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September 13, 2018 Read
Uncover the Differences Amid Mobile App vs Desktop App Design
With the advent of mobile apps in late 2013, the digital market landscape underwent a dramatic shift. Internet usage of mobile apps surpassed that of desktops, and by the end of 2016, browsing using mobile apps had surpassed desktop applications. Consequently, today, desktop design has been replaced with web and mobile app development, and it has become a challenge for marketers to keep pace with this digital evolution. Are you an entrepreneur and heading to start your own venture? In that case, you should first learn the difference between desktop and mobile app design. These allow you to shape your business and reach your potential audience. Excited? Travel down the blog and you will be able to make out the diversities. 1. Screen Size: The very first visual difference that a layman can understand is their screen size. Most of you may wonder, what’s the use of advertising this difference? Guys, this means a lot when it comes to designing a mobile app. Screen size influences several aspects of design, including navigation and content prioritisation. Mobile app design includes a smaller screen size. This means less room for text, graphics, and other digital content. Isn’t it? Well, does that mean you have to say ‘no’ to some graphics or information? Umm.. to some extent, yes. Designers, when developing these mobile apps, prioritise certain content, eliminating some graphics and other irrelevant elements. Desktop app design, on the other hand, is far from such a hassle. This allows it to incorporate its design with a wide range of digital content, rather than deferring to different pages. 2. Interactions: Today, almost every mobile device uses a touchscreen, which offers a different way of interaction to the users. Instead of clicking on a link or browsing with a cursor, users can easily tap their screen and interact with varying elements of the interface. This is what is called gestures. So, as a designer, you need to keep in mind that today, interactions using cursors have been replaced with mobile gestures. Not sounding a bit deal? Nevertheless, this actually means a lot. Mobile apps may not allow you to hover or rollover, but you can easily get in touch with an endless slate of gestures, literally at your fingertips. Swiping, shaking, and waving are the new trendy features of mobile apps. 3. Dropdown Menus: One of the main differentiating elements of mobile app vs desktop app design is the dropdown menu facility. Dropdown menus are quite feasible on desktops, but incorporating them into mobile apps is no less than a challenge. These menus are more appropriate or work better in a more user-friendly environment. 4. Organising content: As we mentioned earlier, the desktop format accommodates any content, regardless of size. This traditional multi-column format provides excellent flexibility for design layouts, images, and UI elements. On the other hand, mobile apps can’t include broad content, so they utilise the scrolling feature to make it visible. Amazing right? Nevertheless, the desktop screen also features scrolling, but unlike the mobile screen, you are allowed to use scroll bars to scroll down. Such a technology not only occupies your screen space but also allows you to enjoy the fun with gestures. Additionally, mobile apps can be switched between portrait and landscape mode. You can call it a curse or a blessing for the marketers. Why so? Twin modes may allow better functionality and user personalisation, but on the other hand, mobile app designers are pressured to design twice (in both modes). Quite an exhausting work. Isn’t it? 5. Integrated features: Designing a mobile app involves incorporating numerous integrated features that serve as a valuable bonus for marketers. These include direct calling, messaging, voice calls, and location functionalities. Additionally, you can entertain your customers with exclusive gateways, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, multiple cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetic sensors. Will you get such direct features in your desktop app? Certainly not. These actually tailor your business to provide easier interactions and enhance your visitors’ experience. Our motive behind uncovering the difference between mobile applications and desktop applications is to make you realise that developing a mobile app should be your priority. If you are planning to create both a desktop and a mobile app, it is recommended to go mobile first. As of today, a majority of digital users prefer to browse mobile apps over desktop applications. Especially if you are about to create an e-commerce business app, you should also have sufficient knowledge of the prioritised elements or list down the design elements that you need for your mobile app development. Interested in bringing down your website to your fingertips? Research on professional mobile app developers. Remember, they know better than you, in all respects. Instead of digging out more problems, outsource your Android app development task to them. They will create a responsive, attractive, user-friendly, and most importantly, SEO-friendly mobile application to serve your business needs. Developing websites and creating web or mobile apps are entirely different endeavours. Therefore, toeing the line above, we guess, will be pretty beneficial for you. Furthermore, you should also ensure that your website design is compatible with your mobile speed. If not, then, unfortunately, you have to lose many customers. Are you done with your mobile app? In that case, you should not forget to update your website and mobile apps with the latest technology trends. After all, every new day brings a new technology that evolves and changes the market landscape. Hold on! We are not asking you to update your site or app on a daily basis. This is something freaky. However, you should renovate your site at least every three to four years.
