The top 5 web design trends of 2017

September 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment

We may be more than halfway through 2017 but trends in web design have already changed dramatically compared to last year. The evolution of web design has been significant in the emergence of online businesses. It has also helped thousands of institutions and blog writers in expanding their influence online.

 

In order to keep in step with your competitors, it is important for you to know the latest trends in web design and to adapt accordingly. Contrary to the popular belief, excellent web designing is not just about having an artistic play of colors and themes. It also requires the addition of easy-to-use and highly-functional features to the advantage of the consumers. To help you provide a better service to your clients, here are the top web design trends of 2017 that you should consider.

 

  1. Minimalistic Web Design

 

Gone are the days when websites packed with a lot of information get the most internet traffic. Online consumers nowadays are looking for websites that are simple and easy-to-use. One way to establish a minimalist look is to use cards and grids which people can click to access various website contents. The menu and navigation bars should also be organized and simplified in a way that visitors will never get lost when visiting your website.

 

  1. Mobile-First Approach

 

With the number of web pages loaded in mobile devices (versus computers) at an all-time high, web designers are now adapting the mobile-first approach. It simply means that websites will be engineered first to become compatible with small-screened devices such as smartphones and tablets. Desktop versions of a website will follow later on.

 

  1. Bold Typography

 

Texts are now just as important images when it comes to attracting and keeping the attention of your site’s visitors. Although 2016 has already seen the rise of big and bold fonts, this year’s typography has just gotten a lot more eye-catching and assertive. Aside from the increase in font size, we may also expect dynamic colors and textures to play a key role in the evolution of this particular trend.

 

  1. Long-Scrolling Websites

 

In the past, lengthy web pages are considered as a major turn off for most internet users. But now, they are widely used by website owners to keep consumers busy for hours. Examples of such seemingly endless websites are Facebook and Twitter. The key to setting up a functional and interesting page is to divide the page into sections using typography, images, animations, and videos.

 

  1. GIFs and Videos

 

Studies show that by 2018, video streaming will comprise more than three-quarters of all internet traffic in the world. It is also now a standard for websites to produce their own media content if they want to stay relevant to the online community. GIFs and animations that can be controlled by different types of user input are also becoming a trend in web design. One important note that you should always remember is to make the animations simple and interesting. It will be useless to use animations that would take much time to load.

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18|8 Fine Men’s Salon Opens in Morristown

September 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment

18|8 Fine Men’s Salons, a stylish, modern facility for men’s grooming, will celebrate its new store location at 40 W Park Place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by the Morristown Mayor, Timothy Dougherty on Tuesday, September 19th at 4pm. The salon will offer full grooming services and treatments such as men’s haircuts and styling, waxing, straight edge hot lather shaves, facials, color services, scalp and hair replacement therapy, nail treatments, and styling products.

“We are thrilled to open our doors and bring a high-quality suite of men’s grooming services and products to the residents of Morristown and the surrounding areas,” said Regina Shanklin, salon owner. “The experience at 18|8 is unlike one at an ordinary hair salon or barber shop. When men walk into one of our stylish, modern facilities, they are entering a one-of-a-kind retreat from the outside world. At 18|8, men can feel comfortable enjoying our collection of premium services.”

An official Morristown Red Ribbon Cutting ceremony, with Mayor Timothy Dougherty is set for 4pm that evening. Doors will then be open to the public from 5pm-8pm, welcoming the community to experience the salon with complimentary grooming services and raffle giveaways.

Guest will be able to sign up for free services, while enjoying gourmet appetizers and refreshments. Free services include: eyebrow/ear/nose waxing, mini-manicures, clean-ups with a scalp massage and beard trimming.

The event is free to the public, but guests are encouraged to RSVP for spa appointments, as space is limited.

The new 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon in Morristown will channel the essence of cool confidence directly to its discerning clientele. Leaving men looking their best – and feeling even better –

At 18|8, men can relax in the brand’s signature lounge area before their grooming services, which range from cuts and styling (modern and classic) to straight edge hot lather shaves, facials, massages, scalp treatments and more. Customers may even purchase memberships that provide member perks such as complimentary clean-ups and other bonus grooming services. Team members at 18|8 are trained to take the time to learn about clients, their personalities and special needs, and then cater services to mirror their lifestyle choices.

About Fine Men’s Salons

Claiming its name from the original formula for stainless steel, 18% chromium + 8% nickel added to steel, 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons offers its clients that same transformative effect – leaving men looking better, feeling better and performing better. Since launching in 2002, 18|8 has established itself as the only men’s salon catering to a discerning clientele with an upscale suite of hair care and salon services. 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons currently has 400 stores operating and in development.

To learn more about 18|8’s services, visit www.eighteeneight.com.

