Very different. 

Contrastingly different.

Contrast in your website design

It’s a defining part of UX design, and It’s called the Von Restorff Effect.

Also known as the Isolation Effect, it predicts that when a grouping of similar objects, the not that stands out or differs from the others is most likely to be remembered.

Designers use high-contrasting colours, styles, and layouts that isolate certain elements or sections to highlight them and make sure it stands out. 

It’s why designers are resistant to change requests to bold, increase font size, or highlight yet another section.

Remember that UX design, which is the core of any well-performing website design, is closer to an Architectural composition than interior decorating.

How to add contrast to your website design

Adding contrast to your website design is essential for creating a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. Contrast helps distinguish different elements on the page, making it easier for users to navigate and understand the content.

Before you even start adding contrast to your website design, you’ll want to define your primary and secondary goals for your website.

• Is it to contact your business?
• Download a piece of content?
• Fill out a lead generation form?
• Sign up for a webinar?
• Register for a trial/demo?

Once you have your goals defined, follow the steps below.

Adding contrast to your website design

1. Understand the Types of Contrast:
   There are several types of contrast you can utilize in web design:

• Colour Contrast: Using different colours for various elements.
• Text Contrast: Making sure text is easily readable against its background.
• Size Contrast: Varying the sizes of elements to create a visual hierarchy.
• Shape Contrast: Using different shapes to differentiate elements.
• Contrast in Imagery: Employing images with varying levels of light and dark areas.

1. Choose a Clear Color Palette:
   Select a colour palette that includes both primary and secondary colours. Ensure that the colours you choose have enough contrast to be distinguishable from one another. Use tools like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) colour contrast checker to ensure your colour choices meet accessibility standards.
2. Use High-Contrast Text:
   Ensure that text is easily readable by using high contrast between text and background colours. Dark text on a light background or vice versa usually works well. Avoid using low-contrast combinations that strain the eyes.
3. Create Visual Hierarchy:
   Utilize contrast in text sizes, fonts, and element spacing to establish a clear visual hierarchy. Important content should be more prominent, while secondary information can be presented with less contrast.
4. Play with Font Weight and Style:
   Vary font weights (bold, regular, light) and styles (italic, underline) to distinguish different types of content. This can help guide users’ attention and improve readability.
5. Utilize White Space:
   White space (or negative space) is the area between elements in your design. Proper use of white space enhances contrast by separating content and preventing visual clutter.
6. Experiment with Backgrounds:
   Backgrounds can be solid colours, gradients, images, or patterns. Make sure the content placed on a background stands out. For example, if you have a busy background image, ensure that text and essential elements have enough contrast to remain readable.
7. Apply Consistent Styling:
   Maintain consistent styling throughout your website. This includes using similar colours, fonts, and contrast levels. Consistency helps users understand your design and navigate more effectively.
8. Test for Accessibility:
   Ensure your design is accessible to users with various abilities. Use tools like colour contrast checkers and screen readers to make sure that your design is usable for everyone.
9. Get Feedback:
   Before finalizing your design, gather feedback from colleagues, users, or design communities. This can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas where additional contrast might be needed.
10. Iterate and Refine:
    Web design is an ongoing process. After launching your website, monitor user behaviour and gather analytics to identify areas where users might be struggling due to insufficient contrast. Continuously refine your design based on user feedback and data.

Remember that adding contrast doesn’t mean using loud or clashing colours; it means strategically differentiating elements so that they are distinguishable and enhance the overall user experience.

Need to hire a pro? Look through our website design services tailored for small businesses.

Page Load Speed: Captivate with Speed

Website visitors have little patience for slow-loading pages. A fast page load speed enhances user experience and impacts search engine rankings. Businesses can create a snappy browsing experience that keeps visitors engaged and satisfied by compressing images, optimizing code, and leveraging browser caching.

Mobile Responsiveness: Reach and Engage on All Devices

Mobile devices dominate internet usage, making mobile responsiveness imperative. A website that adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and resolutions ensures an optimal user experience across devices. It allows businesses to capture and retain the attention of a wider audience, ultimately leading to increased conversions and customer satisfaction.

