Tag Archives: dedicated-servers

5 Great Books On Web Design That You Need To Read

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Hosting

The post 5 Great Books On Web Design That You Need To Read appeared first on HostGator Web Hosting Blog | Gator Crossing . Web design is challenging stuff. There’s a reason that talented and well-read individuals can make impressive sums of money with a little HTML and CSS know-how. But everyone had to start somewhere and properly educating yourself is the first step to honing these skills. Myriad tutorials and forums exist that can help make sense of markup and formatting language, but the breadth of information required to create attractive and usable websites demands the touch of experts. These resources may not be free, but valuable information rarely is. Furthermore, the capabilities of print to flexibly and graphically represent the trickier aspects of coding are worth the investment in order to build a foundation of knowledge that will pay for itself in time. From the copious volumes of web design information, we’ve selected five gems that are sure to put you on solid footing and get you coding with confidence.   HTML&CSS Building attractive websites demands an attractive resource. Jon Duckett’s comprehensive volume builds the essential skills needed to create your first website, with the added benefit of some truly beautiful and informative graphic design. Aside from the aesthetic appeal of its pages, the tome holds thorough explanations of web basics and advanced CSS functionality. The true value of this book lies in a creative and considerate application of visual and textual elements. The benefit of online tutorials is that they can actively demonstrate the effects of syntax on a working page. However, their instructional capabilities are limited to the technical acumen of the instructors coding the lessons. In this way, a printed volume of well crafted, textual explanations reinforced by visual aids can help enlighten key concepts in ways that online tutorial simply cannot.   Don’t Make Me Think But learning to construct web pages is only half the battle. With appropriate markup and formatting knowledge, one can create gorgeous, utterly unusable pages that benefit no one. That’s where Steve Krug’s user experience guide comes into play. By examining the process of human interaction with web pages, nascent designers can understand the essential elements of usability and function. In teaching these concepts, Krug takes a unique and valuable approach. Instead of simply delineating UX best practices, he teaches readers to think like a usability expert, in order to guide future development efforts and inform functional solutions. In addition, the guide is short, engaging, and extremely digestible, bucking the unfortunate reputation of educational texts as dry, sleep-inducing slogs. By teaching a process in a digestible way, the book helps demystify our relationship with the Internet to great effect.   Responsive Web Design If you’ve paid any attention to the progression of web design in the past couple years, you know that responsiveness is in. The solution, which endeavors to design versatile configurations that address complicated and ever-changing platform concerns, has taken root in large and small-scale web development alike. For this reason, any rudimentary education in web design necessarily includes at least a cursory look at adaptive and responsive layouts. Ethan Marcotte’s 150-page crash course in this web design revolution will give you the information you need to jump on the wagon. The book examines key aspects of adaptive layouts including a look at how to adjust media, text sizes, and arrangements of elements in order to accommodate mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. Since whatever you craft will likely be seen on each of these platforms at some point, it behooves you to consider everyone’s needs when creating your masterpiece.   The Smashing Book Smashing’s reputation as an authority of design knowledge precedes itself. Their website houses droves of professionally curated techniques, code, and ideas with the express intent of making you a better designer. But their greatest contribution to the annals of design history is a massive regular publication containing all the latest developments and information an aspiring web designer needs. The Smashing Book’s true value exists in its authors’ abilities to turn sophisticated design concepts into actionable takeaways. Recent articles run the gamut from predictions on the future of web typography to the logistics of content strategy. With this resource in your office, you can assure that your skills keep up with the rapid pace of development; an essential consideration for any successful web designer.   Mobile First The cell phone has become as much a part of our society as khakis and hotdogs. But to the chagrin of web designers, this transition necessitates some special accommodation in order to fit small screens and finger-based interfaces. Furthermore, the commercial potential of mobile adaptation is immense, rendering an education in mobile a designer’s obligation. Now that our knowledge of the platform has reached critical mass, Luke Wroblewski’s paperback guide represents an essential piece of any web designer’s library. The former Yahoo! design architect packs each page full of data-driven strategies and time-tested techniques to making your mobile site the best it can possibly be. With an entertaining voice and a concise format, readers will find themselves privy to some of the most important design information of our modern age without facing the trudge of dry academic reading. As the body of web design knowledge continues to grow, these volumes may, time, fade into the distance. But for the current wave of technologies, each book listed here contributes essential knowledge and skills that will put your web design on solid ground. From attractive and understandable explanations to yearly updates on important design developments, your bookshelf and your brainchild will both benefit from these handy references. What other books have you found helpful? Add the titles in the comments section below! Register a cheap domain name at HostGator.com Continue reading →

Posted in HostGator, Hosting, php, VodaHost, vps | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mobile Websites: What Are Your Options?