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September 5, 2018 Read
Website Redesign – When and Why is it Needed?
We all have something or other, quite near to our heart, especially when it is technically in working condition, and we don’t really bother to replace it. The same applies to many marketers. They are not actually concerned about the website redesign, as they feel that “what’s the use of unnecessary investment when the site is still working?” However, history suggests that it is indeed needed. When and why we are going to investigate in the following. Website design and development are the primary needs for every digital marketer in today’s chapter. But assuming this to be the first and last investment on this platform is where you all go wrong. For most of you, website redesign is like beating around the bush. But avoiding webpage updates can result in a loss of benchmark for you. The following are the signs your website needs a redesign. 1. Outdated version: Is your webpage applicable to mobile apps? Perhaps, it is. But this is not our question, indeed. We doubt whether your website is mobile responsive or not. With the advent of new technologies, the market has encountered multiple changes. The website that you developed a couple of years ago offers the same design for both desktop and mobile. However, such a design is now completely outdated. Just imagine, your viewers are surfing your mobile website and the content is not well-displayed. Do you think they will engage themselves with such a destructive site, spending their precious time? Obviously not. Neither the viewers nor your existing customers will become potential customers, nor will they show further interest in you. Ultimately, at your worst, you will lose the identity and reliability you have gained over the past few years. To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential to redesign your existing website based on the latest marketing trends at least every 4-5 years. 2. Template Sites restricts advantages: Small businesses often rely on template websites to create their online presence. But these sites limit the advantages and restrict the future goals. Therefore, to achieve prosperity, you need to get your own customised website that can scale your business appropriately. Ignoring template sites for web design or expanding on that further will offer numerous advantages. Better hosting, extensive graphics, and endless creativity help your business gain more reliability, fame, and enhancement. These are the main reasons to have a website without template designs. 3. Targeting a new audience: A redo of your website design and Professional Website Development are also required if you aim to target a new market with a new audience. Approaching a new market means new visuals and new usability to appeal to them. This is when you actually need to redesign your website. The updated website will include new demographics, locales, different preferences, new search keywords, interfaces, text tone, and interactions, among other updates. All should be based on the market audience, their tastes, and demands. Remember, the more user-friendly your website is, the more you will be able to engage your viewers. 4. Re-Branding: It’s not always the case that when the web page looks outdated or when the site restricts engagement, you need to redesign your website. There are also other reasons to redesign your website. Among those upcoming reasons, rebranding is a significant factor. Rebranding implies a change in brand values, a shift in the marketing sector, a change in the business name, logo, or advertising themes. Whatever it may be, recreating your website is indeed necessary to reflect your brand’s personality. Every little aesthetic change can benefit your business from consistency. However, if you are unwilling to do so, your website will be ranked as outdated by default. 5. To follow the trend: Sometimes it is necessary to flow with the trend – how many of you agree with this? Just as we avoid or think twice before wearing too outdated clothes, the same reasoning applies to the site as well. The digital market is evolving daily, and so is its marketing strategy. Therefore, it is essential to update your site periodically. Now, obviously, you can’t update regularly. But yes, you can do this every 3-4 years. This will reward your web page with higher rankings, and in turn, benefit Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) with faster posting. 6. Business goals are hampered: Leaving all the aforesaid reasons behind, it is actually very necessary to update your website if it is not meeting your business goals. Websites play a significant role in business growth. It actually influences the target conversion rate and attracts traffic toward the business. A high bounce rate or low email sign-ups are typically the result of an outdated website design. What are the different types of redesign you can look at? Redesigning your website is not always an easy endeavour. There are three common types of redesign approaches to consider. Periodic Update: This is the standard update that every marketer should perform, regardless of your business size and type. This enhances the business functionality, keeps your design trend up-to-date, and refreshes your SEO strategy. Strategic Refocusing: Such an update is required when you encounter any significant changes, such as rebranding your business or entering a new market. Updating and modifying your brand image can significantly enhance business promotion. Data or Customer-based redesigns: Similar to strategic refocusing, this type of redesign emphasises the changes dictated by the customers’ data. A rapid decline in conversion rate can be a vital reason to choose this updated design type. To learn how to create it, you will have to wait for our next blog. Till then, you explore whether your web page needs any improvement based on the latest digital marketing strategies.
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August 30, 2018 Read
99designs or DesignCrowd – Which One Should be Preferred?