Clear Navigation and User Journey: Guide the Way

A well-structured and intuitive navigation system empowers users to find what they need effortlessly. By implementing logical menus, clear labels, and consistent navigation elements, businesses can guide visitors through their websites, enhancing usability and reducing bounce rates. A smooth user journey builds trust, encourages exploration, and increases engagement and conversions.

Compelling Visuals and Imagery: Capture Attention

Visual content plays a significant role in creating an impactful online presence. High-quality images, videos, and graphics enhance the visual appeal and effectively convey a brand’s message. Compelling visuals capture attention, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression, helping businesses stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Call-to-Action Optimization: Prompt Action

A strong call-to-action (CTA) prompts visitors to take desired actions, such as purchasing, signing up for a newsletter, or scheduling a consultation. Businesses can drive conversions and achieve their goals by optimizing CTAs with persuasive language, prominent placement, and clear benefits. A well-crafted CTA inspires visitors to take action, turning them into loyal customers.

In a highly competitive online world, these five areas—page load speed, mobile responsiveness, clear navigation, compelling visuals, and optimized CTAs—play crucial roles in determining the success of a website. By prioritizing these aspects, businesses can enhance user experience, increase engagement, and drive conversions. Remember, a well-performing website not only leaves a positive impression but also helps build long-lasting relationships with customers, fueling business growth in the digital real

Having a brand style guide is crucial for small businesses because it helps to ensure consistency across all of your marketing efforts. Clear and consistent brand identity makes it easier for potential customers to recognize and remember your brand. 

But the most important reason to invest in your brand is TRUST.

A consistent and professional brand is crucial to building trust with your audience; that doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort and consistent repetition to build the trust customers need to give you their money.

Here’s the catch: most small business owners and entrepreneurs are not the best at repetitive work, which is one characteristic that makes them strong entrepreneurs, especially in the early stages. 

And that’s where a properly designed brand style guide can help. It contains all the elements you need to visually represent your business in marketing and promotion – logos, imagery, colours, fonts, etc.

Let’s dive a little deeper into what a brand style guide includes. Here are some of the key elements that you’ll typically find in a brand style guide:

1. Logo: Your logo is the centrepiece of your brand identity. Your brand style guide should include guidelines for how your logo should be used, including size, placement, and clear space requirements.
2. Colour palette: Your brand’s colours help create a unique visual identity for your business. Your brand style guide should include your primary colour palette and any secondary colours you use.
3. Typography: The fonts you use in your marketing materials can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your brand. Your brand style guide should specify which font to use for headlines, body text, and any other text in your marketing materials.
4. Tone of voice: Your brand’s tone of voice refers to the personality and style of your brand’s communication. Are you casual and conversational, or more formal and professional? Your brand style guide should include guidelines for your tone of voice in your marketing materials.
5. Imagery: The images you use in your marketing materials can also help to create a visual identity for your brand. Your brand style guide should specify what kinds of images to use (e.g. photographs, illustrations) and any stylistic requirements (e.g. colour filters, image sizes).
6. Brand messaging: Your brand style guide should also include guidelines for the key messages and taglines you use in your marketing materials. This will help ensure your messaging is consistent and aligned with your brand identity.

By including these elements in your brand style guide, you can ensure that your brand is consistently presented across all your marketing materials. 

This makes it easier for potential customers to recognize and remember your brand quickly and helps build trust and credibility with your audience. 

When your brand is presented consistently and professionally, it shows that you take your business seriously and care about delivering a high-quality experience to your customers. 

Interested in your brand style guide? Reach out to us and get more info on how it can help you build more trust in social media posts, ads or any other marketing you are doing.

A responsive website adjusts its layout and content to fit the screen size of the device it’s being viewed on. So whether you’re using a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, you’ll have a great browsing experience.

Why is responsive design so important? For starters, more and more people are using mobile devices to access the internet. More than half of all internet traffic in Canada comes from mobile devices. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you could miss out on a lot of potential traffic.