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Hosting

The post Mobile Websites: What Are Your Options? appeared first on HostGator Web Hosting Blog | Gator Crossing . Mobile Internet has desktop usage in its crosshairs. According to  Smart Insights , mobile Internet will surpass desktop usage in 2014. This is good news for Apple and Android, but bad news for all those hard-working web developers who painstakingly created a desktop website worth its salt. But let’s be honest, in an age when innovation moves at light-speed, no one expects a silver bullet solution to last very long. The unique characteristics of mobile devices require special considerations all their own. Smaller screen resolutions and unique interfaces present challenges to the typical 1280 by 720 click-and-type model. Because of smaller resolutions and tactile, gesture-based controls, navigations, layouts, and content need to be simplified for proper viewing. To further complicate matters, the diversity of mobile devices means that a single resolution or interface solution may not display correctly on other devices or platforms. Fortunately, there are options, each one with its own challenges and assets, to help solve this truly complicated puzzle.   Mobile Specific Websites The first potential solution is a bit of an antique at this point, but has its benefits. The mobile specific website builds a dedicated set of code and assets around the unique context of mobile web. This option can allow for coding of mobile specific capabilities and features, but ultimately the cons largely outweigh the pros. The first issue is load times. The mobile Internet is fast and responsive. The mobile only website is not. Because the mobile specific code is necessarily housed under a separate URL, a series of redirects based on the detected platform are needed to point phone browsers in the right direction. This dramatically increases load times and, should any of the redirects fail, unnecessary and unappreciated pain in access. The next problem is consistency. Updating code on one version of the site requires updating of code on the other site, and failure to do so can lead to embarrassing and glaring issues in format and content. In addition, successful execution of two separate code bases complicates the already arduous design process in the case of implementation of additional features. This is without mentioning the manpower needed to police both versions and maintain a coherent web experience. The final problem is search engine optimization. Because of the separate URLs of the two sites, the indexing and search rank of one does not benefit the other. For this reason, mobile users may not even be able to find your mobile site should they look for it. The short story is: don’t use a separate mobile site. At one time, Google  actually recommended them  before responsive web design practices became prevalent. Save yourself the headache and consider more flexible, intuitive, and convenient options.   Device Specific HTML Device specific HTML represents one of these intuitive solutions. The backbone of this approach is the  Vary HTTP header . In its implementation, the Vary command signals to Internet Service Providers to consider the encoding preferences of the user when determining which format to serve. In doing so, two sets of HTML code can be utilized with some common assets and displayed based on the needs of the user. In addition, the shared URL of the two versions has positive search implications. Common indexation and search rank of both versions means that the appropriate format will be readily accessible through regular search channels, thus alleviating the confusion presented by a stand-alone solution. Furthermore, the Vary header helps Google more easily crawl both formats by indicating which Googlebot to use. The end result is faster crawl and site discovery.   Responsive Web Design With myriad platforms and devices, even device specific HTML is no guarantee that site presentation will be consistent. For that reason, web designers have adopted a solution entitled “ responsive web design “. The method adopts a doctrine referred to as “device agnosticism”, which aspires to create a homogeneous experience regardless of the specific viewing context. On a coding level, a series of queries enable websites to actively adapt to different device circumstances. Javascript media checks apply assets and layouts on the basis of screen resolution and can therefore be used to simply rearrange page content and navigation without the hassle of separate HTML. By relying on viewing characteristics instead of operating systems or devices, HTML can be rendered accurately in spite of changes in software or hardware. On a practical level, this means a more coherent experience for viewers and less frustration for web developers. By utilizing common assets, fonts, and layouts, platform agnosticism permits cross-platform branding and design that plays a strong part in developing brand association. By applying catchall code, updating one asset updates the asset across all contexts, thus saving manpower and embarrassing inconsistencies. Between these options, you should have be able to make an informed decision regarding what is best for your businesses specific needs. Consider your available manpower and aspirin when accepting the headaches of each method and employ the best advantages of each when constructing your web experience. In time, your users will appreciate your mobile accommodations and your mobile site will become as much a part of your identity as your sterling reputation and charming demeanor. Check out the fast WordPress blog hosting by HostGator.com Continue reading →

