I thought it was about time I took a look at this 1&1 website builder, not only because 1&1 are overloading the TV with their ‘it’s so simple’ website builder advert, but because I have recently had a few customers mention it, you know how it goes, ‘well how about that free website builder from 1&1′,

I really don’t want to sound like I am having a dig at 1&1, I have used their hosting platform for years, on many sites and 9 times out of 10 will recommend it! I like any company that explores new ways to get people and more importantly business involved in online ventures, promotion, selling and the like, why wouldn’t I, there is always room for a designer, isn’t there?

The Good news!

Lets start there, well they have a great concept, make it easy, make it cheap, um, well that’s about it for the good news.

The Not so Good news!

This may just be me? perhaps I have spent too many years looking at beautiful CSS galleries and sites such as pocopeople or twofold to ever really go back to the days of simple design without nice images or textures, however, if ever you have a client say ‘hmm 1&1 website builder’ please send them directly there, like so:

mywebsite

Here you can see examples of sport related sites, something tells me Nike won’t be knocking on 1&1′s door anytime soon.

That’s not all, take a look at other sectors, there appears to be a similar look and feel, surely if you are going to branch into different sectors, make the templates reflect that sector, perhaps add in some texture, some nice stock images people can use if need be, its amazing what that can do for a site.

Finally there is the user experience (UX) everyone is talking about understanding the user, making design flow, simplifying and beautifying the online experience, unfortunately I cannot comment, truth be told I haven’t tried their system, I dont feel I need to, as I genuinely wouldn’t recommend any clients to use this based on the aesthetics alone, perhaps someone who has tried it could comment further? let me know, I really would be interested.

So to sum up, I think it is great 1&1 are promoting online business, I personally think they have missed a trick with the designs and overall look and feel of the templates, but as a freelancer I can only take this oversight as a good thing.

My final words would be, it’s so important to have a website nowadays, but more so than that, it’s important to have a site that looks and feels professional, we are fickle consumers, all to easy to click off a site because it doesn’t look professional, clean, simple, or easy to navigate, as this site sums up websites that suck if you are thinking of have an online presence, take it serious, get a budget together realistically £800+ minimum, yes there are loads of sites like peopleperhour where you can get someone to do you an ecommerce site for £350, but if you run a business would you buy a PC that’s £50 and potentially going to break real soon! Then why run the risk with your site, once you have a budget, search web design companies, locally preferably but not always, take a look at the portfolio, speak to a human and get a feel for the work they do and the type of people who do that work, only then make a choice.

Cheers

James

In the process of producing a cool looking brand and site for the toddlertogs site, I searched high and low for a decent photoshop pattern in the form of cloth, there are loads of textures around, just google ‘cloth texture’ and you’re bombarded with lots of different images people have shot with their camera, scanned or attempted to recreate in photoshop, but none really provided the scalability I was after, and more importantly the ability to tile.

So here it is, to download click the link below and go for it,

Cloth Pattern Photoshop (FREE to USE)

If you want to mention where you got it from or link back, that would be great, but after many years of borrowing from other people I thought it was about time I gave a little back, and by little, I mean 11px x 11px (i know, baby steps James)

I hope to bring more of these as i get into designing my own patterns, brushes and um, stuff!!

One final bit for the best effect i found placing the pattern on a Multiply layer, like so:

I shall update this blog section as the days go by, so far we have agreed the colours, handle bars, wheels, I am still deciding on the saddle!

Keep an eye out for more

Hopefully, like a lot of people out there I am not alone, I recently setup a twitter account, branded it, added some nice images and text and followed a few people, and occasionally tweet, however it occurred to me, i never actually read up on the, do’s and dont’s of twitter, I didn’t really research the best apps, or sites available and I definitely didn’t take a look at how best to use it, so, I have spent a little while (well 20 minutes) putting together some content from the web to hopefully bring myself and anyone who stumbles across this up to speed!

Retweet Reply or React:

Any messages you personally love or like, retweet

Reply to a message with a reaction, if you feel strongly enough about it

   If you are a new user, these are a great way for people to hear about you.

