Raptivity Web Expert

Why your websites don’t work for you – Part 4

2010-08-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

It’s time to make your websites work for you! Be it reducing bounce rate on websites, increasing attention span of visitors or converting visitors into users, as discussed in my earlier blogs, there is one common link that acts as a solution for these issues!

Making Your Website Work for You:
Once you have identified the problem areas, it’s easier to narrow down to the solution. In web design, we need to primarily think about the visitor/user and why a person would even want to stay on your website.
A common thread to solve these problem areas is interactivity. Why interactivity? Well, let me do a quick check on this as well!

Let us see how we can resolve the problems discussed in the previous weeks with examples that reflect the solutions.

Overcoming High Bounce Rate with Interactivity

This website (above image) has successfully used a 3D flip book to present a company profile, its learning solutions, etc. The design is handled with great finesse as text is presented through an interactive flip book that helps to keep users on the page, which in turn reduces bounce rate! And yes, creating such 3D flip books is not as time consuming as you may think! Interactivity proves to bridge the gap between site visitors and website owners.

Increasing Attention Span of Visitors on Websites
A curiously simple yet interactive website, M studio has things right in place! It first holds attention of the website visitor with this interesting range of colors and panels. As you go through the site, the different sections of the site are revealed in association with the varied colors seen in the image. It makes the visitor explore it further. The rest of the sections are unfolded only when some action is performed on the site from the visitor. The information is interestingly presented through the creative use of Flash!

Turning Visitors into Users
As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, there is a need to convert visitors into users on websites. In the example above, the website includes an interesting mix of shopping products showcased through an interactive Panning Cards model. Here, the site owner would obviously want more and more visitors turning into a valued shopper for the site! The presentation of the products through Panning Cards is truly a boon for readers. They don’t have to scroll through long text description. Besides, the interactive model makes browsing easy and fun! The design appears inviting for a user to glance and begin exploring the site leading to an instant purchase after browsing through deals. Interactivity sure does play a major role out here!

Well, all said and done, apart from interactivity, an attractive web layout and good navigational elements, you also need a dash of creativity and passion for excellence. With a combination of all these elements, I know your websites will surely work for you! Do post your most creative inspirations.

Why your websites don’t work for you – Part 3

2010-07-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

For the last 2 weeks, we have taken a look at two basic problems in terms of websites and their design issues. Now, it’s time to tackle yet another common problem faced by webmasters.

Layouts That Don’t Turn Visitors into Users:
A website needs to be designed to convert visitors into users. This means your website should be able to convince a visitor to use your product, service or sign up on your website for any offer being displayed. Successful web design tackles the problems mentioned earlier which in turn gets a loyal fan following in terms of traffic. For example, if you have a product website, your casual visitor should be tempted into signing up for a product trial! Let us take a look at a website which offers various products to its visitors.

In this example, the website does have varied offers on products. However, visitors are not really motivated to sign up with such a site or explore the offers on display. The panels don’t seem very interesting, the coupons section appears cluttered and looking for information is a tedious job out here. The business of the website is clearly about selling DVDs. Here, it is of utmost importance that a casual visitor should turn into a user with the website. Isn’t this what web design should be all about?

Now, let us have a look at a website which is good in terms of its overall visual appeal, yet we will spot design issues out here.
In this website (seen in the above image), there are chances you may get lost! Well, there are few deals highlighted but the text and graphics do not really motivate a visitor to try something on the site. There is a need to reach out to maximum people due to the number of products. Yet, the website does not motivate a visitor to sign up or browse deals and turn into a user. I felt a little lost on this site but realized pretty much later it’s not just about computers but other products as well.

Let’s now move on towards solving both these web design related. Here lies the tricky part of converting visitors into users!

Ensuring Loyal Users
One slight trick can work like magic! Interactivity plays a major role out here as well! You can turn your visitors into users by highlighting the right elements through interactivity. In the first example given, the various offers on the DVDs can be better highlighted with interactivities such as 3D Flip Book. Users would enjoy the pleasure of virtually flipping through the book whilst reading about the product at the same time and leading to a sign up to purchase the product online. The second example can also be projected well with interactivities such as Countdown Timers or banners to bring user attention to an area. This not only increases curiosity of the users, the message can propel a person to sign up for a product trial or purchase!

As we can see in this series, these 3 common problems hinder the actual functioning of a website. By now, I am sure you are looking for a complete answer that will erase these issues! In that case, you need to watch this space next week to look up some interesting examples. Do feel free to share your websites as well!

Why your websites don’t work for you – Part 2

2010-07-21T02:59:00.000-07:00

Last week, we took a look at increased bounce rate of visitors on websites. This week, I would like to turn the spotlight on another common issue faced by web designers.

Decreased Attention Span from Users:
Maybe your website did manage to sustain a user for a long duration yet there is no marked improvement in user-involvement on the site. Well, this is yet another common problem faced by webmasters. A visitor may casually browse through the site, but may not really participate in any activity. For example, a product site that has plenty of offers on display will not really benefit the site owner if the user does not click on the products/offers to explore it further.

In the above image, the website does not really capture user attention for any section. The headings are not catchy and the overall look of the website is text heavy. At one glimpse, it is not even successful in communicating what the website is all about. This is surprising considering it is about a web designing company! If user attention is not held out here, how will prospective clients even trust the company? A question best answered by them! The ‘Join the Mailing List’ section is hardly seen, so how will visitors participate in any activity on the site?

The above image is about a rental homes website. Yet, I somehow could not figure this out until I read the text. The elements do no justice to the topic. There are no offers or details mentioned to interest visitors. A poor design with no scope for any activity by visitors leads to further disinterest and disengagement. Apart from the design, there is also a need to attract user attention towards major highlights and offers or deals. This is when visitors will be most interested in a website.

At this point, you might wonder how this issue can be solved. How do we increase attention span of users? Continue reading for the solution.