More than just traffic

But it’s not just about traffic. A responsive website also improves user experience. Have you ever tried to pinch and zoom to read tiny text on a website that wasn’t mobile-friendly? It’s not a great experience. A responsive design ensures that the text and images on your site are easy to read and interact with, no matter what device your visitor is using.

So how does responsive design work? The key is in the CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) code that controls the layout and presentation of a website. With responsive design, the CSS is written in a way that allows it to adapt to different screen sizes.

It’s about a good user experience

For example, let’s say you have a website with a sidebar that displays on desktop screens. On a smaller screen, like a tablet or smartphone, that sidebar might take up too much space and make the website hard to read. With responsive design, the CSS code would detect the screen size and adjust the layout accordingly. On a smaller screen, the sidebar might move to the bottom of the page or disappear altogether.

Of course, it’s not just about layout. A responsive website also needs to consider things like image size, font size, and navigation. For example, if your website has a menu bar with many items, that menu might need to be condensed or reorganized on a smaller screen.

So, what are the benefits of a responsive website?

1. Improved user experience: As we’ve already mentioned, a responsive website makes it easy for visitors to navigate and interact with your site, no matter their device.
2. Better SEO: Google has stated that mobile-friendly websites will rank higher in search results than those not optimized for mobile. So, if you want to improve your search engine rankings, responsive design is necessary.
3. Increased conversions: A website that’s easy to use and navigate is more likely to convert visitors into customers. If your website isn’t responsive, visitors may get frustrated and leave before they can purchase or contact you.
4. Cost-effective: Instead of creating separate websites for desktop and mobile devices, responsive design allows you to create one website that works for all devices. This can save you time and money in the long run.
5. Future-proof: As new devices with different screen sizes and resolutions are released, a responsive website can adapt without requiring a complete redesign.

So, how can you make sure your website is responsive? If you’re building a new website, choose a web design framework or CMS (Content Management System) that supports responsive design. If you already have a website, you may need a web developer to make the necessary changes.

Testing your website on different devices ensures it looks and functions correctly. Many online tools, like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, can help you do this.

So, do you need a responsive website? I hope this is a clear and resounding YES, and you don’t hire anyone to build a website that doesn’t intend to make it responsive.

1. Reliability and Uptime Guarantee

Reliability is crucial when it comes to web hosting. You need a hosting provider that can guarantee that your website will be available online 24/7. The uptime guarantee is the percentage of time that your website will be available and accessible online. Look for a provider that offers at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Anything below this can be considered unreliable.

2. Server Speed and Performance

The speed of your website is also essential. It affects the user experience and can impact your search engine rankings. When choosing a hosting provider, look for one with fast servers and performance. You can test the server speed by running speed tests on their website. A good provider should also offer caching and Content Delivery Network (CDN) services to improve website speed and performance.

3. Scalability and Room for Growth

As a small business, you may not need many resources to start. However, as your business grows, you may need more resources to handle increased traffic and demands. Therefore, consider their scalability and room for growth when choosing a hosting provider. Choose a provider that offers flexible hosting plans to accommodate your growing needs. You should be able to upgrade your hosting plan easily without experiencing any downtime.

4. Security Features

Website security is essential for every business. You need a hosting provider with robust security features to protect your website and data from cyber threats. Look for a provider that offers SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, and regular backups. Also, check if they offer DDoS protection to prevent your website from crashing due to a sudden surge in traffic.

5. Customer Support

When it comes to web hosting, technical issues can arise anytime. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a hosting provider that offers reliable and efficient customer support. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 support through various channels such as email, live chat, and phone. Test their support system by contacting them before signing up for their service. A good provider should be responsive and knowledgeable in resolving your issues.

6. Control Panel and User Interface

The control panel and user interface of your hosting provider can significantly impact your experience as a user. You need a provider that offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Also, ensure that the provider offers a control panel that allows you to manage your website, files, and databases efficiently. A good provider should offer cPanel, which is the most popular and user-friendly control panel in the market.

