Jacobito's Web & Graphic Design Blog

Importance of Typography in Web Design

In the age of instant gratification, it is more important than ever to attract visitors to your web site and draw them in from there. One way of doing this is by having a well-defined typography layout. In this post we’ll talk about attracting visitors to your web site with typography, holding their attention with elements of typography and setting up a hierarchy that is relative to the importance of your web site.

Attracting Visitors With Typography

The first and probably most important way in which typography can help your web site attract visitors is by having a well-designed logo and brand. A well-designed logo should be simple, yet distinguished enough, so that it’s word-mark speaks clearly and tells the viewer this is the brand and this is what we’re about.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Typography,   User Experience,  

Web Browser Testing For Clients

I’ve witnessed first hand web sites that look great in one web browser, and look like a train wrecks in another. I often wonder if the owners of those web sites know they have a major problem on hand, or if they just don’t care. Either way lets get those of you who aren’t in the know up to date to which browsers are being used out there and share how you can test to see if your web site has any design styling flaws.

Common Browsers Used As of July 2010

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: User Experience,  

New Web Design Firm in Santa Fe

Yes, we are the new web design firm in Santa Fe. That doesn’t mean we aren’t familiar with what it takes to do business in a town that is saturated with web design competition. In fact we feel like we have the upper hand. We’re cheaper, leaner and offer unique custom web sites that are search engine friendly from the get-go. Plus, we enjoy interacting with our clients and making them very happy!

Affordable Santa Fe Web Design

Oh yea, we’re affordable… Even in these hard economic times. We have low overhead and believe in sustainable practices.  This means that we can charge less than the average web design firm. “How much less?” you ask. On average, we charge $20 (per hour) less than most web designers. And it won’t be one of those scenarios where you say, “Well, I guess we got what we paid for.”  We want our clients to feel as though they not only got the most for their money, but also enjoy the way their new web site works, looks and feels.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Santa Fe Business,   Web Design,  

Search Engine Friendly Websites

Whether you are aware of it or not, not all websites are search engine friendly… And it’s more prevalent than you think! There are many websites out there that are either outdated, written by code-hoarding designers that haven’t bothered to update their web development skills in the last decade, or just plain missing important search engine friendly code all together. You might be saying, “Why would this make a website less search engine friendly?” Let me give you general examples of why!

A Decrepit, Jaded & Surly Website

Some website owners believe it necessary to neither update the content of their website, nor update the design and code. They just let it wither away into web antiquities. Ultimately, in the long run, this is a very bad choice. Websites should be thought of as being alive and needing some attention from time to time. Content should be kept fresh, so loyal visitors aren’t bored by seeing the same old content.  Minor design changes are important too from time to time for the same reasons. And if you’re still rocking that website from 2001, chances are it was built with old clunky code that not only slows the website down, but hinders how it’s indexed by search engines. In the long run this can effect your search engine rankings. Plain and simple, neglected websites over time become jaded and surly just like your best friend’s neighbor’s decrepit grandmother who doesn’t bother answering the door for trick-or-treaters on Halloween anymore.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Santa Fe Business,   Semantic Web,   SEO,  

SEO in Santa Fe

In the age of instant gratification, where digital devices get you what you want faster than ever, it pays to have a marketing campaign that is as specific as possible. One of the ways of achieving this is through a search engine optimization (SEO) campaign for your website.

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an internet marketing strategy, that improves the amount of visitors to a particular website. Generally, this works by focusing on specific industry keywords and regional keywords (if applicable—based on client base). These keywords are then strategically placed within a website’s code and content so eventually search engines will place that particular website higher in their search results. Higher search results equals that needed edge over your competition in the digital realm.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Santa Fe Business,   SEO,  

Google Docs Office Suite

The concept behind Google Docs is the same as an office suite, only it’s free. It’s a web-based program, so it can be stored virtually, not on your hard-drive. Google Docs works with most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF.  As an added feature users can view docs on their mobile devices and view and edit spreadsheets they’ve created. Pretty convenient, don’t you think?

