These Are the Best Computers for Graphic Design Work in 2023

May 19, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

Computers with processing power and graphic capabilities can install Photoshop or other design software with few issues. However, certain models are designed explicitly with graphic designers in mind. Ergonomics, preloaded software and mechanics offer a better overall feel, presentation and usability.

Here are the top laptop and desktop computers for graphic design work in 2023.

1. Mac Mini M2 Pro

Everyone has four figures to drop on a graphic design setup. Apple’s Mac Mini M2 Pro is a noticeable upgrade from previous models for a more reasonable price. It has an MSRP of $599.99 and promises to be 5.5 times faster for Adobe Lightroom Classic functionalities and 4.4 times faster in Final Cut Pro than the 27-inch iMac. It achieves this with a 16-core GPU, variable RAM — 16-32 GB — and solid-state drive (SSD) space. It’s available in 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB for even the most avid image and video designers.

It’s a compact computer, but it doesn’t come with displays out of the box, which is something to consider for the price. Its faster performance will make designers happy when there’s no lag when rendering images in their software, despite not being user upgradeable.

Apple is renowned for catering to the design sector, and the Mac mini M2 Pro is no exception. The non-pro version is also a worthy contender if the higher specs aren’t necessary for your purposes.

2. Surface Studio 2

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a high-caliber machine, and the price reflects it. There are variations, depending on if you want 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM, and its current price is around $4,299.99 for the machine with the highest specs. It includes a 1 TB SSD, an Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card. Buyers can immediately see where the investment lies — stunning graphics capability but with a slightly underwhelming processor.

Even though there aren’t versions of the Surface Studio 2 with a more potent processor, its powerful 28-inch touch-screen display shines bright. It has mobility with its hinges, allowing artists to view their pieces from any angle. It is perfect for illustrators because it offers Surface Pen support to draw directly on the screen without damage. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is another variant that’s worth looking into.

3. HP Envy 34-Inch All-in-One

Buyers can expect to drop a pretty penny on the HP Envy, but not as much as some of the other machines on this list. The benefits of an all-in-one device come strong at around $2,000, and it is ideal for illustrators, game designers or social media graphics creators. It can do it all, with 32 GB of RAM and another terabyte of SSD storage for every minute of video and every pixel of art.

Customers will get an easily upgradeable display and machine if they want the cheapest version to invest in over time. The name touts its gorgeous 34-inch display, which gives designers an excellent 5120 x 2160 resolution to explore and develop their art. Again, the Intel Core i7 processor is nothing to write home about, as it decreases the computer’s speed.

Among its other parts, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is highly configurable and adaptable to the experience designers want to have. It is the most malleable machine on this list, making it a durable option for people who don’t want to go tech shopping for a while.

4. iMac 27-Inch

The Intel Core i5 isn’t ideal, but the iMac 27-inch is the quintessential graphic design setup you have seen in movies or universities. They’re one of the most accessible kits for any designer level, with around a $1,500 price tag. However, plenty are available in the secondhand market. A refurbished Mac can be just as valuable and viable, regardless if you’re a student or professional.

The boon behind the 27-inch iMac is the 5K Retina display, sitting at a 5120 x 2880 resolution. That’s 1 billion colors designers can see on a luxurious screen. Alongside the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 GPU, designers can see everything in crisp and vibrant colors.

5. Dell Precision 7920 Tower

Not everything has to be Microsoft or Apple — Linux has its share of offerings for graphic designers, too. Linux has always been known for its versatility and security, a phenomenal workspace that provides peace of mind for designers.

The Precision 7920 Tower might not be the best graphic design setup for those unfamiliar with the Linux OS, but if you already know your way around or want to learn, it has competitive specs. It has an AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 GPU and an Intel Xeon Bronze 3204 processor with many ports for all your peripherals. It works well for designers in all niches, but Linux appeals greatly to 3D modelers and video editors.

6. Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra

There are varied laptop and tablet setups for graphic designers. Some even have dual displays where a screen rests above the keyboard. However, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra is one of the more balanced options on the market if you’re taking graphic design seriously — and want to pay around $2,100. Battery life is one of the most critical specs for a laptop running heavy-duty software, and this has it while keeping performance at the top of mind.

If you’re designing for video, it also has an OLED screen and 1080p webcam that integrates with Windows Studio Effects. As with Apple products, if you have other Galaxy line products, expect seamless integration of these tools for a more comprehensive experience.

Choosing the Ideal Design Computer

Computers are out there that can help graphic designers make their work better, whether with peripherals or a stunning display. Though prices range on the heavier side, these machines are top-ranking and a long-term investment into years of graphic design capabilities. Each has pros and cons, with some promising more flexibility or power than others. You must determine your priorities to align with the machine for you.

Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

Why This Method Is the Best Choice for Hiring Web Developers

May 11, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

Part of the success of any business depends significantly on the expertise of its web developers. With the right team, you can create seamless online experiences, capture your target audience’s attention, and drive business growth.

However, finding the perfect web developer can be challenging. How do you identify and recruit individuals who will contribute to your organization’s success effectively?

Consider hiring web developers using an innovative method that combines skills-based assessment and structured interview processes. This approach is more effective than traditional hiring practices, ensuring the right fit for your organization’s needs.

What Is a Skills-Based Assessment?

A skills-based assessment is an evaluation method that measures a candidate’s ability to perform specific job-related tasks. Instead of relying solely on resumes and qualifications, this approach tests practical skills and demonstrates how well candidates can apply their knowledge in real-world situations. Essentially, it provides a more accurate view of a potential web developer’s capabilities, helping employers make better hiring decisions.

Skills-based assessments come in various forms, from coding challenges to technical skill tests. These assessments are tailored to the job requirements, ensuring candidates possess the necessary skills for the role. When incorporating this hiring methodology, employers can objectively evaluate a candidate’s technical proficiency and problem-solving skills.

Why Should Employers Use Skills-Based Assessments?

This method is effective in identifying top talent and reducing the impact of unconscious biases in the hiring process. It is a standardized evaluation process, meaning all candidates are assessed using the same criteria, fostering greater diversity in the workforce. In fact, studies show that companies with greater diversity experience 47% higher productivity levels.

Furthermore, this method excels at uncovering hidden talents. It looks beyond work experience, educational background, or resumes, providing a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s abilities and allowing them to showcase their skills that may have yet to be apparent.

Types of Skills-Based Assessments for Hiring Web Developers

When hiring a web developer, several types of skills-based assessments can help you evaluate a candidate’s technical abilities and determine if they are a good fit for your organization. Here are some common types of skills-based assessments that hiring managers use.

Coding Challenges

These assessments test a candidate’s programming abilities and problem-solving skills. Candidates get a coding problem to solve within a set time frame, allowing you to assess their efficiency and code quality.

Project-Based Tasks

Candidates receive a small-scale project that stimulates real-world tasks they would encounter on the job. This approach evaluates their ability to design, implement and troubleshoot web development projects.

Technical Skill Tests

These measure a candidate’s proficiency in specific frameworks, tools and programming languages, such as Python —- a widely used programming language in web development. By testing their knowledge in these areas, you can determine if they possess the necessary skills to contribute effectively to your web development team.

Portfolio Review

This method involves examining a candidate’s previous work, including websites, applications and other web-based projects they have developed. This evaluation gauges their experience, creativity, attention to detail, and ability to follow industry best practices and implement user-centric designs.

Pair Programming Exercises

In this assessment, candidates are paired with an experienced developer from your team to work collaboratively on a task or solve a problem. While this exercise proves their technical skills, it also demonstrates how well they work with other team members and adapts to your organization’s coding workflow.

What Is a Structured Interview Process?

