Feelingpeaky

The internet needs an upgrade. HTML is the dominant language for structuring web pages, but it is over 10 years since the last version was released, and the web is now a very different place. Back then, the average internet connection was barely fast enough to watch a video, and mobile phone users were quite happy with using their device to make phone calls. Today, internet speed and computing power, storage and graphics have improved exponentially, and everyone expects their mobile devices to do everything their computer can on the web.

HTML5 is not actually a new version of HTML, but a family of new technologies, including CSS3, a few additions to HTML and several powerful new features known as APIs. HTML5 is still in the early phases of a rather lengthy development process, and it may not be finalised until 2022. For some it appears that it is just too early to start worrying about something that is so far away. However, the reality is that many features of HTML5 are already supported by the popular modern browsers. It also has many tools which can be used to create rich, interactive, dynamic websites.

Please note the demos may not work in all browsers. Try upgrading to the latest version if you have any problems.

More for Mobiles

Over the last few years, mobile devices have made huge leaps in power and in popularity. While computer users have a choice of which browser and plugins to install, this is often decided by the manufacturers of mobile devices. This leads to issues such as the hugely popular plugin Flash not being supported by the iPhone. HTML5 brings a consistent standard which every manufacturer can use, which allows for greater compatibility and richer content on the mobile web.

Advanced Graphics, 3D and Effects

Canvas and SVG are two very useful new features which allow developers to create programmable graphics. This means that they can make complex games and apps without the use of other programs. It is even possible to create interactive 3D graphics using WebGL or CSS3.

Here are a couple of games and other clever demos of what can be done with SVG and Canvas.

- Pirates game

- 2d biking game

- funky interactive canvas

- subtle graphic animation

Audio and Video Support

Audio and video can now be placed directly onto a page without the need for any plugins, which lets you make things like this interactive music video.

Improved Interactivity

Every API brings a powerful new features to HTML5. For example, Geolocation allows a website to find out where the user is. It offers exciting new possibilities for games, as it offers new levels of interaction between games and the real world. There are many other potential applications of this technology, such as targeted advertising or social networking.

Drag and drop allows people to drag and drop almost anything on the web, just like on their computer. There are several other APIs, most of which deal with more technical issues adding improved functionality.

This page uses Geolocation to give you the weather where you are.

Greater Efficiency and Performance

There are several new features which allow websites to load and run faster. Websites and apps are now able to utilize more of the user’s computing power. Also coming with HTML5 are Web Workers, which allow your browser to deal with Javascript processes separately, which can prevent many browser problems.

Site performance is very important as it makes your users happier. Less strain on the computer means less energy use, which is important for anything that uses a battery. Research from big internet companies has shown that even small increases in loading times have a direct relationship to their revenue per user. Moreover, Google has recently included site speed in its search algorithm, meaning that faster sites get ranked higher on their search results and will therefore get more visitors.

Do More Offline

A very practical addition is the new offline storage capability. This allows users of mobile devices to store pages, apps and other data for when they have no internet access. This has a multitude of applications, such as allowing offline use of web apps, and storing interesting or useful articles for when you need them.

Backward Compatibility

Unfortunately, every aspect of HTML5 has different levels of support from the various browsers. This was always going to be a problem, so many features are designed to be compatible with older browsers. There are also many programs out there to help with this. It is even possible to design websites to provide alternatives to fall back on, without the user having to do anything.

This is just a selection of the many changes and useful new features coming with HTML5. It will also make many old features easier to implement. It is the biggest step forward for the web in many years, and it promises to make things faster, more reliable, and more powerful. While it may be a few years before it is fully supported by everyone, we can’t wait to get started.

A design is only as good as its brief. Here are some tips for briefing a design agency that will help you get the outcomes you want.

- Start with the results; what do you want the project to achieve? What are your business objectives?

- Make sure your agency understands exactly what your company does. And how this project fits into the bigger picture.

- List your main competitors and explain how you differ from them.

- Who are you targeting? Are there several groups of customers? Think about age, occupation etc., and also their views and tastes, what worries them and how you solve those problems.

- What do you want the audience to hear? Define the key message and any secondary messages.

- What do you want your audience to do as a result of hearing those messages?

- Find examples of styles you want to achieve.

- Set clear time scales and budgets.

- Trust the designer to do the creative bit.

- When you evaluate the concepts, do it objectively: list the pros and cons. Ask yourself “How well does this meet the brief?” “Does it transmit the right message?” rather than “Do I like it?”

The start of the Feelingpeaky design process

For all Feelingpeaky design projects we provide a comprehensive project briefing document. This forms the foundation to our process of helping you to get the designs you want. Have a design project? Call Feelingpeaky on 020 8997 4700.

Have you got any tips that work or pitfalls to tell others about?

A very brief post to introduce the whole new world of web fonts that are out there ready and waiting to be discovered. For years web designers were tied down and shackled to the fonts common on the vast majority of computers including Arial, Verdana, Times, and Georgia. Not now though – there are literally thousands of web fonts to flex your typographical muscles.

Here are 12 places to find out more about web fonts and typography for websites – browse and discover your next favourite.

