Web Design News from Webfuel

jQuery is the new Flash

Flash has been in terminal decline for some time now. Ever since the decision by Apple not to support Flash in their mobile devices, and more recently by Microsoft to limit support for it in the next version of Windows. For a while people wondered what would replace Flash to allow us to produce interactive animations within web pages.

For a short while there was some suggestion that a new Microsoft technology called Silverlight might become prevelant, but in reality there was no chance of Apple ever integrating a proprietary Microsoft technology into their devices even though it ...

How fresh is your website?

Back in November Google announced another major change to the way it ranks web pages. The search giant updated its algorithms to give greater priority to "fresh" content. The rationale behind this change is that people are generally seeking news and information on the latest developments or current events.

The changes don't impact all searches, for example someone searching on William Shakespeare isn't looking for the most up to date information. The Google algorithms are clever enough to take the context of the search into account, but Google estimate that their fresheness update will impact about 35 percent of ...

Love Business East Midlands

You will often meet members of Webfuel out and about on the networking circuit. The next event we'll be attending is Love Business East Midlands.

Love Business East Midlands is a strategic alliance of 'like minded' businesses and organisations. Working together, whose aim is to inspire the business community and highlight the many successes within the East Midlands region.

Who is it for: Individuals from all size businesses in the East Midlands
When: Tuesday, 14th February 2012
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Where: Donington Park Race Circuit, Paddock Suite

http://www.lovebusinesseastmidlands.com/

If you're planning to attend then keep an eye ...

Take advantage of Google +1

Does your website take advantage of Google's latest trend, the +1? If you have a website and you want to maximise your traffic you might want to start thinking about whether you should be implementing the +1. Since Google came out with the concept it makes sense that it may eventually be given consideration in regards to Google rankings.

What is Google +1?

The +1 is similar to what Google buzz used to be. It's a way that users can recommend content to others who are looking for quality content. When someone comes across a website, article or ...

How to Go Mobile, Google's New Website

As smart phones are becoming more ubiquitous you may be wondering how your website fares when potential clients look you up on their mobile. The new website from Google - www.howtogomo.com may be able to provide an insight into your website's performance in the mobile sector.

HowToGoMo is a website which Google have created in order to help business owners evaluate the performance of their websites on mobile devices. A virtual mobile device is simulated, displaying your website on its screen. However HowToGoMo does more than simply render an image of your website, it also simulates the ...

Newsletter Campaign Tips

Many clients have found our Campaign Manager software an invaluable tool for keeping in touch with their suppliers, contacts and leads. Here we share some of our tips on producing an effective newsletter campaign.

1. The Subject Line and Sender

All email browsers will display the email subject line and sender. If these aren't right then your carefully crafted campaign could be sent straight into Deleted Items! It's important to grab the attention of the recipient without appearing too much like a hard sales pitch.

Successful subject lines set out a compelling headline offer such as a ...

How Much Should I Spend on My Web Site?

Usually the first question we get asked when we go to see a potential client is "how much will my website cost?" The easy answer to this is - the larger your budget the more time we can spend on your website design and build, and the better the final web site will be.

However, as we all know funds aren't limitless and in current times budgets are tight. When we first meet with you we will ask several questions one of which will be, 'what is your budget for this web site development'. The answer to this question ...

It's Not All About the Design, Content Matters

If you want your website to be valuable to your customers and generate a consistent stream of good leads for your business what do you need to focus on? The design can often become the focus, but if you want your website to fulfil its potential then the content matters just as much.

It's a mistake to see your web site's content purely as filler, a rushed job to be got through at the end of the web development project. Your web site content is vital: your words ARE your messageit is how you communicate your value and ...

Web Trends for 2012, our Predictions ...

Happy 2012 everyone!

When looking at what's in store for us in 2012 we'd rather ignore the woeful cries of more euro zone troubles or a double dip recession and instead throw ourselves into the ever expanding possibilities that the web has to offer us!

We're talented in many fields of expertise but we haven't quite yet mastered the art of fortune telling, however based on current shifts and emerging trends here are some of our predictions:

1. Responsive web design

With the increase in mobile usage and the explosion of cheap often smaller tablet forms ...

New Year, New Website, New Offices

A Happy New Year from everyone at Webfuel. We've been busy over the holiday period, and not just busy celebrating!.

We've moved offices, to the village of East Leake, south of Nottingham and close to Loughborough. We've also launched our brand new website. The old site was starting to look a little dated, and we felt it was time for a refresh.

