Web Design

Website Redesign Tip: Focus on Your Audience

Union Square Design Design, E-Commerce, Web Design

So you want your website to be redesigned. You might need a website face-lift for many reasons, but one reason might be to get more traffic to your site. In fact, getting people to look at your website is the reason it was created in the first place! So when you redesign your website the first thing you should do is ask, “Who is my audience?”

How to Get an Audience

Traffic is everything on the Internet. It doesn’t matter how people find themselves on your website, just that they wind up there. This sounds fairly random, but it isn’t if you know what you are doing. There are many tools to get people to your website, but the most important tool is SEO. SEO stands for search engine optimization. SEO works by using keywords that will be picked up by search engines.

For example, if you want someone to buy your company’s sandals, you should write about the sandals in very specific terms. So when someone searches for those sandals, or something like them, they will find your site. Also, keep in mind that companies that use search engines like Google and Yahoo are highly competitive and want to be number one. So you’ll have your work cut out for you.

Keep People on Your Website

Once people are on your website, you will want to keep them there, as well as make them want to come back. The way to keep them on your site is to make it an easy experience. Don’t make them think. To do this, you want to make information simple and easy to navigate. Also, make sure your site is attractive. This aspect will require someone with web design experience. One tip is to use the color blue, as well as a lot of white space in your design.

These tools, and others, will help get traffic to your website. Perhaps you can move your website to number one on the most popular search engines.

What is SQL? How to Use this Language

Union Square Design E-Commerce, Magento, Web Design, Web Development

What is SQL? It is a special-purpose language used for managing data in databases. It was originally designed to manipulate data in IBM’s management system. SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is a standard coding language. To use SQL, you need to use a Regional Database Management System program, which is the basis for all data management. Learning SQL will allow you to manage your database, as well as give you an edge in the job market. Knowing how to code this language is a sought-after skill.

What is SQL’s history?

SQL was originally developed by IBM back in the 70’s. Another company, now called Oracle Corporation, developed their own version of an SQL data management system later in the 70’s. They sold this to the public. After this, both IBM and Oracle Corporation each made their SQL regional database management systems available for the public. Today, this language has exploded in popularity because of what it can do. There are many difference SQL management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. This language is versatile and is used for its capability to manage databases.

How to use SQL:

The language was not created for web pages like Javascript, HTML, and CSS were. It works to build databases for businesses. However, to use SQL on your website, you need a few things. First, you’ll need to be able to code HTML and CSS. Second, you’ll need a regional database management system. And third, you’ll need to know server-side scripting such as PHP. Once you learn all this, you can easily master SQL.

If your business is large, such as a hospital or university, you have probably used SQL. Mobile apps such as Dropbox and Skype use this language as well. Overall, this is a good language to learn if you’d like to work for large corporations.

What is JavaScript?

Union Square Design Web Design, Web Development, WordPress

What is JavaScript? JavaScript is an important coding language. Along with HTML and CSS, this language is a building block of the Internet. Web browsers such as Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome have JavaScript built into it. So if you know anything about HTML and CSS, learning this language will only help you become a better coder.

What is JavaScript’s Purpose?

JavaScript makes web pages interactive. Before it existed all Internet pages were static. It is a scripting language that works with HTML and CSS, simpler languages that create web pages. Adding in JavaScript allows web pages to use features such as quizzes, polls, sign up forms, and more. It makes pages more dynamic. When you type something into a search bar, and suggested results appear, that is done with JavaScript. This language isn’t just used on the Internet. PDF documents and desktop widgets also use JavaScript. It has become standard for writing interactive code for web browsers.

What is JavaScript’s History?

JavaScript was developed in the 90’s by Brendan Eich. Eich was working for Netscape at the time. This language partially took it’s name from Java, which is a different language. Netscape wanted to market off Java’s popularity — which was extremely high at the time. JavaScript was originally going to be called “LiveScript”. Today, Java and JavaScript confuse people because of their similar names. But, they are different languages. Both are objected oriented languages (which means they’re organized around “objects” rather than “actions”) but that’s about their only similarity.

