Anchorage Alaska Web Design: March 2014

Friday, March 14, 2014

Design Login Page for Seneca Safety

SMS Pro is web-based aviation safety software for airlines, airports, flight schools and aviation maintenance organizations. This enterprise-level aviation SMS software was developed by the Anchorage Alaska Web design and programming company - NorthWest Data Solutions for the aviation industry in 2007.

One of our clients has been using this login page for a long time. Occasionally, this client would add a picture to this page, but lately, this login page looks and feels empty. I’d like to add some interesting elements to it.

Screen shot of existing login page.

First Design

We have a lot of images about airplanes, helicopters, pilots, airports, and more that related to aviation. But the difficult part is choosing the right image for its purpose. I chose these images from our client’s website Seneca College. But the problem was all images are small, so I decided to use 3 images instead of one to create this login page. I used red and black to be main color design since it matched with their website and our logo. I had grey color to make the contrast in area I wanted to emphasize in the form.

Screen shot of first design login page.

A second design

Instead of using 3 images, I chose only one. But like I mentioned earlier, the image was small size so I had to help cover the pixel looking after enlarge it. I put the Gaussian blur and another transparent layer with Photoshop on top of the image. It became a good background then I had login form locate at the middle of the page. I changed the color on the form area to make it stand out.

Screen shot of second design login page.

I like this design better but again I’m not the decision maker. So which one do you like better?

NWDS Alaska Web Design

About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. www.nwds-ak.com

Difference Between Static and Dynamic Web Sites

You may come across these terms when you’re serving the internet or by your web designer. It’s good to know the difference so you can choose the best solution for your website.

Static websites

A static website is created by tools like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Each web page is a separate document, that means the way to edit this kind of website is go into each page with knowledge of the code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript.) You would have to use a web page editor such as text editor or Dreamweaver, or pay web designer to update your website.

Dynamic websites

A dynamic website is created using more complex code like PHP or ASP with database driven. You would have a blog, search option, contact form and more. Many dynamic websites can be controlled by a content management system (CMS.) You can change the content through an admin panel which changes the source code in real time, no need to know HTML or other languages.

Many people prefer dynamic websites because they have a lot of benefits.

Dynamic sites easy to update

Rich of feature

It’s impossible to destroy the page layout

More about content management system (CMS.)

See our portfolio

NWDS Alaska Web Design

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Why does my Business Need a Website?

Should your business have a website even if your business is small? The size does not matter on the internet world. You may be a one-man show business owner or a big corporate company, if you don’t have a website; you’re losing business opportunity to others that they do.

Reason No. 1 – Interactive brochure

By having a website you can save ton of money to create and distribute brochures. A website is an interactive brochure that your clients and potentials can browse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is much easier to update your website than having your print shop to update brochures. Modern websites are created on Content Management Systems such as DotNetNuke, WordPress or Drupal that you can update or upload content and images quickly.

Reason No.2 – More opportunity

More than 2.7 billion people use the internet every day. And more than 80% of those have purchased something with reasons like avoid trips to the store, shopping without salesperson pressure, and easier to compare prices.

Reason No.3 – Customer service

You can have customer service right on your website by having an FAQ page. The potentials and clients can learn and get company information they want easily. Also FAQs are great place to answer any sales objections. Use a question and answer to explain why you offer more value products or services than your competitor’s.

Reason No.4 – Communication

Having a blog or even just have content on your home page to update your new products, promotions, events or anything you would want to inform your potential and clients.

These are main reasons for you to have a website. But you should be aware of having a professional-looking one with well design of the ease of navigation, call to action, and all functions work as it supposed to be. Here's why?

NWDS Alaska Web Design