Increasing Attention Span of Users

Interactivity…yes! Interactivity is the answer to all your questions.

Interactivity helps to grab attention of users. Someone casually visiting your website may stay longer if your offer is highlighted through a unique interactivity. An interactive banner can be placed in one section of the website to complement a balanced web design. The idea is to hold the attention of the user. Once the first step is achieved, the next steps follow. For example, a section of a website can be highlighted with an interactive Panning Cards model which helps to keep attention of a user in one area, delivering the message at the same time. The design should invite a person to explore the site.

I hope this has helped you to start thinking on what interactivity is all about and how to make the best use of it. My next blog would help you to get even more insights into interactivity and few more samples to different types of interactivity. I shall also tackle the 3rd and most common problem for webmasters. Till then, keep designing!

Why your websites don’t work for you – Part 1

2010-07-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I actually penned down my thoughts, or should I say, typed voraciously into my keyboard! Well, all the while I have been hammered by questions from people who have the best website design yet don’t really have too many takers in terms of visitors. So, coming back to my favorite topic, web design, I came across this golden question voiced by webmasters - ‘Why your websites don’t work for you’. This series is planned in 4 parts. Here, we shall take a look at situation 1 out of 3 main problem areas with a detailed solution in my 4th blog of this series.

High Bounce Rate:
Why do visitors leave the website immediately from the page they land upon? There can be many reasons for the same. A cluttered website with too many elements such as graphics and animations can force a visitor to jump to another site. Navigational issue is another reason wherein visitors may jump to another site in the absence of a clear navigational structure. For example: an informative website will have users seeking authentic content. However, if the design and navigation does not direct the user appropriately, the obvious action would be to visit some other website.

In the above image, there is a heavy usage of color and graphics. As a user, it does not make one explore the site further. Imagine navigating through this website! Are you really motivated to stay on such a site? This is one of the main reasons why there is a high bounce rate of users.

This example (above image) is a sight to drive users….away instantly! Even if the website has interesting content, I wonder how many would read text out here. There is a heavy amount of text, images are sparse, the fonts are uneven in size and the overall look is messy. The rest, you can guess easily!

Overcoming High Bounce Rate
Engaging visitors on websites is an effective solution to reduce bounce rate. This does not mean you need to load websites with heavy graphics and animations! The effective use of interactivity helps to keep users on the page itself. Instead of using a web page like a complete creative canvas and ‘spilling’ your creativity on it, interactivity can be used to highlight areas of interest. A product portfolio can be showcased through interactivity such as 3D Flip Book. This will not only engage users on the page, it will also ensure your message reaches the target group effectively.

In our next blog post of the series, let us take a look at the second problem. I shall also dedicate one entire blog to present solutions of each problem with examples. (Make sure you don’t miss that!) Looking forward to hear from all budding web designers to know the kind of problems faced while designing a website.

How to Think Creative…Constantly!

2010-05-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

Jack was on his usual walk this morning. Everything seemed to have a dull streak for him. The same old roads, the same people and even the same job! Jack was unable to motivate neither his team members nor himself. What he lacked was the knack of looking at the same thing with an optimistic approach!

We are all ‘Jacks’ at some point in our lives. We need to be creative to think creatively. Jack could have looked at the bright, beautiful skies which he failed to notice. He could have been inspired by the beautiful flowers on the sidewalks. The soft, lilting sound of the birds would have given him all the positive energy for the day. Yet, Jack suffered from depression.

Often artists/web designers/designers often come up to me and ask, “What should we do to be creative?” There is no fixed formula for the same. The trick lies in unleashing your creativity. We need to connect with nature and things around us. There is a need to be observant. Find your interests and pursue them. Only then can creativity reflect in one’s work!

A web designer once said, “I know software such as Photoshop or Flash, yet I am unable to create websites that are exclusive in design.” For this, I feel that there are many tools on the market to bring about that magical touch to websites. To use them to the fullest requires creativity in the mind. Ideas are the soul of any design and tools are useful to give shape to those ideas.

To think creatively, you need to free your mind…and your soul!

Why Site Maps Need a Revamp!

2010-04-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

“Never solve a problem from its original perspective.” - Charles Thompson

That’s what I have been sharing with people around me. There are innumerable ways to look at the same situation. What seems as a humongous task may seem easy after you look at it from a different angle. Somehow, a problem may seem as a challenge only if you change your perspective!

The same thought process can be applied even in terms of design. An interesting thing about anything related to design is that one can have as many views as required for the same topic. Another unique point is that every individual has a different method of approach. This reveals many interesting options. Which is why, I come back to one point I have been pondering about, why can’t this be applied to web design as well?

Take for example site maps on websites. I have often observed how these are repetitive in terms of design. I agree ease of use is important, but surely there can be a better way of presentation! It should make a user want to browse the site.
On this note, I thought about creating something on my own to explain it better. Here’s my creation below. A little bit of Photoshop with website interactivity…that’s the key to visually enriching site maps!

(This interactivity is created with Raptivity Web Expert’s Site Booster Pack.)

In this example, I have attempted to design using food as a subject for the sample. What I have tried here is to bring attention to the important sections of the website. Many more sections can be added depending upon the design. This will not only make the section visually-appealing, it will also serve in making users browse the website.

I hope this example has given plenty of new ideas for your web design. Once your inspirations are ready, do share it with me too! It would help other readers as well as me, to find out about the many approaches towards web design.

Adding Spice to Websites!

2010-04-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

There’s a lot that goes behind designing a website. It requires more than just designing and programming skills! In fact, the creation of a website should be done with ample amount of consideration and care, which involves thinking from the users’ point of view. One needs to bring together different ingredients for a creatively designed website that communicates the message effectively! In fact, the process is the same one goes through while whipping up a very sumptuous dish! What goes behind such a dish is the careful use of ingredients measured in the right proportion. Only then, can one enjoy a well-cooked meal!

