Hello,

This month we are choc-full (just like I'm sure everyone was after the Easter break!) of information, hints and tips.

Those of you following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn will already know that we are currently re-designing our website. So we thought we would share with you our thought's on the do's and don'ts of website design and development.

We also have a sneak preview of our NEW mobile-friendly website and discuss why your business may need one too.

This month's IBISWorld industry report is on the Painting and Decorating Services Industry, and we are also featuring an easy guide map to help you understand how to best leverage major social media sites. Like we said - we are choc-full this month!

Your Website - Build it Better

After two years in operation and the launch of the Platinum Mix website, we are in the process of refreshing its look and feel and improving the site navigation.

We develop many webistes for our clients and are constanlty researching the latest design trends and evolving web technologies to ensure we provide an up to date product. We thought we would share with you some of the latest trends in web development we have come across. 


Design
Delete anything that blinks, is animated or makes noise.
I am surprised that there are still websites that have auto music…

No pop-ups! Ever…at all!

Can I get back to home – easily? This important navigation tool can get forgotten within the design – add it, your visitors will thank you for it.

No contrasting background colours.

 No more clashing bright colours in the background (that were so popular in the 90’s) – give us more white space.


Content

Do you have clear navigation in place? Will visitors find it easy to find what they’re looking for?

Make it short.

We have all seen ‘those’ sites that seem to go on forever. Our recommendation is to have no more than one or two screen lengths of content.

General things to consider...

Does your ‘contact us’ page work?

Make a note to check this regularly as it can have a serious impact on your business.

Have you demonstrated that you are a real business?

Since you probably are, it may be obvious to you, but you should make sure this is clear to your visitors.

Ask for Feedback.

Continual improvement is a good thing. Your website is a key element of your marketing mix so it’s important to get it right.

Have you got any other tips and suggestions? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let us know by connecting to us via social media.

Why you need a Mobile-Friendly Website

By Position Me Online

The number of searchers accessing websites from mobile devices has soared over the past 12 months, with some clients now receiving over 10% of their overall website traffic via mobile devices.

Mobile traffic is surging at such a substantial rate that a Morgan Stanley report believed that by 2015 mobile web browsing will surpass desktop/laptop browsing.

The screenshot below shows the increase in mobile traffic to a client website throughout 2010. They now have 460 visitors per month accessing the website via a mobile device.

What Is A Mobile Device?

Mobile devices are often referred to as ‘Smart Phones’ and include:
  • iPhones
  • iPads
  • Android mobile phones
  • Blackberrys
These generally have smaller screens, are unable to play ‘Flash’ animations, certain navigation and website functionality doesn’t work, and are generally quite fiddly to browse the web on.

Why Should I Make My Website Mobile-Friendly?

Creating a mobile version of your website provides the following benefits:

  • Phone numbers can be clickable, so that they instantly dial your business number when clicked.
  • Customers can access a condensed version of your information in a larger, easy-to-read format.
  • Navigation is faster.
  • Download times are reduced.
  • Visitors are likely to remember that you have a mobile version where competitors may not.
  • You can publish different content to mobile users – e.g. mobile promotions.

What’s Involved?

We suggest having no more than 6 pages of information on a mobile website, keeping in mind that mobile searchers are generally looking for contact details as opposed to making a purchasing decision based on the website. A typical Mobile Website structure would be:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Why Choose XYZ Co?
  • Services/Products
  • Contact Us
We can produce entire mobile versions of product catalogues as well should your target market be frequent mobile users.

Sneak peek at the first draft of our NEW mobile-friendly website...(the very first draft hot off the web developers Mac.)

Call us today for your very own mobile-friendly website to begin increasing your traffic.
Shout out this month!
We want to send a shout out and congratulations to ISH24 and Adams Coachlines on their great looking stands in the Mining Australia Expo at Belmont Park, earlier this month. A truley integrated brand across multiple media looks fantastic.

If anyone else requires exhibition items - please don't hesitate to give us a call and have a chat.

 
New Brochures and Presentation Folder! We're so excited to share with you all our brand NEW brochures and presentation folders. If anyone would like to view them in person - don't hesitate to get in touch.


Platinum Mix can assist your business with all the marketing strategies mentioned in this, and subsequent eNewsletters.  So if your business requires any marketing assistance, call us today on 08 9380 6929.

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The Social Media Landscape
Here's a quick guide to help you understand how to best leverage your business across the major social media sites.
 

 
Connect with us on Social Media




Take a look at some of our recent projects.

 

 

FREE IBIS World Industry Snapshot - Painting and Decorating Services in Australia
 

 
08 9380 6929 | info@platinummix.com.au | www.platinummix.com.au