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What is Adaptive Web Design?

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Adaptive web design allows users to view a website on multiple devices, but what does this involve and how does this differ from other types of web design?

Adaptive web design explained

First coined by web developer Aaron Gustafson back in 2011, adaptive web design is, essentially, a way of allowing a website to be viewed across multiple devices. More of us now use a range of devices to view web pages, with smartphones now trumping desktop computers in terms of use, and web design services have had to change to accommodate the different ways we look and search online.

Adaptive web design has become one of the leading solutions used for browsing on different devices. It involves the creation of different web layouts that are fixed, and which can be adapted to suit various sizes of screen. Therefore, instead of having a single, static page that looks similar across all devices, with adaptive web design you get a number of web page versions that fit a particular device.

This means that a website design company might develop different designs for various screen widths to suit mobile phones, laptops, desktop PCs and tablets.

Benefits of adaptive web design

A web design company may choose an adaptive design because it offers a number of different benefits. Since it is designed for various resolution sizes, it is considered relevant and specific to a user’s needs. It also delivers faster loading speeds, particularly compared to other types of design.

Isn’t it the same as responsive design?

If you’ve heard of adaptive web design, then chances are you’ve probably heard of responsive design, too. These phrases are often used interchangeably, and many people assume they are much the same thing. However, there are subtle variations between the two. While adaptive design consists of different layouts, there’s only one in responsive design, which responsively adjusts to fit the user’s screen. It is the browser window that decides on the layout with responsive design, while the back-end, as opposed to the browser or user, determines the layout in adaptive design. The server selects the correct layout according to factors such as operating system and device type.

Find out more about adaptive design for your website, by contacting our expert website team today.

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 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.

North Bristol RFC and Real Internet

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At Real Internet, we are passionate about supporting and helping small organisations and businesses. We work with one-man bands to national businesses, and we believe that every business deserves affordable and adaptable website design. We love all things digital, but we don’t talk tech; at Real Internet we live in the real world!

We provide complete website design, creation, and hosting packages – which means that we can build your site and keep it running smoothly and securely.  Whether you want to improve your ranking, generate more sales leads, reach new markets, or show off your services, we can build you a site that will make it happen.

We’re passionate about providing the best possible websites at affordable prices.  We’re techies, but we’re approachable and friendly!

Our small, experienced team are based in Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire and our clients are from all over the South West.

When the opportunity arose to sponsor a preseason friendly match for North Bristol RFC, who are based at Oaklands, Almondsbury, we were delighted to be asked to support a local team.

North Bristol RFC is known across the County for their outstanding Minis and Juniors sections. The quality of players and coaching across all age groups is second to none.

On Saturday 4th September, we were honoured to be match day sponsors for the Men’s preseason friendly at Oaklands against Yate RFC. It was a wonderful day and the sun shone! It was an exciting match and NBRFC won 56-28, a thrilling match for all who watched. We cannot wait to see how the team get on in the League this year.

#OneClubOneLove

Real Internet Managing Director Andrew Reynolds with members of North Bristol RFC.

If you would like to find out more about Real Internet, contact us now or call 01453 806570

 

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 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 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.