Why I Ditched Joomla for WordPress

Posted on Aug 23, 2011 by Nate to General

When I discovered Joomla a few years ago, I thought it was the crown jewel of all open-source Content Management Systems. I couldn’t wait to learn it’s inner workings, and show everyone else how awesome it was. At the time I ignored WordPress completely. After all, all it did was blogging. I wanted something that would allow me to manage a website, blog, store, and whatever else I could imagine. Diversity was my main goal, and Joomla provided that for me.

So why did I switch?

Joomla – It’s been a few years, and other than the introduction of a few new features introduced with Joomla 1.6, It has remained the same CMS. It hasn’t included any groundbreaking features that users are looking for. URLs are still the same pain they used to be. The back-end is still just as confusing to end-users at it used to be. In the past, Joomla’s best quality was in it’s simplicity when creating a custom template. One page was all it took to create a design. Nowadays, that one file looks messy and unreadable to anyone but me.

WordPress – On the other hand, WordPress has done nothing but improve it’s feature set. With each new update, we’ve seen things like custom post types, better menu systems, user interface updates, better theme support, and much more. They’ve taken a blogging platform and made it extensible to the point where entire websites can be built around a fully customizable administrator area. Add to that the fact that the WordPress administrator interface is clean, simple, and easy to use for the average Joe, and there is already plenty of reason to make the switch.

WordPress and Joomla are both powerful content management systems, and they both have their place in the web world, but the improvements WordPress has made far outweigh the mediocre progress of Joomla.

Tags: content management systems, web design, Web Development, website usability

Creating a Wireframe for Web Design

Posted on Apr 3, 2011 by Joey to Web Design

Before hiring a web designer, it is important to have a structure in mind. Who are you going to target? What type of feel do you want your site to have? What type of features do you want? And, most importantly, what is the purpose of your site? Taking the time to create a web wireframe can help you not only choose the best designer, but get the end product you envision.

A wireframe is like a blueprint for your website. It lays out the page’s content and functionality without getting into design details. Those will come later. The benefit of creating a web wireframe is that you can get a sense of the page’s purpose and troubleshoot any potential problems. Seeing the page through this lens can help you identify weak points and make sure the site is functional. It also keeps the web designer from having to go back and make changes (which ends up saving you money as well). How do you start?

First, have a very good idea of what you need, a sitemap, and either Adobe Photoshop or an online program like Mock Flow, which helps you develop wireframes. Take a look at other sites that offer similar products or services and get a sense of their design layouts. With Mock Flow, for instance, you can quickly create your visual concept without having to draw or code. The SiteMap visualizer allows you to analyze your site so you can get a complete view of it before hiring a designer.

The benefit of taking this extra step is that you can streamline the design process and reduce confusion or missteps between you and the designer.

Tags: web design, wireframes

Web Design: Make It Functional

Posted on Mar 12, 2011 by Taylor to Web Design

The first websites contained nothing more than simple text; it was purely informational and directly related to the user’s needs. As web design developed, sites got a lot prettier. Today, there are endless options with which to add both form and function to your website, including advanced Flash features, video, games, chat, feeds, graphics, and audio. A few years ago, the goal was to wow visitors with a sleekly designed site. Today, that model has shifted and functionality is now the objective. More sites are cutting the clutter – should you?

You may want to consider paring down your website’s extras for a very practical reason: if you are in a business that depends on local or mobile search, your site won’t be able to load. Apple doesn’t support Flash at all, and other platforms will load it very slowly, if at all. Functional design is crucial for mobile search, which is increasing exponentially.

Other changes to consider:

• Making your site easy to navigate via fingertips. A site designed for laptops or desktops can afford to use more graphic content and other extras. They also have features like links when you hover over a piece of text or image. This doesn’t translate well to mobile search. Make links easy to get to with a touch of the finger.
• Make sure your site is flexible enough to be viewed both horizontally and vertically. Again, this is especially crucial for those who depend on mobile search and users.
• Use large photos for your background. These are eye-catching and noticeable while allowing you to simplify text.
• Searchers can see a preview of your site before they decide to click through. Making your content eye-catching is vital, but so is ensuring that relevant information is easily found.

