Craft CMS: Key Features and Functionalities

Craft CMS boasts a range of features that make it an ideal choice for businesses with diverse audiences. Let’s dive into these features.

Custom Content Models for Craft CMS Development

One of the standout features of Craft CMS is its flexible content modeling. This feature allows you to create custom content types that fit your business requirements. Whether you need to manage blog posts, product listings, or employee profiles, Craft CMS provides the flexibility to define content structures that work for you.

Matrix Field

The Matrix field in CraftCMS is a versatile tool that enables the creation of complex and dynamic content layouts. It allows for the combination of different content types within a single entry, giving you flexibility in designing content structures.

Templating with Twig during Craft CMS Development

CraftCMS uses the Twig templating engine, which is powerful, secure, and easy to learn. This enables developers to create custom, scalable, and maintainable templates with clean and readable code.

User Management

CraftCMS provides robust user management features, including the ability to create user groups, assign permissions, and manage content approval workflows. This makes it suitable for both small and large teams.

Multi-Site Support

CraftCMS natively supports multi-site management, allowing you to manage multiple websites from a single installation. This feature is particularly useful for organizations with multiple brands, languages, or regional sites.

Headless CMS Capabilities

CraftCMS can function as a headless CMS, providing content via an API to be consumed by various front-end applications, such as mobile apps or single-page applications (SPAs). So, Craft CMS development lets you transform your business as it grows.

Plugins and Integrations

The CraftCMS ecosystem includes a wide range of plugins and integrations, extending its functionality to meet specific project needs. This includes e-commerce solutions, SEO tools, CRM integrations, and more.

SEO and Content Authoring

CraftCMS includes features that enhance SEO, such as customizable URLs, meta fields, and structured data. It also provides a user-friendly content authoring experience with rich text editors, live previews, and version control.

User-Friendly Control Panel

The intuitive control panel of this CMS makes not only Craft CMS development itself but also content management a breeze. It offers a clean and straightforward interface that even non-technical users can easily navigate. From creating new entries to managing existing content, the control panel is designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.

Reasons Why Craft CMS is a Good Choice for Growing Businesses

When selecting a CMS, it’s essential to consider how it aligns with your business goals and the specific challenges you may face as you grow. Craft CMS not only meets these needs but also brings a suite of features that enhance collaboration, improve efficiency, and allow for exceptional creativity in web development. Below, we’ll delve into the reasons why Craft CMS is an excellent choice for growing businesses, highlighting its unique benefits that can support your ambitions and streamline your operations.

Scalability and Performance

For growing businesses, scalability is a key consideration. Craft CMS is built to handle websites of all sizes, from small business sites to large enterprise portals. Its performance optimization features ensure that your website remains fast and responsive, even as your content library expands.

Customizability and Extensibility in Craft CMS Development

Craft CMS is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs. There are custom fields that allow you to place the content you need in the way you find most suitable. Moreover, with a wide range of plugins and integrations available, you can extend the functionality of your website without compromising on performance. This level of customization ensures that your website can grow alongside your business.

Security and Reliability

Security is a top priority for any business operating online. Craft CMS is known for its robust security features, including regular updates and patches to protect against vulnerabilities. Additionally, the platform’s reliability ensures that your website remains accessible to users at all times, minimizing downtime and potential revenue loss.

Professional Assistance with Craft CMS Development

While Craft CMS is designed to be user-friendly, some businesses may benefit from professional assistance. Hiring an experienced Craft CMS development team can help you leverage the platform’s full potential. These experts can customize your website, optimize performance, and ensure seamless integrations with third-party tools.
Moreover, your website needs to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, especially when your business grows. Professional assistance with Craft CMS development includes ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your website remains up-to-date and secure. This proactive approach helps you stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge.

Conclusion

Craft CMS offers a versatile and powerful solution for growing businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. Its flexible content modeling, user-friendly control panel, and powerful templating engine make it an ideal choice for small businesses and web developers. By leveraging the platform’s scalability, customizability, and security features, you can create a website that grows with your business and meets your evolving needs.
Ready to take your website to the next level? Explore the benefits of Craft CMS and consider professional assistance to maximize its potential. Craft a memorable online experience and drive your business forward with this powerful content management system.

