Quirkiness

Your webform should represent the personality of your business. Making the form a bit friendly and fun can help you to make filling out the form more fun for the individual. Some great examples of quirky webform sites include Jarad Johnson, which is the shape of a postcard, Red Tiki ties in their logo to make the page fun, Applicom uses a letter form, and Two Paperdolls, although the form is busy, it works because the page is designed well.

Validate Clearly

It is important to note that users will not spend any extra time making sure that they have correctly filled out the form. While it may seem like validation forms make the site boring and detracts the user experience, this is not true if it is done correctly. Keep the validation clear and simple. It should be used as a guide for the user, offering alerts only where necessary.

It is important to have the problem clearly marked so the user understand exactly what is wrong. Generic error alerts simply frustrate the user and are useless. If a problem is plainly pointed out, most people will happily fix it and move on.

Moody International offers a good example of a site that offers a form that is a great combination of different information needed all in one place. The site does not offer instant validation, but rather uses popups to inform the user of mistakes.

Orlando Advertising has a very attractive web form. Unfortunately, errors are only noted after a user has hit the submit button.

GitHub has a very simple sign up page and is extremely functional. One of the aspects of the page is the fact that it recognizes the credit card brand and highlights it on the form to give the user instant feedback.

Interactivity

The input form is the most interactive part of a website and people generally want elements that feel alive and are conventional to interact with. Using different effects such as 3-D or box outlines are a great way to give simple reaction to user input.

Grooveshark VIP makes it very clear, which boxes are being interacted with by the user. The design is great at helping the user maintain focus and fill out the form quickly and easily.

Unlocking uses a simple form, but has a high level of responsiveness. This makes the page easy to use and allows an individual the ability to know, which field they are working on at every point in the process.

Finishing

The goal of an effective sign up page is to get the consumer to finish the page and purchase the product or sign up for your services. If your page is not user friendly, chances are high that they will stop filling it out and go on to something else.

Using these tips and samples, you should be able to make your sign up page as inviting as the page that brought the potential consumer to it. After all, we spend all this time getting them to the page; we do not want to lose them at the end.

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The most important thing to remember when you are using these buttons on your website is to make them colorful, use effective language, and place them in the proper places on your site.

Here are a few things to consider when adding these buttons to your site.

1.    Effective Language

The choice of language that you use on these buttons is extremely important. Use words that your customers are familiar with such as buy, try it now, or download here. These words should be something that your consumers are already thinking about and the button simply gives them a place to do it.

2.    Color, Size and Font

You want to choose a font that is easy to read on the site. Some of the best ones for this are Helvetica, Arial, or Tahoma, which are all Sans Serif typefaces. Ideally, you will want to make the call to action button large, but if you need it to be a bit smaller, you can still make it stand out by using colors that contrast on your page.

3.    Positioning

To make your call to action buttons the most effective, you want to make sure they are placed properly on your page. Most website developers tend to keep the call to action buttons strictly on the homepage. However, you really should consider putting these buttons on every page of your website. Just make sure to keep them relevant.

4.    Inspiration

There are plenty of websites out there that you can view to get some inspiration when you are designing your own call to action buttons. Here are a few names of sites that you can view to help get you started.

PicsEngine

PicsEngine, uses two call to action buttons, a video tour button and sign up button. The sign up button is emphasized using a contrasting color.

Xero

Xero uses great colors and places the call to action button directly under a text that makes visitors curious about the product.

Medifire

Medifire does a great job of strategically placing their call to action buttons. The very first item a visitor will see is the “Upload to Medifire” button.

LifeTreeCreative

LifeTreeCreative uses a call to action button effectively by making it larger than even the logo. It is definitely the most visible thing on the site.

Perhaps the ultimate site that uses their buttons the most effectively is Google. There is a reason that the site remains the number one search engine used.

Summary

Here are a few things that you need to remember:

•    Make the button direct by using only 1 to 4 words
•    Make the button as large as possible while keeping it professional looking
•    Use contrasting colors
•    Use texts that draw the visitor to the button, but do not let it get cluttered
•    Position the button in a place where it draws attention

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that a call to action button is what brings customers to your site. The more they click on these buttons, the more profit you make. For this reason, they are not just buttons and need to be considered carefully.

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A focal point is a section of the website, which is of importance and where people need to be directed to. It is essential for focal points to be centrally placed on the website page in order to be attention-grabbing, and as focal points are designed to be so they designate a point of interest and the purpose of the website.

A website should stick with one main focal point, by using the most interesting feature on the page and emphasizing it. This focal point should be in relation with the websites aims and main concerns as well as its general outlook.

A website can opt for several focal points but it is more effective to focus on one central point that attracts the readers’ attention. This is important, otherwise users will not understand at first glance, which one is the most important. If you decide to have several focal points, you need them to have their own distinctive traits. You can give each focal point its importance by creating visual effects, giving them different sizes and by using other techniques that will render them unique from each other.

You should place your focal points on the home page, which is where most readers land on first. However, it is important to create focal points on more than one page, on all pages if you can. Users should have the possibility to access the key points of the website from every page.

A good location for a focal point is in the header area or above the fold on scrollable pages. On pages that can be viewed in their integrity, you have the choice of using elements that are already integrated in the page. Take these and simply, make them more enhancing and striking, so that users are immediately attracted to them.

You can create an effective focal point by using textual elements as you can make these quite impressive. However, as websites often contain a lot of content, the text you want to emphasize must stand out from the rest. You can do this with the aid of different colors, sizes and spacing and create unique textual focal points.

Graphics provide a very good means in conveying the promotional message instantly without the need of text or descriptive elements. Bullets and other graphic elements can be used to guide users through the phases.

