Choosing a Typeface, By Smashing Magazine March 29, 2011 – 8:32 am				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Smashing Magazine is a goldmine for beginning web designers.  The website discusses techniques on executing fundamental principles which will elicit traffic and cultivate a community of customers.  This particular article discusses the methodology in choosing a typeface.  By pure definition, a typeface is a specific size and style of type within a font family.  Therefore, integrating various typefaces into your website is critical to harness the attention of your audience.  The author of the lead piece, Douglas Bonneville, notes a key statement when figuring out the strategy for your typeface design. He states that the value lies in understanding which parts are subjective and which are objective.  Then he heads in discussing objective criteria.  I’ll list a couple of themes he discusses, then lead into the piece, which is quite long.

Legibility

Bonneville discusses legibility as an important objective which differs from readability.  Legibility, in his words, refer to the design of typeface, width of strokes, existence of serifs, and so forth.  Here are some of his keys for good legibility:

• Choose typefaces with conventional letterforms.
  Letterforms composed of unique shapes, artistic deformations, excessive ornamentation or other novel design elements cause the reader to have to process what they are looking at first, instead of just taking in the message. Novelty always comes at the cost of immediate comprehension.
• Choose typefaces with generous spacing.
  Tight tracking causes the eye to fill in visual gaps between the various shapes that make up different letterforms, thus slowing down the time it takes to both recognize letterforms and word and sentence structures. Generous spacing allows the eyes to proceed as fast as the cognitive skills of the reader will permit.
• Choose typefaces with a tall x-height.
  A “short” x-height decreases legibility of certain letters. The apertures, or openings, of similar lowercase letters like “c” and “e” are distinguished with greater ease if the x-height is generous.

The article on typeface continues by clicking here.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, new york website design agency, smashing magazine, web marketing new york

Does Site Speed Still Matter For SEO? February 22, 2011 – 6:39 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

On blog SEOmoz.com, Google recently announced this statement. Site speed will be a critical metric to understand a site’s usability. Then it will be ranked accordingly on the search index.  For the uninitiated, site speed is the measurement of how long a queried page loads to full resolution. That result is measured in conjunction with its success in comparison to other pages in cyberspace.  Google has a Webmaster Analytics blog site to answer more details about the mechanisms of its search algorithm.  

How does this affect web architects and copywriters who look to optimize the site for SEO? The relevance of site speed is negligible for SEO rankings, according to Google.  Fewer than 1% of web pages are affected by site speed in their implementation. Google also is only measuring queries written in English on Google.com.  A page’s relevancy is important, meaning that web site content remains the last word for a good web site. That content must be filled with relevant keywords, pertinent copy, and an integrated design palette. I could ask web analytics if it is the chicken or the egg?

The consumer wants a website that will load up smoothly with crisp, vivid design and some flash.  Nothing more or less.  In New York, a fair number of people pay for good ISP (internet service protocol). When making a decision about purchasing goods online, a website that does not load properly is a death knell. Customer service never has an opportunity to engage with potential customers.  Conversions and sales do not happen. The bottom line lies unnourished. To conclude, speed kills. Again.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Search Engine Optimization, Website Analytics, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, internet marketing ny, new york seo media agency, SEO, web analytics news

The New HTML Logo: Virtue or Vice? January 25, 2011 – 4:25 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Website designers are some of the more modest professionals I meet on a daily basis.  They take strong pride in understanding the full dynamics of their project, from the mathematical measurements to the shades of their color spectrum.  Therefore, it is interesting to gage the feelings of a new logo released this week. Some designers have done so already.

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) released a logo for HTML5.  It is a striking development aimed to champion the virtues of an open web platform.  Developers using HTML5, CSS, SVG, and other technologies are urged to post the logo on their respective websites.  Reception among web designer communities has been cautionary.  Some designers feel that the W3C is merely looking to gain publicity for their collective.  Others are excited about the logo and will post it for solidarity.