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Website Builders for Business Websites

A website builder is a tool that helps people have their webpages without knowing coding. These systems usually contain many templates for plans, drag-and-drop functions, and customization options thus enabling users to create business websites that are both attractive and live within a short period of time. For small businessmen, who want to set up a web presence quickly, these are good alternatives because they integrate hosting services, content management systems, and other basic resources required for growth within one site.

1. Wix

Small enterprises as well as non-technical people who are looking for a website-building platform that is easy to use can consider Wix because of its drag-and-drop interface. Users can choose from various designs and customization choices and also get built-in SEO tools. Particularly great for portfolios, small shops, or service providers, Wix does well by developing aesthetically attractive but functionally efficient websites without requiring any considerable coding know-how.
According to BuiltWith reports, there are 8,433,521 active websites on the Internet that use WIX including some like Mysterium an open-source ecosystem of tools and infrastructure, or bigger e-commerce sites such as PBS Kids.

2. Squarespace

Squarespace is mostly popular for its beautiful design templates that meet the demands of creative professionals and visually-driven businesses. Built-in e-commerce features and powerful blogging tools are ideal for artists, photographers, restaurants, and online retailers searching to display their goods and services modestly.
In addition, the platform offers advanced analytics enabling users to keep track of visitor engagement metrics on their business websites so they can modify their content accordingly. It also integrates well with several third-party applications as well as marketing tools thus making it more convenient. This has made it preferable among those who value aesthetics in websites because of its dedication towards responsive design which lets them appear good across all devices.
Lastly, Squarespace cares for its customers by providing an outstanding support service that works around the clock through instant messaging or getting answers through e-mail which is a big help for people facing hurdles when constructing their websites or running them.

3. Weebly

It is often said that Weebly has one of the most user-friendly interfaces among website builders. It offers easy-to-use drag-and-drop options which save time for those who are new to creating their own websites. Additionally, this platform enables small firms looking at selling their products online to set up shop within no time, due to its e-commerce functionalities built-in form of various templates. This company’s responsive design ensures that business websites created using it remain visually appealing regardless of the device being used and provides built-in marketing tools that help advertisers reach more customers making it an ideal choice for small businesses needing an online presence quickly.

4. Shopify

A leading e-commerce platform, Shopify helps create an online store with a professional look using its customizable themes and powerful inventory management tools. It has integrated payment gateways and customer support that are very impressive for a business that is focused on online retail. The platform is scalable in such a way that it grows alongside the business, starting from small shops to large enterprises with high transaction volumes.
Shopify themes can be found in multiple places both official and third party. The official Shopify Theme Store is the most reliable place to find themes specifically designed for Shopify. There are numerous free or paid themes available in the store that have all been reviewed and approved by Shopify. The store has categorized its purchases depending on the industries they belong to, layout styles, and features that they possess making it easy to choose a suitable one.
Some other well-known places where you can get your own theme for your shop include Themeforest and TemplateMonster among others as well as PixelUnion among many others.

Content Management Systems (CMS) for Business Websites

A web-based content management system (CMS) is software or applications that allow users who have little or no technical know-how to create, manage, and modify web content. Unlike website builders which often focus on visual design and ease of use, CMS platforms provide more extensive functionality for managing site content, user permissions, and overall site architecture. They typically offer better options regarding flexibility enabling the users of business websites to design intricate websites, streamline integration of various third-party plug-ins as well as effectively manage a significant amount of online content.
While both website builders and content management systems serve this purpose, their differences come out between them regarding activities performed as compared with experiences from end users’ perspective in terms of ease and understandability. Generally speaking, website builders are more user-friendly and intended for people who are not very knowledgeable about the web creation field as they boast drag-and-drop features with many appealing templates that speed up the process. On the other hand, CMS platforms usually take longer to learn but feature several powerful tools that help users better organize their content, customize it, or scale it up.

1. WordPress

Among the most utilized CMS platforms globally, WordPress is responsible for running more than forty percent of all web pages. Its versatility and vast collection of plugins allow it to cater to different business types, ranging from blogs and portfolios to big e-commerce sites. Furthermore, it is surpassed by few insofar as SEO tools are concerned while the availability of community support makes it ideal for companies that wish to grow their online presence.

2. Joomla

From an advanced perspective, Joomla is another flexible CMS compared to where WordPress left off, but still easy enough to use. It specializes in offering optimal management options over users’ access privileges on e-commerce websites as well as social networks. Therefore; it becomes such an incredible pick for corporations having particular requirements like community forums or membership sites.