Hashtags – #

These help people find interesting tweets, they are twitter categories, so I guess I will start using things like this

Just released another #qwikee #wordpress site check it out

Clicking on hastags shows other peoples relevant topics
   Don’t over use on a single tweet
   Only use those relevant to the tweet

For more on hashtags trending visit – hashtags

Susan Orlean provides for an excellent read on hashtags.

Mentions

Another great way to involve other tweets, mention someone else by using their twitter username. post a message about a celebrity or person you admire. Big up @BarrackObama

Twitter speak

I didn’t even know this existed, the full list can be found from mashable site:

But some of my favourites

• drive-by-tweet: a quick post inbetween tasks
• mistweet: a tweet in which one later regrets
• neweeter: a new tweeter
• twalking: walking while twittering via text. LOL
• twittastic: fantastic, wonderful, superb.

and the list goes on.

Find local tweets, possibly good for marketing, again there are loads of results for this and mashable once again comes up with a good list here – localtweets

Advanced twitter features.

Once you are a master of the above, there are further enhancements for twitter such as lists, direct messages, and favourites, include messages or videos in your tweets and always connect your twitter to facebook, your website or blog.

Glossary of terms

Twitter provide the full glossary of terms here – Glossary

I guess this will do for now, I may if i find time compile a complete list and put together a twikee list (see what i did)

But before i leave, I guess there is one other thing that’s required, how to minimise long URL’s, the one I use is

http://www.bit.ly/

but naturally there are loads

http://goo.gl/

a nice simple one

http://ow.ly/url/shorten-url

Hope that helps look out for more soon.

James

Keep It Simple Stupid, well ok then! here is the new qwikee business card, following along the same path as the site, newsletter etc…. this is version one, let me know what you think!

Of course should you or your company require business cards and would like a refresh, give me a bell and hopefully talk to you soon.

Cheers

James

Well that’s another thing off the list, finally got the qwikee newsletter coded and ready to go, now just need something to talk about and more importantly someone to say it to, hmmm! If you’re reading this and would like to be one of the first to get the qwikee newsletter (I know, what an honour hey! ) then click here

Why bother with newsletters?

Newsletters are great for building loyalty with clients / customers, make the information relevant and communicate key messages in an entertaining and rewarding manner that way your clients will appreciate what you’re saying at the same time you’re building upon that client relationship, and of course maximising the opportunity for repeat or addtional business.

In the meantime should you or you company require a nice new shiny newsletter or a revamp of your current one, get in touch via email, twitter, facebook or telephone.
Cheers

James

Maximising Personal Trainer Websites

Coming !st of November, qwikee launches it’s exclusive webdesign, development site for Personal Trainers, keep your clients informed of the latest trends, make use of twitter and facebook, while keeping things simple, our sites offer clean design, integrated social media, all performed on the awesome wordpress platform.

Starting from just £350 you can have a site that is unique to you, and a brand that suits your business, not only that we will host it and setup emails, along with regular updates and checks.

For further information please check out

www.max-pt.co.uk

Fancy a qwikee! I know it’s a little cheeky, but oh well

Thanks for coming along, lets begin with what qwikee offers, thats simple, whether you are searching for a web designer, developer or graphic designer, qwikee can help, even though qwikee is a new website the company name and work have spanned 12 years, headed up by me (James Darlington) I have been designing, developing brands and websites since back in 1999, since then I have either been designing / developing in the capacity of an employed designer or as ‘the guy who does websites’ along the way I have picked up some cool jobs, some sweet little brands, and although they havent always worked out, it’s always great working with the client to meet their expectations and hopefully surpass them.

With several projects already up and running and a few more in the bag, I am always on the look out for the next project, and of course always happy to discuss how I can help.

Please take a look at the portfolio, naturally pop back soon or contact me for any further information, and dont forget if you need a website – www.qwikee.co.uk

See you soon.

James

Mob: 07702 748 864
Twitter: @Jame5Darlington
mail:james@qwikee.co.uk

I look forward to someone actually reading this.

Cheers

James