First Internet Blog- latest industry blog

Most companies today have a website, it is essential in order to compete with rival businesses. However, if you have a poorly designed website it can prove to be detrimental to your company rather than beneficial. The main reasons for having a company website are to establish a presence online and also to gain new customers or clients. It is important to have your website designed by professional web designers to ensure that it is attractive as well as functional. Three main factors of a successful website are multiple browser usability, Minimal loading times using CSS and an html code without loading errors or prolonged loading times.

The user’s first impression of a website is crucial to whether they will click through to more pages or instantly leave and find another site. It is estimated that 50% of potential repeat visits are lost due to inadequate web design. Users need to know exactly what the company is offering and be able to navigate through the site with ease. Professional web designers will discuss with you exactly what your business does, your customers and what your expectations are. Poorly designed websites are immediately obvious and are often the main cause of the failure of small businesses. Get ahead of your competitors and have a professional website that is not just read by customers but also by search engines. First Internet is a company that can help you achieve website success!

We knew it wouldn’t be long until the social networking sites integrated a shopping platform into their web design. The increase in users and time spent on site indicates that users are clearly embracing social networking. We trust status updates and tweets from our friends or followers so it would be a natural transition for products to be bought directly through this channel.

A recent study by Omniture suggests that Facebook is the most popular method of direct interaction with consumers. New tools are being released to allow users to sell goods through the social media site of their choice. However, research shows that unfortunately this functions at its best when the company selling the goods already has an online presence on the social media channels. The costs involved are not cheap either.

From the 600 marketers surveyed, around 80% of users in the retail sector are using social media to market products. 63% believed that Facebook was the most important site with blogs at 40% and Twitter lagging at 28%.

The direct shopping technology involved can cost around $25 a month for certain sites and Facebook plan to charge 30% of the total value of goods sold through the site. If the margins for your product are already being squeezed then selling your goods through social media channels may not be the most appropriate move for you. Perhaps the recent addition of the “like” feature on Facebook may be enough to pass on your friends seal of approval on a particular brand’s fan page?

The information society is even more relevant today, we are constantly accessing web design on the move through our internet-enabled phones. Will we depend more on local search? Perhaps.. however when we are out and about, our search behaviour is different to searching on a desktop as we need access to information quickly. Whether it be a specific location, directions to a restaurant, bar or shop.

The new Google Maps version released this month has enabled cyclists to find their way using mobile search. I believe this will be an invaluable tool for any cyclist who gets lost in the countryside.

Mobile search is also used to compare prices on the high street. We are time poor and this can save us time by cutting out walking from shop to shop.

Amazon and eBay have certainly taken note of mobile search by creating ’search, shop and buy’ and an iPhone app.

What is your most popular mobile search?

Hi,

Welcome to the First Internet blog!

The pace of change in web design and online marketing is relentless. From the convergence of new media technologies, to the increasing sophistication of search, both users and clients alike are demanding more from the websites they interact with.

In short, digital advertising has come of age. From Web Design and Search Engine Optimisation, to Pay per Click and Social Media, we will be commenting on the many issues and industry developments, making an impact on contemporary web design and online marketing.

We look forward to you joining the conversation!

The First Internet Team.