Seeking the top logo design service? 99designs and DesignCrowd are both crowdsourcing creative platforms that facilitate collaboration between professional designers and clients. These platforms organise contests for designers, where they create digital assets, including logos, web designs, and graphics, for clients and win prize money. It is a win-win for both parties – for designers as well as for the clients. So where lies the difference? On the face of it, both of them may appear similar. However, if you dig deeper, you will find several distinguishable factors. 99designs is the largest online graphic design service platform, connecting graphic designers with projects and contests to work on. It includes approximately 1.4 million registered professional designers in its community and has paid out $200 million to date to the designers. This featured, sizable platform offers a wide range of design products, including logos, web design, music album covers, 3D designs, and more. In contrast to 99designs, DesignCrowd is a small online community with just 640000 designers and $47 million in revenue to date. Though both platform maintains a global presence, DesignCrowd can reach only a limited audience in comparison with 99designs. This difference in size reveals the formal difference between the two. Is that all about the differences? Of course not. This was just a clear factor to distinguish the two, apparently. And a lot more to come in the way. 1. Design Contest pricing: It’s hard to compare the contest pricing between the two platforms. However, we have still managed to draw a comparison. Let us have a look. Both design platforms allow you to choose packages at different price points and charge an additional amount for every extra feature. However, relative to 99designs, DesignCrowd packages are generally cheaper. Well, that doesn’t mean DesignCrowd is bad for designers. DesignCrowd works in principle – the more you pay, the more DesignCrowd offers you with the design submissions, regardless of the designers’ efficiency. While in the case of 99designs, a more expensive package implies the participation of high-level designers in your contest. Consequently, you can expect a lot of high-level submissions accordingly. 2. Design Quality: Paying extra on 99designs will offer you a better selection of designers. This obviously doesn’t imply that designers at DesignCrowd are bad. Many are actually talented. But 99designs, compared to the latter, offers designers far better consistency. For the startups, DesignCrowd arranges its designers according to their five-star ratings. Clients essentially provide the ratings, and therefore, if they fail to do so, the platform also fails to store their designs in its system. According to the statistics, among 600,000 designers, only about 42000 have their individual ratings. In the case of 99designs, designers are ranked based on a personal assessment conducted by the staff. For this, the graphic designers are asked to submit a bio that includes their repeat clients, contest wins, response time, and their specialisation. These classifications categorise designers as Entry-level, Mid-level, or Top-level, enabling clients to find a suitable designer for their project. 3. Design Contest process: In the battle between DesignCrowd and 99designs, the process of conducting contests is remarkably similar. Clients provide a design brief according to their preferences, and the designers must design their concepts accordingly. Finally, in the end, they will give feedback to their selected designers and both offer a guaranteed money-back. But where lies the difference? In 99designs contests, the briefs are more in-depth, whereas DesignCrowd offers standard, one-page briefs. However, 99designs always strives to understand the clients’ preferences and assist designers thoroughly. As a result, it encourages the designers to produce far better results. Furthermore, both DesignCrowd and 99designs offer direct hiring on projects. However, DesignCrowd mainly focuses on design contests rather than directly working with designers. Now, since you are well aware of all the differences, it will be far easier for you to find a helpful platform. If you are highly concerned about price and expenses, then it is better to prefer DesignCrowd. On the other hand, if you are concerned only with graphic designs, their quality, and hiring hardcore designers, then you should skip to 99designs. So what’s your choice? Whatever it may be, you will get a lot of impressive ideas on logos as well as on graphics.