As a marketer, I feel that this is an interesting step towards developing a linear set of code standards for open source development. The logo is bold with a steely trim. I feel that the number also adds some ingenuity, showing reverence to the past but also taking initiative for the future. I urge web developers and designers to leave their thoughts below. Thank you. Here is also a FAQ board on the mission between the HTML5 logo.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Content Marketing, Graphic Design, Marketing, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: 7 pillars of digital strategy, Blueliner, Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, smashing magazine, website design agency new york, website design logo

Does RIM Have A Winning Playbook? January 10, 2011 – 5:09 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Research In Motion opened up their Playbook to CES trade show participants over the weekend.  Executives are looking to offer the sleek, slight device to longstanding Blackberry customers for easy integration between devices.  Other companies have debuted tablets over the last few months, but Blackberry has unique differences.  

RIM is maintaining its strong security protocol standards with the Playbook, as it does with other devices in their portfolio.  This will prove advantageous to web developers that are concerned with the open source platform of Android, where little restrictions exist. From the start, developers get a solid standard of quality without sacrificing proprietary control as Apple executives demand for the iAd.  Adobe Flash Interactive, a major source of contention with Apple, is a key point in differentiation for tablet users, as it allows interactivity with a simple finger swipe.  Blackberry users can multitask through applications, play music, and upload videos.  The device is also light in size, fitting easily into the palm of your hand.

Despite all of this promise, the jury is still out on RIM’s marketing strategy for the tablet.  It is unclear if solely targeting the Blackberry customer base will generate enough revenue since they use the least amount of applications.  The App World grew approximately at 543% from 2009, but still has only 18,000 total applications, trailing even Nokia by 7,000.  Third-party developers are being asked to handle a lot of the software creation, but the incentives may leave them wanting more.

On the other hand, business customers should be content with the current package.  They could find the improved 5-megapixel camera useful for its dual viewpoints, including frontal.  Videoconferencing is a possibility, and rumor has it that Skype is already located inside the Playbook.  Apart from that, RIM may have to target different bases in order to gain market share for the Playbook.  They have a current marketing campaign with mashup DJ Diplo.  The emergence of online video advertising could create an opportunity for the brand to explore the peripatetic nature of his music enterprise.  I think that a commercial unit with exclusive audio and visual clips for both the smartphones and tablet is a starting pillar.  We will see if the Playbook has enough strategy to last in the tablet playoffs. Here’s the latest demonstration from CES 2011.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in blog, Business News, Flash, Interactive Marketing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: blackberry, digital marketing agency nyc, flash interactive, internet marketing ny, research in motion

To Web Design Is To Persuade November 30, 2010 – 6:26 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

I am far from an expert in web design, but I do have colleagues in the business who have given sharp insight into the practice’s fastidious nature.  Psychology centered on human behavior is strongly correlated to a website design‘s content, color scheme, and other pertinent facets.  Web users can differentiate between a quality website from an inferior one, but the reasons are largely variable.  A particular website may do a nice job of directing a user through its site to find answers to specific inquiries.  Another one may fill its segment as an entertainer with Adobe Flash and podcasts.  A premiere website, in my mind, has a unified design and interactive concept to introduce a service, portraying it in a new light e.g. Mint.com.

In Smashing Magazine, website designers talk about several triggers that go into the architecture of a website that are not reliant on applications and codes.  I will list a couple of the principles with theories.

1. Reciprocation

Reciprocation is defined by the old proverb of doing onto others what others have done unto you.  It is so simple that humans tend to screw it up often.  In design, an architect will provide a small gift.  It could be the sample chapter of an upcoming book or industry tips on gaining employment.  The objective is to bring the individual to a sale, but with a slower hand. Newsletters are common in this regard.

2.  Scarcity

This theme roots back to adages that are even more critical in our time today.  A product that is a limited edition creates excess demand due to its perceived quality.  If your neighbor has the latest Dyson vacuum cleaner with upgraded technology and you can afford it, you will pull no stops to buy it.  Amazon does this on their website by listing the stock availability for certain items.  If they have your size and you need it in a short timeframe, consumers often buy.  The Smashing article mentions that you could advertise a liquidation sale to clear excess inventory.  If you do not liquidate in real life, then your customers will do so.

For more insight, click on the Friendly Persuasion image.