3. Craft CMS

Craft CMS could be viewed as an emerging alternative designed specifically for developers who know what they want most skillfully but also very challenging because there are limitless possibilities in customizing it more than those offered by other platforms including WordPress. As such this would be suitable especially if you want your website’s content management credentials to offer much deeper levels than mere surface customization available through conventional systems used at schools’ portals or major news agencies’ online outlets among others. Additionally, unlike many others, Craft CMS comes equipped with strong security measures making it the all-time best for business websites that handle confidential information.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Business Websites

When deciding on a platform for your business website, consider the following factors.

Ease of use and technical expertise

Content management systems may require more time to master the skills of creating pages and adding the necessary functionality. If you don’t have time and desire, opt for user-friendly platforms like Wix or Squarespace.

Budget

Website builders typically have lower upfront costs compared to CMS options. However, they may charge higher fees for extra features or add-ons.

Scalability

Consider your long-term business goals and whether the platform can accommodate the future growth of your business websites. CMS platforms like WordPress and Joomla offer more flexibility to scale as your business grows.

Design Flexibility

Evaluate the design options each platform provides. If having a unique look is important for your brand, consider platforms with a wider selection of customizable templates and themes, such as WordPress or Shopify. Conversely, if you prefer simplicity, a website builder with ready-made templates like Wix or Squarespace may be sufficient.

Support and Community

Strong customer support and an active user community should be features of the platforms that you look at when making your choice. When designing or using specialized features on a product, there are chances that one may experience problems. WordPress, for example, has a huge base of users hence the availability of many resources.

Ongoing Maintenance

Consider how much you are willing to maintain the site. For security and functionality reasons, CMSs demand regular updates while website builders do them for their clients. Hence if you prefer less stressful technical duties then a website builder might work best for you in this regard.

Integrations and Add-ons

Always inquire about any third-party software or services that might be necessary for your business, including email marketing platforms, analytics tools, or payment gateways among others. This will help ensure that there are no glitches associated with these integrations which could disable our websites from performing their functions.

Analytics and Performance Tracking

To make wise decisions about our website’s progress, we need to comprehend its performance comprehensively. Therefore it is advisable to select a platform containing internal analytic instruments or enable user-friendly connection to such services as Google Analytics that will enable us to measure important indicators thereby modifying business websites accordingly.
No platform is best; it entirely depends on your individual needs, budgetary constraints as well as the level of technical knowledge. Take time to do thorough research into these systems and utilize free trials when available to understand their differences before choosing one. The right platform can help you create a sleek website that accurately portrays your brand while attracting success in business. Happy creating!

Conclusion

When picking the appropriate platform for your business website, it is important to consider your particular needs, technical know-how as well as future growth prospects. Things like Wix or Squarespace are really fun if you want something simple and visually based but CMS’s such as WordPress or Joomla offer more robust features. The key remains in selecting an appropriate platform that will provide the basis for your future success online as well as allowing for meaningful interactions with clients while at the same time enhancing the brand.

The post Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business Website: A Comparison of Popular Website Builders and CMS Options appeared first on PERF.

1. Minimalistic and Transparent UI

Minimalism continues to dominate the design world, and 2024 will see an even stronger emphasis on clean, uncluttered interfaces. Transparency effects, subtle gradients, and simple color schemes will be used to create aesthetically pleasing and intuitive user experiences. This trend is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about functionality. Simplified designs help users navigate apps more efficiently, reducing cognitive load and improving overall usability.

2. Dark Mode Optimization

Dark mode has been around for a while, but in 2024, it’s expected to become a standard rather than an option. Optimizing apps for dark mode goes beyond just inverting colors. Designers will need to consider contrast, readability, and energy consumption on OLED screens. For an iOS app development company, ensuring that apps perform seamlessly in both light and dark modes will be crucial to meet user preferences and device requirements.

3. Voice User Interfaces (VUIs)

With the rise of voice-activated assistants like Siri, integrating voice user interfaces into iOS apps will become increasingly important. VUIs offer a hands-free experience, making apps more accessible and user-friendly. In 2024, we can expect to see more apps incorporating voice commands and conversational AI to enhance user interaction and provide a more personalized experience.

4. Micro-Interactions and Animations

Micro-interactions and subtle animations will play a significant role in enhancing user engagement. These small design elements provide feedback, guide users, and make the app experience more enjoyable. Whether it’s a simple button animation or a complex transition effect, these elements help to create a more dynamic and responsive app environment.