A structured interview process is a systematic and consistent approach to conducting interviews. It is where all candidates will have the same set of predefined questions, and employers will evaluate their responses based on standardized criteria. This method aims to minimize biases and subjectivity in the hiring process while providing a more objective and reliable means of comparing candidates.

The structured interview process includes several components:

Standardized questions: Asking each candidate the same questions ensures every applicant has a chance for equality. Plus, it makes identifying the best fit for the role easier.

Predefined evaluation criteria: Interviewers rate candidates’ responses using a predetermined scoring system. This method helps in reducing personal biases and inconsistencies in the evaluation process.

Consistent format: The interview process follows a uniform structure, which may include time limits, question order and interview settings. That way, you create a level playing field for all candidates.

Why Should Employers Use Structured Interviews?

Employers should consider using structured interviews for several compelling reasons. One of the primary benefits is the enhanced objectivity it brings to the hiring process. When you utilize standardized questions and predefined evaluation criteria — you can make more data-driven decisions that lead to a fairer and more accurate candidate selection.

A structured interview also enables an easier comparison of candidates. Since all applicants are assessed using the same parameters, employers can identify top talent more effectively and determine the best fit for their organization. This approach leads to better hiring decisions, team performance and overall business outcomes.

Additionally, this process ensures that all candidates have an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and qualifications. This fosters a more inclusive hiring process, enabling organizations to build diverse and talented web development teams. In turn, this drives innovation and success within the organization.

Tips for Integrating a Skills-Based Assessment and Structured Interview Process

Successfully integrating this hiring method requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you combine the two strategies effectively:

Customize the process: Tailor the assessments and interview questions to reflect the specific requirements of the web developer position, ensuring you evaluate the most relevant skills and competencies.

Align with your company culture: Ensure your interview questions and evaluation criteria reflect your organization’s values and work culture. That way, you can identify candidates who will fit well within your team.

Train your interviewers: Provide interviewers with guidelines and training on the structured interview process. Doing so ensures they understand the purpose of each question and how to evaluate candidates’ responses objectively.

Balance technical and soft skills: While focusing on technical abilities is crucial, remember to assess candidates’ communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. As such, they can significantly impact their performance in a web development role.

Continuously review and improve: Regularly evaluate your hiring process’s effectiveness by gathering feedback from interviewers and candidates. Then, you can adjust as needed to ensure you consistently hire the best web developers.

Hiring a Web Developer Successfully

Adopting a combination of skills-based assessments and a structured interview process is the best choice for hiring web developers. This innovative method enables you to make informed and accurate hiring decisions and build a strong, talented web development team. Once you fully leverage this proven method, you will be able to hire top-notch web developers that drive your business forward.

Most Designers Miss This Vital Component of Logo Design

May 4, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

Logo design is a common task graphic designers work on for brands as they either enhance what the company already has or come up with a fresh new rendering to showcase a startup to its best advantage. The logo is what consumers see frequently throughout their experience with a business. It appears everywhere from a storefront to a website to social media and emails.

One research study showed when it comes to logos, the perception of sincerity was 70% more important to people than any other element in the design. It’s hard to pinpoint how to make a logo sincere, however. It’s a rather abstract term. People can focus on the colors and the emotions they evoke. The text can be to the point and accurate. The font can match the brand personality in style and tone.

However, the often overlooked aspect of logo design that may be the deciding factor between one logo and the next is placement and sizing. Once you have all the other elements in place, take a step back and ensure the placement and sizing is exactly what you need for the project you’re working on.

1. Avoid the Right Side

If you’re catering to English-speaking readers, then you should consider the Z-pattern most used to read, especially if placing the logo on a website or other digital properties. Most will start in the upper left corner and read across, skip down on a diagonal and then read across the bottom from left to right again.

Adding your logo to the upper left of an app or website page makes more sense because it is the first thing users will see.

2. Choose the Best Sizing

What type of product or asset you place the logo on makes a difference. On a website, you might want to ensure certain elements such as the call to action button stay above the fold. Resizing your logo so everything fits makes the most sense in this scenario.