Focusing on function is going to be more important to designers, but the visual aspect cannot be discounted. Paring down without detracting from the user’s experience is key.

Tags: web design

Creating a unique homepage in Drupal 7 using Page-Front.tpl.php

Posted on Feb 25, 2011 by Dzmond to General, Web Design

Copy and paste the code below into your page.tpl.php.

<?php
// page.tpl.php
if ($is_front):
  include('page-front.tpl.php');
  return;
endif;
?>

Upload to server replacing the current page.tpl.php

For more instructions, view video tutorial, above.

Tags: web design

Web Design for a Mobile World

Posted on Feb 8, 2011 by Taylor to Technology Trends, Web Design

By now you’ve certainly heard all the stats regarding mobile internet use: how half a million people, and counting, access the web via mobile device, how 70 percent of the world’s population has a mobile phone, and how 85 percent of these are equipped to browse. Mobile search is growing, and it pays to help your business grow with it. Designing a mobile-friendly site is essential for today’s businesses.

Having a site that is intended to be viewed from a laptop or desktop gives the web designer tremendous latitude: you can include Flash, graphics, video, text, links, and other features that consumers want. If you take a site that is meant for a 15-inch screen and shrink it to 3.5 inches, you have a crowded mess that mobile users are not going to bother with – assuming it will even load, which is a big “if.” Mobile users interact with the web differently. They want fast information, not all the pretty extras that come with it. Mobile users are more likely to search for information, such as addresses, phone numbers, driving directions, and menus.

Designing a mobile-friendly website means thinking like a mobile user: you want to make your site lean and mean, without making it austere or unfriendly. How do you do this?

• Don’t embed links in tiny in-text places. Mobile users won’t be able to click through.
• Cut down on any extraneous imagery and text. Keep it short and simple.
• Provide a drop-down menu rather than making users type into a text box.
• Have the most relevant information readily available.
• List your phone number, email, and/or address on each page – remember, local searchers are trying to find you.
• Build quality content with targeted (and short) keywords. Mobile searchers use fewer and shorter search terms in their queries.
• Test your mobile site on online emulators before you launch it. You want to make sure it works across different platforms.

Tags: mobile, web design

THAT Agency Launches Distinctive Palm Beach Properties

Posted on Feb 26, 2010 by Michelle to Projects

THAT Agency captured the allure and sophistication of Palm Beach when designing and developing a online presence for a brother-sister real estate team, with the innovative website www.distinctivepalmbeachproperties.com.  The website is based around the 960-grid system in principle, creating a clean, Web 2.0 look and feel.  The muted color scheme of the white with steely gray, allows the magnificent imagery of the Island of Palm Beach to tell its own story.

In addition to the sophisticated design, the website is backed by a content management system, allowing the client complete control over their website’s content and imagery.  The website is also integrated with two different MLS’, allowing the website visitor complete access to all listings found on the island.  With a plethora of ways to search the website, each visitor is sure to find what they are looking for.

Tags: web design, Web Development

THAT Agency Launches Charm Her

Posted on Feb 2, 2010 by Bill to Projects

THAT Agency returns to it’s roots to design and develop a fully integrated ecommerce flash jewelry designing website.  Years ago, desiging and developing a similar site for Invicta Watches, THAT Agency capitalized on their experience to create a modern version for charm bracelets.

With its sleek design and feminine color scheme, the Charm Her Jewelry website is every girls dream.  Site visitors are able to broswer through Ready-made charm jewelry creations, or if they are feeling creative, they can customize their own bracelet and/or matching earrings.

The entire store is backed by a content management system, allowing the client to upload new product on the fly.  Additionally, they are able to fullfill orders as they are placed.