1. Fontdeck
2. Fonts.com
3. My Fonts
4. Typekit
5. Webtype
6. Typetogether
7. Typotheque
8. Google web fonts
9. Font Squirrel
10. Fontspring
11. Fonts Live
12. Kernest

Finally, there are different ways of achieving your typographical impact. Although we’re not going to get techy here these range through Cufon, sIFR, FLIR and @font-face.

A couple of examples:  The new Longleat Safari & Adventure Park website designed by us here at Feelingpeaky implemented cufon and the font Dirty Headline in the headers and sub headers. Have a look at the safari park intro page to see. We also used Cufon on our newly designed site for Nordoff Robbins the music therapy charity. Here we used Helvetica Rounded. Both slightly more interesting than Arial – we hope you’ll agree.

That’s it… A quick start to your web fonts journey. Go out, discover and enjoy this whole new world.

Clap your hands, Tap your feet, Sing out loud, Dance or stomp, Shout or cry! It’s time to rejoice charity website design and our work for Nordoff Robbins.

Nordoff Robbins is a UK charity specialising in music therapy providing individuals the ability and confidence to express themselves and communicate where they may have not been able to do previously – the results can have a profound impact on individuals and their families.

Feelingpeaky provided their expertise to help Nordoff Robbins produce a new website. Its aim is to act as a powerful engagement tool with their various audiences and ultimately increase support and donations for the charity. This new vibrant and exciting website now helps Nordoff Robbins to promote fund raising events, encourage people to get involved and educate them on the powers of Music Therapy.

Fraser Simpson, Communications Manager at Nordoff Robbins comments on their charity’s website design project….

“Thank you so much for all your hard work and particularly in this final stage over the last few weeks. We have got a superb product and your team has done a magnificent job for us.”

Feelingpeaky used Drupal, the powerful open source content management system as the platform to drive the Nordoff Robbins charity website. The solution provided numerous functionalities including, news blogs to talk about all their fundraising activities, galleries to show their music therapy in action and web forms to give their audiences a simple and quick way to sign up for fundraising, courses and newsletters! Finally, integration with SecureTrading provides an easy to manage payment gateway that gives donators a quick, easy donation process!

Have a look at the website here: www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk and consider giving to a very worthy cause. If you’re looking for charity website design Feelingpeaky would be happy to discuss your brief and bring our energy and expertise to help your charity perform online. Contact us on 02089974700 or email info@feelingpeaky.com.

It’s a tiresome thought isn’t it?  Especially if you don’t particularly like writing.  And just because everyone else is at it, does it mean there are any benefits for you?  Here are our top 8 reasons on why blogging is a good thing.

1. More potential customers find you

Blogs increase your search engine ratings.  Write on relevant subjects and make it keyword rich so that you attract plenty of the right customers.

2. Conversation starters

Use your blog to get potential customers talking to you.  People ask questions, you answer them – it helps them get to know you.  And only when they know you will they trust you.

3. Other bloggers will talk about you

They will point at your site through an inbound link, sending their readers to your blog so that more people find out about your services and products.

4. Your readers will multiply

Syndicating your content via RSS feeds is easy.  That way you get your message out there where lots more people see it.

5. Demonstrate your expertise

Writing a blog proves that you know what’s going on in your industry and have something to say about it.

6. Sell without the sales pitch

You can spread news about your company’s achievements, about prestigious or complex projects you’ve worked on or about new products and services.

7. It gives you ideas

You learn a lot when you write a blog.  Thinking about what you are going to write, and reading other people’s blogs can give you fresh ideas for your own business.

8. It’s easy to set up

It can be as simple as adding a module to your existing website.  And if you don’t have time to write it yourself, you can always get a professional in.

What do you think about blogging?  Good thing or bad thing?

While it’s by no means the only important page, the home page is where visitors often enter your site.  And, if it’s not doing its job, it’s where they exit.  The online environment is constantly evolving. Here are a few home page tips to help businesses achieve their online goals.

Say clearly what your company does, who it’s relevant for and
how it’s different

On www.pebble.uk.com, the box at the top explains that Pebble works for entrepreneurs and small businesses, dealing with the tasks normally allocated to the office manager or PA in a large company.  We added links to Pebble’s big benefits – that clients can pay by the hour/day/month and that the standards of service are exceptionally high.

Make sure the homepage focuses on user goals as well as
business goals

Whilst the business focus for www.chamonixallyear.com is on selling accommodation, information on ski lessons and airport transfers are equally important to the user – we made sure they could access this information easily on the home page.

Help the user towards their purchase decision

Take a look at www.longleat.co.uk.  “Buy Tickets” is 1 of 3 choices in the navigation, we added an extra link to the area, emphasised the online discount, and directed users – via a “Find it Fast” section – to other information (like ticket prices) that might help them make their purchase decision.  Online tickets sales were up within weeks of launch and the site is showing a clear return on investment.

Show with examples rather than telling through a description

On the site we designed for Louis Kennedy www.louiskennedy.com, we chose familiar examples of campaigns created by Louis Kennedy (like Pudsey Bear for Children in Need) to raise money for good causes.  If your site sells products, this might translate into showing an example from each product group.