Buttons are becoming more and more popular in generating focal points as they attract the attention of users and are a subliminal call for action. When users see a button they presume that by pressing it they will be interacting with something the button call for. Buttons are clearly visible elements on a page because of their size and the description within their field.

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Search engines are now being programmed to find quality content and not content over-stuffed with keywords. Those websites that use special tricks to gain position in search engine optimization have no real idea what SEO is all about.  When poor quality content is constantly uploaded on to a website sooner or later they will be in trouble. What will happen is that the website will be attracting the wrong kind of users and is likely to receive a reprimand from Google. It is no use attracting the wrong kind of public to your website; you had better concentrate in generating good quality content aimed for your product niche.

You cannot depend on technology alone to produce good quality SEO content. What you need to work on is in changing the way content is planned and developed, which requires research and hard work. Work out a winning strategy to create good results, which means working on three aspects during the development of content: analysis, edition and structure.

The analysis of content implies a careful examination of how content should be created. The first step to take is to closely review the content you already have and understand what it’s really about. Ask yourself what different kinds of topics, formats and types of content you have, how high the quality is, how it is structured and whether you have double content or superfluous information.

You should carry out a content analysis, which will underline all the issues that affect and are related to the content. Again ask yourself what the aim of the website’s business is and how can content help to achieve its expectations. Other points to consider are who the users are likely to be and how you can influence or attract them. Find out where the users go to look for content, and if they prefer social networks, blogs or actual websites?
Once you have content on a website it is important to continue to produce more good quality writing and be able to maintain a steady flow of content as well as managing it appropriately. A website also needs to provide an interactive experience, which has to be kept up-to-date by keeping up with the competition trends.

Make sure you also have an editorial plan, which dictates the tone of content that is most suitable to the users of that particular website. It also deals with the choice of topics and subjects the content should provide and during which periods of the year.

It is best to have only a few regular contributors who are aware of the editorial plan and other content-related issues, thus avoiding the risk of disorganized content. These regular contributors sided by a good editorial staff can ensure well-coordinated content for the website.

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There are many ways to get inspiration for the techniques required to turn your dull forms into works of art. This article will discuss some key examples of forms, which work well.

Quirkiness

A big part of designing for the web is putting some personal touches into the design, so that people can relate to it. It is a good idea to make your designs in some way quirky or fun, so that people will enjoy them more. Using some friendliness will make your input methods seem more human, and people will appreciate that.

Red Tiki

Red Tiki uses a good deal of fun and quirkiness is all of their branding, so it is no wonder that their form continues this trend. They make it fun and approachable, with touches like adding an illustrated frame and having a small wood character looking out at the user. Using fun phrases such as “we’re always keen to lend an ear,” and “this lovely form” add some fun to the user’s experience. If you take a look at this form, you will see that it is full of personality, fun and flare. This will encourage users to continue filling out the form, until it is complete and hit the submit button.

Jarad Johnson

The contact form of Jarad Johnson has design elements, which are similar to a post card. This helps it to stand out from other, more generic, forms. They have even gone so far as to include the postage section as already paid, since it is free to submit the form. Adding small touches like this helps to create a good sense of communication with your visitors.

Sophie Hardach

Sophie Hardach has created a great example of a fun form, with a post card design used for the contact form. In order to send the form the stamp logo has to be dragged into the appropriate area, which creates more user interaction.

Applicom

This form of Applicom is a good example of how you can be neat and professional without being boring. The form is designed to look like a traditional letter. There is a paper texture, which has been used, as well as a stamp design. The name of the addressee is even hand written, adding a touch of style. This form has a good level of personality, which is refreshing to the user.

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Pride
Draw out your client’s need to be admired by providing a visual link to a higher social status using your product or service.

Link-assistant.com is an example of this, showcasing big brands using their service.
Gluttony
This sin involves over-indulgence. This sin is commonly used on the web as a motivator to buy. Plastered everywhere you can see the word “Unlimited”. Products are commonly offered for a cheap price and come in unlimited quantities.

You can offer something on your site and use the word “Unlimited” often in your marketing.

Mediafire is an example of this, offering unlimited uploads, downloads, storage and much more, which motivates a visitor to buy these features.
Sloth
Sloth means a wasting due to lack of use.  This can also be translated into laziness. These days, people are always looking for ways to make their lives easier.  Providing a service that automates tasks for customers, is a way to appeal to this sin.
Envy
Is a sin that involves a person’s desire to have something that belongs to another?  This generally involves a possession.  Offering a service that is “by invitation only” or one that has levels of membership would create envy between friends.
Lust
This involves an intense, longing or craving. This sin can easily be created in the mind of a customer.  All that is required is to make them crave a product or service so bad that they feel they can’t live without it. Photographs that make them feel as though they are actually touching it and pointing out how good it will make them feel, is the way to work this sin.

Rolex’s website is an example of lust, which engages it’s visitors interestingly.

Greed
Greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth, goods, status or power, with the intention to keep it for one’s self.

Some people will go to great lengths to satisfy this goal.  If you have a service to offer that will provide customers with status and power, speaking directly to this need is the way to this sale.
Wrath
Wrath is a feeling of extreme anger towards something or someone.The way to use this sin is to create controversy.  Controversy creates conversation; if people are talking they will become curious and will visit your website to see what all the fuss is about.  While there, if they have a place to comment, this will draw more attention to your website.  Any publicity is good publicity.
Now you know some of the tactics that can be used to make sales on the web.  You have to keep in mind though, that there is a fine line, when pushing people to sin.  This is not an area where you want to go overboard because it will backfire.  Use discretion between good judgment and enticing people to sin.

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