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August 25, 2018 Read
10 Ways for Website Designing to Improve Your Mobile Speed
The Cost of a Slow Website Imagine standing in a long queue, waiting for your turn, but never getting it. Frustrating, right? You might even leave and avoid returning. Now replace yourself with your customers and the queue with a slow-loading website. The storyline is the same. A delay in loading your web page causes: Fewer page views Lower customer satisfaction Reduced conversion rates Clearly, that’s not what you want. Even a few extra seconds can have a significant impact on traffic and sales. Why Mobile Optimisation Matters Since mobile users now outnumber desktop users, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is crucial. A professional website development approach alone isn’t enough—you must also optimise for mobile performance. Here are 10 ways to design your website for faster loading and better engagement: 1. Optimise Images Images are essential, but they can slow your website if not properly handled. Reduce file size, crop, compress, and save pictures in the correct format before uploading. Small changes here can make a huge difference in load speed. 2. Choose the Right Hosting Cheap or slow hosting can gradually harm your website’s performance. Invest in a reliable hosting plan or dedicated server to ensure your site loads quickly and handles traffic efficiently. 3. Optimise JavaScript JavaScript adds interactivity but can slow loading. Place scripts at the bottom of files, minimise code, and use asynchronous loading to prevent delays. 4. Implement Lazy Loading Lazy loading lets content load progressively—first the essentials, then the rest. Google recommends this approach to speed up websites and improve SEO. 5. Enable Caching Caching stores frequently requested files on a user’s device temporarily. Enabling it reduces load times and improves the user experience. 6. Minimise Redirects Excessive redirects slow your website. Remove unnecessary ones to improve mobile speed and accessibility. 7. Use Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) AMP leverages a streamlined HTML and JavaScript framework to improve mobile load times dramatically. This Google-backed approach ensures faster, smoother browsing. 8. Eliminate Tap Delays Mobile devices often wait for double-tap actions, which slows interaction. Adding the correct header code can remove this delay. 9. Consider Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) PWAs deliver interactive, dynamic content without requiring installation or updates. They also work offline, offering a faster and more engaging mobile experience. 10. Remove Unused Plugins If your site runs on WordPress, unnecessary plugins can slow it down. Deactivate or delete unused plugins to maintain efficiency and speed. Take Action Test your website speed now. If you notice delays, consider implementing these tips for improved performance. Alternatively, share your findings with your professional web developer for a more effective solution.
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August 22, 2018 Read
Feature Your WordPress With Essential Beta Plugins
WordPress, as you know, is a content management system (CMS) based on an open-source, free platform that includes a featured plugin architecture and a template system. You must have already incorporated it into your business website for better productivity. Isn’t it? Even the Web Developers Association uses WordPress marketing plugins to build successful blogs for you. However, if you are not using this online platform, then you are simply paving the way to the failure of your business. Furthermore, WordPress is gaining momentum by adding more features, allowing existing users to stay longer and attracting newcomers. And you know what, you can test these features before installing them on your site, thus preventing yourself from future pitfalls. The testing is done by using beta plugins. Beta plugins weed out WordPress features to make improvements. There are a significant number of Beta Plugins available for WordPress; among them, we have listed only the 5 essential ones. Keep reading the blog to note them for your future purpose. 1. Two-Factor: Two-factor Authentication (2FA) is not a new buzz; rather, it has already been standardised throughout various industries, ranging from banking sectors to social media. 2FA in WordPress offers email authentication codes, the Google Authenticator, FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F), and pre-generated single-use codes. Speaking informally, these WordPress essentials enable back-end users to verify all their accounts using multiple options, thereby keeping your website a bit safer. In short, two-factor authentication is a great option and will remain a great option if safety is more critical for you. 2. Preferred Languages: Websites are used by people all over the world; they’re not for a specific group of users. Isn’t it? Therefore, to make your browsing more convenient, WordPress allows users to select their preferred primary language. This plugin checks explicitly whether the chosen language is available or not. If it’s not found, the software defaults to English. Isn’t it amazing for your customers to browse your website? 3. Shortcake: Adding shortcodes to WordPress doesn’t allow you to view the post until you post it on your page. This is something quite annoying, and you must have faced this often. Isn’t it? Shortcake plugins in WordPress aim to fix all such problems. It includes preview and editing options for those shortcodes. For example, the plugin supports various Facebook elements, including posts, quotes, PDF files, videos, image comparisons, and streams. In short, it can be said that Shortcake predefined User Interfaces (UIs) enable you to preview your shortcodes and also let you register custom shortcodes to a predefined UI. These are not only beneficial for your users, but also for you. 4. Core Media Widgets: A dozen widgets, including calendars, text, custom HTML code, and comments, are already featured by WordPress web developers. However, when it comes to media-focused widgets, the picture takes a Sharp Turn. To solve this issue, the Core-Media Widgets plugin offers options for audio, video, images, and galleries. These can now be added anywhere, at any time. WordPress updated with these plugins is ready to serve all your desired needs, undoubtedly. 5. Customise posts: Want to edit a post, but without navigating to its actual editing page – is this really possible? Customise Posts, one of the most interesting WordPress plugins, is set to change the page template without requiring an edit page. It basically allows users to edit page and post content within the WordPress Customizer itself. The Customizer holds an editing button, which, once clicked, enables you to tweak the page, including the title, featured image, author, and even the passage. This also authorises enabling and disabling of comments for your posts. You can perform all this without returning to the dashboard, thereby saving a significant amount of time from your busy schedule. 6. Dark Mode: Often, people have a problem browsing screens at night. Agree or not? The Dark Mode plugin optimises your screen to make it easier for users to browse at night. The plugin enables the night-light feature in WordPress, thus making the website more accessible. You may have already noticed this feature on your mobile apps, such as Google Maps, which changes its colour to a dark shade. The same is aimed at this WordPress featured plugin. Developing your website using a feature-rich WordPress platform is not only effective for your business but also for your viewers. Are you already using this CMS-based platform for your website? In that case, consider updating to the latest version of WordPress to help your business stand out. Looking forward to outsourcing your web development task in Chicago, USA? There are a significant number of professional web developers in Chicago; you can easily get in touch with them for more improvements and perfection.