Image courtesy of Friendly Persuasion Radio,  Montreaux, Québec

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Content Marketing, Interactive Marketing, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner, Blueliner Marketing, friendly persuasion radio montreaux, new york web development agency, new york website design agency, smashing magazine, website architecture, Website Design, Website Development

Weekly Blueliner Newsminer November 5, 2010 – 2:28 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Good afternoon, everyone. We have another edition of the Weekly Blueliner Newsminer.  Let’s begin.

1.  Microsoft Kinect Launches Nationwide

The Kinect was released yesterday by Microsoft, and it aims to promote a whole new interactive experience where entertainment and communication merge to free consumers from gadgetry.  I spoke yesterday in more detail about the product, which can be found in the title. Microsoft has been aggressive in promoting their new products on several channels, through social media and e-commerce stores such as Amazon.  As the holiday season approaches, we’ll see the effectiveness of their efforts.

2.  Blekko Arrives To Slash

Blekko is a new beta search engine that aims to reduce spam content in your search list by using the slashtag.  I discussed the search engine in greater detail this week, and although the premise is good, I feel like it is more of a specialized engine for digital professionals.  In order to segment your searches properly, one must create their own slashtag by linking it to a specific URL, which seems to counter the current search trends which are running algorithms for consumers to interact less e.g. Google Instant.  I am not sure that the average person is interested in taking those steps to have a deeply personalized search.  One must also be careful of making sure that their slashtag is public or private. After you designate the tag public, it is permanent.  Beta sites always have funky glitches to be mindful, so it will be interesting to see their future development.

3.  H&M Launches Lanvin Collection Online

This week, the new collaboration between H&M and the French house Lanvin set the blogosphere on fire.  H&M has done these collaborations the last few Novembers to spur foot traffic and generate visibility for haute couture designers.  For Lanvin, they are using a higher price point for the collection pieces, which will improve profit margins but may decrease unit sales.  If unit sales beat expectations, then a good earnings report should surface come early 2011.  This time, H&M opened the lookbook to its fans with a vivid display of the collection in a dollhouse setting.  The website design is a tour de force of Flash, although the subject headings on the top right and left margins blend in with the color scheme and overlap messily.  H&M does not run an e-commerce store online in the States, but word is that will change in the near future.

4.  Privacy Breach Tops Google Index List

Google is guilty of crossing the line of personal data collection from wireless networks.  The cars that Google uses to catch Street View footage collected data from sources such as emails, usernames, passwords, and the like.  The FTC made a ruling that Google should halt the campaign immediately, but Google has yet to formally comply in public and private.

These incidents are appearing in the headlines constantly as consumers uses several channels to collect information on goods and services.  Technological firms are trying to keep up with one another in this race to tailor their online advertising campaigns, which will increase traffic, reset PPC rates, and so forth. Google may have taken a clandestine methodology in its acquisition of personal data.  Now, the search giant gets subject to further blockage in the European market, which has not been welcoming to the penetration of Google’s local strategy.  Be careful what you type for.

5.  Facebook Deals A Hand to Places

Facebook added further segmentation to its burgeoning application, Places.  The new “Deals” feature looks to align corporate entities with consumers that are purveyors of their products.  Gap started a promotion of giving away 10,000 pairs of free denim for those who check in with their iPhone or Android smartphone.  Currently, the four types of deals include these subjects:  Individual, Friend, Loyalty, and Charity. Facebook executives are seeking future partnerships that will manifest themselves into more chances over time.  At the moment, deals can be found with Chipotle, McDonalds, and 24 Hour Fitness.  For iPhone users, a quick refresh enables you to score by location, location, location.

That’s the Blue news this week.  See you next time.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in blog, Business News, Click Fraud, Digital Media, Flash, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Pay Per Click (PPC), Search Engine Optimization, Website Design, World | 1 Comment »
Tags: digital marketing agency nyc, facebook deals, h&m lanvin, internet marketing ny, seo media agency nyc, website design agency, website flash, weekly biueliner newsminer

Groupon Branches Out November 3, 2010 – 4:20 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

I had heard about it through various folks in the  marketing world.  Now heavyweight retailers are copying their business model after only two years of existence.  This model is run by Groupon.  Groupon relies on a simple concept of gaining access to exclusive deals, but extending that premise by sharing them with your friends and various online communities.