Tags: ecommerce websites, Flash, web design

THAT Agency Launches Ask Aztec

Posted on Jan 11, 2010 by Bill to Projects

The goal of the website for Aztec Acquisitions was to establish a professional and trustworthy appearance.  During THAT Agency’s discovery process, Aztec Acquisitions was asked to deliver a list of adjectives for use during the design process. THAT Agency turned this exercise around, and utilized the powerful words as a design feature within the header of each page.  THAT Agency took advantage of the primitive nature of the logo and term “Aztec”, to create a color palette that was simplistic, yet added variations and subtle graphical interests with the use of gradients.  With a distinct call-to-action color, each visitor to the site is sure to know where they are, and where they need to go.

In addition to the creative design, the Ask Aztec website is backed by a full Content Management System (CMS) that allows Aztec Acquisitions to have full control of the site.  An additional feature of the website is the system, THAT Agency created, in which a site visitor could elect to receive FREE information via email on a set daily, weekly or monthly interval.

Tags: content management systems, web design, Web Development

The future of web.

Posted on Dec 31, 2009 by Neil to General

Back in 1995 when I first hooked up to the internet things were different. Going online involved an annoying dial in period where your modem made its connection. Once online you could “surf ” the web for design ideas, news items, books, etc. However the content available was limited and it was hard to find quality material. Often your experience left you with little accomplished and much time wasted. This early stage of internet was at some poin labeled internet 1.0 – where the web was just starting to take shape.

Today, the internet and web design have gone to a whole new level. There are agencies THAT specialize strictly in social networking and/or search engine optimization. Most sites are updated in real time and with a few keystrokes into a google search field you will surely find pages of links holding your searched information. Without question the most significant advancement with the internet is the explosive growth of blogging and social networking. These new technologies take internet content to a whole new level allowing individuals connect with people of similar interests and share their personal or professional lives in real time. Posting information in the form of videos, photo albums and memos to certain friends, groups, or even to selected groups based on relevance. now the Internet is not only a resource full of information that can help you find answers, its progressed into an advanced form of global communication. This current phase of Internet use is commonly referred to as web 2.0.

So what does the future hold and when can we expect to be running web 3.0? Its hard to clearly define when that turning point will actually take place but surely its underway and perhaps we are in many ways already into web 3.0. The next phase of the web could be one that takes the existing ability of global communication to the next level. This phase could be marked by web applications able to do seemingly intelligent things. For example applications could extract relevant solutions or options based on your browsing history. The search engines may eventually take into consideration your income level and only post results that reflect that. It would be as if the computer anticipates your needs based on your viewing or buying habits. Without being a living entity a computer improves your web experience through using what could be described as artificial intelligence. Imagine the possibilities? voice recognition? Having a conversation with your digital assistant while getting ready for work? What if your digital assistant detected some stress through voice recognition? “Perhaps you had taken it to far the night before? Let me play some soothing norwegian death metal for you to help get you going this morning…”

What sounded like science fiction 20 years ago is now just around the corner.

Tags: norwegian death metal, SEO, web design

THAT Agency creates a new website for The American Graduate School in Paris

Posted on Dec 15, 2009 by Michelle to Projects

THAT Agency partnered with The American Graduate School in Paris to not only update their website’s look and feel, but to increase their online reach by expanding into untouched search markets.  The website design was constructed around the 960 grid system, which resulted in clean, educational design worthy of any University.

The American Graduate School in Paris requested the website be integrated with the robust and stable Joomla platform.  Utilizing the custom templates and menus, THAT Agency’s developers were able to bring to reality, the vision of both the school and the designers.  By creating custom modules, the Graduate School has the versatility to manage and update their site themselves, while still maintaining the uniformity the designers set in place.

In addition to designing and developing a beautiful website, THAT Agency was contracted by the American Graduate School in Paris for regular maintenance, as well as ongoing marketing efforts, including: search engine optimization, pay per click management and social media marketing.

Tags: Joomla, web design, Web Development