Posted in HostGator, Hosting, php, VodaHost, vps | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google In-Depth Articles Goes Live

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Hosting

The post Google In-Depth Articles Goes Live appeared first on HostGator Web Hosting Blog | Gator Crossing . It’s never a bad idea to play nicely with Google’s search standards. Frankly, doing so can lead to real, tangible benefits, including, now, having in-depth articles featured on the world’s most ubiquitous search engine. Despite the cheap tie-in with Google+, the search engine’s new results offer a real opportunity to establish your authority, should you choose to play by the rules.   What Are “In-Depth” Articles? In-depth articles are a new format of search result that feature an article title, thumbnail pulled from the piece, logo of the host website, and snippet of the content being presented. But those are just the specifics. On a deeper level, in-depth articles represent a new effort to accommodate the more robust search needs of complex topics, queries of such nature reportedly comprising as much as  10% of daily search traffic . If you are a large website, in-depth results present an opportunity to further your reach. If you are a small website, in-depth results present a chance to gain recognition for your knowledge. In either case, catering to the requirements of Google’s new search result can offer a boost to both traffic and reputation.   How to Be Included The first requirement is utilization of Schema.org’s  article markup  syntax. By delineating meta-data within an article, Google’s search index can better identify the necessary components of your work when constructing the in-depth article result. This step may create some headaches, but implementing schema as a standard practice will ultimately make your site more responsive to future search developments as it establishes itself as an industry standard. Next comes the obligatory Google+ tie-in. Despite a user-base dwarfed by Facebook and Twitter, Google’s platform is pulling out the big guns to ensure relevance and in-depth articles are not exempt to this. By signing up for  authorship through Google+ , their platform will provide additional analytics regarding how your content appears in search results. Accordingly, in-depth results will use this data to help identify your profile as a source of authority. Formatting is the next concern, particularly for multi-page articles. In this case,  usage of rel=”next” and rel=”prev”  will help clarify the relationship of paginated articles to Google’s search index. The association is not obligatory, but any measures that can clarify presentation of content in search results is worth a few moments of your time. In addition, close care should be paid to  rel=canonical declarations  for the sake of clarity. The last component, appearance of your site’s logo, is handled through schema markup language as well. This step deserves a measure of priority since the brand association that can be established through in-depth articles is worth the time spent coding. Your site’s logo can be specified using the information  found here .   Schema Explained Due to the heavy utilization of Schema in the implementation of these articles, the uninitiated would do well to familiarize themselves with the language. Before implementation on the Internet, Schema was used as a database tool that made indexing and retrieval of so-called “micro-data” a less arduous task, alleviating the need for algorithms that depend on standardized structure to extract such information. By explicitly declaring authors, responsible agencies, and publication dates, those wishing to see their work included in the new search context will have greater control of its display. The specific category of schema in use, Article markup, provides sufficient tagging options for even the most scrupulous of organizations. From the basics, including author, copyright year, and citation, to the more nuanced, including audience, URLs of relevant discussion, and keywords, implementation of the robust markup language presents a bevy options for control, searchability, and display of authoritative works. In a sea of information, this control is an irreplaceable asset. For more ambitious and diverse sites, Schema’s implementation provides additional benefits. Attributes of people, organizations, products, books, movies, and others can be specified, taking the guesswork out of search indexing. For this reason, ubiquitous use of the code affords a level of “window-dressing” that plays a key part in hooking visitors perusing search results. Thankfully, Google provides a markup helper and data testing tool to guide newer users along the way. And that, as they say, is that. Positioning your website as a source of authority through in-depth articles can establish your authority. With a little coding and maintenance, Google’s rules have given organizations and outlets large and small an opportunity to answer the deeper questions of the Internet. Take advantage of this new advent of “in-depth” articles and let your customers and your readers know that you’ve got something important to say. Check out the fast shared web hosting by HostGator.com Continue reading →

Posted in HostGator, Hosting, php, VodaHost, vps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Mistakes To Avoid Making When Writing Blog Posts For Your Business