Some of the main things required to be presented in a website are the company/service information; products and offers, contact information, etc. This is required to connect with users globally.

Through the Internet, users have easy access to information. They can access information such as their favorite brands, company, product, service, personality and lots more! The website then is the main medium of communication between a company and the user.

A creative web site requires a good balance between design and content. When words are supported with an attractive display of visuals, it engages the users of the website. Many successful websites are able to get visitors involved in one way or another. By making the website more engaging to visitors, you are more likely to get a high number of repeated visitors.
Even before a user reads the content of the website, it is the design and layout of the website which attracts the user. As the famous saying goes, “First impressions are the last impressions”, this holds true even in terms of websites. A content-rich website can drive away a user if it is not displayed properly.

Hence, a web site needs to first look attractive and engage users so that the whole experience of surfing through the site turns out to be an interesting one. Attractive panels, banners, color schemes, buttons, graphics etc., are some of the ways used to turn a website into a visually attractive place! Although a lot of effort is channelized in this direction, many web sites do not meet the expectations of the end users. Even if they attract users, it hardly generates interest to hold a users’ attention span for a long duration. This is when we come to the vital question, how do we add that right element of spice to a website?

Whip Up the Right Recipe!
Recipe No. 1: Interactivity is the Main Ingredient
Interactivity is about keeping the user on the page. Earlier, website designers used Flash to make a website appear attractive and interactive. However, adding Flash interactivity to a website would take days to program and customize, as per the website requirement. On the other hand, rapid interactivity, a new paradigm, allows web designers to add exciting interactivities to websites within a matter of minutes through simple customization.

Why interactivity? Interesting and interactive pages encourages users to stay on the page for a longer duration. This also gives the website owner enough time to convey a message across effectively.

In the above image, important action items have been grouped together. This interactive feature holds user attention in one area and makes a user perform an action. An attractive and interactive display ensures users spend time on the website exploring it further.

As seen in the above image, a site map which usually does not form as an attention-grabbing element has been used to capture attention. The site map highlights important sections of the website which makes it easier for a user to navigate. The visually pleasing elements stand testimony that site maps need not always be designed in a plain manner.

A product/service website usually declares special offers. For example, a special discount for only first hundred users on its website. These kind of special offers can be effectively shown using a peel banner as shown in the above image, which generates curiosity amongst users to explore what’s underneath the hood.

Creating such interactions does not require one to spend hours on programming using rapid interactivity! For many other interactivity ideas read the following blog post.
Using such rapid interaction creation technology, one can easily customize Flash interactivities through a template library. It not only brings about a fresh change in the way content is presented, it saves web designers those grueling hours spent on programming!

Recipe No. 2: Social Interaction is the Dessert!
A website with a fantastic design and layout can be useful only when it connects with its users effectively. The more people that connect and interact on the website, the better it is for you! Take for example, a product website. The moment such a website includes elements for social interaction; it will create a more loyal base of users. The inclusion of activities such as FAQs, Debates, Polls, Presentation Sharing, etc, will ensure users interact with each other. Besides, users of a particular product may even recommend the product to others. A user may even come up with valuable suggestions to be included in the product. The suggestions from users are very important as they are the users of your product or service. They can be the best one to suggest improvements or new features in your offerings. After all, co-creation is what every company would aim for from its users.

Isn’t it time you switch and try out these ingredients to spice up your websites? I am sure you will have a successful website with all these elements!

Beyond Attracting Users to Websites!

2010-02-09T03:37:00.000-08:00

All creative geniuses always love to bask in the glory of being poles apart from the rest. However, in terms of web design, as you all agree, one needs to be creative knowing that the design has to communicate and convey the message effectively.

This is exactly the reason I have always felt the need to use website interactivity for web design. I am sure by now, just like thousands of web designers and developers worldwide, you have followed the benefits of website interactivity. This time round, I have yet another way of designing websites with interesting creative elements.

As a web designer, apart from attracting users to websites, it is also required to make the user perform an action on the page. Only then, can the message be communicated to the web visitor effectively. Let us take an example of a Page Peel Banner (see below). What I have here is an interactivity that is used effectively to present the company/brand. I thought of creating this sample so that you can know exactly why a Page Peel Banner can be an effective medium to present a message to users on the Internet.

The Page Peel banner attracts users and it also keeps them engaged on the site. As seen, a user has to peel off the first layer to know the complete information. When the first panel is peeled off, the second one is revealed below. This retains the interest of the user. In the example shown, the product information is presented through different slides to generate interest. The range is presented in panels with headings that catch attention, yet do not honestly reveal the details. The best part about this example is yet to be revealed! I took barely 10 minutes for the creation of the entire Page Peel banner - of course by using Raptivity Web Expert, the unique tool for interactive websites!

That’s what I call website interactivity with a difference! I feel, I had a great time designing without really spending a lot of time on Flash. Right now, I am looking forward to reading about your experiences in website design! Please do feel free to share your thoughts as well!

The Next Level of Web Design

2010-01-12T02:50:00.000-08:00

Web design is a topic that invites many ideas, from experts who know about designing and from those who may not even have a clue about design! There are different ways of looking at one subject and present it accordingly. A website about any topic can be presented in many ways. The best design though is one that has used all the elements in a proper way.
This is when I would like to introduce you to the next level of web design. It’s all about boosting your website to a new level. To understand this further, I can take up an example. This can give a clear picture about the new level I am about to put forth.

5 Ideas to Boost Your Website

Pay attention to details
To present your content and design in an effective way, you need to pay attention to the details. Take a shopping website for example. A shopping website that sells products can be more effective in reaching the target audience when it includes testimonials. If presented in a plain way, these will not gather attention. These testimonials if presented in a creative and interactive way will attract the attention of users and also increase the authenticity of the website and its products.