5. Biometric Authentication

As security continues to be a top priority, the use of biometric authentication methods like Face ID and Touch ID will become more prevalent. These technologies not only enhance security but also streamline the user experience by making login processes faster and more convenient. For an iOS app development company, integrating robust biometric authentication will be essential to gain user trust and ensure data protection.

6. Augmented Reality (AR)

AR technology is set to revolutionize iOS app design in 2024. From retail to education, augmented reality offers innovative ways to engage users and provide immersive experiences. Apps will increasingly use AR to blend digital content with the real world, offering features like virtual try-ons, interactive learning environments, and enhanced navigation tools.

7. Customizable Widgets

With iOS 14 introducing widgets, their popularity has surged, and 2024 will see even more innovative uses. Customizable widgets allow users to personalize their home screens with relevant information and quick access to app functionalities. An iOS app development company should focus on creating flexible widget options that can adapt to various user needs and preferences.

8. Sustainability in Design

Sustainability is becoming a critical consideration in all aspects of life, including app design. Users are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of technology, and they appreciate apps that reflect eco-friendly practices. This trend includes optimizing apps for energy efficiency, promoting digital well-being, and incorporating sustainable design principles.

Conclusion

As we look forward to 2024, iOS app design is poised for exciting innovations. For any iOS app development company, staying updated with these trends is crucial to creating apps that not only meet user expectations but also stand out in a competitive market. By focusing on minimalistic designs, dark mode optimization, voice user interfaces, micro-interactions, biometric authentication, augmented reality, customizable widgets, and sustainability, developers can ensure their apps are ready for the future.

The post Emerging iOS App Design Trends for 2024: What to Expect appeared first on PERF.

Introduce the topic of whether or not a degree is necessary to be a web developer

The world of web development is changing rapidly, making it an exciting field to be in and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in technology. This begs the question: is a degree necessary to become a web developer? Many think that having a degree gives you an edge when applying for jobs and will generally help with career progression. However, there are those who believe that on-the-job experience and self-learning can take you just as far as obtaining a degree. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue a formal university degree lies with individuals deciding which avenue they’d like to take depending on their circumstances.

Share some statistics about the percentage of web developers who have a degree

According to a research paper published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 30% of web developers have a degree in the field. Of these, 8% have a Bachelor’s Degree while 15% have a Master’s Degree or higher. The research also showed that nearly 63% had some form of postsecondary education or certificate. However, 27% had no formal college-level education beyond high school and relied on professional experience and self-learning. Regardless of educational background, research continues to show that having expertise in web development finds job seekers to be highly employable in the tech industry.

List some of the skills that are necessary to be a successful web developer

Becoming a successful web developer requires a variety of skills such as problem solving, an eye for detail, coding languages, creativity and the ability to think outside of the box. You must be able to efficiently communicate with other developers since the development process often requires teamwork or the need to acquire assistance from other web technology professionals. Other important skills include having knowledge on hardware and software trends, basic accounting practices and understanding of market demands so that you can meet customer needs. Finally, strong interpersonal skills help greatly since this position require working with people from all parts of society with different levels of technical abilities. All these skills are essential components of any successful web developer career.

Offer advice on ways to learn these skills if you don’t have a formal education in web development

If you are interested in web development, but don’t have any formal education in it, fear not! There are still ways to learn the skills necessary for success. Start by doing your research – find the most up-to-date information about the best techniques and tools that developers use. Utilize different tutorials available on the web to get a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can also join online communities and forums now dedicated to sharing tips and tricks as well as answering questions from new developers. Finally, consider taking classes or online courses that focus on specific technologies or frameworks related to web development. With dedication and hard work, you can learn all you need to know to begin a long, satisfying career in web development.

Discuss the pros and cons of having a degree in web development

Having a degree in web development can open up many opportunities for employment, both in the field of coding and web development as well as in related fields. However, having a degree is not a guarantee for success and there are some drawbacks to consider before undertaking this type of education. On the upside, having a degree can open up more job opportunities than those without, providing you with experience for roles with higher levels of responsibility. Earning a degree also provides an opportunity to expand one’s network, gain knowledge from experienced advisors or professors and diversify skillsets by participating in different courses or activities on campus. However, due to the high cost of tuition fees and other associated expenses, students may find themselves paying off student loans long after their graduation day. Additionally, pursuing a web development degree may require the learner to devote significant time away from attending classes if they have other commitments such as family or full-time work – cutting into studying time needed to succeed academically. Ultimately, while there are advantages to possessing a web development degree, it is important to weigh up all options before making any decisions about furthering one’s education.

Share your own opinion on whether or not you think a degree is necessary to be a web developer

I believe that a degree is not necessary to become a web developer. With the proper training and dedication, it is possible for one to learn the essentials of web development on their own and build successful skills in that field through practice and research. The growing opportunity for online education and tutorials have made learning easier than ever – if you are passionate about web development, there are plenty of online resources available to help you on your journey without the need for formal higher education. Of course, one can always choose to pursue a degree if they prefer the structure or if they think it will give them an advantage in their field of work, but if that path is not an option then one should feel confident with self-learning too.

So, what do you think? Is a degree necessary to be a web developer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Look for online courses that can teach you the basics of web development

When researching the fundamentals of web development, it is important to consider a variety of sources for your research paper. While there are countless resources available online to help you learn about HTML and CSS coding, there are also many engaging online courses that can provide an immersive learning experience. These courses often have video lectures from experienced professionals in the industry, providing you with practical advice and tricks in addition to theoretical knowledge. With such a large selection of courses available, there is sure to be one that suits your skill set and interests perfectly.

Find a Web Developer mentor who can help guide you through the process of learning

Finding a mentor as a web developer is essential to accelerate the learning process. With a mentor, you can receive real-time feedback on your code and overall programming practices so that you can make sure you are heading in the right direction. When it comes to where to find a mentor, there are numerous options available these days such as local meetups, online courses and websites dedicated to connecting learners with mentors. Whatever route you decide to take, having the guidance of an experienced professional can help further your web development career faster and more efficiently than going through it alone.

Create a Web Developer portfolio of your work to show potential employers

A potential employer’s first impression of a web developer is often determined by their portfolio. Creating an impressive portfolio that captures your skills and experience is key to stand out from other applicants. As someone looking to land a great job in web development, developing a robust portfolio showcasing your work samples will help you demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the profession. A quality web developer portfolio should include sample projects and code, professional summaries of notable achievements, any relevant certifications or diplomas, and a concise summary of websites optimized by the applicant. Taking the time to create an excellent portfolio of your work will not only make employers take notice but will serve as tangible evidence that you are the right fit for the position.

Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in web development

Keeping up with the ever-evolving changes and advancements in web development is no small feat, but it’s an essential part of doing a great job and staying competitive. Make sure to take the time to read relevant blogs, watch tutorials, attend seminars or webinars, and follow professionals in the field on social media. There are so many helpful resources available – you just need to make a point of utilizing them. It can be a challenging task but it’s worth it for staying ahead in web development.

Keep learning and expanding your skillset

While it can be tempting to stick with what you know, the world is constantly changing, and it pays to stay ahead of the curve. By keeping learning and expanding your skillset, you can stay agile and incredibly attractive to potential employers. Even if you feel like you’ve already got a handle on your chosen profession, you may be surprised how much more there is to learn in every field. Keeping curious and eager will open up more opportunities and make sure that your knowledge remains relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. There may always be something new around the corner waiting to be discovered — don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of it by staying put.

Web development is a growing field with many opportunities. By following the tips above, you can set yourself up for success in this exciting and ever-changing industry. With hard work and dedication, you can become a skilled web developer who is in high demand by businesses of all types. Stay motivated and always keep learning, and you will reach your goals in no time. Do you have any other tips for beginners looking to enter the world of web development? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The advancements in internet technology changed everything for businesses in 2022, for some industries changed dramatically and became a true paradigm shift. The correlation between a great website or mobile app for most organizations is higher than ever before.  

We live in a competitive business environment right now. No matter what industry your business represents, the chances are very high that you will find competitors with high-quality content and representation on the web. 

How to stand out among 1,139,467,659 available websites, according to Siteefy? Well, it will be tough, and it requires a combined effort from the design, marketing, content, performance, and user experience standpoint. While 94% of first impressions are closely related to the design of your pages if Web FX is to be believed, nearly 90% of customers switch to a company’s competitor after a bad user experience. Here are some more detailed reasons for users leaving websites by GoodFirms research: 

There are a lot of areas to cover here, but in this article, we will focus on one of the key elements, which is called website navigation. Simply put, navigation is a way to find information on your pages. 

Key types of navigation 

• include meta (top-level)
• primary (under top-level website navigation bar)
• secondary and tertiary (can be a horizontal listing or a sidebar)
• footer (the bottom of the page).

The most popular types of website navigation elements

• Breadcrumb menu
• Hamburger menu
• Tabs
• Vertical navigation
• Call-to-action (CTA) buttons

This time we will not dive into technical details or draw a diagram for web navigation, but rather offer you some important tips that will help you along the way. If you are building from scratch, or in a website redesign process, you may find this website navigation design guide helpful, because it is based on real-world experience and expertise. 

Website navigation best practices: Top 15 pro-tips

Here is a list of things you should keep in mind while developing your website navigation structures. Hopefully, they will help you to create the most effective website navigation menu, as well as other elements. 

“No one comes to your website to be entertained. They have questions they think you can answer. Content answers questions.”

— Jay Baer

1. Maintain clear content

The clarity of your content and overall intuitiveness should be among your first priorities. Clear labels of navigation options that are easy to understand for visitors are a must. It is important to keep labels and icons consistent with their actual destinations. 

Another thing that adds clarity to your website nav buttons is keeping the design consistent across all pages, it should look and feel the same on every page. 

Of course, you can always find a creative way to deal with this task, however, it is generally recommended to keep web page navigation bars clear.

2. Name labels meaningfully

Not only clarity, but your labels on all levels of website navigation should reflect the respective pages as well as possible. It makes sense to do proper labeling because of SEO and user experience perspectives. Always strive to make labels as informative as you can to improve the convenience of using your website. 

3. Leverage mega menus

When dealing with a lot of items in the navigation bar on the website, some prefer drop-down menus. Drop-down menus can be hard to crawl for search engines and hard to discover desirable options for users. 

Here is an example of a drop-down menu:

Try using mega menus instead, because they avoid additional scrolling for users and are far more convenient visually:

4. Consider user goals

Among other important site navigation best practices you should consider, is to develop your design with user personas in mind. Make research on your potential visitors, find out what their priorities are while visiting your website, and create a unique scenario for each user group to plan navigation accordingly. 

5. Make the most out of navigation cues

The navigation cues are indicators of where the user is located on the website. In a combination with other elements, they help visitors not to get lost among your pages and minimize the usage of the ‘back’ button. 

6. Prototyping and testing are a must

Prototyping process will allow you to find out which types of navigation for websites are more suitable for your case than the others and tune up your flows and user experience accordingly. Proper testing will help you to save a lot of time and money, as well as keep your brand image high. Here are some of the most common testing tools:

• Optimal Workshop
• UserTesting
• HotJar

7. Make hyperlinks stand out

Design process is fascinating, and it is when you can build great looks for your pages that will help your business to get noticed. However, make sure that your design decisions will not harm navigation. Whatever types of menus on websites you will choose to use, there should be a clear distinction between the color of the text and hyperlinks, so the visitors won’t be confused.  

Check official guidelines for more information on this. 

8. Avoid adding too much to the header

Keep your top-level navigation bar as brief as possible, adding only necessary links that you found out are a must based on your customer research. If adding too many links is unavoidable in your case, leverage sub-menus and categorize links to save space. 

9. Keep sidebars separate from the main content

Just like with hyperlinks, sidebars should also be visibly separated from the main content block. Always keep it at a certain distance a have a different background color, compared to the color of the body. 

10. Leverage the space on the footer

The bottom of the page is a place where you can add a few more links, so make the most of this opportunity! A common design decision is just to copy and paste the links from the top part of a page to the bottom, so the visitors won’t have to scroll all the way back. While you can do just that, you can also put some additional links. The common scenario here will be to have ‘About us’ and ‘Contact’ links, and add address information if your business has offices you need to mention.  

11. Make sure your decisions look great on a mobile screen

If your pages don’t look great on mobile screens, you will be in trouble of losing your clients before they even have the opportunity to experience the great navigation you’ve planned. The least you can do, if you maintain a website yourself, is to control that theme from your CMS is mobile responsive. 

The ideal scenario here, of course, is to hire a team of professional software developers that will build everything according to industry standards from the ground up. Finding a proper development partner is a topic for a separate article, however, you can always rely on great reviews on platforms like Clutch or GoodFirms, and ask for information about previous successfully completed projects.

