Is Your Web Site Mobile Ready?

Web sites are not typically created to perform well on the significantly smaller screens of iPhones, BlackBerries and other mobile devices flooding the market right now. However, if your Web site is coded correctly, then mobile surfers should be able to access and view your Web site.

Right now, numerous solutions exist for making your Web site mobile ready. Solutions vary from redirecting to a smaller, simpler site to recoding your current site.

Why be mobile ready?
A Pew research study released news this week that 26 percent of Americans use their mobile phones to find news content. So, you better believe that finding other information is most certainly happening on the Web. In fact, Ebay, Orbitz and Amazon are among the many that have made their Web sites Web ready.

Is your Web site mobile ready?
Simply, check your Web site on a mobile phone browser. Do the pictures appear? What text appears? Is the formatting different? If your Web site is not easily read or is unviewable in a mobile browser, then you should respond quickly to making your site mobile ready.

Another good way to know how soon you need to consider making your Web site mobile-ready, use Google Analytics to track how many hits you are receiving via a mobile device. Google conveniently tracks down what types of mobile devices are connecting to your phone. If you are seeing an increase in mobile traffic, month-after-month, then it is time to talk to a professional about updating your Web site's coding.

Inspiring Printing Processes from Sappi Fine Paper

Inspiration was just waiting in our mailbox.

It is really fantastic how going to a design conference gets your name into so many mailing lists. Now, granted, everyone hates junk mail. But getting packages of free paper and product samples showcasing great flexibility in what the final product can look & feel like - I will never complain. Be inspired by printing processes. From a soft touch spot on a chocolate to a foil with emboss on a fun heart shape - Sappi's greeting cards were a nice surprise at the end of the day.

"Design is art people use"
~Simply stated from the book D.I.Y Design It Yourself edited by Ellen Lupton

So, thank you Sappi for your greeting cards, created by Michael Osborne Design. I am surely to use them to brighten another designers' day.

YouTube 101

YouTube is an easy and cost-effective way to increase Web site traffic, boost rapport with customers and build interest in a brand. There are a number of ways to utilize this tool. For instance, the IRS has an informational YouTube Channel that is frequently updated with commercials, tips and how to's. For our client Garden Place Senior Living, they posted their Charter commercial so that it could reach additional audiences. David Siteman Garland - a popular regional entrepreneurial mentor - also uses regular casts to interview other professionals, provide advice and televise events. These things do not take a grand marketing budget. In fact, they can easily fit into a small- or medium-sized businesses marketing plan.

It's a simple as having a digital video camera (and yes your iPhone counts), some basic editing software, a YouTube account and some creativity. Follow this step-by-step instructional from eHow and make a YouTube video for your business Web site.