If you’re creating a T-shirt, then you must consider placement when choosing sizing. A logo on the back of a tee is going to require a much larger size than one on the right breast pocket, for example. On a breast pocket, the logo should be where it should be around 2.5 to 5 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide. By comparison, on the back, aim for it should run between 10 to 14 inches wide and up to six inches tall.

3. Consider Other Elements

When thinking about sizing and placement, consider the other elements in the design or on the page. If you have a large image, you don’t want the logo to be so overwhelmed that it fades into the background.

Think about the things you need to do to make your logo pop. No matter what type of marketing you’re doing, you want the logo to always be the first thing the user sees. Ensuring it pops builds brand awareness and increases customer loyalty.

4. Responsive Logos

Keep in mind when designing for a digital presence that people might access it via a laptop computer or via their mobile devices. Different screen sizes can impact the way the logo appears. You want it to adapt to smaller screens and not overtake the entire page or fall off the edge.

Test any designer in all different screen sizes to figure out if it is adapting to different users’ needs.

5. Deliver the Best Files for Scaling

Once your design is complete, you’ll want to save it in vector, TIFF or PNG for better scaling. Even though the design might look great on a flier or a website, what if the company wants a large store sign or placement on a billboard?

When you deliver the files in the right format, you make it easier for scaling up at a later date. Otherwise, you might find yourself redesigning or losing quality on the image.

6. Watch for Double Meanings

We’ve all seen the logo designs gone wrong. The Starbucks logo that turned into “sucks” when the panel door on a delivery van opens or the airplane logo that went down an escalator and made it look like the plane was crashing.

It’s crucial you consider the different angles and sizes a logo might be used for. If necessary, offer additional versions of the logo for specific uses. A logo design should be universal enough to work in any placement or size needed by its brand.

How Important Is Size and Space to Logo Design?

Sizing and spacing can change the entire look of a logo. Having enough data to know where and how the logo will be utilized is a vital part of designing something that represents a company well. After all, you don’t want to attach your name to a design that garners attention for the wrong reasons. Take a little extra time to factor in size and spacing and your logo will have that added professional touch that sets your work apart from beginner designers.

Seven Components of an Elegant Website

April 20, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

Creating an elegant website helps people see the value of a product or service. Whether a brand wants a more traditional look or something refined, there are specific elements to include for a sophisticated tone.

What Are the Characteristics of an Elegant Website?

With around 2.3 million active websites around the globe. Around three new sites are created every second of every day. Sites range from funny to serious and everything in between. Designs can range from vintage to grunge to the elegant websites discussed in this article.

Although people often know elegance when they see it, defining it is a bit more challenging. Fortunately, scouring the internet for examples turns up some patterns in the things included in a site to make it look luxurious and traditional.

Here are the top seven components that make an elegant website appealing.

1. Luxurious Colors

The color palette a brand chooses can make it seem more elegant. Hues such as pink and purple may seem more modern. Blue offers a serious feel used often by banks and financial institutions. Luxurious color options include soft cream colors, grays, taupes and gold.

Source: https://www.emmemobili.it

Emmemobili offers beautiful wood furnishings that are the height of Italian luxury. To show their more elegant side, they offer photos of staged rooms showcasing their furniture. Note the use of creams, earth tones and gold centerpieces to pull it all together. When used in a way that balances the color palette, gold can add a touch of elegance to almost any website.

2. Words

The words chosen for a website design make an impact on how users view the page. Elegance is often associated with soft sounding words and traditional language. Stay away from slang or harsh sounding words.

For example, instead of describing a food product as bold, look for a different word such as spirited. Finding a softer or more traditional phrase can add elegance to a design.

3. Beautiful Photos

Images bring so much to any website design. They can tell a story, set a tone and create consistency. Using big, beautiful pictures grabs the user’s interest and engages their imagination.