Overall, JavaScript has become a very successful and popular language. Google, YouTube, and many other popular sites use it. Almost all web users encounter it, whether they know it or not. This language creates a better user experience on websites. Because this language isn’t too hard to learn, all coders should have this skill under their belt.

The Limit of Hypertext

Union Square Design Web Design, Web Development

Hypertext is all of the text that is displayed on the Internet. In fact, what you’re reading right now is hypertext. Hypertext contains links to other texts, called hyperlinks. The difference between hypertext and plain text is that it doesn’t have to be read linearly. One limit of hypertext is that it isn’t complete, and can never be.

Why is Hypertext Important?

Hypertext, beyond just text, also includes images. When we say that hypertext isn’t read linearly means that there is no order to the Internet. You can jump from website to website it whichever order you choose. This is unlike written text, such as books, which confine us to reading from start to finish. Which means that when they say text it also means images. This definition allows hypertext work non-linearly. The non-linearity of the Internet creates languages, connections between links, and the World Wide Web. It is literally the backbone of the Internet. However, there are limits.

The Limit of Hypertext

According to author David Shenk, the limit of hypertext is that it is incomplete. He says, “Our stories work best when they have an ending. As we surf the Internet, we’re in danger of forgetting this basic truth. With hyper-text, endings are irrelevant, because no one ever gets to one. Reading gives way to surfing, a meandering peripatetic journey through a maze of threads.” Shenk’s main problem is that hypertext, unlike printed text, does not follow a narrative. There is no story or ending to hypertext, therefore we feel unsatisfied after surfing the web. This is the opposite of how we feel once we’ve finished another narrative, such as a book. This argument also applies to e-literature, which is made up of hypertext and doesn’t follow a linear narrative as well.

However, Shenk’s argument is not valid because the Internet wasn’t designed with a narrative in mind. Certainly, you can find narratives on the web– such as article, e-books, etc., but the World Wide Web as a whole wasn’t created to have an endpoint. Therefore if this is the only limit of hypertext, it’s hardly a limit at all.

What is Hypertext and Why does the Web Need it?

Union Square Design Web Design, Web Development

What is hypertext? This question is a good starting point for anyone who is planning to start coding. Hypertext is text that is displayed on the Internet, which you can view on your electronic devices, that is connected by links. It’s basically the underlying construction of the World Wide Web. Hypertext allows you to jump from website to website using links. This explains how you can start looking for puppy videos and end up reading about conspiracy theories while surfing the web.

How Does Hypertext Work?

This article on hypertext is itself hypertext. You, the reader of this article, can move throughout the web by links in this hypertext. These links can take you to videos, pictures, and other websites. It does not work like regular text, such as in a book, which is linear. It works like a web, hence the name World Wide Web. Links connect websites that seem to not have anything in common with each other.

Why is Hypertext Important?

Why is hypertext important? Well, it is the building block of the Internet. Have you ever heard of HTTP? That stands for hypertext transfer protocol. This is what allows you to get to the website you typed in the address bar. Hypertext is also important for coding language. The computer language, HTML, stands for hypertext markup language. It uses hypertext to build websites. HTML is the most basic language out there, but it is also the basic building block for websites.

What is Hypertext Used For?

Besides being used to get from website to website, another use of hypertext is art. Surprisingly, the art world uses it a lot. Electronic literature, also known as E-Literature, uses it to produce a narrative. You can read a story in hypertext. People have also created hypertext-generated poetry using code.

Overall, hypertext creates the structure of the World Wide Web. It’s an easy-to-use and easy-to-learn code created to share information over the Internet.

Blogfabrik: Where Content is the Currency

Union Square Design Design, Web Design

Blogfabrik, a co-working space for freelancers in Berlin, doesn’t ask for money for rent space, but for content. Freelancers can use this work space, which is owned by DailyBreadMag, if they submit two pieces of content for their publication every month. They also have to advertise their pieces through their social media accounts. Better yet, this collaborative office space also gives freelancers access to a photography studio, event space, and meeting rooms. Talk about a pretty cool office space.

Blogfabrik is leading the way with this new set up. Who knows what else we could pay for with content? Here are a few ideas of ours for more content currency.

