6th
September 2010
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Personally, I’ve always been conscious on the code and loading times that BaseKit produces. For me, design is not just in the look of the site, but how well the code is engineered too. With that in mind, the team at BaseKit have been busy making sure you have the tools you need to build good looking, clean coded sites.
There are few basic rules that I follow when I build websites using BaseKit:
- Plan Layouts
- Use Template Columns
- Padding 0
- Less nested widgets
- Speed is Key
- Image Sizes
Plan Layouts
When I start building a site, I sit down with a piece of paper and pencil and start drawing out the basic layouts of each of the different pages. For example, a front page of a website is typically different to the inner pages. Once planned, I convert these layouts into BaseKit templates.
By pre-planning, you avoid creating a ‘one-size-fits-all‘ template; one that you throw lots of column and background widgets into to create your various pages.
Use Template Columns
By using the power of BaseKit templates, your automatically cutting down the amount of code that will appear on the page. A well thought out template will mean less column / background widgets; the more widgets you use, the more code that is required to layout a page.
Here’s example of creating the exact same layout using a column widget and the code generated:
Here’s an example of the code you get if you create layouts within templates:
Okay… maybe I’m giving the column widget a bad rap. We have a few elements to remove in the future releases as you can see from the picture, but overall the creating layouts on a template level will always be more code efficient.
Think about layouts carefully before creating a site. It will save you a load of hassle (and code!) later .
Padding 0
There is a feature in BaseKit that allows you to reduce all template columns padding to 0; Underneath the hood, BaseKit will remove the extra DIV tag from the structure required to apply the padding.
In my opinion, the less code, the better, but there is a trade off; Padding on these widgets will help you line up the various widgets inside them without too much thought, but if you reduce the padding to 0, you will probably have to line each widget up individually.
Less Nested Widgets
I constantly see sites with far too many nested widgets; Column Widgets in Background widgets in Column widgets, etc, etc… That’s just going to give you a site that’s hard to edit and your code will suffer from Divitis.
As I previously stated, I use template columns over column widgets but for background manipulation, I use CSS to apply where necessary. That said, in later releases you will be able to apply backgrounds and styles directly to the widget itself.
Speed Demon
We are working hard to reduce the load times of BaseKit sites. In the next couple of releases we will be implementing some major features to our framework and reducing code down massively to increase the overall speed. There are a few tips and tricks to help you speed those sites up which are as follows:
Speed up External Widgets
The main culprit for slowing down the load time of your site are the Twitter, Flickr and RSS widgets. The issue is that every time the page loads, BaseKit calls the external services to get the results to display (only if you have the widget on the page). Load times can get slow if you have multiple external widgets on the page.
Hidden in these widgets settings is an awesome feature that takes advantage of caching system we use in BaseKit. Lets use the Twitter Widget as an example. If you set this to ‘Every 30 mins’ for example, the page will cache the results for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the next time the page is loaded, BaseKit will go get the results from Twitter then cache them within the site for next 30 minutes; and so on and so forth. This will increase your page load time drastically!
Image Sizes
This should go without saying, but its interesting to see all the BaseKit sites where people have uploaded huge images and reduced them down to smaller size within the editor. Not a good look! (some Browsers can render them nicely, but others make the image look horrid) Load times are effected too which will give the perception that your site is slow.
Work out the size of the image, reduce the image down in a program such as Photoshop or GIMP then upload it.
If you follow all of these tips then they should give you a fast clean Basekit site.
This post was written by Richard Healy -Founder and Lead Developer of Basekit
1st
September 2010
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Today, we’re releasing our brand new Student Ambassadors programme.
The Programme has been designed for you, amazing students, to take part in the BaseKit story, spreading the word out there and getting rewarded for it!
If you haven’t come accross BaseKit yet, then let me fill you in. BaseKit enables everyone to easily create stunning websites from scratch by simply uploading your Photoshop design or using one of our stylish templates, ready for you to customize. The best thing about BaseKit is that you can do all of this, without coding!
We’re here to revolutionise web-design and help everyone build amazing websites simply – we call it “Maximum Design, Minimum Time”
Our student ambassador program already features students from around the world. Check out our student map to see where fellow students have registered to spread the word of BaseKit, and become part of that growing global community.
As part of the new program, we’d also like to introduce you to our new Leader Board – where you can start earning points for simple tasks and challenges you may undertake. The more points you get, the more likely you are to end up at the top of the chart and win amazing prizes from BaseKit and our great partners. We will put up the first leader board once you have started earning some points!
