Columbia MO

News Trends Web Design

Responsive: A Buzzword or Something I Need?

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In a world of constant technological change, responsive web design (RWD) has become a constant when designing websites for viewers to access regardless of the size of their screen sizes. Based on flexible, fluid grids, RWD delivers a quality user experience whether the site is accessed on a large computer screen or a small smartphone one.

Why has RWD Become Such a Popular Buzzword?

In the very recent past, businesses had to decide whether or not to expand their web properties to include sites for mobile access. This generally meant two sites; one for desktop or laptop screens, and one for smaller mobile phone screens. Enter tablets, smart devices, HD screens and before you know it you would have to have a multitude of sites to reach every screen size and resolution on the market.

RWD allows for the creation of one site that works equally well on any screen size or mobile device. Carefully designed to be adaptive and flexible with the varying sizes and resolutions, RWD is flexible, it adapts and it just works!

Is RWD Enough for My Business?

Considering RWD is adaptable and flexible for many uses instead of creating sites for each type of screen and resolution, many people wonder if a responsive design site is “enough”.  Contrary to the concept of simplification, a RWD site is NOT necessarily simplistic. It is meant to simplify and reduce costs for your web real estate only. The sophistication and design elements are up to you and your design team.

Companies of all sizes are using RWD with great success for their businesses. Perhaps the most glaring example is Microsoft, and their creation of Windows 8. Although Windows 8 is an operating system and not a web site, it gives you an idea of the flexibility behind RWD. The operating system is designed so it is easy to use and migrate from one screen type to another with very little difference in input techniques. Have you noticed the new styling of Microsoft’s website holdings recently? Their sites are also built upon RWD, and adapt well from one screen type to another.

Disney is another massive corporation that has embraced responsive web design and done so very successfully. Users can expect the same experience when they log on from their smartphones as they do when they log on from a desktop pc.

Make RWD Work for You

With mobile devices expected to overtake desktop and laptop usage before the end of 2014, it is time to make a move to ensure you do not lose out on valuable users. Call or contact us to discuss how we can make RWD work for you.

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Visually Columbia

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We are proud to show off our latest project which debuted earlier this week: Visually Columbia.

A conference focusing on new and expanding technology, Visually Columbia is a round table discussion on what’s trending and where the industry is headed in the world of visual communication and visual marketing.

Featuring a question and answer portion, individuals will be able to ask the pertinent questions which might be facing them or their business as visual communications, web video and responsive web design enter the forefront of communications.

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Featuring some of the brightest minds in Columbia, Visually Columbia’s power panel is helping businesses better understand how they can grow with visual marketing and communication.

Hub & Spoke built a complex HTML5/CSS3 single page website to showcase the event. Parallax scrolling, a clean minimal design, the ability to RSVP and a custom Google Map integration give Visually Columbia a top-notch event website design.

Visually Columbia is May 21 from 2-5 PM at The Tiger Hotel with free drinks afterword. Our creative director, Dak Dillon, will be part of the panel. All are welcome to come experience, listen and learn about the industry and where it’s headed at no cost. We hope to see you there!

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Non-Profit Web Design in Our Community

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For all businesses and organizations, marketing is a fundamental service to stay relevant in a busy world.

For organizations such as non-profits and non governmental organizations (NGO), it can be difficult to balance helping the community as well generating revenue and attention. Far too often these organizations find themselves trapped under a limited or strictly volunteer budget.

We feel we can do more for those who help others.

Throughout our time working with businesses in and around Missouri, we have had several fortunate opportunities to provide support to local non-profits and NGO’s. The ability to provide what we do best(web design, graphic design and marketing) to those around the community who help others is pure delight for us.

While working with The Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, MO, The Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cookoff and Fulton Street Fair we have been able to meet several individuals, building a lasting partnership with each organization.

Whether is was designing a website, providing photography or updating marketing campaigns, we love having the ability to give back and help tell the stories for those organizations making a difference in our community.

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At Hub & Spoke, we provide original design and the utmost quality to each and every client.

Treating a project whether it’s for a non-profit, a major corporation or a small business the same is an advantage we extend for all.

We offer a full service of web design, graphic design, photography, video production, print design and much more to every client. Interesting in learning more? Contact Us today to see how Hub & Spoke can help, no matter your organizations size.

News Trends Web Design

Mobile Web Site Design: A Primer

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We can all agree, being accessible on mobile is a priority. That’s where most agreement about mobile sites end.

Businesses seem to be fixated on a simple mobile site, one that’s cheap and has almost no information. I feel as if I am always asking clients, why not have a full site on mobile, with great content, and at a great price?

I recently read an ad promoting mobile website design in Columbia, Mo. It’s a great idea, providing mobile ready websites to businesses needing to expand information to consumers…Now here comes the problem: the mobile site is a separate site from the original, which probably has great content, information and it’s own flair.

Thinking you only need basic information, like an address and phone number, is limiting potential.

The mobile site is stripping down the meat of the site.

Users who visit your website from a mobile device are automatically directed to the mobile version. When they can’t find what they are looking for, they switch to the full site. Herein lies the problem.

Full website viewing was not intended to take place on a tiny screen, leaving an irritating experience for users. Constantly zooming in and out and scrolling around the page is definitely not my cup of tea, and I’m guessing not many others either.

What’s the solution?

We believe in responsive web design, which creates a website that works on desktop and mobile. We create one site that is accessible on mobile and scales properly, giving a rich experience to customers using mobile devices.

Having a mobile site which is also your full website can take the frustration away from customers and unify an already great website.

How?

With responsive web design, we bring the capability of full desktop and mobile browsing into one. WIth responsive web design, the website will automatically format to the screen size the customer is using. No longer are two separate websites, mobile and desktop, needed.

We know without a well constructed web experience customers are less likely to come back. Together we’ll work to achieve your ultimate goal and bring you the best the web has to offer. We are your Columbia, MO experts in web design, responsive web design and graphic design.

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Thanks for Helping Us With Our Launch

Thanks to all for coming out and celebrating with us.

We had an amazing time launching our company and website with our friends, families, guests and community members. We want to give a special thank you to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce for attending and performing the ribbon cutting ceremony. That was certainly a unique experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

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With food, drinks and hosting provided by Trey Bistro, we had a phenomenal time celebrating. Trey and the gang really know how to treat guests.

As we continue to grow and develop, we can’t wait to meet new clients and others around the area. We look forward to many more events and gatherings.

Here’s to a successful first year and beyond!

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Photos by Grant Hindsley

© 2013 Web Design, Branding & Marketing Insights from Hub & Spoke.