Make sure the most important tasks/messages are visible
without scrolling

On www.realcoachingco.com the key message is that the company offers a free coaching session.  This is backed up by a softer sell; signing up to the newsletter.  Both these messages are clearly visible at the top of the page.

Have you got a home page tip?  Why not share it?

Is it really May already! Here at Feelingpeaky we’ve had our heads down for awhile working busily on loads of fascinating client projects. One new client we’ve had the pleasure of working with is Longleat Safari & Adventure Park.

Longleat Safari & Adventure Park has been one of the UK’s best-loved attractions for over 60 years. It features an extensive Safari Park, is home to BBC Animal Park and CBBC Roar and also has over 15 fabulous attractions, including the new multi million pound Jungle Kingdom and Longleat House, one of the most stunning stately homes in Britain.

Feelingpeaky have helped re-launch Longleat to the World through a number of design project including new brand identity, tourist brochure and e-commerce website.

Online ticket sales are well improved on the previous incarnation already and the design projects are delivering a clear return on investment.

For further information on Longleat and to buy tickets for fabulous days out visit their new website at www.longleat.co.uk.

DIY copywriting; it seems like a good idea at the time. But many of our clients find themselves baffled by what to write. And when they do write it, they often find it doesn’t bring in the results they hoped for. A good copywriter will…..

1. Quickly get to grips with your brand, your brief and your organisation and write the words you want, while you get on with your day job.

2. Write words that tap into your customers’ needs and persuade them to buy your product or service.

3. Create a verbal identity that reflects your brand and brings consistency to your marketing material.

4. Work seamlessly with your design agency so that it all comes together without you spending time coordinating it.

5. Complete the work fast so that your project goes live when you want it to go live.

6. Contribute specialist knowledge about the best way to write for each medium, e.g. writing web copy so that it works for both readers and search engines.

7. Be scarily pedantic about making sure your copy is grammatically correct.

Want to find out more? Contact cathy@feelingpeaky.com

What is CMS Made Simple?

CMS Made Simple (CMSMS) does what it says on the tin – It is a content management system or CMS that is extremely simple for clients to use. It enables them to take control of their websites ensuring they remain up to date, relevant and constantly engaging. There is nothing worse in my view than seeing a website that says “NEWS – Feb 2002!” – It simply says this site / business is unloved. It also suggests that the business really doesn’t understand the importance of the Internet in driving new leads, prospects and customers to their business. Often though this is the result of the web design agency delivering a “static site” ie. A site that cannot be updated practically without further assistance from the website design agency (usually at extra expense). With a content management system the client controls their content and keeps things fresh.

CMS Made Simple is often all you need…

Feelingpeaky have provided many different CMS solutions for clients over the years. From bespoke CMS to recognised open source solutions like Drupal, WordPress and CushyCMS.  However, in our experience CMS Made Simple will generally provide all a client needs on a day to day basis.

- Ability to add, edit, delete pages and content within.
- Rearrange structure as the site develops, manage news and events
- Edit multi placed content blocks
- The CMS also allows us to set up forms to receive enquiries
- Ability to upload file eg. PDF press releases and attach to pages

Visit: http://www.cmsmadesimple.org/ for further information on features and benefits.

CMS Made Simple Advantages

CMS Made Simple has a number of advantages – It is open source – We are therefore able to use the base code freely, there are no proprietary fees and therefore all development fees go on the project itself; It has a large developer community behind it; and is extremely robust and well featured for a CMS program. Yet it is extremely simple for non technical people to use and administrate their website.

So do you have much experience in CMSMS?

Do we eck! … Lots and lots and lots of sites both designed and developed for CMS Made Simple. Here are a few examples of the many sites completed…

1. Chamonix All Year

2. Soccer Suckers

3. Louis Kennedy

4. The Safety Business

5. Vilensky Event Music

Contact Feelingpeaky to get your content managed website

We’d be happy to discuss your CMS needs – whether your looking at CMS Made Simple, Drupal, WordPress or had a bespoke solution in mind. Contact us with your brief on info@feelingpeaky.com or call 020 8997 4700.

SoccerSuckers is sure to be the biggest collectable craze of the summer, with football fans eager to complete their very own England squad in time for the greatest show on earth – collect all 26 and stick them everywhere!

Launched in major retailers across the UK on 1st April, Feelingpeaky was tasked to produce an appealing website for collectors to come and find out more about SoccerSuckers and drive further interest in collecting the whole set.

Stage one of a bright and attractive site was delivered in record time for the launch. We are now working on stage two – a Flash game to allow collectors to pick their perfect England XI. More to follow on that soon, but for now have a look at the website.

Have a look at the website for yourself: www.soccersuckers.co.uk

Work completed include:

- Website design and SoccerSucker artwork preparation
- XHTML templates
- Open Source content management system – CMS Made Simple
- Additional Modules – Photo Albulm, RSS to HTML – to accommodate a sports news feed from the BBC
- Content planning

How can we help you?

For bright, funky website design delivered on time with a smile contact Feelingpeaky on 020 8997 4700 or email hello@feelingpeaky.com.