Enhance the finer points
After bringing attention to details, you also need to enhance the finer points. Here, we can take an example of a site map of any shopping website. There are many sites which do not pay attention to the design of site maps. In the case of a shopping website, the site map can be designed very creatively to make a user explore more!

Make users perform an action
A shopping website also needs action on part of the users. There is a need to capture the attention of the users and also make them perform an action. For this, one needs to consider the main action items. These should be in relation to each other. For example, the shopping website may have special designer collections. The tabs for these can be placed next to each other instead of a regular style of presentation. A users’ attention will be focused on one area when related action items are next to each other. A user will be able to view and refer to the related topics with great ease.

Present messages as teasers
It is not enough to only capture attention of the user. There is also the need of engagement on a website. This is why the way a message is presented is very important. For example, a simple banner that displays a message may not even increase interest amongst users. A shopping website will need to create action. A shopping offer can be presented in parts on a banner. The first message should catch the attention and the rest should follow accordingly. For example, a banner that can be peeled to reveal more information can be more effective to convey the message.

Highlight the urgency factor
This applies particularly to offers or contests that are a common feature on any site. In this case, since we are referring to a shopping website, we can take an example of a discount offer. Usually, an offer may be highlighted in one area of the website. Here, with website interactivity, the same offer can be highlighted with a timer that gives details of the offer in an attractive manner. A user will thus be able to see and view offer details easily which in turn proves to be beneficial for the website!
This new level of website interactivity is aimed to boost your site amongst users. I am sure you will find these ideas very useful for your web design.

View these ideas with these brand new Site Booster Samples

This New Year, usher in New Design Elements!

2009-12-29T03:14:00.000-08:00

The celebrations are on! The decorations are out and so have the New Year resolutions begun! I have seen many trying to stick to their New Year’s resolutions all through the year. The argument often continues about this tradition considering that promises are meant to be broken!

I have always been passionate about design. And my resolution has always been to whip up something exciting and creative every year! This year, I did come up with few concepts. That is why I feel website design in 2010 should be and will be a step ahead…it will be all about keeping the user engaged on the page with website interactivity with a purpose!

Website Interactivity: 2010 trends
I have seen many websites that do use different forms of interactivity to engage users. The purpose of the interactivity is fulfilled only when it does manage to engage users on the page.

The Predictions for Website Interactivity: 2010
I do have a few ideas for website interactivity for designers who want to engage users on the site. I surely do wish to share the same thoughts and know your feedback.

Include interactions that engage users in a creative manner. For example, a product website can look more authentic if it has testimonials displayed. This is not a new concept, but here I am referring to a better and enhanced display of the same. The original method is placing the text with the quote marks on the side panels. One can display the same in an interactive way, wherein the testimonials are provided and given a personal touch, using your customer’s video or image and supported with attractive visuals. This makes a user feel like clicking to view more. A customer may also feel that he should be there in the list of the testimonials!

Present a set of the not-so-obvious elements in a different light. This means, bringing about creativity in areas least expected. For example, jog your memory and try to visualize different site maps. I am sure; this brings to mind some boring layouts and a typical display of topics of the site. It surely does nothing to induce an action or make a visitor want to explore it further. I suggest that one can present this area in a creative manner as well. Use the topic of your website to your benefit and create interactions around it. There are a few websites that employ this technique (read this post for more information); it makes a user want to explore the site as it is presented in a combination of visuals and animations. That sure brings about a unique look for websites.

The key to website interactivity for the New Year is to think Out of the Box. Keep your user in mind and design around it. It is bound to give many new approaches towards website design. I hope to see many more creative designs in the New Year, enjoy the celebrations for the New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you!

It’s time to Celebrate the Christmas Cheer!

2009-12-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

Created with Raptivity Web Expert

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer's, used to laugh and call him names;
they never let poor Rudolph, join in any reindeer games."

I love this time of the year. Yes, Christmas is around the corner and it’s time to bring in the cheer with melodious carols and gifts for our loved ones! This is the season to spread more love all around. I love the nip in the air; it always reminds me that the beauty of Christmas season has just begun!

This is also the loveliest month of the year! When I think of Christmas, I have images of the landscape covered with a white blanket of snow. The entire countryside dons a new look. There is an element of design everywhere I go. The shop windows are decorated, the houses are colorfully done up, the local dreary café even looks better and yes! The people on the street appear so cheerful! One of the best things I love doing is bringing the Christmas Cheer online as well. Decorating and working on the design aspect of a website makes me want to celebrate Christmas all month long! The amount of creativity that flows online is amazing as well. This is the time that brings out the best in web designers.

I guess this is also the time when all such creative minds can come together to share their creative pursuits. I would surely like to view many such sites that have all the elements of the Christmas cheer. Here’s looking forward to seeing many such creatively designed websites for inspiration. (Use the Comments section to share your website URLs.) The top ones will be featured in a separate blog! Till then, have a Merry Christmas and watch this space for more!

5 Ideas to Design a Successful Website

2009-12-01T03:38:00.000-08:00

When I talk about creativity, I feel there is no limit. Creative minds like to explore and go down the off-beaten track! The beauty of creativity is unearthing new ideas with every step. There are times however, when one needs to keep the purpose in mind whilst being creative as well!

The topic on design can be humongous to discuss and understand. The same applies to the various aspects of web design. There are various ways to design a website. I’m sure you must have said to yourself at times, “Which are the different ways to design a successful website?” To design a website requires a lot of thought in terms of creativity. We need to consider a website like a sea of opportunities that has so much to explore. We must also remember that we need to explore it wisely for our benefits! After a lot of interaction with webmasters and web designers, I decided to put across 5 ideas to design a successful website!

5 Ideas to Design a Successful Website

Explore your creative side (keep the user in mind!)