Prizes will be announced next week so stay tuned! In the meantime, we thought you’d like to discover how you could get involved and try it out.
In addition to this, we will showcase the most impressive student BaseKit site each month.
Check out a sneak preview of our site:
So if you haven’t signed up for it yet and you’re up for building excitement on campus, getting people involved online and earning great prizes, then JOIN US NOW.
For more info about the programme, check out www.basekit.com/students
Hope to see you soon in BaseKit House!
27th
August 2010
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We are just beginning to see the end of one of the worst economic downturns in history and unemployment levels are at a record high. Sacking a client would be pure madness wouldn’t it? I’ve just done it.
For me, one of the highlights of freelance work is that I can pick and choose my clients, if I’m going to be spending my would-be spare time working I’d rather it be on a project that is as stress free as possible and a project that is enjoyable.
Sometimes the relationship between a designer and client just doesn’t work out, it can be for a number of reasons, here are just a few.
Lack of Interest
This is quite possibly my number one reason for sacking a client. Whilst I appreciate that you are busy and have other things to worry about; a lack of interest in the project just doesn’t help your designer deliver exactly what you want. By lack of interest I’m talking about missing deadlines for delivery of content or deadlines for approval of design concepts. As a designer, it can take days or weeks to create the design mock-ups that are presented to the client for approval, you then waste another couple of weeks chasing the client for feedback or sign-off so you can begin the process of building the site. The project is then behind schedule, meaning you either have to deliver the project late or rush the job to get it done on time. Neither are a good compromise, plus the extended time taken on this project is stopping you taking on new projects. However, I’m not saying that I want you to be overly interested and be on my case every other day….
Too Much Interest
You have just been through the design brief with a new client, you tell them that you will get to work straight away and get back to them when you have something to show them. The next morning you receive an email from the client asking to see what you have come up with so far – what do you show them; the sketches in your notebook? You let them know that you don’t have anything solid to show them and you’ll send something over once you do.
Later that evening you receive several emails, usually around the 10MB mark in size each. The client has asked their nephew/neighbour’s kid/colleague to come up with some design ideas to send to you as you are “struggling” to come up with any solid ideas. Can I have my inbox back please?
Changing the scope of the Project
You are just coming to an end of cross browser testing and are about a week from launch of the website. You receive an email or phone call from the client, saying that they have decided they want to be able to update the content themselves, add a blog to site and sell a range of products through the site. Suddenly the project has gone from a semi-simple static website to a full blown e-commerce site with full CMS. This wasn’t in the terms of your agreement, which you explain to your client. Turns out they don’t care and you won’t get paid unless you do it. Time to walk away!
They push your Ethical Boundaries
You have just taken on a new project, you’re really excited about it and have a million ideas running through your head. Laptop booted, you can’t wait to get started. A few hours later, you receive an email from the client:
Hi,
Just been looking through a few websites for ideas. Take a look at www.mycompetitorswebsite.com , can you just copy this site, put our logo on it and just change a few colours. You can take the majority of their content too, just switch their company name for ours.
Thanks,
Mr Client
I don’t think I need to say much more on this point, just take the design brief you completed, stick it through the shredder and let your little sister know you have some bedding for her pet hamster. Time to say an emotional farewell to the client, it’s been a pleasure, honest.
They don’t take your advice
You have told them repeatedly that a Flash Intro Splash page is not a good idea; the logo design they want won’t work as it relies too heavily on colour and isn’t scalable; they should think about cutting their homepage content considerably as its far too long; and that there’s no need for them to place the icon of every social media site ever created on the site. Every suggestion you make is dismissed, the client won’t listen to anything you have to say and you are simply someone who knows their way around Photoshop to bark orders at.
When working with a client who is inexperienced in web design, I feel it is part of my job to educate them and make sure that the final product doesn’t end up looking an unusable, inaccessible mess. Sure it would be easy to do everything they say, take their money and walk away, but I take pride in my work and simply don’t work this way. I’m not saying that unless a client accepts every one of your suggestions that you should sack them, but when it gets to the point where they don’t listen at all, maybe it’s time to move on.
Summary
Taking the decision to sack a client is never easy, and not a decision you should take lightly. This is the first time I’ve ever thought of doing it, let alone the first time I’ve actually done it. If you have a signed contract with the client and taken a deposit for the project (which I highly suggest you do!) it may become more difficult to sack the client for simply being difficult to work with. If they have and continue to breach the terms of your agreement however ,it may be a lot easier to sack them.