Like many things these days, social media has bridged the gap between retailer and consumer by providing extensive feedback on product advertising, content features, and so forth.  Groupon, however, has a sharp curveball.  The transaction only happens when a sale reaches the minimum quota of transactions.  For example, today’s deal in New York is a salt air treatment valued at $100, but priced at $35 for two children treatments, and $55 for two adult treatments.  A minimum quota of purchasers must commit before the deal is executed.  Therefore, you may be ready, but are others? It’s a classic case where the demand must beat the supply.

Groupon’s website design is quite uneven.  The featured deal pops out in the user interface, with segmented details covering the time left for purchase along with more product details below the photo image, followed by wise words from Groupon.  The groupon cat provides thoughts of wisdom.  The bottom page banner is a dark, inconspicuous banner list with a plethora of links on affiliate marketing,  gift certificates,  mobile application downloads, and so forth. They list the other deals available that day on the right side of the featured product, which could instead list 3 deals, then feature the rest on another page. I also feel that the color scheme is rather unfocused.  I find two different tones of green amateurish next to a contrasting black and grey palette.  They also have a large space in the lower right corner that is being unused.  I think the links on mobile applications, gift certificates, and small business partnerships can slide into that space since they are revenue streams.

Groupon’s leadership claims that despite their partnerships with large retailers, local outreach will rule their model.  I admire the approach, but they can do even better now that the model has credibility.  I believe that Groupon needs to organize their branding to drive traffic and scale for web advertising.  Until then, get a daily deal here.

Learn How Groupon Works! from The Point on Vimeo.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in Affiliate Marketing, blog, Business News, Content Marketing, eCommerce, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, Small Business, Social Media Marketing, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner, Blueliner Marketing, groupon chicago, groupon social media, mobile applications agency new york, mobile marketing agency, new york affiliate marketing agency, new york e-commerce development agency

Chew on Mint.com’s Fresh Data October 28, 2010 – 1:47 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

A couple of years ago, Blueliner CEO Arman Rousta discussed the sleek minimalism of Mint.com as a website. It has improved my money management on simple levels due to its clear interface.  The website design has been lauded by experts, and Mint has engineered a new level of online money management in an age where thrift is king.  You can manage all of your accounts online whether they are property, savings, or loan accounts.  They also offer a smorgasboard of services that could save you fees in the future.  As a synergic triumph of e-commerce and financial management, Mint is highly recommended. Currently, Mint is not charging for its services, but that could change as it popularity grows.

The web designers at Mint are back with a fresh vein on the leaf.  MintData aggregates the budgetary habits of their anonymous members nationwide, tracking trade at businesses while analyzing the trends.  The new website gives the member a keen understanding of our consumer habits along with an opportunity to see the straw that stirs our economy.  In short, it uses a similar algorithm that is applied on the individual and branches it out for the Mint community at-large.  With only 4 million users, Mintdata is a sample size of working professionals that have consistent access to cyberspace. They are a factor in our demographic, and have the ability to push the marketplace.  If interested in analyzing commercial business data, or just want to observe purchasing trends at your local Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, crunch some leaves here.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in blog, Business News, Flash, web 2.0, web development, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: arman rousta, Blueliner Marketing, brother jimmy's bbq, mint.com, mintdata.com, new york e-commerce agency, new york website design agency, online financial management, web 2.0, web 2.0 design, Website Design

Weekly Blueliner Newsminer October 15, 2010 – 5:40 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Hello, everyone.  We have another edition of the Weekly Blueliner Newsminer unwrapping right now.

1.  Facebook, Microsoft Strengthen Partnership

This week, the two firms reached an agreement  to develop a more comprehensive stream of content by using Facebook’s treasured vault of personal data, which will enable Bing to reach new segments.  The move threatens to breach privacy boundaries, leading to more possible controversy for Facebook users.  According to the WSJournal link above, the new settings can be opted out from your personal profile, meaning that your name will not list unwanted information in search results.  Executives from both sides believe, however, that stronger integration will lead to lost acquaintances connecting on more authoritative levels.  The headline provides more details for those interested in more.

