Web Design – PHP Web FTP

How Web Design Agencies Can Use Non-Compete Clauses To Protect Themselves From Ex-Employees

For web designers whose web design agency or business is large enough to have employees, they must be aware of the risks that can exist. One of those risks is when an employee leaves, whether that be mutually or following some kind of dispute or unacceptable behaviour that has led to them being dismissed.

In truth, this presents more than one risk as that ex-employee could potentially go on to take actions that can compromise their ex-employers web design business. A prime example is them deciding to set up their own agency and knowing what their ex-employer normally charges clients for web design and maintenance, they contact those clients and under-cut prices. Another is a current employee imparting confidential data to other web design agencies.

Those are just two of many nefarious actions a current or ex-employee might take, and though rare, it is more than worth it to take steps to prevent these sorts of behaviours. One of the legal and legitimate ways to do so is to use non-compete clauses.

Non-compete clauses include stipulations that the employee agrees to when joining a business and prevents them from taking some of the actions that we referred to. As for how web designers can use non-compete clauses to protect their web design business, below are five important ways to do so.

7 Reasons Why Custom Web Design Is Preferable To Templates For Business Websites

Ever since the first web design template was created, the debate has continued as to whether a custom web design or using web design templates is the best option. We are going to be upfront and say that in our experience custom web design is superior to using templates.

That is not to say we are totally dismissive of website templates. They certainly do have a role to play in web design and for someone with a small budget who needs a simple website, templates do provide an excellent means of creating their very own piece of online real estate.

However, for most businesses, having a Professional Web Design Company create their website gives them a greater chance of benefitting from having an online presence. In addition, there are several advantages of custom web design, seven of which we have explained below.

An Introduction To UI Elements For Website Design

Within modern web design, the use of UI elements has become an essential part of most websites. UI stands for ‘User Interface’ and a UI element is something on a website that creates interaction with users and visitors.

We thought it would be useful if we explained some of the more common UI elements and to provide you with some guidance as to how and when they might be used within the design of any new website. UI elements can be broken down into 4 different types, and within each of these are the specific UI elements.

Input Controls

These are the most basic and most common. They are used so that visitors can input information which may then cause your website to react in a certain way.

Buttons: Used to upload, send, download, confirm, select, ‘Buy Now’ and so on.
Text Fields: Quite simply these are spaces where the users type in requested information such as their name, email address, etc.
Icons and Images: These are used to give further clarity as to what a specific function is for. They can hyperlink to another page or section.
Checkboxes: Another easy one where the website’s visitors click in a box to select or confirm a choice they have made. Often used with lists of options.
Radio Buttons: These have a similar function to checkboxes, but instead of a tick appearing, a small circle goes from empty to filled with a solid colour.
Lists / Download Lists: Used to provide visitors with multiple options, but they tend only to allow one option to be chosen at a time.
Toggles: The online equivalent of a light switch in that they have two positions. Visitors move a toggle to the ‘On’ position to select an option.

Improving The Mobile User Experience

More and more web users are browsing online from the mobile devices, hence the need for responsive web design. More than ever before, websites are being viewed from devices with screens as small as eight centimetres in width, resulting in frustrating experiences for many users when a website will simply not display as a functional document.

Smartphones in particular have gained in popularity in the past few years, and these small screened but highly capable devices are now the central internet browsing choice for millions of users. In fact, many people no longer use a computer to go online, but complete all of their business and pleasure activities solely on their smartphones.

The challenge then for web designers and website developers is to create a website that caters to both traditional computer users as well as those who are browsing from mobile devices like smartphones and iPads. When mobile devices first started attracting the attention of developers, many selected to simply create two versions of a website: one for computer users, another for mobile users. However, this resulted in duplicate content, of which more than ever before is now frowned upon excessively by the search engines. Additionally, running what is essentially two separate websites is simply not feasible or logical, particularly for larger sites, which is why responsive web design makes sense.

Mobile Web Design Tips

Including mobile access in your web design and development plan is not just an option these days: it is a necessity, and hence the need for mobile web design tips. Millions of people are browsing the web, shopping and spending money, via their mobile devices so not carefully considering this as you design or redevelop your site means that money is being left on the table.

1. Know What Devices Are Being Used

Unless you know how your users are browsing your site, it is difficult to target them. Are they mostly using larger mobile devices like iPads, or are they predominately smartphone users (which involve much smaller screens and a more thoughtful design solution to cater to it). Using analytics and research you can build quite a detailed profile of the operating systems and potential devices that your website visitors are using.

2. Maintain The Same Message In Your Content

A mobile version of a website should not provide a completely different feel and experience just because someone is not browsing on their computer. The overall feel and purpose of the site should remain the same, along with the core content which people should feel is not wildly different based on how they are accessing your website. In many cases, you may have to eliminate some content or features on the mobile design to cater to the capability or aesthetics of the device. However, your core content, branding and website purpose should absolutely remain the same throughout.