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August 17, 2018 Read
Wikipedia – an Inevitable Part For Branding Your Business. Why?
Wikipedia is again a new buzzword in today’s digital market. Although there are multiple ways to brand a business, creating a Wikipedia page is yet another option. To explore the reason, you have to keep reading this article till the end. However, before proceeding, you should be clear about the definition – what is Wikipedia? Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia based on an openly editable content model and is one of the most notable websites, according to Alexa’s ranking. To be more precise, Wikipedia is the 5th most visited webpage in the world with respect to Alexa. It aims to create neutral, unbiased, and accurate information. However, unlike other encyclopedias, this encyclopedia doesn’t hire external content writers to make posts. Instead, it is an open-source web page that, when used properly, can be an effective online marketing tool for your organisation or personal branding, along with professional website development. Approximately 80% of consumers conduct online research before making a purchase commitment to a retailer. Perhaps you also belong under this category. Hence, the detailed information on the online encyclopedia convinces your viewers and turns them into potential customers. Let us explain why and how Wikipedia has become a critical brand management strategy for marketers. 1. Enhance brand Visibility: Creating a Wikipedia page implies creating an article on your business profile. As a result, whenever a person Google your company’s name, they will discover your Wikipedia page as one of the topmost searches. These enhancements altogether increase your brand visibility and allow more viewers to visit your site. 2. Builds credibility: Wikipedia can build your brand loyalty – a statement that may surprise you at first. However, the online encyclopedia significantly contributes to building trust among customers. This is all because of its authentic content. Customers often get worried about scams and fraud. They hesitate or tend to think twice before investing in any products or services. Wikipedia assures you about the authenticity of your company and, in turn, encourages the viewers to become potential customers. This portrays your business with integrity and enhances your online reputation. 3. Boost search engine rank: Wikipedia page, regardless of the company type, is consistently ranked on the first page of almost all search engine results. This is mainly because the online encyclopedia itself is ranked 5th by Alexa. Therefore, it can be concluded that this online encyclopedia allows you to beef up the search engine rank of your company, which is quite essential to create brand awareness. 4. Increase your sales: The more credible the brand, the higher the sales – this is beyond doubt. Today, every person relies on a brand to make their purchase. Unless and until the brand assures credibility, the person is unlikely to purchase that particular brand. Agree or not? Well, the Wikipedia page serves half of the work. It influences customers’ decisions and leads to a significant increase in sales. 5. Enhance traffic: All the above-mentioned points are related to each other, and so is the traffic enhancement. Is your business notable? Your answer will be positive only when there is a massive enhancement in your traffic. Any business is considered successful when the company can draw an enormous audience with its features, its potential, and its comprehensive services. Therefore, creating a Wikipedia page allows you to boost your business as well as your reputation in the digital market. So coming to the end, like other professional web development services, the online encyclopedia also proves to be the best tool to boost your SEO efforts and help you to get an instant advancement in your SERP rankings. However, writing solid content for Wikipedia is not so easy. There are various Wikipedia guidelines available for businesses. Follow these before you overload your page with irrelevant content.