Source: https://www.schonbek.com

Schonbek offers beautiful crystal chandeliers. To highlight their beautiful designs, they share photos on their website where the focal point is the product. However, the images themselves are of elegant rooms and simple backgrounds. The product descriptions feature the chandelier on a plain background so the only focus is on the beauty of the piece.

4. Typography

Choose the right typography for your design. Elegance is often associated with events and weddings. Choose beautiful calligraphy-style fonts for headings. Stick with a serif font, which has a more traditional look than sans-serif.

Limit the options to two or three typefaces and stick with the same one throughout for a consistent look. When in doubt about whether or not to use a font, check out how it appears on both desktop and mobile devices. Is it still readable in smaller sizes? Will there be any confusion over which letters form which words? If anything is unclear, choose a different option for your typeface.

5. Background

The right background color can make or break your elegant website. If you want a regal look, stick with golds. Purple also adds a royal touch to any site and can offset the gold. Whatever your brand’s color palette is, look for ways to incorporate at least a few luxury hues.

Source: https://www.brownhotel.com

The Brown Hotel is known as a luxury hotel. Notice the elegance of the images shared in the hero image. Their design features a dark background with hints of gold throughout the design. A gold call to action (CTA) button appears in a side slide.

Brands wanting to add a bit more elegance to their websites can add in hints of gold or other luxury colors without having to do a complete redesign. Popups and CTA buttons are a good place to add a bit of elegance without having to do a complete redesign.

6. Whitespace

Elegant designs often have ample whitespace within the design. Don’t crowd too many elements together as it can reduce the luxurious look of the page. Most people associate elegance with spaciousness and airiness. Keep things light and well balanced so the user’s eye goes to the key features on the page.

7. Timelessness

Choose elements that aren’t trendy. Adding things that go in and out of style is a sure way to not have an elegant website. Instead, stick to the looks, fonts and features used repeatedly for decades. Embrace the basics of good design such as clear navigational structure, beautiful imagery and classic color palettes.

Source: https://www.godiva.com

Godiva does a good job keeping things timeless. The chocolate display features butterflies and florals–themes that repeat every spring. The CTA button is gold. The background for the header is black. One won’t see bold pops of accent colors on this site other than in a few images. The main elements stick to a tried and true palette and the accents are from nature.

How to Build and Maintain Elegant Website

To keep a site on the luxurious side, consider every feature on the page. The colors should be classic, the fonts serif and scripts and the images ones people could see ten years ago, today and ten years from today. Stick with what is tried and true and the site will develop a natural elegance people will recognize.

7 B2C Websites We Are Completely Entranced By

April 17, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

Most small businesses who sell to consumers (B2C) have a website today. Finding the best ones to use as examples requires narrowing down options to various categories and then comparing a variety of options. Amazon is often considered the gold standard in e-commerce B2C websites, but there are many other examples that help with the best design elements as well.

Top Examples of B2C Websites

The United States Small Business Administration estimates there are around 33.2 million small businesses in the country. Although not all are B2C companies, millions of small businesses cater to consumers and have an online presence.

Whether a brand always has a site and wants to improve it or is looking to create a new design, there are a few things that make the top ones stand out from the rest. Here are some favorite elements to include:

1. Crumbl Cookies

Source: https://crumblcookies.com

Crumbl Cookies uses a video hero image to immediately engage site visitors. B2C websites should keep the consumer interacting from the moment they land on the page. Since most people have faster streaming than in the past and reliable internet connectivity, utilizing videos within designs can ramp up the success of any site.

2. Brighter Lights Media

Source: https://brighterlightsmedia.com

Brighter Lights Media uses a perfect mix of white space on their site. Since they offer a service where they film events, such as weddings, they already include video clips and beautiful images. However, creating the symmetrical balance between text, images and white space is challenging.

The site is a good one to study to fully understand the ample amounts of negative space needed to draw the user’s attention to specific elements on a B2C website and help them navigate the buyer’s journey.

