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Andy Crestodina Articles

Written by: Andy Crestodina

Top Trends for 2011 by Amanda Gant - Click To Read Article
Everyone is making their predictions about what they think is going to be big in the new year. I guess it's an unwritten rule somewhere and who am I to break this tradition? Here are our top predictions for the new year. By all means, chime in and let us know what you think.

Top 5 Personality Flaws for Web Marketers - Click To Read Article
We all have issues. Fortunately, we can turn our personality flaws into assets as web marketers. Online marketing today encompasses a slew of technologies and activities, some of which are perfect matches for our various personal idiosyncrasies. Here's a quick list of "issues" and how they can be turned to your advantage if you do web marketing...

Unicorn Maintenance & Website ROI - Click To Read Article
Is a website worth $15,000, $20,000, $50,000? It's often hard for a business owner to measure return on an investment. But results from websites are measurable, right? So shouldn't it be possible to figure out if a website will pay for itself? Is there a way to estimate this ahead of time? Sure there is.

What's the Difference? - Click To Read Article
Any company that has looked into getting a new website will tell you that the price range can be enormous… A few thousand dollars? Ten thousand? Fifty thousand? More? Some interactive agencies won’t consider projects under $100,000. On the other end, a man once called me and said he built $500 websites and he suggested that if I helped him find clients, he would split the money with me, 50/50. When prices range from three-figures to six-figures, how do you identify the difference between discount web design and custom, high-end web design; besides trying to use price as a gauge? Here’s a list of four big differences and tips on how to spot them:

Mobile Explosion: 3 Tipping Points - Click To Read Article
As usual, times are changing. But there is one change that is about to reach its inflection point: mobile computing. New research shows we're about to reach critical mass on several mega-trends. So as a follow up to our post on Mobile Marketing 101, here's an update on 3 mobile milestones coming up...

Learn This Phrase: Conversion Rate - Click To Read Article
Having a lot of traffic doesn’t mean you have a lot of sales. Obviously, not every visitor is going to buy something. But a percentage of them will. This percentage is called a conversion rate. If your business involves e-commerce (or if you’re considering it) this is something you’re thinking about.

How to Use Web Video to Sell - Click To Read Article
Q: How do you quadruple the percentage of visitors who buy? A: Video Video is a great education and training tool and obviously the world's most popular entertainment medium, but in this article we're talking about using video in web marketing. We're talking about using video to sell. We'll explain when to use it, why it works and how to get it done! We'll also talk about metrics and show some research and results.

Have A Pulse - Click To Read Article
We've all seen the medical shows where the ER docs grab the defibrillator paddles and shout, "Clear!" ZAP! Checking Google analytics for website activity can be a lot like that. Without all the drama, of course. We review Google Analytics for hundreds of websites. This gives us insight into what to look for and how to read the numbers - what's good, what's bad. It's like looking at an EKG. Is the site healthy?

Do You Have a Corporate-Web Speech Impediment? - Click To Read Article
I spend a lot of time talking about websites. I'm always talking to clients, potential clients, job seekers, industry pros and my fellow Orbiteers and I've noticed a few things about how people talk about websites: people use a lot of fancy words. Naturally, the web has brought about a lot of new things that needed new words. But somehow it also led to more technical words for some simple ideas.

Graphic Design vs. Web Design: Separate and Not Equal by Nick Haas - Click To Read Article
As designers, it is our job to communicate effectively in both the print and web mediums, and learn that they are separate and not equal. Understanding the distinct differences between being a graphic designer and a web designer in 2010 might help you on your next project or in the way you approach your design.

7 Reasons Why Wireframing Is Important in Web Design by Nick Haas - Click To Read Article
Recently, I have been in a few meetings where we are working on developing a web site. In these meetings, it has been suggested that we skip the wireframe stage and roll right into what the site is going to look like, the design. This kind of thinking stemmed from the notion that the client would not understand what wireframes are and that jumping into design would get us one step closer to launch. This suggestion is a bad one.

3 Key Steps to SEO Fitness - Click To Read Article
Summer is almost here: time to get outside, stretch your legs, and finally get started on that New Year's resolution to exercise. So is not this a good time to get your website into shape, too? Like perfect biceps or rock-hard abs, a high search-engine ranking won't come overnight. Getting to the top takes disciplined, consistent action and long-term dedication.

What is Twitter, Really? - Click To Read Article
Imagine you're sitting at a desk, staring at a new piece of technology. It's a type of tool that allows you to communicate in new ways. It connects people instantly. It's supposed to be better than the older tools. Everybody's talking about it. They say you should use it but you're not sure how or why...

Viva la Fingertip! The Touch Screen Revolution (Part 1) - Click To Read Article
Smart phone purchases in the 3rd quarter of 2010 were up 96% compared to the year before, according to Gartner. Apple is about to launch the second version of its "magical" iPad, and a host of imitators are releasing their swarms now. The desktop computer isn't dead, but a lot of people looking at websites with something else-and the touch screen revolution is just getting started. Is your site ready?

Mobile Marketing 101 - Click To Read Article
Although we’re trend watchers, we’re not bandwagon jumpers. We don’t seek to build things just because they’re popular. We build things that make sense for our clients. Still, when a tidal wave is coming (or arguably already here) we have to chime in. So here’s a pocket guide to marketing to your pocket.

Claim Your Local Listing in 19 Places - Click To Read Article
Search engines are changing. You may have noticed that any time you search for something in your area, you get more than the usual list of results, you get a map with some links next to it. Evidence suggests that creating/claiming your local listings is a good start. So here are the basic steps to claiming, creating and managing your local listing. We’re also showing you 19 places where you can do this. Most are Internet Yellow Pages sites (IYPs) and others are local directories and the search engines themselves. You don’t need an expert to help you create and claim your listings. In fact, it’s best if you do this yourself.

Age of Convergence? Not for Designers. - Click To Read Article
For the last 10 years, internet visionaries, tech company CEOs and media moguls have told us we’re in an “Age of Convergence” that will change the way we live, learn and interact with each other. Indeed, things have changed. But if you’re involved in web design or any other type of interactive media, you probably haven’t noticed much of anything “converging.” In fact, design requirements are more diverse than ever.

Website Lifespan and You - Click To Read Article
A web design company, an advertising agency and a software vendor walk into a client’s office. The client asks, “How often should we redesign our site?” The agency replies “two years.” The software guy says “three years.” The website designer says… This isn’t a joke. I was actually in this meeting. There were eight people from three companies in a conference room and another two more people from another company on speakerphone. My answer at the time was four years, based on that business and their industry. Since then I’ve thought more about the question and the factors that determine the answer.

Orbit’s Own Recipe: Blog Casserole with Newsletter Sauce - Click To Read Article
Ever wonder how a web marketing company uses the web to market themselves? In this issue we invite you into our kitchen to share one of our most effective marketing recipes. So come on in and smell what we’re cooking…

5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Web-Design Firm - Click To Read Article
Every day, I meet with companies who are looking for a web-design firm, and naturally, I'd like some of them to choose us. But I've also noticed something during these conversations: often, people don't ask the most important questions. A meeting with a web-design company is an interview. You want to make sure their business is legitimate, and you want to get a sense for the personality and culture of the company. Most of all, you need to understand their approach to the unique challenges you're tackling with your project. In 5 minutes, these 5 questions will tell you more than an hour-long presentation...





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