This post was written by Lee Harding of Lee Harding Web Design – creating modern beautiful and usable websites. Want to write for the BaseKit Blog – get in touch!
23rd
August 2010
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Marketing using social media platforms can be a bit like trying to sell a product in a pub where all of your friends are. If you’re not funny, informative and effective, you’ll not get anywhere and, to add to your problems, you’ve just made yourself look foolish in front of your peer group. It’s a fraught business. Especially when you’re on a budget.
For the small or starter site owner, there are methods by which you can use Facebook to increase your traffic, or at least to consolidate your core group of fans, ensuring that they feel involved with your project and 100% behind what you’re doing.
On a limited or non-existent budget, we need all the tools we can get, and Facebook as well as Twitter can increase traffic if you play things the right way.
Don’t be annoying
As a rule of thumb, you probably don’t set out to be annoying in any aspect of your life, but social media has it’s own complex etiquette that’s still in its infancy, and developing.
When promoting anything you’ve created, make sure you pack your links with entertaining content or informative text or video, and keep an eye on how many times you’re promoting things. The issue with Facebook is that you’re literally surrounded by your friends. You really don’t want to look like you’re pushing your work onto them in a place where they come to relax.
Create a Facebook profile solely for your business
To avoid the problems involved in using your real life persona to push your business, you could always set up a dedicated account to your business. This is a double-edged sword used the wrong way, as your reputation may bite the dust if you can’t find fans, followers or friends to become Facebook buddies with your brand – so do this with caution and be sure you’ll get the right response.
Start a fan page
Less risky, set up a Facebook fan page and, if your web content is constantly updated, set up a feed so that fans of your product will see any developments on their homepage. Even better, they can comment on any new content without having to directly become involved in any comment debate. This suits some personalities, because they feel Facebook is a much less intimidating online environment than a blog or website comments section.
Get a discussion going
People can probably talk in your comments section or forum, but anywhere that you have a community discourse going on is to be encouraged. Remember that if someone has become a fan of what you do on Facebook – they’re probably pretty devoted to what you do. So it’s feasible you could use your Facebook fan page as the place for real geek-out discussion about your service – where your nerd army can talk at length about the finer details of your product in the safe environment of your designated Fan area.
Encourage Facebook feedback
You could quite easily start using the Fan page for a specific purpose. Say you receive a lot of feedback from users or potential new users, and they use a standard email to get in touch. You could do away with the emailing back and forth regime and realistically ask them to become a fan on facebook, where you respond to every query in person. They’ll feel they’re getting direct contact with the site-owner – and you’ll have won a new fan.
Status update your new content
Some of us not only have our news story update on the Fan feed, but also in our own personal profile’s feed. Some people have told me they find this annoying, but the vast majority don’t mind at all. Where most people status update about the sausage they ate for dinner, you’re within your rights to post a link to the latest thing you put on site. Nobody’s getting hurt, and if it gets noticed, all the better.
Have a loose attitude to who’s your ‘friend’
Obviously we don’t mean you should start making friends with reprobates, but it can be wise to be all-inclusive. Cynics may frown on those who get in touch and friend people they haven’t spoken to since the sandpit – but really, there’s no harm in it. A friendly word with an old real world friend will let them know what you’re doing now, and when they see what you’re up to in your feed, they might like it and become a regular on your site.
Consider Facebook exclusives
People, don’t have to follow you on Facebook – remember that it’s purely their choice to do so, and they’ve gone out of their virtual way to allow you some space on their feed. If you have time to offer them some exclusive content that’s Facebook only, then you’ll cement the value you give them and also make your fan area a desirable place to visit. It needn’t be a huge slog – maybe early heads up on podcast clips, extra blog posts or even just links to cool stuff. Small things are massively appreciated.
Think about advertising on Facebook
If you’ve got the budget, Facebook does carry targeted advertising, though there are conflicting reports on just how effective it can be. True, you have a potential captive audience of 500,000,000 users, but you’re also dealing with a very controlling social media site and, as a result, can’t be entirely sure how your ad is being used.
Before you make the jump into paid advertising there, instead of relying on the usual social media tricks, read around on the effectiveness of different kinds of advertising there are. We’ve provided some further reading below, so you can evaluate whether or not it would be worth your while.
Facebook’s advertising area.
Facebook’s secret ratecard
Promote your cause on Facebook
5 ways to make money on Facebook
This post was written by Liam Tucker of the excellent Watch With Mothers. Which is another great way to waste your day. – Want to write for the BaseKit Blog? – Drop us an email.