A website for many is a way to showcase their creativity to users all around the globe. However, the one thing you need to keep in mind is that it is good to be creative; however, delivering the message across effectively should be of utmost importance.

A website design should be creative and user-friendly!

Use Colors for an Impact (avoid spilling the palette!)

A color can communicate more than you can imagine! A website can look dramatically different when you play around with the color schemes. Understand that cool colors create a calm feel and warm colors add more life and spunk to the website. It is required that you understand the product/service which forms the gist of the website. A cool color like a shade of blue would suit a professional company, where as a bright shade of red can be used for a photographer’s website, where you can experiment with creativity.

The Power of Words (sans the essay format!)

If photographs can speak a thousand words, words in itself can help a user to visualize and understand things in minutes! Your headlines should be catchy and should capture the attention of the user. This is what will make them read what you have to say. Besides, you need to brief yourself with SEO tactics as Content is King!

Keep it Clutter-Free (don’t dump things on users!)

Every individual is different and their perception towards things is different as well. Use a strategy. Ensure you deliver your message effectively rather than dumping everything on one page. You can highlight one area of the website with an interesting interactivity so that the main message reaches users. In this manner, a website will communicate effectively to users.

Make it Engaging (keep them glued!)

Add elements of interest to the website. When you present information, ensure you display it in an interesting manner. Interesting elements help to capture user attention. This in turn ensures your message is conveyed effectively. For eg., presenting your offers to the user in the form of a panning card would engage users.

These ideas reflect the basic steps to be followed for web design. With the right basics, you can be sure to have a successful website that reaches a wider group of people!

Levels of Website Interactivity

2009-11-17T01:48:00.000-08:00

Whenever I mention website interactivity, I often see people around me wonder what is website interactivity? Making a website interesting and engaging, interests users and causes them to spend more time on the site. It’s all about enriching user experience. Any website, that presents content in an interactive way will tend to hold user attention. However, over the years, I have noticed the many levels of website interactivity. These levels may have been known to us but we have probably never noticed the gradual change in website design.

I have tried to categorize the interactivities in various levels and cited them with few examples.

Level 1: Using Basic HTML effects

This was the basics of the phenomenal change that we see today. At level 1, I aptly put in examples of websites that include the basic things such as color change for roll over or tool tips that appear for different sections. Websites used revolving text, banners that moved around; images that had some effect such as blinking images, pop ups to share additional information etc. The example given above shows a neat designed popup to show additional information once the cursor hovers above a particular image

Level 2: Displaying Information Through Creative Ways

The websites that belong to the level 2 category had some more amount of interactivity. By now, websites had some new ways to improve presentation of the information. New Technologies like AJAX are used creatively to attract users. For example, by holding the cursor over the heading, an area can be enlarged based on user action. This presents more information on the page without diverting the user to another page. Also, this keeps a user focused on the required information instead of displaying complete information in one go. The example above shows how certain headings are highlighted and linked in grey so that users can access information easily whilst browsing the site.

Level 3: Flash Animations and Videos

Level 3 websites witnessed a further change. Web designers used flash animations and photo sliders to present content in an engaging way. This brought about a livelier change in websites. In the above example, the website deals with accessories and clothing for those who love to skate or surf. There is a very ingenious use of a skating video on the website with the use of flash to engage users.

Level 4: Interactions Based on User Inputs

By now, websites had a higher level of interactivity. As compared to flash interactions in the previous levels which displayed the information, the interactivities now invited users to click for interesting inputs. In the above example, the website ensures that users interact and provide inputs related to the product ensuring users are kept on the page. Interesting surveys about coffee preferences support the subject making the website a success with users.

Level 5: 3D Interactivity

This level is about the highest levels of interactivity for website design. Here, the focus is on the use of 3Dimensional interactivities for websites. The incorporation of 3Dimensional elements to present content has seen many creative forms. In the example above, there is a use of 3Dimensional forms to present the matter. The website is built upon the concept of implementing the power of visuals! Apart from this, websites that use 3D cubes, panning cards, 3D flip books, interactive site maps etc, all belong to this level 5.

I am sure these levels are the stepping stone for website interactivity. Web designers have more scope in terms of creativity and I am certainly looking forward to many such creative canvasses!

Target View Size: Mistaken Identity!

2009-11-03T03:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious...

- Michael Stipe

You might be thinking deeply about this statement or might be…well, plain confused. It does happen that the obvious is not actually obvious! There should be no confusion about this statement. As I know that everyone often fails to see the obvious in life.

These words have flowed from my mind for a reason. It was just another sunny day and I read yet another mail that brought with it the same confusion. No, I am no agony aunt out here; I meant it was related to the product - Raptivity Web Expert. Similar kinds of mails over a couple of days prompted me to put my thoughts into words. The common thread was all about an option provided in Raptivity Web Expert. I am talking about ‘Target View Size’.

The Target View Size panel is used to view the interactivity in the required height and width in pixels. When a user makes a change in either of the two, the other is calculated automatically. This is particularly useful to preview the interactivity in a given size. This does not affect the actual size of the interactivity output.

If you require the interactivity to fit into a defined space on your web page, you can make use of this option to preview the interactivity. The Target View Size panel helps you to view how the interactivity will appear in a given size. As correctly labeled, it is “Target View Size” and not “Target Size. The difference in both is that the former is meant only for preview and the latter is about a change in the actual size.

A simple option for a solution…but then, not all things can be really simple! At our end, we will definitely try to make things easier for you! In the meantime, suggestions are welcome…

Trick or Treat?!

2009-10-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

It’s October and we all know the kind of celebrations that the month brings in! It’s the time to plan parties and gear up for a lot of celebrations.