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Hosting

The post Four Mistakes To Avoid Making When Writing Blog Posts For Your Business appeared first on HostGator Web Hosting Blog | Gator Crossing . As the year comes to an end and 2014 approaches, many business owners are taking the time to reevaluate their marketing budgets and overall strategies. Although a lot of changes have occurred over the past year in terms of SEO, social media sites, and online consumer behavior, there’s one thing that has remained constant: businesses and brands have continued to benefit from their blogging efforts. According to recent research , 61% of U.S. online consumers have made a purchase based on recommendations from a blog. In addition, 81% of companies consider their blogs “useful,” “important,” or “critical”. As you prepare for the New Year, you might be asking yourself the following: “what is it that makes or breaks blog posts for business, and how can we improve in 2014?” In the following post, we’re outlining four common mistakes many businesses make on their blogs in an effort to help you get the most out of your blog posts now and into next year.   Mistake #1: Too Much Promotional Copy Online consumers don’t like spam. They don’t like receiving emails they consider to be “spammy” or promotional. Over time they’ve become very good at recognizing the difference between authentic, valuable content, and lazy, promotional content aimed at convincing them to “buy now!” Online consumers feel the same way about blog posts from businesses and brands. They have come to expect that if they take time out of their valuable schedule to read through an article from a business or brand, they better feel like it delivered some sort of value to them by the end. Not recognizing the importance of providing genuine, helpful information to blog readers is a mistake that most companies make online. If you’re interested in improving readership on your blog, traffic to your website , and overall online sales, you should take time during the last few weeks to review the last ten blog posts on your site to determine whether you’ve been providing actual value to readers, or just trying to convert them into customers. If you feel your content has been too promotional, put a plan in place to develop better content for your blog in 2014. If you need topic ideas, ask your customers, prospects, social media followers, and employees. Work to come up with a list of twenty FAQ’s your customers typically ask. Once you have your list, start working on creating blog posts that address each question individually.   Mistake #2: Not Breaking Up Content Another big mistake many businesses and brands make when creating posts for their blogs has to do with the way they organize the information they decide to include. Online readers typically move quickly from one place to another online. They don’t enjoy having to spend extra time trying to figure out where the “meat” or value of a blog post is. For this reason, it’s incredibly important that you take the time to break up your content. Doing so will make your blog post a lot more digestible for readers, which can result in them actually staying on your website longer than they would have otherwise. You can break up the content of your blog post by: Using headings and subheading Including bulleted or numbered lists Converting some of your content into a visual graphic Including photos and videos in between and around chunks of text Including enticing call-to-action buttons or messaging Including breakout quotes that draw readers in   If your last few blog posts have included long paragraphs, little or no images, and no headings, it’s time to start being more intentional about how you organize and present the content you wish to share with your readers.   Mistake #3: Not Enhancing Content With Other Types of Media According to a recent study , 40% of people will respond better to visual information than plain text. Another big mistake many businesses and brands make when it comes to blogging is that they tend to include little to no visual content in their posts. When it comes down to it, if you feel that you are presenting and sharing the best information available on your blog as it relates to your industry, but just aren’t seeing the traffic or conversion numbers you’d like to be seeing, it might be because your posts aren’t very fun to read. In addition to great written content, your readers also expect you to provide additional value in the form of videos, photos, graphics, slideshows, audio, and more. If you find that your last few blog posts are packed full with long paragraphs of text, consider going back and adding other types of media to a few of them that can further enhance your content and strengthen the point you were trying to make. Then make a commitment to always include additional types of media in all blog posts going forward.   Mistake #4: Not Thinking About The Purpose or Goal of The Blog Post If you’re not thinking at all about the purpose or goal of the blog posts you create and share, you probably aren’t reaching the amount of readers and potential customers that you could be reaching. It’s not enough to simply post regular content on your blog. As a business owner or marketing professional, you need to take the time to develop and share original, valuable content with your readers, clients, and prospective customers. The only way to do so is to constantly be thinking about what the purpose of your blog post is, and what your goals are. For example, is the purpose of the post to leverage your company as an industry influencer? Or is the goal to get people to visit one of your product pages? In order to think more strategically in this way, you need to get your team involved. In the last few weeks of 2013, consider holding a meeting in which you and your team discuss the purpose and goals of future blog topics. Having an open discussion like this can help you improve the quality of your blog posts in 2014. What other common mistakes do you see businesses making on their blogs? Leave a comment for us below! Check out the fast shared web hosting by HostGator.com Continue reading →

Posted in HostGator, Hosting, php, VodaHost, vps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SingleHop Updates Dedicated Servers for Improved Performance

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Hosting

October 29, 2013 — SingleHop updated its line of bare metal dedicated servers on Tuesday in an effort to help customers achieve better performance. Keep on reading: SingleHop Updates Dedicated Servers for Improved Performance Continue reading →

Posted in HostGator, Hosting, VodaHost | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment