Web Copywriting, SEO and the Web at Large

Lacking inspiration for your latest website design? Escape from reality, and fuse fantasy and technology by looking to these intoxicating Sci-Fi TV shows:

Buck Rogers
Paint on some spandex and help Buck Rogers solve some of earth’s dilemmas, like clients who continue to insist on music-filled Flash intros.

The X-Files
Uncover extraterrestrial happenings with Mulder and Scully, and use science to explain the unexplainable, including why programmers routinely go MIA, or why copywriters always whine your fonts are too small.

Stargate SG-1
Follow the secret military unit that travels across the universe through an ancient stargate. You’ll uncover timeless oddities, such as why so many clients believe you can conceptualize and develop a logo in five minutes.

The Six Million Dollar Man
“We can rebuild him, we have the technology!” Move over Steve Austin. You, too, can employ super powerful mechanical limbs and [insert bionic sound here] really put that mouse to the test. Maybe now you can develop that logo in five minutes, or less.

The Black Hole*
*Only go here if you’re absolutely desperate. Just leave a note in case someone needs to track you down to revise that design that was finalized and approved three weeks ago.

Xena: Warrior Princess
Join Xena as she uses her warrior and healing abilities to aid ancient Greece and its people. But be aware, travelling the ancient world is a strenuous adventure, much like dealing with those clients who want their websites to “wow” people with a $500 to $1,200 budget, taxes in.

Battlestar Galactica
Become a part of the bad-ass crew as you swerve through unexpected twists and turns, like when your clients love the first draft you present, and immediately ask for the bill.

Wonder Woman
Toss on those magic bracelets, turn up the porn music, do your spin and battle evil. Best to keep this one behind closed doors.

Batman
Go back to the 60s with ultra-stud Adam West. You can be boy wonder Robin and fight those nasty villains, like those labour-intensive SEO experts who screw around with your already launched sites.

Star Trek
Journey across the galaxy with Captain Kirk and friends. But return to home base before you have any run-ins with Klingons or other menacing creatures, like the clients who insist on pulling up a chair to teach you how to design websites.

The Internet has entrenched itself within the landscape of business in a big way.

While the phenomenon made many entrepreneurs incredibly wealthy, many traditional industries were too slow to adapt, resulting in vast casualties.

Here’s a neat, quick read about six industries and businesses that were too slow – or perhaps too afraid or arrogant – to catch the powerful wave of the Web: Six industries / businesses the Web changed forever.

Annoying error messages occur frequently on the Internet — especially 404 file not found errors, which indicate a page no longer exists or is restricted.

The following Smashing Magazine feature brings to light 50 original 404 error designs, some beautiful, some witty and others more on the practical side.

Read 404 error pages, one more time.

Online visitors tend to scan the search results in order, confirmed recent eye-tracking studies conducted by Google.

“They start from the first result and continue down the list until they find a result they consider helpful and click it — or until they decide to refine their query,” reported the search engine giant.

Using heatmaps, the eye-tracking study revealed most users found what they were looking for within the first two results, and they seldom went further down the page.

See the full Google report.

Idea block is the natural enemy of the web designer (that along with escaped tigers and David Hasselhoff tunes).

What do you do when the idea for your next brilliant assignment just isn’t pouring out of your head like an industrial drum of Mrs. Butterworth pouring syrup over your project’s fluffy pancakes?

If the idea well has runnith dry, here’re are a few tips on how to get the inspiration ball rolling:

1. Have an open mind

Where would Shepard Fairey’s Obey Giant be without the influence by Chinese propaganda posters? Ideas are everywhere and sometimes inspiration comes in the least likely places, like at the Department of Motor Vehicles or under the surgeon’s knife while getting that reconstructive nose procedure. Be a keen observer because ideas are all around us. All you need to do is think outside the box. (To start, eliminate cliché sayings like “think outside the box.”)

2. Don’t exclude ideas because they were created by the French

The French have come up with many fine ideas, such as French Fries and rioting on the streets. Don’t exclude them from your idea inspiration. In fact, embrace the art of mime until you get an idea for your next project.

3. Let your brain storm

If you’re shooting blanks in the idea department, find a friend, relative, vague acquaintances, Mrs. Buttersworth, priest, or rabbi to bounce ideas off. It’s a great way to flex those creative muscles. As a real good cerebral exercise, riff on such aspects as theme, concepts, style and/or techniques. Maybe use your hobbies or background as a starting point and build from there. Remember, in a brainstorming session, no idea is a bad idea. If life gives you idea-less lemons, make idea-full lemonade.

4. Check out design forums for community support

Get the discussion going. Be amongst others who know what CSS stands for and check out what other web designers are up to (those crafty buggers). Reply to comments and get some advice on how to execute your creation. Subscribe to discussion blogs to help connect with the like-minded idea-creating community. If you’ve hit a creative brick wall, post your thoughts and see who hits you back (idea-speaking).

Quick Note: Never accuse others in the design community of channeling your thoughts in the middle of the night. They will have your banned from the forum rather than provide you advice.

5. Surf design sites

You can travel around the marvels of the design world, all with a click of Google. Check out acclaimed design sites from all over the world and see what other people are up to (those crafty buggers). For intance, here’s a good resource.

Marvel at the ones with really long, tedious flash intros. If you’re still having idea-block, then surf for sites that have photos of pets wearing sweaters.

6. Do treat yourself to a hot fudge sundae

Yes, after you overcome idea–block and master a new creative design project, do take the time to treat yourself to a hot fudge sundae. You deserve it! And remember to high-five those around you.