It’s no wonder that I am in a festive mood myself. Maybe, that’s why I have decided this week, to keep my blog in the celebration mode as well! October is the time for Halloween celebrations, there is so much to be done right from planning the party themes to all the activities. I am sure many of you are looking to find the right party ideas for your Halloween celebrations. There are many who even prefer to hire professionals for the perfect touch. Even then, there are ways to go about planning the celebrations with creative imagination. I have some interesting thoughts which I would like to share with you on this note. Get into the right Halloween mood with some of these creative ideas displayed in the 3D cube!

The 3Dimensional cube is created with Raptivity Web Expert

Interactivity: An Important Ingredient in Web Design

2009-10-06T04:16:00.000-07:00

Creativity should flow effortlessly. This applies to all facets of creative design. When creative ideas are implemented with great ease, the result lies in effortless and attractive design. Website design offers many such avenues for designers to discover their creativity especially with the use of Rapid Interactivity, a new phenomenon.

A basic problem that is seen in website design is the lack of time or knowledge of different packages that is required to create a good website layout. I have seen creative web designers who are unable to translate their ideas into the website. If we search the Internet today, we can find numerous ways through which one can have an attractive website without the need to know complex things about design!

Let us study some simple examples that can give an idea how certain subjects can be presented in an interesting way for users, with the use of a 3Dimensional cube. Give a thought and you will understand how a product feature can be presented in an interesting way. The most common way would be to have a catalogue style or rows of photographs that display the product. This may not necessarily interest users. Take a look at the 3Dimensional cube below to know how it can be used differently for various websites that deal in diverse topics.

This example shows how a 3Dimensional cube can present various angles of a mobile phone. The cube engages the user while presenting information about the product.

A travel website can look interesting when a 3Dimensional cube is used to present the top destinations. This 3Dimensional cube showcases some popular destinations in London.

A movie review site or one that is related to showing the listings can use this cube to present the top movies of 2009! This breaks away the usual trend of listing movies in a tabular format.

Presentation is the Key!

2009-09-22T04:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why you have purchased that particular outfit from a specific branded store? I am sure it happens to all of us that we remain loyal to certain brands, sometimes not only due to the product quality but other factors attached to it. Apart from the product quality, one more factor that captures our attention lies in the way the product is packaged and presented to us.

Reflect upon simple things such as why the name Levis springs up to the mind when you think of denims. This brand name has been leading for years. There is a strong strategy that makes these names the most sought-after in the market.

Presentation is the keyword when it comes to the promotion of any product. The presentation extends not only to the way the advertising campaigns are planned; even the minutest details are planned with perfection.

A big brand or one that is trying to capture a new audience should always remember that the way an idea or message is presented can make a huge difference. This planning extends even to the online media.

A website can be used in many ways to capture loyal users. For this, it is required a website attracts attention and engages the prospective consumers. It should be designed in such a way that ensures the consumer is attracted to view the website in turn learning more about the company or product. A consumer should feel the pleasure while visiting the website.

A concept such as a Flip Book can be used to make a website look stunning! A Flip Book helps to present information, engaging the user at the same time!

View these examples to see how effectively an idea was conveyed to the user in an interactive manner!

A website designed in the form of Flip book to engage a user.
http://www.datafisher.com/en/

View a product demo of Nokia mobiles in the form of Flip Book
http://www.clockworxdesign.com/website_examples/bespoke/nokia/

This fashion Flip Book gives important tips in a very unique and engaging way!

See how a website related to beauty and grooming can use a Flip Book in a very creative way!

Scenarios to use Flip book are enormous. Wear your creativity hat and start thinking how and where can YOU use this flip book!

It’s not always that one has to spend hours in programming to create such Flip Books and designs. Such a Flip Book can also be created with ease with the use of Raptivity Web Expert. Check out the Free Trial to know more!

Top Designers of the Fashion Industry

2009-09-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

Fashion trends have seen an enormous change over the past many years. Today, fashion spells luxury which is visible with the large budgets being planned by fashionistas! True fashionistas never bother with issues such as the price tag. In fact, it is the label that holds most value for any fashion Diva!

The basic question remains in what draws fashionistas to splurge on these labels? Some may argue it’s all about the name and nothing more to it. The truth is that the trendsetters in the history of fashion were such that their names can never be taken over or erased. Such is the power of fashion designers throughout the history of fashion who have carved a niche for themselves in the glorious world of fashion. On this note, let’s take a look at some of the top 10 fashion designers of all times!

*This picture show is designed with Raptivity Web Expert.

Image Courtesy: Google Image

Create a Guided Tour Quickly and Easily with Raptivity Web Expert

2009-08-26T03:26:00.000-07:00

Web designers who have opted to use Raptivity Web Expert would know by now the kind of ease it adds while designing! In fact, it reduces time spent in execution of ideas. Take for example, the very interesting Sprite Path Animation. It makes the presentation of content very interesting and engaging for the user.

For a designer, creating a guided tour to show step-by-step instructions usually proves to be a tedious task. The prime aim is not just to convey the steps, but also to present it in a way which is helpful and interesting for a user. The tour should be such that a user can easily understand the steps. On that note, take a look at the use of Raptivity Web Expert’s Guided Tour that shows step-by-step instructions on how to use TeemingPod’s free trial set-up.

Top Ten Twitter Applications that are a Must-Have!

2009-08-19T02:19:00.000-07:00

The world is tweeting and how! Twitter, a social networking web site is all about micro-blogging which took the world by storm. Well, when I first had a glance at Twitter I wondered what all the fuss was about! But as time unfolded, I realized there surely is more to it, sorry…let me rephrase that! There’s more to tweets than meets the eye!

It’s amazing how a simple concept has metamorphosed into something that has become a norm for users. What’s the most amazing thing are the Twitter applications also known as Twitter Tools. These enhance many aspects of Twitter and are a rage today. The concept of the application could be for any reason. It can improve the way you tweet or make this service easily accessible. If you’re confused about what I am trying to convey, skim through this 3Dimensional Flip Book. It contains a sneak peak of the 10 most popular Twitter Applications… However, don’t stick to this list only. There’s more in store.