2.  Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Mobile Phone Portfolio

I wrote a piece earlier this week about Microsoft’s latest foray into mobile technology, and those who missed it can click the headline.  Again, Microsoft is coming behind into a market where the competition is starting to solidify after a year of rapid introductions.  The impetus for differentiation is dependent on their ability to develop mobile applications that stand out from others.  Financial Times talks about the strategy for Microsoft executives here.

3.  The iPad Lands On Verizon

It was only a short week or so that long-time news of Apple and Verizon creating an iPhone that will end the exclusivity between Apple & AT&T in early 2011.  Now with the iPad being pitched in conjunction with Verizon’s MiFi card, debate rages on whether the two companies are trying to pitch an improved product to consumers or just giving more hardware and the same inconsistent network at a higher cost.  According to Mashable, more data will be available on the plan menu.  Time will tell, but this alleged partnership reeks of the R. Kelly-Jay Z union, being full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing.

4.  Secretive Trial in Connecticut Covered By Twitter

In case you needed any doubt about the impact of social media in our world of endless content disbursal, here is another example.  According to the New York Times, the triple-murder of Dr. William A. Petit, Jr’s wife and two daughters seemed to be excluded from the local media affiliates.  No cameras were allowed entry into the courtroom.  Several media channels of the Connecticut media, however, tweeted the testimony’s gruesome details.  The New Haven Register had monthly views raised from 3 to 3.5 million in just the trial period.  Courts are wondering about permitting the use of mobile devices in future cases, especially those with sensationalist attention.  The integrity of our judicial system faces a challenging task in maintaining the privacy of case details. This could be a benchmark for future policies. Fascinating.

5.  New Gap Yesterday, Old Gap Today

The Gap didn’t heed the past when delivering their new logo last week.  Don’t mess with your seminal brand. Coca-Cola got this lesson when trying to roll out a new product (New Coke) over twenty years ago, and that was in an era without mainstream mobile technology and cyberspace.  As Mr. Garfield points out in his piece, when a firm’s impact reaches that level, the lay of the land feels an emotional ownership to the brand equity.  These brands are benchmarks for millions of customers in the transient nature of life, and management needs to start understanding that when looking to implement new marketing strategies.  It is far more prudent to take an extensive survey of your proposed changes in this situation.  The fact that Gap was surprised at the negative feedback alarms even more, and their swift action cements this belief.  It is impossible to strategize a new campaign when the product becomes acid in public view.  Companies that have managed social media for net gain have used it to really understand customer desire and tailor their products for those measures.  Gap clearly needs to get back in the lab and find out their identity once again.

That’s the Blue news for now.  Enjoy the weekend.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in blog, Business News, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, web development, Website Design, World | No Comments »
Tags: ad age, afi, Blueliner, Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, gap, mashable, new york mobile marketing agency, new york seo media agency, ny times, tech crunch, weekly blueliner newsminer, wsj

Web Development: Respond: React October 14, 2010 – 3:13 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Nowadays, with content streaming through various channels, maintaining a quality website is more critical than ever to marketing success.  People want an interface that has a linear theme telling a story in the development of a brand and its portfolio of products. When a firm has a website with a lacking user experience, the consumer will gladly move online, knowing that someone will meet their needs. Ben Gremillion, a writer for Smashing Magazine, discusses the importance of applying test feedback to gage your design abilities along with understanding the quality of your presentation.  He asks some key questions in several themes:  Does this piece serve a purpose or solve a problem? Is it easy to use? Is it meaningful? Is it clear?

1.  Regular Upkeep or Rigorous Pruning

This sounds easier than done, but with technology advancing at light speed, it is paramount.  Your customers’ needs and access to content changes with the passing of time.  It is critical to constantly research new software advancement and see if they fit in with the mission of your website.  Otherwise it is much ado about nothing.

2.  Ponder the Questions

The thought above may seem silly or impractical, but in the long run, you can minimize customer service by anticipating the errors before they come into existence.  Gremillion lists a few thoughts that can go a long way towards expediting the design and empowering your user experience.

1.  Turning the ‘About’ page into your home page.

2.  Turn the website sidebar into a footer

3.  Swapping the colors of the heading and background

For more details on his thoughts, click the Smashing logo.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in blog, Flash, Graphic Design, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, web development, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: seo friendly website design, smashing magazine, website design agency nyc