Category: Web Design

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Page Layout Slip Sliding Around

You’ve seen websites like this, the layout slides around over lays other elements and looks very different in Firefox and Internet Explorer. Although the world is moving to all CSS website design layouts, there is still use for table layouts combined with CSS.

I have found that these hybrid layouts may be more cross-browser compatible and may in some cases even load faster then pure CSS designs. I do like the ability to make fast global changes with CSS, but have not stopped using tables all together for best practices.

Case in point, in Dreamweaver CS3 use any CSS three column layouts and then insert a Spry navigation menu. Even with absolute positioning, the menu is not locked down and can slide around the page depending on which browser your use to view your site with. That’s a real problem! If you want it on the right, it needs to stay on the right! Lock the Spry menu inside a table and position the table with CSS and you’ve solved the problem across all browsers.

So will web design be all CSS in the very near future? Most likely not, but more will be moving into that same direction. Now, if we could only get all browsers to follow the same box model that would be huge step, but, sigh with IE not following the path of others, it makes it very difficult to embrace a pure CSS layout and have it look great for everyone. 

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New Quick Launch Template

We’ve added a new template to our Quick Launch templated web design program. It is called Tropical and you can view it online here.

What Quick Launch Web Design Can Do

  1. If you need a fast web presence and like one of the website template designs as they are Quick Launch is a good choice for you.
  2. If you want to spend around $600 plus hosting and your domain name then Quick Launch web templates are a good choice for you.
  3. If you want to be on the Web in about 7 business days or less Quick Launch is a good choice for you.
  4. If you don’t mind if someone else has the exact same website design as your Quick Launch is a good choice for you.

What Quick Launch Does Not Do

  1. If you want custom colors or don’t like the images in the Quick Launch website template headers then you should consider our custom web design services.
  2. If you want a unique look or want to add your input to colors, navigation, placement of web design elements on the page you should consider our custom web design services.
  3. If you want to have a website that integrates strong organic placement techniques you should consider our custom web design services.
  4. If you are going to have a website that can grow with your business over time you should consider our custom web design services.

Our templated web design service is not for every customer and some clients may be better served considering our custom web design services, but for some – Quick Launch can be the perfect match!

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Adobe Drops GoLive for Dreamweaver

I’ve expected this for a while but Adobe made it public yesterday. Adobe has decided to drop GoLive. In an email yesterday Adobe stated that there would be no new development, sales of the product or support for Adobe GoLive.

In addition Adobe finally offered an upgrade price to move from GoLive to Dreamweaver. It is unfortunate, but I bought Dreamweaver at the end of March for $399 and now Adobe is offering it to me as a GoLive user for $199.

Since I have been using Dreamweaver, I like it. I am taking a class to learn the ins and outs of the program. I do like that it makes it very easy to add JavaScript and CSS and the code seems pretty clean. But I sure do wish that Adobe would have allowed me to buy it as a GoLive upgrade in March when I asked the supervisor why they would not allow GoLive users to upgrade at the upgrade price.

I have asked Adobe for a credit or at least a store credit (I bought it at Adobe.com) for training or a book, but realistically I doubt they will respond. So if you are a GoLive user, look for your $199 upgrade link in your email or call Adobe and get Dreamweaver while you can at this special low price.

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Navigation Where Do You Put It?

Typically navigation belongs on the left of your web page. Years and websites have trained readers to look for navigation there. If you differ from this model, you’d better have a good reason as you do not want to needlessly confuse readers or have your site be difficult to navigate. One of the top reasons for a new website design is to improve navigation.

What we typically will do is to provide major navigation links on the left and detail links at the top with drop downs. Another suggestion is if you have a large site is to provide top level navigation on the top and then section specific navigation on the left. The left navigation will be different for each section but the top navigation will be unchangeable.

We also strongly recommend for mid size sites that you include a site integrated web search function. Let customers find what THEY want fast. Improving your navigation will make your website more search engine friendly – typically, more readable, and more usable by your site visitors.