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August 11, 2018 Read
An Ultimate Guide For Graphic Design File Formats
Being an entrepreneur, don’t you think you should have some knowledge regarding graphic design? We believe that, in addition to the graphic designers, you are also responsible for ensuring the quality of your output. The designers pen down your thoughts and concepts creatively and finally create the file based on your requirements. Therefore, file extension plays a crucial role in developing your graphic design image. Just as a minimum knowledge of different types of logos is required to construct an appropriate logo for your brand, every marketer needs to be familiar with the various file formats. Professional graphic designers use different types of interchangeable graphic design file extensions or file formats. It is your responsibility to guide the designers with the appropriate file format that suits your business. AI, BMP, JPG, and others are the basic file formats that designers use most frequently. Interesting right? Let us examine them in detail. File Formats are divided into three main categories, and they are further subdivided into multiple factors. Standard File Formats 1. Adobe Illustrator (AI): Illustrator image files are saved in vector format and thus are known as vector files. It is a tendency for almost every designer to give a huge preference to these vector files, generating images in various file formats and sizes. But what’s the speciality of using this format? Since the illustrator images are saved in a vector format, they can easily be magnified without losing any image quality. That’s what makes them a standout in terms of picture quality compared to other file formats. Such a featured AI file is generally used in promotional product companies, silk screeners, banner companies and other third-party creatives. Would you like to add your name to this list? 2. Bitmap (BMP): BMP file formats are compatible with DOS and Windows platforms. Such a format supports RGB, Indexed colour, Grayscale, and Bitmap colour modes and enables a bit depth for the image. 3. Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG or JPEG): Seeking a file format that supports superior compression techniques? It seems you are looking for the JPEG format. The level of compression varies depending on the resolution. For example, high-quality resolution is suitable for desktop printing, medium quality is ideal for web viewing, and low quality is appropriate for email. Therefore, this standard format allows you to transfer files between a wide variety of platforms. However, it is worth mentioning that with repeated compression, the overall quality of a JPEG image decreases. The JPEG image format supports CMYK, RGB, and Grayscale colour modes, but neither supports a transparent background nor alpha channels. 4. Portable Document Format (PDF): You must have come across this file format several times. Isn’t it? It is a universal file format developed by Adobe Systems. This format is integrated with embedded fonts, images, layouts and both vector and bitmap graphics from any source document. However, the most significant aspect lies elsewhere. Unlike other file formats, these files can be shared, viewed and printed by anyone having the free Adobe Reader software. For all such exclusive features, this file is primarily recommended for commercial, digital, and desktop printing. 5. Tagged Image File Format (TIF or TIFF): TIFF/TIF is the home for every high-quality image. From this statement, you may conclude that this file format always appears large. The TIF format is widely supported across all platforms and supports CMYK, RGB, Lab, Indexed Colour, Grayscale, and Bitmap Colour modes. You will often find this high-quality format in professional environments and commercial printing. Standard Transparent File Formats 1. Encapsulated PostScript (EPS): The EPS file extension supports both vector and bitmap graphics, and vice versa is supported by graphic, illustration, and page layout programs. Such a format is primarily used to transfer PostScript language images or artwork, typically a vector file, between applications. Like the AI file format, EPS files can also be scaled to any size without compromising their image quality. 2. Adobe Photoshop Document (PSD): PSD file format, used by professional designers, is used to create industry-based bitmap graphics programs that can only be read by Macintosh and Windows computers. This is primarily used to create a vector logo that can be utilised across a wide range of applications. More specifically, PSD files are typically raster files composed of tiny dots; however, when enlarged or reduced in size, they lose their quality to a significant extent. Optional Transparent File Formats 1. Graphics Interchange Format (GIF): Want low-resolution graphic design images mainly for web and email purposes? In this situation, perhaps GIF will solve your problem. The best thing about GIF is that almost all browsers support this file format, which uses the same compression technique as JPG to minimise the file size and transmission time. Though this can be created with a transparent background, these files often suffer from pixelation. If you are willing to develop a banner, a logo or other web navigation items, it is better to save the image with this file extension. 2. Portable Network Graphics (PNG): PNG files are high-quality bitmap images that utilise lossless data compression. In fact, this is considered the perfect replacement for the GIF file format. This transparent file format strongly supports 24-bit images and generates a transparent background without jagged edges. However, unlike others, this image format does not support non-RGB colour spaces such as CMYK. Hope these explanations have helped you a lot, and now you will not have any issues in choosing the appropriate file extension for your project. So, why are you squandering your time? Rather, spend your time searching for a professional graphic designer to outsource graphic design and development task. Suggested Blog: Know More About Graphic Designing Software- it’s Pros and Cons
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July 30, 2018 Read
