News from February 2009

Let's get minimal, minimal...

February 23, 2009

We’ve never really thought of ourselves as minimal designers, but we were happy to find that our own site was mentioned in a list of inspirational minimal designs on a recent post on Web Designer Wall. The article features some of our favorite designs in recent history, so we’re pretty pumped to be included.

The Creative Unity - Volume One

February 21, 2009

lift will be featured in Volume One of The Creative Unity a publication whose mission is “to feature only the best designs, designers, and design studios in order to create a book that shows off supreme talent while creating an inspirational tool for designers from around the world”.

We’re really excited to have been selected for this first edition of The Creative Unity. When I first heard about the project I thought it was a really great idea. Often, inspirational resources get published on-line where they compete for second by second attention. This approach gives the collection the ability to last. As web designers, we have been featured in many online design inspiration galleries, but it will feel especially fun to have our work appear in print.

Trying things out

February 21, 2009

I’ve been trying to figure out the right To-do work-flow for quite some time now. I’ve tried several different options including, Outlook, Entourage, Basecamp to-do, a few different iPhone apps and many others. A few of the apps I’ve tried have been close, but nothing seems to stick with the way I go about my life. Some of the desktop applications work well, but the hardest tasks to remember are the ones you think of just before bed, or when you first wake up. The iPhone apps are great for portability but none of the ones I’ve used sync very well with your desktop. And although, I could run everything from my phone, it’s just not as quick as typing on my computer.

So, after a suggestion from a friend, I’ve decided to give Things by Cultured Code a try. It seems to marry all the best features into one little app.

1. I can enter my to-do items into the iPhone in a very simple to use app
2. Items and projects can be created and maintained on my Mac as well
3. Syncing is quick once you’ve authenticated the iPhone to your computer
4. Using hot-keys, a to do item can be added extremely quickly while working

I’m hoping that after a week or two using this software, my long standing to-do woes will be over!

I'm here

February 10, 2009

I’m happy to have joined the fine folks here at Lift. It’s still very new and exciting.

So, a little bit about myself. I’ve been building websites professionally for about 9 years now so I’m not exactly the new kid on the block.

Know it, Use it, Love it!

February 6, 2009

“Why should you regularly login to your CMS? Keeping the content on your site current and fresh adds credibility to your organization and minimizes frustration for the visitors…”

Lift develops the majority of our websites with our own custom-built content management system. We’re big believers in CMS-powered sites and strongly encourage our clients to use their CMS for all its worth. It’s big on convenience, portability and efficiency (update your site anytime, anywhere, with just a few clicks) and low on cost and hassle (this thing is made for someone with no prior knowledge or experience).

Why should you regularly login to your CMS? Keeping the content on your site current and fresh adds credibility to your organization and minimizes frustration for the visitors to your site – nothing screams “amateur” like old contact information, a news post from two years ago or outdated inventory. Think of your website as a pet…or a plant, something that needs to be “fed and watered” regularly to really thrive. The more TLC you throw its way, the more dividends it will pay back to you, through an increase in traffic, inquiries and ultimately, to the bottom line. And don’t forget, the search engines get bored very easily. By not updating your site frequently enough, it can lower the search engine rank of your site. On the flip side, if you turn over your site content regularly, it will pay off in increased sales and rankings.
Here are 5 quick tips to help you refresh your site in a hurry:

1. Make sure your contact page is 100% accurate and up-to-date, including your address, phone numbers, email and directions to your office.
2. Create some fresh news items to post (this could be as simple as a new hire, a recent achievement or award, a new product or service you’ve introduced or even a new gallery of photos).
3. Make sure the links throughout your site actually go somewhere. Nobody likes to be led to a dead-end.
4. If you’re selling products online, get the inventory up-to-date, including pictures, prices and information.
5. If you have a blog, don’t be shy – make a habit of putting something new up at least once per week.