3. Praxxis Pro

Source: https://praxxispro.com

Praxxis Pro does an excellent job of including a brightly colored call to action (CTA) button. Consider the best location for a CTA. Some sites include it on multiple pages or mainly on the home page. The sales model for a B2C website will determine where the CTA gets the best traction.

Businesses can also use some A/B testing and see which locations, colors and wording users respond best to for the CTA.

4. Zappos

Source: https://www.zappos.com

Zappos is one of the top shoe e-tailers today. One thing the site does particularly well is choosing categories most likely to be items people are looking for. B2C website owners should thinkthrough the most likely things people who land on the site seek. Hunting through top keywords is a good indicator.

Narrow the options down to five to seven categories and create a navigational hierarchy that makes the most sense for the business’s potential customers.

5. Max & Lily

Source: https://maxandlily.com

Max & Lily pulls in the help of a countdown timer. When companies put a time limit on a sale, it drives customers to go ahead and make a purchase. Once the user bounces away from a website to “think it over,” the chances of them returning are greatly reduced. Entice them to stay with a discount valid for a limited time.

Another option is to use the scarcity rule to make something seem more enticing. One study used two cookie jars to prove people want what they think others prefer. With two cookie jars, the scientists left one with only a couple cookies left and placed 10 in the other jar. People almost always selected a cookie from the almost empty jar.

Show how many of a popular item are left to entice site visitors to order immediately. Add a timer to put on even more pressure and encourage them to buy now rather than later.

6. Grovemade

Source: https://grovemade.com

Grovemade features a highly intuitive shopping experience. Users can easily add an item to their cart and take it back out with single clicks. The system suggests items usually purchased together or sends you to the next step of checking out with some simple CTAs.

Test out any shopping cart system and go with the one that integrates with other systems, such as inventory management. However, make sure it is user friendly and mobile responsive at the same time.

7. Skullcandy

Source: https://www.skullcandy.com

Skullcandy uses a gorgeous color palette to pull customers into their design and make them want to purchase their items. Don’t underestimate the power of color to engage users and create specific emotions.

Why does a business choose a specific color palette? Hopefully it’s created to cater to the company’s target audience and reach them on a deeper level. CTA buttons should pop against the background but also grab the user and make them want to take action.

Look for ways to try various colors and pay attention to contrast between background and text.

Find Success With B2C Websites

Whether one designs B2C websites or owns a company and wants a do it yourself option, adding in the elements above creates more opportunities for success. Spend a bit of time checking to see if the business’ website matches the needs and expectations of users.

Find ways to entice them from the second they land on the page and keep them moving forward throughout their journey on the site. The better a brand understands its users, the more successful a website will be.

Starting an Ecommerce Business from Scratch: The Do’s and The Don’ts

April 12, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing surge in the popularity of e-commerce businesses. As more people turn to online shopping for convenience and accessibility, the opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to tap into this market have never been greater. Yet, for those looking to start their e-commerce business from scratch, it is crucial they launch it the right way.

Numerous challenges can come with establishing a new business venture, as the online world is highly competitive. However, every decision you make will significantly impact your venture’s growth and profitability.

Consider the do’s and don’ts of starting an e-commerce business from scratch, as they will ensure you build a solid foundation for success.

The Do’s of Starting an E-Commerce Business

Explore the essential do’s for launching a successful e-commerce business, as they will guide you through the key steps in building an online store.

1. Conduct Thorough Market Research

Market research is a vital first step in starting your e-commerce business. By conducting research thoroughly, you will gain valuable insights into your target audience, industry trends and potential opportunities.

Additionally, a deep understanding of your niche allows you to tailor your products, marketing strategies and overall approach to cater to your customers’ needs and preferences. To ensure you conduct the right amount of research, invest time studying your competitors, identifying gaps in the market and analyzing consumer behavior.

Utilize tools like Google Trends and social media platforms to capture current demands and emerging trends. Staying informed and adapting to market shifts will enable you to make well-informed decisions to get your business started.