1. Apartment Rent

If you’re currently between paychecks, maybe you could supplement some rent money with free content and publicity. If, like Blogfabrik, your building is owned by a corporate entity, you could write a couple blog posts for some money off your rent. Maybe you ask your roommate to cover you for a bit, and you’ll write really flattering posts on their social media pages.

2. Bathroom Accessibility

How many times have you been out and about and in need of a bathroom? Most places have bathrooms for paying customers only. Sure, you could buy a drink at local cafe for access to their bathroom, but what a waste of money! You cannot use the exact Blogfabrik model, but you could give a positive Yelp review or mention the place glowingly in a Facebook status update, and you could go for free.

3. Plane Fare Discounts

This content economy could be extended beyond Blogfabrik’s rent model and into travel. It’s incredibly expensive to take a plane somewhere in the United States. Maybe you could write positive reviews on various platforms for the airline you’re taking for a flight discount. It would probably encourage more travel at least.

To be sure, this is only the tip of the iceberg for paying with content. Blogfabrik is leading the way right now, and as freelancing becomes more popular in the United States, perhaps we should follow their lead on this. In a few years, maybe we’ll be paying taxes on the amount of web content we have.

The Three Best Fitness Websites

Union Square Design Design, Web Design

Here are the three best fitness websites for your questions and queries. All of us have, at some point in time, searched the Internet for fitness advice. Whether figuring out how to improve muscle definition or what the best caffeine-free pre-workouts are, we’re fortunate to have access to all kinds of workout information. Of course, there’s a lot of information out there, so we’ve narrowed it down for you.

1. The Best Fitness Websites- Bodybuiling.com

Search “workout” on Google, and Bodybuilding.com will appear near the top of the list. That’s for a good reason. Bodybuilding.com offers a collection of free fitness information. This includes full routines to choose from and step-by-step tutorials on every movement. It’s great for newcomers, beefy gym rats, and everyone in between. This site is surprisingly easy to navigate given how much content there is.

2. The Best Fitness Websites-Pinterest

This may surprise you, but Pinterest has amazing fitness resources. There are a ton of workouts available for men and women. One real strength of Pinterest’s easily maneuverable content is that it includes a ton of routines for beginners and for those who prefer to exercise at home. Furthermore, unlike many of the other popular fitness websites, Pinterest doesn’t overload you with slow-loading video ads that constantly interrupt your reading.

3. The Best Fitness Websites-Examine.com

Okay, so the homepage for Examine isn’t the most attractive. However, the strength of this website isn’t a cool interface or image library; it’s how Examine organizes data, especially about supplements. Unlike many similar websites, details about the effects, benefits, and uses of various supplements are listed in a way that is easy to scan. Furthermore, Examine actually cites scientific research, which — suspiciously enough — many other others don’t.

There you have it. Before you head to the gym or vitamin store, be sure to stop by one of the three best fitness websites.

What is SEO and How does it Work?

Union Square Design E-Commerce, Web Design, Web Development, WordPress

What is SEO? How does it work? SEO stands for search engine optimization. SEO is a tool for getting visitors to your website from search engines. They use algorithms that search engines like Google use in order to rank websites. If you are a business, you want your website to be at the top of the search results on Google.

What is SEO Writing?

Search engines look for many components to determine which website should be first in a web search. They look for keywords, links, content, and more. If you have a website you’ll need to figure out how to use these items as effectively as possible to create traffic on your site. However, if you only focus on SEO and create a website with just links and keywords you risk being blacklisted by search engines, which isn’t good. Remember that writing for SEO is crucial, but people are more important.

What are SEO Keywords?

SEO Keywords are words and phrases used in the content of your website that make it possible for search engines to rank it. For example, if you’re posting a recipe for apple pie, you’d want your keywords to be “apple pie recipe.” If you can optimize your keywords, by only using them when it’s relevant, the search engines will rank you higher. Basically, you don’t want to shove the word “apple pie recipe” in every single sentence to boost the keyword.

What is SEO Content?

Content is really important to SEO. First off, if a web page on your site isn’t at least 300 words it won’t be noticed by search engines. Other factors that influence SEO are readability and sentence structure. The clearer and simpler you write, the higher search engines will rank. Also content works with SEO to help guide people to specific keywords that your website wants people to know about.