GDPR – The Latest Buzz For Digital Marketing
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has left every digital resident in awe. Implemented on May 25, 2018, its goal is to empower customers to use data safely and securely. It protects individuals in the European Union and European Economic Area from privacy breaches. What else does it bring? Lawfulness, Fairness, Transparency Purpose Limitation Data Minimisation Accuracy Storage Limitation Integrity and Confidentiality Interesting, right? That was a brief overview of GDPR. Now, let’s shift to its impression on marketers. Many business owners worry about rising expenses or an adverse effect on digital marketing. Do you feel the same? For clarity, here’s the real impact of GDPR on digital marketing. Key Impacts of GDPR on Marketing 1. Opt-In / Opt-OutGDPR ended “implied consent” or “soft opt-in.” Consent must be explicit. Marketers can only email users if they actively choose to opt in. For example, a form must include an unchecked box that the user can select. 2. Data Capture FormsForms must now collect only specific, necessary information. They also need to be designed in a way that proves GDPR compliance. 3. Marketing with Legitimate InterestMarketers can still send emails based on legitimate interest, but with clear limits. Compared to consent-based marketing, this approach is broader yet riskier. It offers flexibility but demands safeguards, transparency, and the option for users to withdraw at any time. 4. CRMUnder the “right to be forgotten,” users can request the complete deletion of their data from your systems. You can’t just mark them as “do not contact.” This means adjusting CRM practices and ensuring removal from all connected databases upon request. 5. EventsMarketers can no longer add event attendee lists to campaigns without explicit verification of opt-in. 6. Data GovernanceEvery new contact requires consent. Whether you import contacts, scan business cards, or link data from tools like Sales Navigator, you must prove opt-in compliance. The Takeaway The GDPR provides an opportunity to establish lasting trust with customers. Update your website’s privacy policy and systems to align with it. Work with a professional IT service provider if needed—because GDPR compliance is no longer optional.
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July 27, 2018 Read
5 Secrets Of Social Selling Especially For The Startups
Today’s buzzword is – Social Media, Social Media, and Social Media. And surprisingly, we have chosen the same phrase as the topic of discussion on this blog. In our research, we have found that most of the startups fail to reach its existence just because they don’t have the right ingredient in their food. Perfect ingredient with perfect presentation adds a uniqueness in its taste. Sounds interesting right? Well, you don’t have to wait much to know its secrets. With the decline of traditional marketing techniques and the advent of digital marketing strategies have sprouted a new evolution. Especially if you are a startup, it is a brilliant move to have an access to a global audience, provided if you are using the right tools and platforms. And no doubt, social media, for example – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on, proves to be the perfect social selling platforms for every marketer. Uh.. don’t call these platforms direct mediums to sell your products. These are simply a podium where you can reach your targeted audience, make connections, gain their trust, and eventually turn them into potential customers. But for this, you have to go with us on a secret trip. Remember, those secrets that we said earlier. It’s time to reveal those to you. Check out the 5 top secrets that every startup should take into consideration 1. Exclusive content: Content is nothing but the major ingredient of the food named ‘products and services’. Unless and until you are presenting a unique, catchy content with relevant keywords it is hard for you to stick in this competitive digital market. Being a startup, you must be having at least a handful of time in the beginning. Make a good use of that time to bring out engrossing content for your readers. But make sure your content doesn’t aim to sell. Rather it should be presented in such a way that your readers feel the existence of your products or services and eventually get gravitated to your website. Remember, a good content has the strength to build trust and gain the reliability of the audience – which is the primary step to convert a visitor to a customer. 2. Tweet, Tweet, and Tweet: Tweets are to be done in a bundle every day. Well, that doesn’t mean you will make absurd posts. Nor we are asking you to tweet the same post multiple times each day. What we are trying to say is that, make sure you are visible to your target audience whenever they scroll their newsfeed. Because no one has a spare time to read your irrelevant posts or get attracted to your boring updates. Make it interesting, make it exciting, make it something so that you reach the heart of thousands. 3. Build a Brand: Making your personality visible and presenting yourself as a brand – is two different things. In this modern digital society, maximum buyers rely on brands to make their purchase. Therefore it has become an inevitable part of every startup to create a corporate brand and expose it on the digital ground. With the term ‘brand’, the very first thing that strikes the mind is the trademark of the company or logo, what you say in the technical term. Is your company enduring a branding platform? If no, then say ‘GoodBye’ to your foundation. Because possessing a brand name and its objectives and highlighting them to your viewers in your social media profile is surely demanding. 4. Repeat, Repeat, and Repeat: Residing in a digital era, you must have seen that there is a strong correlation between content and inbound. The moment you stop posting or updating your profile on social networking sites, you will feel isolated from the global world. More the posts, more the likes, more the notifications and certainly more promotions. If you are excusing yourself by saying, “I am too busy to come up with new tweets or check my social media accounts”, then dear your audience will also be too busy to like you further. So, what’s the antidote? Check out the secret number two or else if you don’t have any further updates to notify your customers, repeat the older ones with breathing spaces. 