The Makak Media Richard Dewick's blog - A Guide to the Internet and Print

Jul 04

11 Pretty in Pink Web Designs

Posted July 4th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
Pink Web Design

Pink is a colour that stands alone from most others, what hue you choose can change the look and feel of your web design.

Girls love pink and may even be biologically programmed to prefer it according to a Study: Why Girls Like Pink detailed in TIME magazine.

I've used pink in many web designs and love the contrast it gives against a cool grey, come on lads don't be afraid to say you like it too!

So below I've picked out 11 designs that use the colour pink in varying ways but all with a great end result, enjoy.

Charuca

Charuca web design

Hotdog and Mustard

Jun 16

So You've Got A New Website: Hop, Skip and Jump to Success

Posted June 16th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
Jump to success

So you've got a new website, great you're now a step ahead of those without one but a small hop, skip and a jump behind those who have been online for a while.

What can you do to catch up with those who already have plenty of traffic, links to their site or a popular brand name?

Well don't despair there are many ways to get your site out there and in front of people and even steal a march on your competitors who have become complacent.

The Hop - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

You should incorporate SEO in your design brief to your web designer but if you didn't then it's not too late to make changes that will help your site in the long term.

Directories

The first port of call for many people are directories and although not vital they are a good foundation to work from.

Jun 06

TED Talk with Richard Branson

Posted June 6th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in



Jun 01

Is Social Networking Here to Stay?

Posted June 1st, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
Social Networking

Being a marketing junkie I was reading one of the many publications I get through the post and came across an article that inspired this post, Is social networking more of a fad in B2B marketing than a viable marketing medium? in B2B Marketing magazine.

Considering how long I've been engaged in social media and the growth in the medium I was interested to read the debate.

Ross Sturley, principle of Chart Lane consultancy and committee member of the CIM Construction Industry Group said that it's 'fun' and 'cool' but ultimately not worth the time.

He went on to say 'LinkedIn has 21 million users, but its most frequent use is recruitment consultants trying to source candidates' something I would have to disagree with. I've found Linked In to be a very good site to network on and gain work from.

May 05

5 Tips to Improve Website Usability

Posted May 5th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
Confused User - Improve Website Usability

Improving website usability is really important to maximise the enjoyment of the site for users. If you're unsure of what usability is then you can read more from the king of Usability Jacob Neilsen.

In short, good usability allows you to have a successful site by increasing its' effectiveness allowing the user a good experience and smooth interaction.

I was looking online for a pair of shoes the other day and came across a site that made me stick around just to see how annoying it was! It didn't take long to get my goat. As you will see I've got great taste ;)

http://www.pointerfootwear.com

Pointer hompage, poor website usability example

This site has some great shoes to browse through but a number of usability issues that should be addressed.

5 Tips To Improve Website Usability

#1 - Alt Tags on Imagery

Apr 24

Social Media Optimization: Optimize Your Social Media Marketing

Posted April 24th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
Social Media Optimization: How to Optimize Your Social Media Marketing

If you're not familiar with my last post, Social Media Marketing: Are You Wasting Your Time?, do read it before going on.

In it I discuss the issue of social media marketing and how if not channelled correctly can cost you valuable time from your work day. Are you prone to trying out the next new social site without having any goals or aims in sight?

If you are, then you need to consider how much time you're putting into Social Media Marketing (SMM) and what you're getting out. If your ROI is small then you need to optimize your SMM.

"The best thing I ever did was shut off my Digg account. I gained a few hours a week and after 6 months have never noticed any negative impact on my site or my business."

Apr 18

Social Media Marketing: Are You Wasting Your Time?

Posted April 18th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
social media marketing: are you wasting your time?

If you own your own business then you're always thinking of ways to gain new clients or customers and how to spread the word. One of the best ways is via Social Media Marketing (SMM). You can get your business in front of those people you most want to target and converse with them in ways no other medium can.

But, it's also one of the biggest wastes of your valuable time. Due to its' natural tendency to make you play the game and chase the numbers SMM can distract you from what's important.

Technology provides us with more opportunity, more opportunity to waste time.

"Oh I got 100 maybe 1,000 or more visitors to my site yesterday from Digg, what a triumph, wait til I tell my colleagues."

Whoopie do well done you! All that time sending shouts really paid off. All those messages on other social sites got so much attention for your site.

Apr 14

Blogger Appreciation Day

Posted April 14th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
blog monkey

Today is (un)officially Blogger Appreciation day, well Darren Rowse started the worthy cause and Chris Garrett developed it into appreciation of those that comment on your blog.

It's your comments that highlight points missed or subjects to cover so keep them coming.

So here are the great and good that have all so far commented on my blog, it's only a new born monkey creation so props (respect cause I'm hip, on the cutting edge ouch!) to my early adopters:

Ed Rouch
Barry Welford
Rachel Phillips
Rob Safuto
Mel
Patricia Skinner
SexySEO

Apr 10

I'm not a brand, am I?!

Posted April 10th, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
personal branding

Branding is a waste of money, who needs it. I certainly don't. I'll leave it to the big boys, the Starbucks, Apples and Coca Colas of this world.

These companies spend huge amounts of money on packaging and staff training, something I certainly can't afford to do.

All my spare cash goes on advertising and marketing my company.

If this is you Stop right there, you need to realise everything you or your company does is affecting your brand.

If you've been reading this article so far and agreeing with everything I've written then you're not fully grasping what constitutes a brand.

You may be a sole trader, a new startup business or even an established company but one thing you all have in common is that you all own a brand.

Branding is not just plastering your logo across every piece of marketing you produce. It's not just getting colour coordinated clothing for your staff.

A brand is all these things and more.

Apr 01

6 Actions To Get Your Website Off The Ground

Posted April 1st, 2008 by Richard Dewick in
6 Actions To Get Your Website Off The Ground

Just started out? Opened a bank account, registered at Companies House and now want a website but not sure what you need?

Often I have new business owners come to me with wide eyes and bright ideas but soon become tongue tied when the word website is mentioned.

Technology can be a frightening thing for a number of people which is why I've written this post to help explain exactly what is required.

6 Actions To Get Your Website Off The Ground

#1 Domain Name: eg. www.example.com

First off you need a domain name which is the name given to your website and would normally be your company name. Some thought should be given to this and research done into availability.

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