I’m getting back to tweeting (@RWebExpert)…catch you there!

3D Flip book getting downloaded...

http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="280" width="400">

* This 3Dimensional Flip Book is made with Raptivity Web Expert

What’s the Big Deal about Interactivity? Plenty actually…!

2009-07-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

The other day, when someone casually wondered about what are the essential components of a well-designed web site, it set many of us thinking as to how many people really think before they design! Designing a web site is not about finding the most creative elements; it is about providing easy access to the required information to the user and meeting the objectives of the web site owner.

A web site does not increase in its popularity overnight just by sheer luck. It does not follow the protocol “if you build, they will come”. A web site has to ensure it offers information in an easy to access and attractive way to find loyal users who find value in returning back to the site. A web site owner may think of different strategies to grab user attention. Adding freebies or contests, or attempts to make the page visually interesting are some of the options used.

However, what very few people realize is the necessity and importance of the usage of interactivity on web pages. Interactivity is not about adding a form or a button on a web page where people can click. Such kind of basic elements such as radio buttons and tool tips are web interfaces. Interactivity is the next step in the evolution of web interfaces. It is much more engaging with a complete experience in it. With the use of interactivity, users engage better with the web site content and hence stay longer on the page. Few examples of interactivities are a 3D Flip Book or a Poll which causes users to interact with the page wherein the page in turn, responds to the inputs of the user.

Based on this web designers would think that planning and creation of such interactivity involves programming which may be time consuming. It may not always be feasible to use interactivity due to the time factor involved in its creation.

However, with Rapid Interactivity, one can create and use interactivities into web pages very easily. Rapid interactivity is a new paradigm, with the help of which web designers and developers can add interactivity to web sites in minutes without programming.

An apt example for Interactivity would be a 3 Dimensional Flip Book. Users can actually feel the pleasure of flipping a book on a web page. This creates a better visual presentation for showcasing products or to explain any concept. Such an interactive Flip Book can now be created within minutes through easy customization.

Deep and meaningful interactions when added to web pages are like a value-addition to web sites. Interactive ways of communicating a message will ensure that the users who visit a web site will not only be engaged and return back sooner, they will even recommend it to others. It’s all about simplifying issues…!

Bridging the Gap between Technicality and Design

2009-07-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

When it comes to technicalities and design, there is always a tussle between the two. Somehow, even if both the facets can go hand-in-hand with each other, it may be difficult to get both departments see eye-to-eye at times.

This is something I had witnessed in a company that my friend had begun few years back. There was a constant need to improvise the design of the web site. The tough task was trying to convince both the departments to work with perfect co-ordination. While one supported a creative web design layout, the other grumbled a lot about the need to create fast loading pages and the time required for the development of such interactive pages. Here, I need not describe in detail about the web site owner and how his nerves were frazzled with what was going on in the company!

The main problem faced by this friend, (I can safely reveal his name - Mark), was the need to create a web site that was very attractive in terms of the design elements that could attract and engage users. A large amount of time was spent on the conceptualization of the main theme for the web site. This was followed by innumerable design changes and clashes with the developers who are on the lookout to create web sites with very few technical glitches! Well, one can’t ignore the fact that both are right in their own way!

While Mark hoped for a solution, I could only feel sorry for his plight! I am sure many of you are facing similar problems on the professional life and looking out for a simple solution. Surely there is a solution…!

Imagine if you could add a 3Dimensional interaction to a web page or showcase your product catalogue through a 3D flipbook! I know the first reaction to this would be that it will take plenty of time for creation. However, this may not always be true!

It’s no secret that Raptivity Web Expert can be used to make your web sites more interactive within minutes! .You can take your pick from various interactivities like a 3Dimensional Flip book or 3Dimensional cube. You can even try Panning Cards or opt for the Guided Tour. All these interactions can be customized easily to suit your requirements sans programming! As a web designer, you can choose from the set of interactivities that best suit your product display. All you need to do is decide upon the interaction and customize it with images, text matter and audio as per your requirement. Easy enough for a creative web site that meets your needs!

A web site packed with creativity and with minimum development is now a reality!

How to Bring Your Web Pages Alive In Minutes: A Practical Guide

2009-07-08T04:51:00.001-07:00

Last week, we read how Raptivity Web Expert can be used to make a staid travel web site look really interesting and interactive. Many people were curious to know how to create such an interaction! Hence, I have compiled quick steps for all users to know how easy it is to create such interactions within minutes!

Let us see how Panning Card interaction can be customized for a Web Site

1) Once you install Raptivity Web Expert, open it and click on ‘New Interactivity’.

2) This will open up a new window displaying various interactions. Select the Panning Cards interaction.

3) Once selected, a wizard opens up to customize the interaction such as specifying the number of cards you want to use, title of the interaction etc. Fill in the required details or simply click on Next.

4) Once done, you are ready to customize the details of the interaction. Enter the required content in the form of text, images and audio.

5) To customize a card you can do the following things:

Select the image to be displayed on the card. Then add the text that gives more information about the image. You can also attach an audio file to be played when a user selects this card.

6) Once you have entered information for all cards, save the interactivity. Then publish it to create a SWF file. Your Panning Card is ready to be inserted into your web site. Now you can simply add this SWF file to your web page through an embed tag.

Watch your web site come alive to grab attention of users!

Make Your Travel Site Engaging!

2009-06-30T03:41:00.000-07:00

Present hottest travel offers in a unique and engaging manner!

Today’s urban travelers have gone beyond the traditional means of doing their bookings through travel agents. Those days are passé, when travelers called up their agents to know about interesting destinations and packages. Therefore, travel companies faced the constant challenge to attract travelers and ensure the travelers stay well-informed about various deals and hottest destinations.

