Rule # 4 - Use Appropriate Font Sizes

Choosing the style of font is just the first step when designing a Web site. You then have to consider the size. The size of the text is important because it will not only affect the presentation of your page, but also the readability.

Consider that when people read, they group words together rather than see and read each word individually. Long blocks of text that is too large doesn't flow well for readers and gives a choppy appearance. That's why, even in print media, large font sizes are reserved for headlines and short phrases. To make your page title or section headers stand out, you can use a bigger, bolder font.

Small text on a computer screen can really strain the eyes, so it should be used sparingly as well. Many computer screens don't display the smallest characters clearly, and in general, tiny text is hard to see. Fonts under 10 pt are generally good for copyright notices or other legal disclaimers. It's not information that will be read frequently so you don't want it to take up too much space, but it's still necessary to have it displayed.

In general, most of your Web site text will be 10-point, or possibly 12-point. Some fonts actually present larger than others, so you may choose to use a smaller size and still achieve good readability.

You should also consider your audience - if your target audience includes seniors or those with disabilities, you may want a larger font for your Web copy.

There are a number of different ways to write the code to determine the size of your fonts. Some make your font size absolute so that everyone sees the same size. Others can make the font size relative so that the size adjusts to the user's browser specifications. Talk with your Web designer to choose the best choice for your site and needs.

Rule # 3 - Choose the Right Font

With the huge number of different fonts available these days, you might think you can use just about anything out there on your Web site. This isn't necessarily the case. In fact, there are only a few fonts that will give your users optimal viewing.

For Web pages, text is displayed using the fonts available on the viewer's computer. So, if you choose an obscure font, one that you found through an Internet search or pulled from a 1001 Fonts CD, the majority of your site visitors are unlikely to have that font installed on their systems, and the page and its text won't appear correctly to them. It's usually better to choose common fonts that nearly all users have installed, such as Arial and Times New Roman for PC users, and Helvetica and Times for Macs.

Another way to ensure your site will correctly display text is to choose a particular style of font and let the user's browser choose the best match. There are three types that work for Web pages: Serif, Sans-serif, and monospace. A Serif font has "feet" or extra strokes on the ends of some lines. Times New Roman is a serif font. These types of fonts are commonly used in print - books, newspapers, magazines, etc.

Sans-serif fonts have smooth ending lines, or are "without serifs." Arial is an example. These fonts are easy to read on a computer screen and are good choices for body text in a Web page.

Monospace fonts are those like Courier, where each letter takes up exactly the same amount of space as the others.

When you want a browser to display a specific font, but yet adequately compensate when that font is not available on a user's computer, you can include several fonts in your CSS code. For example, you can write "font-family: helvetica, verdana, sans-serif" which would first try to display helvetica, then verdana, and then any sans-serif font available.

Of course, most Web pages would be quite boring with only one font displayed throughout. The best way to add variety to your site, and make it more visually appealing, is to use graphics that feature other fonts. If you want your Web site header to include your business name in a cursive font, you would create a jpeg or gif image using the font you like then place that image in the appropriate spot. This allows you to be creative while still maintaining the ability of all users to read and enjoy your site.

Rule #2 - Provide the Right Content

The layout of your Web site and design of each page will depend on the content that you will display. Rule # 2 in Web site design - provide the information your customers need to know.

As you plan your site and decide what you will include about yourself and your business, it's important to consider your customer's perspective. When you are looking for information a site, what do YOU look for? What information do you want to know about the business before you decide to contact them in person or buy a product or service? Your list might include:

• Where are they located?
• How long have they been in business?
• What products do they sell?
• Who endorses or recommends their services?
• What is their "process" when working with clients?
• What is their return policy if I purchase a product?
• Who are the people in the organization/company?
• What is their background/education/experience?
• Who can I call to get more information?
  

Answer those questions about your own company and you will get a good idea about what content to include and where in your site that information will go. As you design your organizational structure, remember to include these things:

• An introduction to your business, including a clear description of your mission or purpose.
• A visual identity that people will recognize later and remember
• Clear navigation that allows visitors to easily move through your site as they look for more information about your products and services.
• A description of who you are and what you offer.
• An introduction to key people in the organization.
• A list of reviews or testimonials from current and past customers/clients.
• Your contact information, including a phone number.

Remember that anyone can create a Web site and purport to be a legitimate business. The Internet provides many opportunities, but many threats as well, and most people won't do business with a company if they can't verify its existence in "real" life. If you don't provide a physical location or phone number, you aren't giving potential customers any tangible proof of that you are who you say. When you allow your customers to easily verify the information on your site, you build trust and loyalty. Plan your content accordingly.

Rule #1 - Plan Your Design

When you start thinking about layouts in Web design, you really have two layouts to consider. One is the structure of your entire site, and the second is the design of each page. Generally speaking, you should start with the site as a whole, figuring out how many pages you will have and how you will link to each page. With this structure in place, you can then design each page with a clear picture of how much text will be on each page and how your navigation bar and other link bars will look.

Start building your site listing each topic you would like to include and sketching out a map to show how they will be linked. Pages might include your Home Page, About Us, Products, Services, and Contact Page. From there, determine how many additional pages you will add underneath these pages. In other words, they may not be part of your main navigation bar, but you will create other links throughout your site to take visitors to those pages. For example, you may have products or services that you want to dedicate a separate page to each one. By outlining your site on paper first, you will be able to keep your site organized and create logical transitions between pages.