5. Building Networks: Social media platforms can be defined as perfect destinations to make new connections. Especially, if you are a startup it turns out to be the icing on the cake. More the connections you establish more will be the viewers. Consequently, more will be the tendency to convert them into potential customers. What else do you need? Img source – 99design.com All the above-mentioned tips might help every startup for a smart move, but who said it can’t be a blessing in disguise for the existing marketers. Just like outsourcing web development or branding and design, if possible you should reach a digital marketing agency to simplify your business. Perhaps, it will be a smart step towards your business establishment and enhancement. ⇒ Related Blog Top Best Social Media Marketing Exercises
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July 23, 2018 Read
5 Things To Consider Before Selecting A Branding And Design Agency
Branding is equally essential for a business as salt in the food. It is the preliminary step that every aspiring entrepreneur should take to enhance their business both in terms of length and breadth. A myriad of branding and design agencies reside all over the world. However, hiring a graphics design company or outsourcing the task to a professional is not as simple as it seems. They all promise to serve the same. Eventually, the questions that arise – which one to choose and who are the ones to avoid? Where to start from and where to stop? Plenty of confusions and plenty of attractions seems to pop up at the same time. Well, if you are an entrepreneur, perhaps you will be able to understand precisely what we are trying to say. Most of you tend to overlook the company’s guidelines, layout, and branding efficiency when promoting your products and services. However, this turns out to be the most distressing part of your life, as you must encounter several risks. Of course, you don’t like to cry over spilt milk? To avoid pitfalls and unwanted risks, it is essential to adhere to the following points. Here, we have highlighted the top 5 points that every marketer should consider before sharing their company’s profile or identity with a branding and design agency. Let us discuss the questions that you should ask yourself. 1. Do they understand you? This is the most inevitable question that you should take into consideration before committing to any such agencies. The professionals residing there should be expert enough to understand your company’s motives, aims, and objectives. Unless and until they recognise you ‘who you are’, it is hard for them to pen down your ideas and concept creatively on your logo as well as on other business essentials. Most branding agencies tend to showcase impressive examples, to capture the visitors and turn them into potential customers. It’s easy to create an outstanding, eye-catching design, but a beautiful design that fails to convey meaning or define the company’s purpose is meaningless. Therefore, you must ensure that the digital design agency you are relying on has the potential to understand your customers. It is not just about focusing on engaging designs but also about helping you achieve your goals. 2. Do they have creative professionals? Now, since the company has passed your first criteria, it doesn’t mean you have to feel like you are in smooth water. The following criterion should be their creativity. Remember, it is the fresh ideas and creative solutions that set you apart and make you a standout from your competitors. Now the question is, how to evaluate this? It’s pretty simple. Just check out their portfolios. These will provide a clear definition of the company’s efficiency. Additionally, you can request a sample output for your project. This will help you to judge whether the agency is likely to meet your requirements or not. 3. What are the past results? If the branding agency has some secrets, it is time to reveal them. You should be clear with your queries by asking for metrics, analytics, and reports, and never fail to review their past results. By the term’ past results,’ we essentially mean their past experiences. Nowadays, ROI is a buzzword that every marketer is discussing. So, why not ask for the same? It is relevant to ask for those case studies where their ROI is present in a detailed form. This will not only help you determine the agency’s past results, but also provide you with an overall picture of the company itself. 4. How does it work? Every little thing, if done in an organised manner, you are bound to get a quality output from that. This is more important when it comes to branding. Branding, without a set process, is just impossible. However, most of the agencies follow the same processes. You may be a bit aware of it. But there is no harm in being a little fool, in this respect. You have the right to know the details of the processing. Most agencies may skip this part, but it is your responsibility to investigate it. 5. Are you versatile? Now, as you reach the end, versatility in a digital design agency is what you should look for. You should be clear about your own needs based on your business problem and look for an outsourced solution to address them. There are specific agencies that often rely on freelancers to meet their clients’ needs. This is where you have to act smartly. Please ensure they are capable of fulfilling your demand. Unless you are confident enough with the agency, it is better not to outsource your work. Most of you often fail to comprehend whether to hire a logo design company or not. Are you one of such complex personalities? For all those entrepreneurs like you, we suggest it is better to outsource your task rather than doing it on your own, especially if it has passed all the above-mentioned criteria. Related Blog How To Choose The Best Logo Design Service For Your Business?
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