Today, web sites have the power to reach out to a wider group of people and even influence their decisions. In travel/leisure sites it is important to display various deals and hottest destinations to the users in such a way that helps them to make informed decisions about their travel. Many travel companies are therefore focusing on the design and content of their web sites in order to ensure the message has the appropriate effect on the users.

In an effort to be heard from amongst the competitors, travel companies are always doing their best for the promotion of their services and offers. There is a constant need for web developers and web designers to come up with innovative ideas for creatively designed web sites.

In a travel web site, there is plenty of content to be displayed. Content that is presented in a staid fashion may only give information and fail to attract users. Presenting content in a common manner hardly does justice to a travel web site. After all, travel is connected with the beauty of places all across the globe and presentation is the keyword out here! To create interesting and engaging ways of presenting information requires conceptualizing and programming which may prove to be a difficult factor with time bound deadlines.

In cases like these, one must have hoped for a solution wherein you can present your message in an interactive manner that attracts users and generates revenue. Imagine a travel site displaying Seven Wonders of the World in an interactive panning cards form where user is engaged by clicking on each card to know more about the travel destination. This surely turns out to be more effective than a static layout with buttons and panels that classify categories of information.

These interactions can be added very easily to turn an otherwise unnoticed web site into an eye-catching one! Interesting interactions that make a web site stand apart from the rest is what Raptivity Web Expert all about! It provides a library of such engaging interactions which is useful to create an engaging web site rather than showing the information in a simple textual way. The benefits do not stop here! These types of compelling interactions can be created in minutes through simple customization sans programming.

A web site created using Raptivity Web Expert changes the way people interact with your site. Users will enjoy exploring the web site and knowing about travel offers at the click of their fingers!

When there are so many benefits of Raptivity Web Expert, it sure does deserve some more in-depth attention! Do explore Raptivity Web Expert

It’s All About The Eye Candy!

2009-06-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

Design is part of our lives in every way. Art and design is perceived in different ways by different groups of people. While some try to bring about a sense of design in the way they dress, others utilize art in their professional lives. Colors, design, graphics, layouts….we cannot deny that it forms a part of our lives!

So, does design influence the way we perceive things? Definitely so! Entrepreneurs spend generously on advertising campaigns to attract people. There may be similar products available in the market, but what is it that attracts you to purchase one out of the many others? The way a product is presented before you surely holds significance. The color blue tends to soothe us while tones in beige bring about a feeling of warmth.

I am sure you must have browsed different types of web sites and noticed while some attract, others do not even make an impression! Web sites that sell the same kind of products may not always induce the same kind of reaction from users. Presentation is the most important keyword out here. The aim is to be seen and heard from the clutter!

A common way to attract user attention is to add interesting graphical elements. However, it may not always give you the required end results. These elements help to attract users but may not help in the revenue for the web site. You need a way by which people spend more time on the web site and tend to come back again, sooner! Interactivity is the way which would help to attract users and engage better with the web site. An example of interactivity would be a 3D Flip book to showcase your product catalogue. The user gets an experience of actually flipping through the pages of the virtual book of the product catalogue. Thus, it would increase the time a user spends on the web site along with knowing about the various products being offered by the company through the 3D flipbook! This interactivity helps you achieve both your business requirements easily!

Raptivity Web Expert helps you add many such interactivities to your web site within a matter of minutes. Take your pick from interactivities such as Panning Cards or a 3 Dimensional cube that brings about a greater impact to the web site. Present your message in an interactive way.

The use of Raptivity Web Expert will surely change the way you present your ideas and messages through a web site. Adding interactions could have never been this easy! Curious? Click here to see some exciting interactive web site samples!

Bring Your Web Pages Alive Through Interactivity!

2009-06-03T01:49:00.000-07:00

Adding interactivity to a web site has not always been as easy as it may sound. How many times have you tried to rack your brains trying to come up with easy solutions to make your web site appear as attractive as possible? After all, a web site holds importance for a business in many ways. A web site represents the company or business and therefore, it should speak volumes about the product or service.

The current concern for web site owners is not only about making a web site look appealing, it is also about generating enough traffic on the web site. The web site should be such that users would want to return to it again and again along with bringing referral traffic. Besides, it should even cause them to engage better with the web site.

So, how does one get users to stay longer on a web site? What will make them engage better and cause them to return back to the web site? Usually web designers/developers spend a lot of time trying to add interactivity to a web site. This involves complex programming which may take more effort and time than one can spare for this activity! At times like this, I am sure you would ask, “Is there an easier solution!?!!”

Sure there is! Raptivity Web Expert has all the answers to problems like these. Raptivity Web Expert helps to add enriching interactions to a web site with great ease! It contains a pre-built library of meaningful interactions that can be added conveniently to a web page! These interactions help to lift the overall experience of a web site and causes users to engage better and even return to the web site!

This does not mean that you need to spend hours on coding or programming for the interactions. With Raptivity Web Expert, you can simply customize complex interactions within minutes! Create interactions like 3D Flip book, 3D Cube, Panning Cards and many more such complex interactions by simply customizing them! Surprising isn’t it! The end result - an interactive web site created without any hassles! Leave it all up to Raptivity Web Expert.

So, when it comes to creating exciting interactions that can be added quickly and easily to web sites, look no further beyond Raptivity Web Expert. Visit our web site at http://www.raptivity.com/webexpert/index.html

Welcome to Raptivity Web Expert

2009-05-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Raptivity Web Expert helps you create deep and meaningful interactions quickly and easily.

With Raptivity Web Expert, you can create interactivity rapidly and add it conveniently to your web pages, bringing them alive. With interactivity, you can get users to stay longer, engage better and return sooner to your websites.

With Raptivity Web Expert, you get:

Pre-built library of most commonly used interactions on web pages
Easy customization of interactivity without programming
Easily embeddable interactivity output in the form of a single Flash file

To know more about Raptivity Web Expert, visit http://www.raptivity.com/webexpert/