7. Pricing and Billing

Pricing is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a hosting provider. However, don’t make the mistake of choosing the cheapest provider without considering other features. Compare the prices of different providers and check what features they offer in each plan. Also, consider the billing cycle, payment methods, and refund policies. Choose a provider that offers a transparent pricing model and flexible billing options.

8. Reputation and Reviews

Lastly, consider the reputation and reviews of the hosting provider. Look for providers with a good reputation in the market and positive reviews from their customers. Check out their social media pages, online forums, and review websites to see what people say about their services. A good provider should have a solid reputation and positive customer reviews.

Do your research and find the right fit for your website needs. A reminder that the cheapest option is usually not the most reliable when something goes off-plan.

However, creating a website can be daunting, especially for small business owners lacking the necessary skills and expertise. This is where website design agencies come in. 

A website design agency can help small business owners create a professional-looking website that represents their brand and meets their specific needs.

But with so many website design agencies out there, choosing the right one for your small business can be a challenge. Here are some important items to consider when selecting a website design agency for your small business:

1. Experience and Expertise

When selecting a website design agency, it’s important to consider their experience and expertise. You want to work with a team with a proven track record of creating successful websites for small businesses. Look for an agency with experience working with businesses similar to yours and can offer a portfolio of their previous work. Additionally, you want to work with an agency with expertise in the latest web design trends and technologies. This ensures that your website will not only look great but will also be functional and user-friendly.

2. Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are key to a successful website design project. When selecting a website design agency, look for a team that values communication and is willing to collaborate with you throughout the project. This includes regular check-ins, open dialogue, and the ability to provide feedback and make necessary changes. A good website design agency should be able to explain technical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand and should be responsive to your questions and concerns.

3. Services Offered

Not all website design agencies offer the same services. Some agencies specialize in certain areas, such as e-commerce or mobile app design, while others offer a full suite of web design services. When selecting a website design agency, it’s important to consider their specific services and whether they align with your business’s needs. For example, if you plan to sell products online, you’ll want to work with an agency that has experience in e-commerce design.

4. Pricing and Budget

Website design costs vary significantly depending on the agency and the project’s scope. When selecting a website design agency, it’s important to consider your budget and the agency’s pricing structure. Some agencies charge a flat rate for their services, while others charge by the hour or have a project-based pricing structure. Look for an agency that is transparent about its pricing and can provide a detailed cost estimate.

5. Customer Service and Support

Customer service and support are essential when it comes to website design. After all, your website is a critical component of your business, and any issues or downtime can significantly impact your bottom line. When selecting a website design agency, look for a team that offers ongoing support and maintenance services. This includes regular backups, security updates, and troubleshooting assistance. Additionally, consider the agency’s customer service reputation and reviews from past clients.

6. Timeline and Project Management

Creating a website is a complex project that requires careful planning and execution. When selecting a website design agency, consider its project management process and timeline. Look for an agency that can provide a clear timeline for the project and is willing to work with your specific needs and deadlines. Additionally, consider the agency’s project management tools and processes, such as how they handle communication, revisions, and changes to the project scope.

7. Company Culture and Values

Finally, it’s important to consider the company culture and values of the website design agency. Look for an agency that aligns with your business’s values and mission. It may not seem important, but it will play a key role in how you communicate and how both sides handle friction and roadblocks.

The sum it all up: do your research, look past the pretty design, and keep in mind that you typically get what you pay for.

Web Design: The Look and Feel

Web design refers to the visual aspect of a website, including its layout, colours, typography, and graphics. It’s the process of creating a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and intuitive interface that enhances the user experience. In simpler terms, web design is all about creating the “look and feel” of a website.

Web designers are responsible for creating the overall visual design of a website, as well as the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). They work closely with clients to understand their business goals, target audience, and branding requirements and then create a website design that aligns with these factors.

Web designers typically use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, or Figma to create wireframes and mockups of a website design. They also work with developers to ensure the design is functional and responsive across different devices and platforms.

