Web Development On The Sunshine Coast Is Getting AMPED

There's one thing I've learnt about Google over the years, and that's the company's obvious delight in throwing us a curved ball! Just as you think you've got their latest algorithm update covered, they come at you with something else altogether, like Google AMP.

No-one in web development on the Sunshine Coast is a stranger to AMP - or Accelerated Mobile Pages. And on the whole, everyone thinks it's a great project. AMP is designed to speed up the delivery of content to users, thus improving the whole UX, or User Experience. To do this, it uses a stripped down code, known as AMP HTML.

No surprise that Google mostly had mobile users in mind when it came up with this. AMPED pages deliver faster results, and seem to enjoy a higher ranking. Website development teams on the Sunshine Coast believe both users and businesses will benefit from this project.

Initially, Google AMP covered just 'top stories' but, guess what, Google has announced that it is now rolling out AMP to ALL organic listings! And yes, some panic has erupted! Especially as you've only got to the end of the year to do this.

But here's the thing, Google AMP is fairly easy to implement and, according to Google, is NOT a ranking signal. (Uhm, still pondering that one!)
If you're using a WordPress site, you simply need to download a couple of plugins, and access Search Console. If that doesn't immediately work, you may need support from your web hosting platform. Sounds easy, right?

There is also a dedicated Google AMP website - https://www.ampproject.org/ - that is jam-packed with information and tutorials, so that's also worth a look.

Alternatively, talk to a professional! While projects like this can be quick and easy for someone working in the industry, that can pose quite a challenge for the uninitiated! 

Website Design Services Lean Towards Interaction Design

One look at website design on the Sunshine Coast today confirms that mobile device usage is king and, if your website is not responsive, you're going to miss out on business. That's a very simplified explanation but the message is clear enough and, if you haven't yet made your website mobile-friendly, it's time you did.

That need for great responsiveness has seen a huge push towards interaction design. Once just a small part of web and graphic design, it is now a trend, and a skill, in itself. An interaction designer must be able to create every element of the website that a user will tap, type, swipe or click.

Engaging and Responsive

And that style of design is needed in order to make the website more engaging and responsive to the mobile device user, giving them everything they need, as quickly as possible. The Interaction Design Association describes the process as creating "meaningful relationships between people and the products and services they use, from computers to mobile devices to appliances and beyond".

Interaction website design services consider everything the use can do with their mouse, finger or stylus to interact with the device. They look at response rates, feedback, error messages and commands, to try and get more 'action' and better results out of every feature.

Changing the Future of Websites

You could describe the process as changing a website from a purely responsive creation, to a living, breathing entity that becomes an extension of the user's mind and finger. In the book, Human Computer Interaction, the usability of a website is broken down into three areas: Learnability - how easily can the user learn to navigate the interface; Flexibility: how many ways can they interact with the system, and Robustness: how are user errors supported?

Whilst to some this might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, it is where the website bus is going and, if you're not on it, your business is likely to suffer.

Boost Your Conversions With Professional Website Design Services

We often come across businesses who have tried to take a shortcut to creating their web presence, with DIY or low budget websites. Well, you know what they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Developing a website that not only looks great, but also delivers results is not easy. That's why it's best to use professional website design services. It's not just a case of sticking up a few pictures and a bit of promotional copy. The point of a business website is to tell potential customers where you are, and what you do, and encourage them to spend their money with you.

Web Design On The Sunshine Coast

That's where analytics come in. Web design experts on the Sunshine Coast use analytics to see how many visitors you get, how long they stay on your site and whether they convert to customers. If you're not getting the conversions, something is wrong and you need to fix it.

You have literally seconds to grab the user. If your site is slow, confusing, ugly or annoying, the user will go elsewhere - and take their money with them. There are some handy website design tips on the Sunshine Coast to keep the user onsite, such as using high quality full-width images - especially of happy, smiling people. That will grab their attention and keep them on page a little longer.

Avoid Fiddly And Annoying Navigation

Take this further by using the right layout and colour scheme. If you offer different products or services, use a split-screen layout to catch users' attention, and quickly guide them where they want to go. Many sites now use a monochromatic colour scheme because it not only looks very cool, but it allows you to use colour for key elements, such as a CTA button.

Avoid fiddly navigation tools, sidebar distractions and annoying demands for information or registration. There's plenty of time to gather user information once you have them on the hook!
All of these ideas and more can really be encompassed under UX - or user experience, and that's something Google is very keen on. Remember, Google's #1 priority is the user, not you! Give your users a great experience and you will not only boost your conversions, but also your ranking.