In any case, if you want a mobile-friendly design, consider using such elements as:

• Hamburger menus
• Short text labels
• Buttons and links

12. Make the navigation functionality obvious

Pursuing mobile responsiveness can lead you to extensive usage of hamburger menus, which, no doubt, are great for saving space, but have their own drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the fact that the search options will be available only on demand and can be hidden from the users that don’t click on the button. So, consider making your navigation bar visible to your users whenever it is possible. 

13. Place your elements logically and in the right order

It is also very important to keep your elements consistent and place them in the logical spot to make sure that the visitors will be aware of all existing options. Additionally, make sure that all options are placed in the most logical order according to the needs of your target audience. 

14. Adding a search bar

While it may be not applicable to all design ideas, adding search functionality can improve user experience and help visitors to find particular categories more easily. 

15. Double check all links

Unfortunately, your website will not function as intended all the time. There could be multiple reasons why a certain link is not working or direct to a different destination. To make sure that everything functions according to plan, it will be a good idea to check navigation personally from time to time, especially if you had updates, newly added content, or new plugins. Keeping your user experience high is always a priority, so the links need to work!

FAQ

What are the basics of navigation?

The basics of navigation include knowing the user goals, being aware of key design elements and how they work, and a have a vision of how to implement all of this in your particular case. Start with searching great website navigation examples for inspiration and make the best out of your project!

What makes good website navigation?

It is a combination of different elements. First of all, you need to maintain consistency across all pages and have a well-defined hierarchy between navigation elements of all levels, from meta-navigation to the footer. Additionally, strive for mobile responsiveness and make sure to leverage conventional UI elements and patterns. 

The post 15 Best Practices for Website Navigation Design in 2022 appeared first on PERF.

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A large number of sites want to increase the functionality of their resource. For such sites appropriate development and implementation of modules of standard functionality: application form, feedback module, services, online catalog of products on the site, the module photo gallery, etc. There are a number of sites for which the functions of a typical module is simply not enough. Our modules for the site, often unique, solve broader problems and require individual adjustments. We will gladly do it for you.

We are ready to develop modules from standard, unique, for individual tasks. We’ll write a module for sites of various themes, functionality and complexity. Also we integrate developed modules with CMS site.

Development and implementation of standard modules of expansion of functionality of the site

List of the most frequently placed modules:

Banners

This banner module allows you to display active banners outside the component, but inside your site.

Breadcrumbs.

This module displays the site navigation bar

Main Menu.

Displays the menu.

Site Statistics

This module shows site statistics.

Site Authorization

This module shows the login form on the site. It also shows a link to retrieve the forgotten password. If user registration is allowed, it will show another link to invite the user to self-register.

Calendar

This module shows a list of calendar months that contain archived materials. After you change the status of the material to ‘archived’, this list will be generated automatically.

Related materials

This module displays other materials that are similar to the currently displayed material. They are linked by keywords in the meta data. All the keywords of the current material are searched for in the keywords of other published materials. For example, you have one material “Breeding Parrots” and another “Hand Raising Black Cockatoos”. If you insert the keyword “parrot” in both materials, the similar materials module will show “Breeding Parrots” in the list when showing “Hand Raising Black Cockatoos” and vice versa.

RSS feed

This module shows a random RSS feed

Voting

This module presents the voting component. It is used to display customized votes. This module differs from the other modules in that, just like the component, it supports linking voting to a menu item. This means that the module displays only those votes that are designed for specific menu items.

Random image

This module displays a random image from the directory you choose.

Who’s Online

The module Who’s Online displays the number of anonymous (Guests) and registered (those who are logged in) users who are currently online.

To order

This module allows you to create an arbitrary block of text (any HTML is supported) using a visual editor

Search

This module shows the search form

Most Readable.

This module shows the list of published materials that were viewed most often – determined by the number of views.

The post Modules for websites appeared first on PERF.

Your entire website will run a unified content management system (content manager, CMS), allowing at any time quickly and easily manage any information on the site, edit site articles, add to product catalogs, change service descriptions, adjust the price lists, etc. Data import-export modules will allow you to link databases of your site with databases of various accounting programs. We present our own content management system. The modularity of our control system allows you to create for each site a unique special system, which, in contrast to the universal mass systems, has a high speed and efficiency, ease of management, lack of unclaimed functions and tools.

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