Once you have the organizational structure, you can begin to plan the separate components that will fill each page. Here are items you will need to include:

• Header - usually includes the site name and a graphic, such as a logo. This will probably be exactly the same or very similar on all of your Web pages throughout your site.
• Page Name - providing the page name in an obvious location helps users keep track of where they are on your site
• Body - for the content of your page
• Main Navigation Bar - Links to the additional main pages of your site
• Sub Navigation Links - If your site is complex or includes many pages, these will help the user quickly find items of interest
• Footer - a section at the bottom of the page that generally includes copyright information, disclaimers, company name and phone number, additional contact information, or e-mail link. Like the header, this will be included on all of your pages.

Other items might include banner advertising, a search box, and/or a box to show a customer's shopping cart status if you are selling products.

While most sites will incorporate these layout sections, remember that you want your site to be unique and reflect your personality and business style. Don't feel like you must follow this standard format. As long as you have the important components that identify who you are and display your contact information, your design can deviate from the standard layout.

Again, use a piece of paper to sketch your page layout. Will you have 2 columns or 3, or a combination? Where will you place your business name and logo? What types of graphics will you use and where will you place them in relation to text boxes? This preliminary planning will make it easier to visualize your site and improve the process of building your site in your software program.

So, one of the first rules of designing a great Web site - spend time visualizing your site and drawing both the navigational outline and the page layout before creating it on screen.

COMMUNICATIONS MADE EASY NAMED AS FINALIST IN BUSINESS.COM WHAT WORKS FOR BUSINESS CONTEST!!

Communications Made Easy is one of five contest finalists vying for the best solution to a Technology business challenge and a grand prize of $10,000.

To vote for Communications Made Easy simply click on the image What Works For Business to the left and then click on the technology category or click here.

Rochester, Illinois, Dec. 10, 2008 — Communications Made Easy, a 4-1 broadcast communication service, was named as one of the finalists in the Business.com What Works for Business Contest which aims to identify the best solutions to business challenges. CME’s entry was selected as one of the best in the Technology category from hundreds of contest entries by a panel of business expert contest judges.

Winners for each of the 10 contest categories, and the overall contest winner, will be chosen by popular vote at The What Works for Business Contest Voting page from Wednesday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. Pacific. The final contest results will be announced on Monday, Jan. 12 with each category winner receiving $2,000 and the overall contest winner receiving $10,000.

“We are very excited to have made the final cut for this contest,” said co-owner Michelle Tjelmeland. “We’ve worked hard to design our own software to bring rural communities the capability of sending emergency messages through text messages, e-mail, recorded phone messages, and Web site postings. It’s great to be included as one the top 5 technology solutions.”

Co-owner Mark Roberts thanked the judges for selecting their story as one of the finalists. “We appreciate the support from Business.com’s editorial team, judging panel, and all those who read our story and vote. You’ve given us a fantastic opportunity to get some nationwide exposure for CME.”

Sponsored by Business.com, the leading business search engine, directory and pay-per-click advertising network, the What Works for Business Contest is open to all North American businesses and is designed to help shift business focus from what’s wrong with the economy to what small businesses can actually do to survive and thrive in 2009. Eligible participants submitted a brief description of a business challenge they faced and how they solved it in one of 10 key business categories - Money, Technology, Sales & Marketing, Web, Office Management, Operations, People, Business Location, Startup, and Management – between Oct. 22 and Dec. 3. These entries were reviewed by Business.com’s editorial team and then rated by a panel of action-oriented business leaders to determine the finalists.

“The What Works for Business Contest showcases the ingenuity of small business owners, managers and startup entrepreneurs while creating a resource for businesses seeking real answers,” says Daniel Kehrer, Editor of Business.com and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Journalist of the Year for the Los Angeles region.

To vote or see a complete description of contest rules, visit http://whatworks.business.com/

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About Communications Made Easy

Communications Made EasyTM is an affordable communication tool that broadcasts any message in a matter of seconds to a mass mailing list, using a proprietary 4-in-1 system. This innovative and user-friendly service makes it easy to use one access point to send messages simultaneously, via the Web, e-mail, text message, and phone. CME offers monthly messaging subscriptions, premium service add-ons that enable customers to enhance their package as needed, concierge service to ensure customer messages are dispatched immediately in times of crisis, and a reseller program to allow organizations to brand and sell the product as their own. Communications Made EasyTM is a subsidiary of The Easy Life, LLC, headquartered in Rochester, IL.

Communications Made Easy Media Contact:

Michelle Tjelmeland
Co-owner
800.605.0082
info@communicationsmadeeasy.comBusiness.com Media Contact:

Dianne Molina
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Business.com
310.586.4150
dmolina@business.com

The Elements of Web Design

Putting a Web site out on the Internet it not hard. With a little bit of study and effort, almost anyone can do it. Designing an effective Web site takes a lot of planning and thought, and it's not a skill everyone can master.

Just like print design, Web design has many elements and techniques that have to come together in a cohesive structure to end up with a site that truly identifies you and your business. Web designers have to think about graphic design, copywriting, marketing techniques, color psychology, layout, and site navigation, and each one of these elements has its own set of qualities.

This is why it is so important to research Web designers before choosing someone to develop your site. It's not just about getting your name out there. It's about creating a site that is uniquely you and represents your personality and passion. The more this comes through, the more likely you are to attract customers and clients who will enjoy working with you and become loyal followers. If you want a site that is engaging, visually appealing, and effectively promotes your business, you'll understand the investment required and see the value of have a professionally-designed site unique to your preferences.

Throughout December, I'll post about the basic elements of Web site design. Learning about these techniques will not only help you evaluate your own site, but also those of your competition and other designers. Feel free to contribute your own comments, tips, and techniques, or ask any questions you may have!