What are SEO Links?

Links are important for SEO because they connect other web pages to your site. By doing this, they create a kind of web of links for the visitor of the site to surf through. The amount of pages that link to your page tells the search engine how important it is. So the more you engage with outside sources and vice versa, the better the web is structured.

So using resources like links, content, keywords, and more will help your website get and create more traffic. This traffic will help you get a higher rank on search engines — leading to even more visitors. If you run a business, chances are you’ll get more sales by using SEO successfully.

Past Webby Award Fails

Union Square Design Design, Web Design, Web Development

Here are three winning website selections from last year’s Webbys that should go down as Webby Award fails. In a previous blog, we explained why you should be paying attention to this year’s upcoming 20th Webby Awards. The Webbys are extremely important for website design and creation. But even though the Webbys are an authority figure in all things Internet-related, they’ve also been known to get it wrong sometimes.

1. AT&T – “It Can Wait” — Best Corporate Responsibility Site

It’s good that AT&T is addressing texting and driving. The Webby community did as well, selecting them for a People’s Choice award in the “Best Corporate Responsibility Website” category. But as great of a cause as it may be, their campaign just isn’t. For one thing, I’d like to know what, “#x before you drive” even means. And for another thing, this Greek mythology originally warning against hubris has nothing to do with distractions while driving. It’s a lame attempt at humor that most teens probably won’t understand anyway.

2. Pandora — Best Music Website

Pandora won in the 2015 “Best Music Website” category, chosen by the public, for reasons we can’t explain. This site is frustrating on many levels and has serious usability issues. In a world with Spotify, where people can choose exactly what song to listen to, it’s surprising that Pandora is still used. There’s not much more to say here, because we already said it in a previous post on music streaming platforms.

3. New York Times – “The Upshot” — Best Cultural Blog

“The Upshot” won the 2015 award for “Best Cultural Blog”. Don’t misunderstand — “The Upshot” is fantastic. But how in the world wide web are we going call “The Upshot” a blog? It’s part of the New York Times! That’s like saying the New York Knicks is the best community basketball team. Next time, the Webbys should pick a real blog.

While these three picks weren’t the best, the Webbys usually gets it right… or perhaps 2016 will offer us some Webby Award fails that can top last year’s.

3 Creative Error 404 Pages

Union Square Design Design, Web Design

Creative error 404 pages are the perfect way to make something annoying into something fun. Error 404 pages are seen on websites when a page is not found. They’re created to let the user and webmaster know there is an error in the code or a broken link. We’ve picked out 3 creative error 404 pages, because not all error 404 pages have to be a letdown. In fact, if all websites had creative 404 pages, the visitors would probably stick around on the site for much longer.

Magnt — A Helpful Error 404 Page

Magnt has a silly yet helpful error 404 page. They’ve created a Venn Diagram explaining what led you to that page. There are two options: either the website messed up, or you messed up. Either way, you’re on the 404 page. This is both funny and sassy. But looking past the Venn Diagram, Magnt has sitemaps and side bars you can click to get off this page and on to one that might help you.

Blue Fountain Media — A Fun Error 404 Page

Blue Fountain Media probably has the best error 404 page on the Internet. Instead of immediately sending you to another page on the website, such as the homepage, they give you the option to stay and play PacMan. Yes, if you get to the 404 error page you can play PacMan on a board shaped like a 404. Blue Fountain Media turns an unfortunate incident into a fun one.

Bret Victor — An Artistic Error 404 Page

Bret Victor’s Error 404 page is completely different from Blue Fountain Media and Magnt’s pages. In fact, it’s different from most 404 pages in general. Bret Victor has taken Rene Magritte’s painting The Treachery of Images (aka This is not a pipe), and turned it into “This is not a page.” Art-lovers will appreciate this. People trying to leave the page will not appreciate it however, since there are no directions on how to go back to the homepage.

Keep these three creative error 404 pages in mind as you design your own website as well. Decide whether you want it to be funny, helpful, artistic, or something totally different. There are many possibilities for error 404 page designs.