One of the most critical aspects of web design is user experience. A well-designed website not only looks good, but it’s also easy to navigate, intuitive to use, and provides a seamless experience for the user. Good web design considers factors like user behaviour, usability, accessibility, and information architecture.

Web Development: The Functionality

Web development, on the other hand, refers to the process of building a website from scratch or customizing an existing website template. It’s the process of turning a design into a functional website using programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

Web developers are responsible for coding the website and making it work. They work with the design team to ensure the website is functional, responsive, and compatible with different devices and platforms. They also implement features like forms, databases, and content management systems (CMS) that make the website dynamic and interactive.

Web development can be divided into two categories: front-end and back-end. Front-end development involves coding the parts of a website that users interact with, like the user interface, forms, and animations. Back-end development involves coding the parts of a website that users don’t see, like the server-side code, databases, and CMS.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Understanding the difference between web design and web development is essential for businesses looking to create a website or redesign an existing one. It helps them determine their requirements and find the right professionals for the job.

If you want to create a website that looks great and provides a seamless user experience, you need to work with a web designer. A web designer can help you create a visual design that aligns with your branding and business goals, ensuring that the website is intuitive and easy to navigate.

On the other hand, if you need a dynamic, interactive website with advanced features like databases and content management systems, you need to work with a web developer. A web developer can help you code the website and make it functional, responsive, and compatible with different devices and platforms.

It’s also important to note that while web design and web development are distinct disciplines, they often overlap. A good website requires both a strong visual design and functional code. Web designers and developers must work closely to ensure that the website meets the client’s requirements and provides an excellent user experience.

Working with a wide range of small businesses over the last 25 years, we’ve learned a thing or two about what goes into operating a business in today’s fast-paced world.

1. Password App

Passwords are the first defence against cyber attacks, yet many small business owners still use efficiently guessable or recycled passwords. A password app can generate and store complex passwords for multiple accounts, reducing the risk of security breaches.

2. Google My Business Profile

A Google My Business profile is a free and powerful tool that helps small businesses increase their online presence and visibility. By optimizing your profile, you can enhance your search engine rankings, attract new customers, and showcase your products or services, all with just 20-30 minutes of setup.

3. Proper Email Service

Email is the number one tool for small businesses, period. And it’s essential that you have a professional email service in place. Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365 are two leading providers that do email properly. Ensure your email service is tied to your business’ domain name and not to an internet services provider like Bellnet, Cogeco or Rogers.

4. Backups

Data loss can cripple a small business, so it’s crucial to have a stable backup system in place. Can you imagine if you lost access to all your emails or sales records? Cloud-based backup solutions are affordable and convenient, allowing you to automate backups and store your data securely off-site. Any decent IT professional can help narrow the options and recommend the best solution for you and your business.

5. IT Support

The business world is tech-based, and there is no getting around it. Regardless of your type of business, you will need proper tech at some point or another. And having the right advice is essential to spending on the right technology for your business. And having a go-to source for troubleshooting or advice is the best way to keep your business operating and moving forward. Also, don’t rely on your cousin’s nephew’s friend for your IT support. Take your business seriously and hire professionals.

6. Security Software

Small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, so it’s vital to have security software installed on all devices. Antivirus, anti-malware, and firewalls can protect your business from cyber-attacks and data breaches. See item number 5 above for help in this domain.

7. A Defined Target Customer(s)

Identifying and understanding your target customers is an overlooked essential for small businesses. Most of your activities are customer-facing, and you should take action and make decisions that lead your business toward dealing with the right customers and not just “any” customers.

8. Bookkeeping

Accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping is essential for managing your small business finances effectively. And since most of us would prefer to avoid the mounting stack of paperwork that needs attention, you’re better off investing in a bookkeeping service to keep you up-to-date.

9. Inspiration

Running a small business can be challenging and stressful, so it’s vital to find sources of inspiration and motivation. This might include attending networking events, joining a mastermind group, or seeking mentorship from successful entrepreneurs. And inspiration doesn’t always have to be work-related. You might find inspiration from personal activities like watching movies or reading fiction.