2. Use the Right Packaging for Shipment

The right packaging for shipping plays a vital role in delivering exceptional customer experiences, as it impacts the product’s presentation and protection during transit. Research shows that businesses with high customer satisfaction have 5.7 times more revenue than their competitors. Therefore, investing in high-quality packaging that reflects your brand’s commitment to excellence is essential.

The best types of packaging should be lightweight, durable and water resistant, as these make an ideal choice for shipping various products. Your packaging should also be able to protect your items during transit while reducing shipping costs.

Additionally, consider incorporating eco-friendly packaging materials and visually appealing designs that resonate with your audience. When you use the right packaging, you create memorable unboxing experiences. As a result, you bolster your customers’ satisfaction, encourage repeat purchases and enhance your company’s brand reputation.

3. Focus on User-Friendly Web Design

A website’s design in e-commerce greatly impacts your customer’s shopping experience and conversion rate. Ensuring your website is clean, professional and easy to navigate will be more crucial than ever — as it allows customers to find products quickly and seamlessly.

Additionally, a user-friendly design lets customers complete their purchases with minimal friction. Consider prioritizing usability and aesthetics to create a positive first impression. For example, suppose you create a website banner to promote a sale. The right size can determine whether it will capture your users’ attention.

For instance, many consumers shop on their mobile devices, so it would be crucial to maintain 320×100 pixels for a responsive design.

Moreover, it is important to implement reduced page load times and streamlined checkout processes to accommodate mobile users. With a user-friendly web design for your online store, you will improve search engine rankings and customer satisfaction.

4. Choose the Right Products to Sell

The right products can directly affect your ability to attract customers and generate revenue. When selecting products to sell, consider aligning them with your passion and expertise. Doing so will make it easier to create compelling marketing campaigns and provide exceptional customer service.

Additionally, it is essential to evaluate market demand, profit margins and the level of competition. That way, you can determine whether they will have any potential to yield a sustainable income for your business.

It is also important to strike a balance between following your interests and catering to your customers. Consider conducting extensive product research by analyzing the best-selling items in your niche. It also helps to keep seasonal demands in mind while exploring untapped markets.

Remember, the right product mix can be the key differentiating factor that sets your e-commerce business apart. Therefore, investing time in product research will be the greatest step in driving its growth.

The Don’ts of Starting an E-Commerce Business

Consider the don’ts of starting an e-commerce business, as they highlight the common pitfalls to avoid in building a thriving online store.

1. Neglect Customer Service

While it is easy to focus on the tangible aspects of your e-commerce business, neglecting customer service can harm your brand’s reputation. Exceptional customer support fosters customer loyalty, improves retention, and promotes positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Avoid this pitfall by prioritizing responsive and helpful customer service. Consider offering multiple channels for communication, such as email, live chat and social media. Train your support team to resolve issues effectively and empathetically, ensuring each customer interaction leaves a positive impression.

When you value customer service and consistently go the extra mile, you create a loyal customer base that may become your biggest brand advocate.

2. Ignore Marketing and Promotion

Avoiding marketing and promotion altogether is a common mistake that new e-commerce owners make, and it can especially hinder the growth and visibility of their business. With tons of noise and activity in the online world, actively promoting your brand and offers is highly crucial. Doing so will help you establish a strong online presence while reaching a wide consumer base.

Without marketing and promotion, your business may get lost in a sea of competitors. Therefore, ensuring your e-commerce store receives the attention it deserves is important.

Consider investing time and effort in developing a robust marketing strategy. Use social media, content marketing, email campaigns and influencer marketing to generate awareness and interest in your offers.

Additionally, paying close attention to search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results is essential. In turn, this tactic will drive traffic to your store and increase the likelihood of converting visitors into loyal customers.

