As I look forward to the upcoming commemoration of our independence on the 4^th of July I begin to ponder and think about what qualities our founding fathers exhibited that laid the foundation for independence.  The qualities that come to mind are not trivial; they are the kind that inspire passion and drive people to action:  courage, creativity, perseverance, never-back-down-attitude, innovativeness, and pride, but not pride in their own abilities and circumstances, rather pride in something much greater than themselves.  The pride they held was in the unity of an independent and sovereign nation under God, free from oppression and tyranny. 

In a day and age where many of the values and character qualities of our founding fathers have all but been forgotten and the freedoms they fought, bled, and died for are challenged on a daily basis not just from other countries unsympathetic to America’s cause, but internally as well, we as Americans must go back to what made this country great.  Independence from foreign debt, independence from foreign resources, independence from foreign political ideologies, independence in business; these are the things that will make our country great once again. 

So what does any of this have to do with Web design or development?  Well, to be honest, nothing really.  I just wanted to take a moment to honor the people on whose back’s the foundation of this country was laid that made America a great nation.  As we celebrate this 4^th of July weekend I encourage everyone to think about where our country has been, where it is going, and where it will be in future generations and ask yourself if you are doing everything you can to preserve the foundations that allow the United States of America to stand strong in the face of adversity in all its forms.  Have a safe and happy 4^th of July!

Web designing is about much more than making a pretty page. The design of your Web site helps create your visitors’ first impression about your company, your message and even your quality. Web designers must take three main concepts into consideration when creating your Web site concept:

• Content :: What is the informational value of your site?
• Usability :: How quickly visitors can find desired content and they will interact with the site’s features
• Appearance :: Styles, aesthetics and professional appearance of the pages.

A few things to keep in mind when thinking about the Web design:

1. Have a purpose :: Everything that goes on your Web site must help your users achieve their goals and support the site’s goals.
2. Keep it simple :: Simple Web designs deliver huge benefits to the designer, client and user. When a Web design doesn’t seem to be working, ask what should be taken away before asking what is missing.
3. Communication, not decoration :: When designing your Web site, it is easy to get sucked into the fine details. Your users are not interested in grading your design work. Their sole concern is finding the relevant information in as little time as possible, then moving on.
4. Writing for the Web:: Content presentation should be considered as part of the overall design of the site. When creating and editing content, work to get your message across concisely and efficiently using language and tone appropriate for your audience.
5. People Skim :: Users skim pages for clues instead of reading. They make snap decisions instead of evaluating and judging carefully. They are driven by their goals, not yours. Help your user find what he is looking for.

Partnering with the right Web designer is as important a decision as securing your programmers and defining the site’s features. Your designer will help ensure your site reflects your brand and personality. Let him educate and lead you in structuring your site to help your visitors quickly and easily achieve their goals on the site.