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Planning a trip? Check out these important tips

September 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Anyone can travel, as it’s just a matter of getting from point A to point B. However, the manner in which most travel is subpar and they end up complaining about this and that. Overall, there are a lot of things they do or don’t do which leads to their lack of satisfaction. If you are planning a trip to the US for example, you should have a look at the tips we have prepared for you. Knowing these things and preparing ahead of your journey will make the difference between having a good journey and a bad one.

The paperwork

Documentation is essential for traveling and if you don’t have everything in order, you might not even get on the other side of the border. It would be a terrific shame to have to turn around and go home, without even setting foot in the country you wanted to visit so much. Everything from how recent your passport picture is to whether or not your esta application is in order, everything must check out before you leave home for your trip. This will help you avoid unpleasant situations and complications along the way.

Budget planning

If you’re thinking about going in without a plan, you should stop it, immediately. It’s pretty much the worst thing that could cross your mind. Having a budget is the only way you’re going to enjoy your trip. Without a budget, it’s pure lottery whether or not you will have enough cash for the entire trip. Your budget is your safety net but also your lifeline. You can count on that number to last you for as much as you’ve planned out. This also means that the budget needs to be realistic as well, so do some research and make sure you’ve calculated the various costs of your trip according to what things actually cost now.

Keep in mind that you’re not home anymore

Back home, some things might have been acceptable and others might have been completely unthinkable. In the country you’re visiting, things might be the other way around, for all you know. That’s why you should spend time learning the local customs and ensuring not only that you don’t insult anyone or break any laws, but you also don’t get too easily offended and know when people might come off as rude or offensive when they’re actually not.

Plan your calls

This might sound weird, but if you intend on keeping in touch with people back home, you should plan your calls ahead of time. Calling through regular carriers will cost you a fortune with international roaming fees. You can, however, talk to your friends and family for free, if you use WiFi. There are many ways in which you can initiate a phone call using a WiFi network, so you have to research in advance and see what establishments like hotels, bars, restaurants or malls have free WiFi that you can go and use for your checkup phone calls. This will save you a lot of money, which you can use on other things during your stay.

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How to Move Home Stress Free

September 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Moving house is regularly considered to be one of the most stressful and frustrating events. The process involves buying packing materials, hiring a moving truck, making the actual move and arranging your belongings in your new home. With the many activities involved, failure to prepare and plan properly is bound to make the experience even more stressful.

Considering the frustration and challenges that come with such times, most people neglect their needs and health. However, moving home does not have to be stressful. By following the tips below, you will make the entire process manageable and stress-free.

Give yourself time

While sometimes you may be forced to move last minute, most of the time people plan before moving house. In order to make the process stress-free, it is important to plan ahead.

This means that you start preparing at least eight weeks before moving. Giving yourself ample time to plan and organize all activities will increase the chances of having a seamless process. Maybe a Transport Executive will help! 

Budget

Whether you hire a professional moving company or do it yourself, moving is likely to be a costly undertaking. You may also incur additional expenses that you had not planned for.

Since such unplanned expenses can be frustrating, you should come up with a budget well before the day of the move. It is also important to ensure that your budget is flexible enough to accommodate all the important costs.

Start packing early

Even the most organized person will have a lot more to do than they had anticipated. If you are to avoid a mad rush, you should start packing early.

This will not only help to ensure that everything is packed in an orderly manner, but will allow you time to rest in between the packing session. You will also have time to buy the necessary packing materials, depending on the shape and size of your belongings.

Get organized

Being organized will go a long way in ensuring that all the activities are done and completed in good time. Getting organized will involve making a list of all tasks to be done as well as the items to be packed. The different tasks should be divided into weeks so that you have an easy time tracking progress.

Depending on the distance to be covered, you may want to downsize. This will involve giving away or selling what you do not need.

Label all your boxes

Labeling all boxes before they are loaded onto the truck will offer you many advantages. When the boxes are well-labeled, it will be easy to track your stuff, a factor that will make the process stress free.

Proper labeling will also make it easy to arrange the boxes both when loading them onto the track and when you arrive at the new home. When you are able to identify what is contained in the different boxes, you will be in a better position to ensure that the process moves according to plan.

Be flexible

The reality of moving house is such that things will not always go to plan even with proper planning. If you want to keep your stress levels down, it would be important to be flexible. This will allow you to handle any obstacles that you will face in a calm and collected way. You should also consider having a backup plan just in case things go awfully wrong.

Ask for help

There are several people who have been through at least one move in their lives. Since such people understand the challenges and frustrations of the process, they may be in a position to advise you on how to prepare for a move. They will also offer tips on what to do and what to avoid so that you keep your stress levels down.