We are also proud to announce the latest incarnation of our cutting edge CMS software, Webfuel Sitebuilder. Our new CMS is a centrally hosted solution, with all sites running on our software benefiting from ...

Internet Explorer is dead, long live Internet Explorer

There have been a range of stories in the press recently announcing the 'death' of Microsoft's much derided browser, Internet Explorer 6. Like all web professionals we are very happy to see the back of this browser. The browser is now 10 years old, and not compatible with most modern website development techniques.

The main problem with IE6 was not that it was based on old technology, it is old technology so this can be forgiven. The problem was that many companies, particularly in the public sector got stuck on this version of the browser and as the web ...

Webfuel Launch Poseidon Charters Website

Poseidon Charters has been providing yacht charter, flotilla sailing and yachting holidays globally for over 15 years. With so much data required for each holiday type, destination, yacht and route the challenge was to provide a well structured website that was easy to navigate and displayed this content in a user friendly fashion.

As our CMS system is built in-house we were able to ensure that we designed the content management interface around Poseidon's specific data structures, making it incredibly easy for them to update their own website. All this was achieved to a tight deadline despite Poseidon being ...

Redcastle Website Launch

Redcastle, a software company based in Nottingham offer a wide range of Customer Relationship Management and Business Management applications. They were looking at a complete overhaul of their brand including a logo and new webdesign to tie in with this. The design is clean and professional and the website has been a success with both new and existing clients.

The website includes a comprehensive news system that visitors can subscribe to (either via RSS or via signup to a regular newsletter). This helps Redcastle keep their customers up-to-date on developments in their software.

visit website: www.redcastle.co.uk

Campaign Manager Upgrade

Webfuel are pleased to announce a major upgrade to their Campaign Manager software. Campaign Manager is an industry leading e-newsletter distribution platform. The software allows clients to send e-newsletter campaigns to large distribution lists, and tracks all opens, clicks, unsubscibes and bounces. It automatically feeds all this information back in to your mailing lists to ensure you remain compliant with anti-spam legislation.

This upgrade introduces a host of new features into Campaign Manager including autoresponders (the ability to send an email to specific clients based on specific criteria), geographic reports so you can quickly see on a map how ...

ProTek Capital Launch

Webfuel have been working with Protek Capital to design and develop their latest website.

ProTek Capital, Inc is an East Coast based corporation that is focused in investing or acquiring software companies that are privately held or traded on the public markets. As the company had recently undergone a name change the design process encompassed both a logo design and the design for the web site itself. The finished web site results in a look and feel which is professional and corporate without being austere.

visit website: www.protekcapital.com

Webfuel Design and Develop New Website for National Auto Parts

National has been serving the Independent Aftermarket in the UK and throughout Europe as a manufacturer and distributor of brake and clutch products for over 25 years. Based in Nottingham they approached Webfuel when looking for a local web design agency to redesign and develop their web site. The resulting site has a professional feel, to reflect their industry, and is built within the Webfuel Content Management System (CMS) to allow National Auto to make their own changes and add updates to their products and product catalogue as they occur.

visit website: www.national-auto.co.uk

Meet Webfuel at the Chamber of Commerce

Meet Webfuel at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce MEGA Networking Event. Webfuel will have an exhibition stand so if you are attending the event then please come over to meet us. The MEGA Networking event will be taking place on Thursday 12^th August at the East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG7 2RJ from 12.00noon until approximately 2.00pm.

RAL Display Return to Webfuel for a Website Redesign

RAL Display have worked with Webfuel on a regular basis for the last few years. The latest project was a site upgrade to our new ecommerce software, which incorporated a full website re-design. The refresh not only keeps the website fresh and modern but has also resulted in a bump in their already good search engine positions.

visit website: www.ral-display.co.uk

Webfuel Launch Webfusion Framework Version 5

Webfuel have launched version 5 of their Webfusion framework. Webfusion includes modules for Content Management, News, Blogs, E-commerce and more. All Webfuel sites are built on our in-house Webfusion framework and so can be customised to a clients exact requirements.

Webfuel are committed to on-going development of all our client software, so that we can continue to offer a cutting edge service. If you're interested in seeing a demonstration of any of our software please give us a call on 0333 240 1088.

Website Development for Nottingham Charity MCAI

Webfuel were taken on to design and develop a new website for Nottingham based charity Maternal & Childhealth Advocacy International. The new development uses the Webfuel CMS to enable MCAI to easily add new pages, news stories and edit their own content. The results speak for themselves with the average visit to the new website lasting nearly 4 minutes, whereas with the old website 87% of visitors left after just 15 seconds!

visit website: www.mcai.org.uk