10. PTO

Small business owners work long hours and sacrifice personal time, often away from family and friends, to grow their businesses. However, taking time off to rest and recharge is essential for preventing burnout and maintaining work-life balance. More importantly, time off gives your brain time to incubate ideas and sort through your thoughts, making you more efficient and productive during work hours.

Of course, this isn’t the exhaustive list of essentials a small business needs, but it’s a round-up of the most prominent things that a small business is usually missing.

So how do we look for efficiencies at budget time, when we don’t know how much our website costs us?

Direct costs are pretty easy to tabulate, but indirect and ‘time-spent’ costs are a little trickier to nail down during budget times.

Working with some of our small org clients, we’ve put the work in to demystify this elusive cost and present it so that you can adjust the figures for your team.

Annual Cost analysis

Direct costs

Time-spent costs for your team to manage the website

On average, a proper website can cost organizations like yours $8,525 in time spent and direct costs.

I have two additional notes to add to this quick analysis:

1. The average figures above are assuming normal website operating conditions are maintained for the length of the timeframe, which in this case is five years. They do not include any remediation fees for hacked websites, downtime due to backup restoration, or major platform technical issues. It’s assuming all goes as planned, which, in our 20+ years of experience, rarely is that case, and we wanted to present a “base case scenario.”
2. Our time estimate assumes that the people in the roles have an average level of proficiency with the tasks they are responsible for (i.e. branding, communications, website server maintenance, etc.). The time-spent estimates will need to be adjusted based on your organization’s team’s proficiency in completing their assigned tasks.

To be more realistic with these numbers, we should assume that $8,500 is the minimum annual cost for your organization’s website and will increase depending on your team’s capabilities and your forecasting approach (cautious vs. aggressive).

With WaaS, managers and teams do not need to have any technical knowledge or experience in website development or management. The WaaS provider offers a simple, user-friendly platform that manages every element of your website – design to development, to integrations. The platform also includes hosting, security, backups, and updates, ensuring that your website is secure, up-to-date, and available 24/7.

The features and functionalities included in WaaS packages may vary from provider to provider. However, in general, WaaS offerings include:

1. Website design and development: WaaS providers offer templates that can be customized to suit your specific needs. Whether pre-built or custom template, your WaaS provider is your one-stop-shop for all things website design and development related.
2. Website hosting: WaaS providers offer website hosting as part of their service. This means that your website is hosted on the provider’s servers, and your team does not need to worry about server maintenance, bandwidth, or other technical issues.
3. Website maintenance: WaaS providers offer regular maintenance and updates to ensure that your website is secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly. This includes security updates, software updates, backups, and other technical maintenance tasks.
4. Domain registration: WaaS providers often offer domain registration as part of their service. This means that you can choose a custom domain name for your website, and the provider will handle the registration and DNS settings.
5. Support: WaaS providers offer customer support to help you with any technical issues or questions related to your website. Support is typically offered via email, phone, or chat.

WaaS is a cost-effective and convenient option for organisations, small businesses, and startups who want to have an online presence without the hassle of designing, hosting, and maintaining a website themselves. WaaS eliminates the need for businesses to hire a web development team or invest in expensive web development software.

One of the benefits of WaaS is that you can focus on your core organizational activities, rather than spending time and resources on website development and management. With WaaS, organizations can launch their website quickly and efficiently, allowing them to focus on their offerings and delivering their services.

Another benefit of WaaS is the scalability it offers. As your organization grows and your website needs change, you can easily upgrade your WaaS package to include additional features and functionality. This means that organizations can easily add new pages, features, or integrations to your website as your needs evolve.

WaaS also offers a higher level of security and reliability than traditional website hosting solutions. WaaS providers use industry-standard security protocols, and regularly update their software and infrastructure to ensure that their websites are secure and up-to-date. This eliminates the need for teams to worry about security issues or website downtime, as the provider takes care of these issues on their behalf.

Website-as-a-Service is not for all organizations, but it can play an important role in elevating your communications, streamline your budgets, and remove barriers in adopting web technologies in your organization. And keep your website from looking stale and dated.