How do I start using google docs?

First you need to start an account with Google. You don’t necessarily have to start a gmail account (those familiar with gmail, the interface with Google Docs is similar to that of gmail); you just have to use an existing email address. From there it is all pretty self-explanatory.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Time Savers,  

Instapaper… Read Later

Instapaper is definitely one of Jacobito Design’s favorites of 2009. This easy to use bookmarking tool is perfect for those who don’t have time to read every web page visited, but due to a special interest, need to read at a later time.

How do I get it?

Instapaper is super easy to set up and free! First you want to go to www.instapaper.com and register to set up an account. You’ll want to give instapaper either a login or email address to set up the account (It’s advised to enter your email just incase you forget your login at a later date). Once you have done this, you’ll be directed to your account page that prompts you to drag the “Read Later” icon button to your bookmarks bar. This way next time you’re on a page that you want to read later, just click the “Read Later” icon and it will be added to your Instapaper reading list… Super easy huh?  We also advise that you bookmark the actual account page next to your “Read Later” icon.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Time Savers,  

Social Networking for Businesses

Social networking sites, such as Twitter, LinkedIn and FaceBook, are fast becoming a normal day-to-day business activity. Businesses use these sites as a marketing tool to drive traffic towards their websites and keep their clientele interested in their business activities. Because the overhead cost of being part of a social networking site is minimal, it really does pay for a company to be involved.

Social Networking… A Driving Force

Businesses that want to drive traffic towards their website might want to think about setting up a social networking account. Major corporations are in on the game because they realize the benefits of being able to interact with their customers. These corporations also realize how social networking sites can drive new clientele towards their sites by using social networking as a promotional base.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Business,   Social Networking,  

Greening Design

As it is with all startup businesses, Jacobito Design has written into its business plan to eventually make a profit. We’ll complete this goal by starting out lean, saving money, and being as Green as possible. Our thought is that if we set up green protocols in the beginning, we’ll save money through energy and operating costs over the long run. Plus we’ll feel good about it!

Our Green Protocols:

• Reducing the amount of energy we use within facility
• Reducing fleet costs
• Reducing waste

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Business,   Green Business Practices,  

Are you Omnifocused?

Have you ever been stressed out when trying to complete tasks during a busy day? Yea, us too! Jacobito Design uses Omnifocus (a Mac specific program) for this very reason… We like to cruise through our day with the least amount of stress, moving easily from task to task, without thinking, “what needs to be done next?” It’s all easily managed with Omnifocus.

Omnifocus Features

Omnifocus has simple features that make project management a snap. It has an inbox to easily create tasks, projects, or whatever is on your mind. From there, you can drag and drop those tasks into the library to create a new project or you can add tasks to an existing project.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Business,  

Jacobito Open For Business

Jacobito Design is officially open for business! We’ve worked hard to set up an easy to use website that illustrates what we’re capable of. Although our focus is in web design, we feel that graphic design is a service that would be silly not to offer. Our prices are competitive, and we offer a free 30- minute preliminary consultation. Plus, we’re super friendly!!! What else would you like in a design agency?

Picking a Web Designer

Picking a web designer is tricky. The first dilemma, is knowing whether or not you are getting enough bang for your buck. The second dilemma, is knowing what is standard in modern web design and if the designer is current. Third, you want an agency that will implement a SEO (Search Engine Optimization) campaign from the get-go.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Business,   News,   Santa Fe Business,  

I need a website… Now what?

Even before choosing a web designer, it can be a real challenge figuring out where to start. That’s why we want to share three pointers that will help you visualize what kind of website you want and what features to best showcase your business.

1. Target Audience

Your first easy step is to writing down who your target audience is. Ask yourself what age groups would be attracted to your site? Think about their general social structures, how they interact with one another, and how they might use your site. Start thinking of how you want your site to be perceived and what type of color theme you want.

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Written by: jacobito   |   Topics: Business,   Santa Fe Business,   Web Design,