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Web Design

The Value of WordPress

Posted on 07/15/2013

With 58,000 of the top 1 million web sites and more than 20% of all sites in the US powered by WordPress, it has become the most popular content management system (CMS) on the web. Originally created as a blogging platform, WordPress has used information gathered from bloggers’ extensive use of content to create a CMS that is not only powerful, but also easy for people without programming degrees to use.

At one time, updating your web site or creating new content required either a programmer or knowledge of programming to be able to get your content live on the web. WordPress has made this process as easy as creating and sending an email, meaning even those with limited computer knowledge are able to provide their users with fresh content. The platform operates on the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) principle much like a simple word processing program.

As an Open Source project (read FREE), there are countless numbers of themes and plugins that make creating a website or blog possible within a few minutes of downloading the software. If you prefer a completely personalized site, you should consider having a custom site designed for your business. Once the design or template is complete, creating the content management portion of your WordPress is a breeze.

Adding categories, pages and posts are as simple as pointing and clicking on your desired action, and entering the relevant data. Once you have created your basic framework, the addition of content and media is a matter of selecting the appropriate heading and saving the content after it has been modified. It is due to this ease-of-use that WordPress has become the most popular CMS on the web.

From shopping carts to photo galleries, WordPress plugins make adding special features to your site extremely simple. Once the plugin has been installed, most features can be implemented using drag-and-drop to put them where you wish on the site. Adding comment boxes and feedback forms work in the same manner.

Perhaps one of the most important features of WordPress is its reputation with search engines. Fresh content with high engagement will keep search engine crawlers active on your site, which means your rankings will be higher. WordPress’ design and add-on features make search engine optimization a natural process rather than another full-time job.

Creating a web site that is easy to update and including a blog to create a farther reach does not have to be a difficult process. To create a site that will not only stand out from the rest, but also to rank high in search engine results, Contact us today to schedule a meeting or just to talk.

We believe your website should represent who you are and what you do, intersecting great design with user accessibility. We strive to meet the needs of each client no matter how unique.

A responsive upgrade for the Columbia Business Times

Posted on 07/02/2013

The Columbia Business Times needed an evolution of their website.

At the forefront of Columbia business news, the Columbia Business Times needed to match their publication’s feel and style and bridge that experience to the web. We were eager to help create the new website.

Adding a flexible mobile experience was crucial, as readership is always on the go. With a responsive web design, reading articles and staying current is now accessible on all devices.

A choice between using a mobile site or desktop version is no longer needed. Now, it just works. We wanted to keep the design clean and simple, matching the same fonts and finishing touches of the printed magazine.

We believe your website should represent who you are and what you do, intersecting great design with user accessibility. We strive to meet the needs of each client no matter how unique. Contact us today to schedule a meeting or just to talk.

Trends

Improving Ecommerce with Website Flexibility

Posted on 06/27/2013

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 pc 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, HDMI 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.

Which one, RWD or Mobile?

To build upon an earlier point, having a responsive website is a cohesive experience for your customers. When the customer visits your site on a computer, tablet or phone, the experience will always be the same. This includes updates; with your responsive site, updates to merchandise, operating hours, or the employment section will simultaneously happen across all devices. No longer will you have to update your desktop site, update your mobile site and finally update your app. We offer one change, all devices.

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. Contact us today to discuss how we can make RWD work for you.

News Trends Web Design

Responsive: A Buzzword or Something I Need?

Posted on 05/17/2013

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.

Is RWD Enough for My Business?

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.

News Web Design

Visually Columbia

Posted on 05/07/2013

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.

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!

News

Non-Profit Web Design in Our Community

Posted on 04/08/2013

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.

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.

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