3. Underestimate the Power of Customer Reviews

Today’s online shoppers rely heavily on reviews and testimonials to make purchasing decisions. It is part of their decision-making process, as positive reviews instill trust and serve as social proof to show customers why they should choose your products over competitors.

Take advantage of the power of customer reviews by encouraging satisfied customers to leave feedback. Provide incentives, such as discounts or exclusive offers to persuade them to share their experiences.

If you get negative feedback, consider addressing these customers to show that you are listening and are committed to resolving their issues proactively. Valuing customer feedback can create a strong foundation of trust and credibility, which can take your e-commerce business to new heights.

Start Your E-Commerce Business on the Right Foot

After exploring these do’s and don’ts of starting an e-commerce business, it is evident that a strategic approach with diligent execution creates a path to success. Focus on the right way to start your online business while avoiding the pitfalls.

The journey of building a successful e-commerce business may be challenging. Yet, hard work and the right guidance will help you land better results.

How Good UI Can Reduce Eye Fatigue

February 13, 2023

Author: Eleanor Hecks

People who spend a lot of time on the computer can wind up with eye fatigue. However, designers have an opportunity to reduce visual strain with a few changes toward excellent user interface (UI). When the UI is better, the user experience (UX) naturally improves in many cases.

Can Eye Fatigue Be Reversed?

According to The Vision Council, around 60% of people who are online more than a few hours a day suffer some digital eye strain. Eye fatigue occurs from viewing harsh white backgrounds or difficult to read text. People also can develop poor habits, such as not glancing away from their screens every few seconds.

Eye fatigue usually lessens within a few hours of stopping use of digital displays. Long-term, people may want to turn to methods such as dark mode on their mobile devices and only spending so much time a day on the computer.

Designers can help people avoid eye fatigue in the first place by implementing these tips.

1. Choose Dark Backgrounds

While not always the case, a good rule of thumb is that darker backgrounds/designs create less eye strain than brilliant white or pale yellow backgrounds. Of course a lot has to do with the combination of text and background and how much contrast you choose.

To reduce eye fatigue look at some dark mode designs and how they look both on a desktop and on a smartphone. If you can’t stare at them more than a few seconds without your eyes hurting, the color ranges likely need more work.

2. Utilize Proper Lighting

Don’t forget design for things such as manufacturing systems. Engineers sometimes complain about the design of the computer screens on pieces of equipment. The designs can often create eye strain because they tend to be on a light background with tiny text.

Better lighting can help improve the situation and reduce eye fatigue. The best lighting for computer readouts on machinery as well as visual inspections of parts is steady and reliable so light changes are from the parts and not from anything else.

3. Use Larger Text

Tiny text is sometimes the reason for eye strain. Making the font slightly larger can have a huge impact on how readable the screen is. Larger text can also reduce the amount of white space on lighter backgrounds.

Bolder, darker, bigger text is much easier to read than tiny little letters you have to strain to see.

4. Create Responsive Pages

By 2025, mobile app revenue will hit $613 billion, with new apps appearing every month. To grab user attention in a crowded marketplace, you have to design an app that not only functions as expected but has an excellent design interface, right down to not causing eye strain.

Create responsive pages that adjust to different screen brightnesses and look as visually appealing on desktop as smaller screens.

5. Turn to Warm Colors

If the overall design doesn’t allow for a darker-mode theme, you can also use warmer colors to reduce some of the eye strain people experience. Studies show blue light is part of what messes with human circadian rhythm and creates vision issues. Warm colors use less blue light, so designing with a warm yellow or earth tones may help.

Of course, people can also set their phones or computer screens to filter out blue light or buy special glasses, but many don’t think of it or won’t bother. You can fix part of the issue with your designs.

Good UI Is About More Than Functionality

The user interface of any design is a complex beast. Not only should every link, button and action work the way the user expects, but the entire aesthetic must come together for a visually pleasing experience. Since eye fatigue is part of the visual process of visiting a site, making just a few changes in your design means helping users not experience the pain of harsh designs on their eyes.