How Times Have Changed

I came across this website the other day and found it amusing. It uses something called the “Way Back Machine” to take a look at some major corporate websites back in 1996. It’s amazing to see how far design and usability has come in 11 years. Design conventions were not widely used in the early days of the web and usability was a topic given little thought.

Though design styles may change usability will always be the most important feature of the website. Usability should be the biggest factor when planning and designing your website. You may have the best products or services, you may rank #1 on lots of search terms but if people can’t easily use your site and find the information they are looking for in a short time it does you no good.

Take a look at those websites and learn from the past - to not make some of the same mistakes they did with bad design and usability.

Help the Enviornment at Work

In the latest issue of Time Magazine - 51 Ways to Save the Environment - several of the ways listed are work and computer related. I figure it was worth mentioning along with some of my own ideas. Most of the ideas are not drastic and easy to implement. Even if you start small and only do a few things it can add up. So please read through the article and spread the word. Thank You.

> Time Magazine Ideas (Click the link for full article)

3. Change Your Lightbulbs
They cost 3-5 times more, but they use 25% electricity and last several years longer so you end up saving money and electricity. I have some in my office and at home.

13. Let Employees Work Close to Home
If you work with computers chances are you can work remotely some of the time. Ask the boss if you can work from home once a week or a few times a month. You would save on time, money and help cut carbon emissions. If you can’t do that try carpooling or taking public transportation.

16. Pay Your Bills Online
Not only is it move convenient and faster but it also helps save on paper and the cost associated with transporting it. Contact your accounts to set up online bill pay and make sure they stop sending paper copies as well.

29. Remove the tie
Most offices are freezing due to having the air conditioning cranked up so high. Ask the boss if you can have casual fridays and turn up the thermostat a few degrees and dress more comfortably.

30. Shut off your computer
If you shut your computer off when it’s not in use it could save up to $70 per year. Also your machine runs faster after its re-started versus being on for days on end.

32. Kill the Lights At Quitting Time
Assign someone in the office the task of making sure all the computers, faxes, machines and lights are turned off each day. Your boss will be impressed with the savings!

> I came up with some of my own ideas relating to this issue.

Sleep Is Good - Adjust the time on your computer to have your monitor shut off and go to sleep. There is no sense of having that big monitor on and drives running if you are out to lunch. Don’t forget to shut it completely off at the end of the day.

Use The Computer - Instead of cluttering up your desk with sticky notes and memos why not type everything into your computer. It’s easier to back up, mange and sort that way and makes your desk look cleaner. Instead of jotting notes or numbers down on paper simply type them into your computer and save the paper.

Recycle, Re-Use, Recycle Again - Buy and use recycled paper. When you are just printing test prints or something not important save that paper in a scrap pile. You can then use it to print again on the back side. This way you are getting the most out of each sheet of paper. When it is finally done recycle it again so the process continues.

Recycling Pays Off - Return empty print cartridges to your local office supply store. Many of them offer incentives such as a free ream of paper or X amount off your next purchase. So it saves you money and helps to keep more plastic out of the land fills.

Read all 51 ways to help save the environment.

How to create content for a web site

Here is a great article from one of our affiliates - Get It In Writing.

Frankly no one knows exactly how many total web sites exist, because they’re springing up at warp speed. And rightfully so. Many of them are quite good and – needless to say – we’ve all become dependent on the Internet. But how many of us really know how to create content for a web site?

So here’s a crash course on how to create content for your web site. Lots of people who launch their own web sites start by engaging a web developer and a graphic artist to professionally design a web site that promotes their business.

• Content is crucial.
  Powerful – and targeted – copy is what sells your product or service, not pictures or flashy introductions.

• Most people simply scan web sites.
  Your web site content should include clever headlines with stimulating text to grab readers’ interest…focused, concise copy web site content will keep them there.
• Make your text easy to scan.
  Highlight keywords within your web site content, using typeface and color variations. Use meaningful, easy-to-scan subheads and bulleted lists. And stick to one idea per paragraph.

• Talk up benefits – not product.
  Your web site content should describe benefits your potential customer can see, hear or feel if they use your product. Your content must show that you understand their issues and how your product addresses those issues.

• Use testimonials and informational links.
  Winning web site content should use accounts from happy customers to convince readers that you will deliver a top-notch product. Also supply content readers with links to articles and product reviews, so they have even more compelling reasons to buy from you.

• Search engine optimization is a must.
  Powerful web content includes keywords people use to search for your site. To get a high ranking, create your web content so it’s loaded with keyword phrases and still remains engaging to read.

• Don’t let your content get stale.
  As with most marketing materials, it’s easy for your web site content to run its course. Web site content is a work in progress… it must be refined and added to on a regular basis to keep it fresh.

Let our copywriting tell your audience who you are in the best possible way. See why our words mean business. Visit us online at: www.GetItInWriting.biz or call toll-free at 877-989-8555.