Around 75 percent of adults use two or more devices—computers, tablets, smartphones—to search online, and will often visit the same page from all of those devices.

Not only do Google and other search engines give priority to websites that are mobile friendly, but once someone finds your website on their smartphone or tablet they need to be able to navigate. If your website appears distorted, unorganised, or if the print is tiny on a mobile device, visitors will leave, and you lose potential business.

Consumers expect your site to be mobile friendly.

Someone else’s shoes

You have spent the time to create high-quality content on your website. Good job.

Now take some time, or perhaps even do extensive research, to determine exactly what content your potential customers will be seeking when on mobile devices. Put yourself in their shoes. What are they likely searching for if they access your site from a mobile device?

Typically people are not doing looking for in-depth information on mobile devices. They are looking for quick answers, entertainment, easy purchases and other simple information.

Does your website make this information easy to find? Can someone purchase your products or find your blog posts or videos with just a few simple clicks?

Templates for success

If you build and manage your own website, choose a template within your content management system (CMS) that uses what’s called Responsive Web Design (RWD). Your template should have the ability to adjust the content on your website depending on what sort of device the visitor is using.

If your template is responsive, the same content will appear in slightly different formats on different devices. For example, your navigation bar may appear on the left side of your website when accessed form a computer, but it is condensed and moves to the top of the page when accessed from a smartphone.

Especially if you are using a common CMS such as WordPress, the CMS will clearly indicate whether or not a template is mobile friendly.

Start with your most important content—your contact information, purchase pages for your most important products, your “About Us” page, etc.

If you are working with a web designer, they should already be aware of the importance of mobile access, but make sure that you emphasise this is a priority for your business. You should work together to map out the typical experience you want your customers to have, as you will have a better understanding of what your customers are like.

Whether working with a designer or on your own, do not set up your mobile website to operate under a different URL. Spend the extra time and money to map out a website that can serve the dynamic needs of customers using different devices. In most cases, this can be done simply and for free by choosing an appropriate RWD-enabled template.

The post Are you mobile friendly? Designing websites for on-the-go access appeared first on Graphics & Website Design Portishead.

It’s that time of year again. Sign up for that gym membership you’ll never use. Stock up on those vegetables as you’re planning to inject some serious healthy goodness to your diet. Cigarettes? Never even heard of them.

Before you focus all of your attention on the self (which isn’t a bad thing), have you actually set any resolutions for your business as well? If the answer is no, we’ve got just the thing. The following 4 New Year’s resolutions will help your business start 2014 with a bang, guaranteed.

New Year’s Resolution 1: Time for a Brand Refresh

Many business owners neglect their brand identity, instead opting to place their focus on the so-called ‘core’ business. However, there’s nothing more important than that first impression and ignoring it is a serious mistake.

Just look at how often the big brands tweak and change their image. Logo refreshes, new sub-brands, and a wide range of other design strategies are implemented to ensure things stay hip and relevant. So why should you not follow suit?

Some say it’s a cost issue. However, you don’t need to invest millions like Nike or Virgin. Give us a shout and we’ll help you find an affordable solution that fits within your budget.

Ask yourself the following question – when was the last time your company refreshed its look and feel? If your brand is still stuck in the 1980s, it’s time to give it a serious makeover.

New Year’s Resolution 2: Creative Marketing

Got the cheesy ‘Happy New Year!’ email that everyone else is firing off as well? Check. Replaced 2013 with 2014 on all brochures and sent them out to all clients just like last year? Check.

Companies tend to make the mistake of keeping around stale material for far too long. Customers are just not going to respond. They’ve seen it all before, so there’s no reason to look twice.

To really stand out, you’re going to have to go beyond the average. Ditch what everyone else is doing and think about the box. Instead of sending your usual mail shot, give it a dash of innovation.

If you’re not quite sure how to ignite that creative spark, give us a bell and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. We thrive on working with fresh and beautiful design that serves a distinct marketing purpose.

New Year’s Resolution 3: Go Mobile

Type your company web address in your mobile browser and hit go. If the text is tiny and illegible, your images are pixelated and the site is just impossible to use, you’ve got a severe problem.

More and more users are switching to mobiles and tablets as primary browsing devices. If your site design isn’t responsive, you’re going to be missing out on bucketloads of traffic and potential leads. So make sure 2014 reserves a hefty chunk of attention for mobile and tablet compatibility!

New Year’s Resolution 4: Take the Dust Off Those Brochures

When we started telling people to go digital, we’re afraid some took the advice to the extreme. The result? Traditional marketing stalwarts such as the brochure have been left by the wayside, gathering dust in boxes from yesteryear.

Sheepishly smiling just now? Don’t worry. We understand that digital is a major draw for any business – it’s not a surprise, considering just how important technology has become.

The fact that you’ve been neglecting the old brochure could actually work to your advantage. Customers will notice when a shiny new design arrives through the post. Play your cards right and conversions could go through the roof.

The fact is that brochure marketing is still ridiculously effective. There’s just something about having an actual physical tri-fold to look at and customers feel the same way. So bring back the brochure and use it as an additional way to engage your potential clients. Remember – you should always use a wide range of marketing methods for full reach and maximum effectiveness.

Need a New Year’s Resolutions Partner?

We appreciate that implementing some of these strategic New Year’s Resolutions may not be completely straightforward. After all, it’s not your core business. That’s where we can step in and help you. Give us a bell and we’ll be happy to give you a few pointers.

The post 4 New Year’s Resolutions to Jump Start your Business appeared first on Graphics & Website Design Portishead.