing who designed it, which is usually written somewhere on the individual site. Any decent web company should also be able to show examples of sites they’ve designed and developed, so you can see their standard of work for yourself.

Don’t just focus on price

If you’re driven by a tight budget, it’s natural that price might be the deciding factor when picking a website design company. But, be cautious. Opting for the cheapest quote from a web company might not deliver a site that meets your needs, and their web hosting services might not be as secure and robust as you’d expect. While price is an important factor, don’t let it be the main consideration when picking a web design business.

When you’re looking for the ideal web design company, South West UK based business Real Internet ticks all the right boxes, so get in touch with us today.

How to Find a Good Web Design Company

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A key part of any business’s digital marketing strategy is its website. This is the place where people can find you online and where they can browse your goods or services. In addition, your website is key for connecting with consumers and helping to build a positive image around your brand. It is, therefore, essential to have a responsive, well-laid out website that delivers an outstanding user experience.

The best way to achieve this is by hiring a professional web design company. This sees professional designers use all their expertise and knowledge to build a top-notch website for your business. With a lot of web design companies on the market, however, how do you find a good one?

Recommendations from your network

Networking is key to modern business and it often comes in handy when searching for a good web design company. This makes perfect sense as it enables you to get a trusted opinion on who to use from people you know. It also sees you getting recommendations on who to use from those with first-hand experience of the service on offer. Of course, networking itself can also be a great way to find a good company to use. Whether it is online at places like LinkedIn or offline events, this allows you to get to know the company personally and suss out how good they are.

Search online

It is also worth heading online to find a good web design company. Running a search for web design firms in your area in any major search engine is a fast and easy way to find ones to consider. Once you have drawn up a list of potential candidates, remember to check out online reviews of them. This is wise because it enables you to see how good the service they offer really is and what previous customers think of them. It is also worth looking at the company’s own website to see how well designed it is and if you like the feel of it.

Local advertising

Going online is not the only way to find good web design companies to choose from. It also pays to keep an eye out for adverts in your local area. This may be advertising in local print media, flyers being handed out, adverts in shops or leaflets pushed through your letterbox. All of these are great ways to find good, local design companies to hire.

First-class web design services from Real Internet

At Real Internet, we offer affordable web design services to businesses in the Gloucestershire/South West UK area. As a professional web design company, our expert team have plenty of experience in building responsive, agile and attractive sites. Get in touch today on 01454 806570 to chat more about your project.

 

How to Achieve Responsive Web Design

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One of the biggest directions in digital marketing and website management is responsive web design. This is something that all brands and business owners need to be aware of, especially if they are hoping to attract online visitors, build engagement, and win those all-important conversions.

But what, exactly, is responsive web design?

Essentially, responsive web design is a tech-led, intuitive way of designing websites so that they integrate and work seamlessly with a host of other online technologies, across a range of different digital devices and interfaces. Why does that matter? Because your customers expect to have exciting, seamless, and fast online experiences that allow them to do what they want to do.

Remember too, that today’s online customers have varied needs and different preferences in the way that they interact with brands and spend money online. Many will go online via smartphones. Younger buyers, in particular, will expect to see products and services advertised on social media and then click to buy in just a couple of swipes. Others will want to use web chats to make bookings, find information rapidly, or switch between branded platforms to engage with a range of content.

Designing with different users in mind

Most digital devices are now touch screen enabled, so websites now need to be designed with mouse and touch screen users in mind. Responsive design means thinking about these aspects and adjusting the design accordingly. For example, drop-down menus are fine for mouse users but less so for touch screen users, hence the rise of single-page scrolling sites.

The rise of the fluid grid

Most web designers are now using fluid grids to achieve responsive design. These fluid grids intelligently scale website components for better sizing, which adjusts to every user’s screen. This prevents users from needing to zoom in and out. Users must be able to enjoy the same great experience on your website, whether they access it via a smartphone or desktop PC.

Achieving responsive web design

For better digital marketing, most businesses are now outsourcing their website design to a professional website design company that can deliver a responsively designed website that is future-proofed to integrate with all emerging technologies and to engage customers. Contact Real Internet to find out more about our excellent web design services that are designed to help businesses of all sizes enjoy better results from their digital assets. We provide affordable and adaptable websites, and cover the whole of the South West.

How Does Web Design Work?

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Web design is what creates the overall look and feel of a website. It involves planning and building the elements of a website, from its structure and layout to its colours, fonts, and graphics. Web design is not to be confused with web development, which is the coding that makes a website work. Here are the four stages of the web design process, from beginning to launch.

Web Design Project Discovery

Project discovery starts with defining the project. You will need to work with business analysts and researchers to help you identify existing problems in your industry, define your product’s unique selling points, and learn more about your customer segments. You’ll also need to conduct competitor analysis to help you to get a general idea of what has been done in the past to see what design improvements you can offer.

Architecture and Layout

Website architecture begins with code. These code templates determine how elements such as graphics, ads, and text will be represented. Simpler code results in fast page load speeds, less maintenance, and lower bandwidth and labour costs. Website architecture also encapsulates the functionality shown through templates like search, commenting, RSS, etc.

User Interface Design

User interface design is all about creating the visual components of a website. Besides the visual appeal, UI design helps establish your brand identity, draws visitors’ attention and keeps them engaged with your website. During this stage, your web designer defines the visual direction and layout of your site. After that, they decide on a preliminary product structure and conduct a series of interviews to establish a visual language that your business needs. Based on this information, your web designer should be able to create two or three mockups for you to choose from.

Launching, Analyzing, and Revising

This is the last stage of the web design process. The website is ready to go live at this stage, and all internal reviews have been completed. After a successful launch, a comprehensive review will be required to prove that the design is functioning as expected.

If you’re looking for web design services in Gloucestershire, get in touch with us today for more information.

How Long Does It Take to Design a Website?

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Creating a website from scratch can take days, weeks, or even months. With so many variables in the website development process, the time required varies from one project to another. While we cannot give you a definite answer of how long website creation takes, we will be sharing the four steps of website creation and will give you a rough estimate of how long it takes to design a website.

Planning process to design a website

Without proper planning, you will lose sight of your goals and end up creating a website that isn’t suitable for your business. Therefore, the first thing you should do when developing your website is gauge your needs and create a plan. Communicate your primary goals with your website developer and let them know the pages and functionality you want your site to have. The planning process for a standard website takes about one to two weeks.

Design process

Once you have a plan of action in place, it’s now time to start designing your website. At this stage, your web designer should give a mock-up of how your website will appear based on your requirements. If there are any changes that you want to be made, communicate them early before development begins. The design process can take anywhere between one to three weeks.

The development phase

In this next stage, your website developer takes all the information you’ve given them and turns it into a fully functional website. Your web designer should always keep you in the loop of the progress being made because you may wish to change a key part of your website once you see it in action. As expected, this stage takes longer to complete because changes take longer to make. In most cases, it takes at least one month to fully develop a standard website.

Final review

Before any website is officially finished, it must go through one final round of revisions. This is to ensure that it looks and works as you anticipated. If there are no major changes required, then this process should take no more than two weeks.

At Real Internet, we cover the entire web design process from initial design to build. If you are looking for a reliable website design company based in Gloucestershire, contact us today to speak to our team of experts.