Hire a professional removal company

If you need help moving the bed, refrigerator, washing machine and other furniture, you should consider hiring a professional moving company. Professionals from a moving company will have the expertise and equipment required to move heavy stuff safely.

Staying healthy and happy will help you to deal with the pressure associated with moving. This is why it is important to eat well and get enough sleep before the moving day. Being healthy will keep you energized, helping you to achieve a stress-free move.

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National Cyber Security Alliance Responds to Equifax Breach

September 8, 2017 by 1 Comment

 Equifax announced a major data breach yesterday affecting some 143 million Americans’ personal information. According to the company, the data breach left Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other sensitive information at risk sometime between mid-May and July of this summer.

“Major breaches like this one remind us that it is critical for internet users to remain continually diligent about practicing good cybersecurity habits,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). “As our connected world grows and vast amounts of information is collected and stored, the scale of data breaches is likely to grow. Businesses and organizations that accumulate data must operate with a deep understanding of the value of that data to cybercriminals and the other risks to their customers, employees and networks. It is essential they employ a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity and be prepared to respond if a breach occurs.”

Fortunately, Equifax is reporting no evidence of unauthorized access to core consumer or commercial credit reporting databases at this time. Nevertheless, NCSA urges all Equifax users to take action now to secure their accounts. Equifax is offering complimentary identity theft protection and credit file monitoring. Information can be found at equifaxsecurity2017.com/enroll.

Following any breach, everyone can better protect their accounts by following these steps to stay safer and more secure online, including:

  • Lock down your login. Use strong authentication — more than a username and password to access accounts — to protect your most valuable accounts, including email, social media and financial.
  • Keep clean machines: Prevent infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other internet-connected devices.
  • Monitor activity on your financial and credit card accounts. If appropriate, implement a fraud alert or credit freeze with one of the three credit bureaus (this is free and may be included if credit monitoring is provided post breach). For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission website identitytheft.gov.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. Scammers and others have been known to use data breaches and other incidents to send out emails and posts related to the incident to lure people into providing their information. Delete any suspicious emails or posts, and get information only from legitimate sources.

This data breach happens as the nation prepares for National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an effort co-founded and co-led by NCSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to educate businesses and all digital citizens about staying safer and more secure online. More information is available at staysafeonline.org/ncsam.

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Visit the New York Renaissance Faire #NYRenFaire

September 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Longing for a break from the routine, but don’t have the time to take a week off right now? Travel to distant lands and faraway time periods, all within a short drive from your home.  We recently visited the New York Renaissance Faire (or if you aren’t local to NY, you can find another in your area- visit the website’s main page for locations and dates) and it was a fun way to spend the day with your family and friends and get away from your routine.

Take a step back in time (but not too far back, it’s just fun and not a serious event) and get into the spirit by dressing up in the time period. Don’t have a costume? That’s OK, there are plenty of vendors there that have items to sell, from clothing to headgear to fantasy peices and beyond. You can be a knight, a princess, a squire, fairy, or anything in between.  We saw unicorns and minotaur this past weekend- really, only your imagination will stop you. There are also fun “theme weekends”, such as Pirate, Celtic, or Time Travelers weekends, where some Faire goers will dress accordingly, and shows will also reflect the idea.

The marketplace has, as mentioned, a fantastic selection of clothing vendors. Yes, you can try on before you buy, and better still, they will help you be fitted and learn how to get into things you might not know how to wear properly. Lacing up a floor length dress is not exactly pulling on a pair of sweatpants, is it? The shopkeepers are helpful and friendly (and usually very funny), so be prepared to have a good time shopping. Yes, guys too.

There are many other fun finds as well. All sorts of jewelry and shiny baubles (of course, what is a Faire without crowns?) to pick and choose from, plenty of toys, swords, shields-  if you are into it, you can even find chain metal and armor.  There are home decorations, spices, and a live glassblower that you can watch and then make purchases from. The kids loved watching him create, and honestly, so did the adults.

 

There are also many, many food options to be found at the Faire- some of the favorites of the Fairegoers being the giant turkey leg and the pickle vendor. Kind of an experience- I’d make sure you tried it out, even if you just visited because pickles really aren’t your thing. This year, the Village Bakery is redone and “re-envisioned” to be better then ever, and offers freshly made items like cakes, pastries, cheesecake, fudge, muffins, and sweet and savory rolls. Treats available for those watching their corsets, as well.

ren faire

While many of the attractions and vendors are the ones you look forward to seeing each year at the Renaissance Fair, this year there are some new ones you might want to visit. First, playing off the top TV hit “Game of Thrones” is the photo op “Gallery of Thrones”, which is an area of really beautiful, handcrafted thrones that you and your family can pose on (save them for those holiday cards later). Sounds simple, and it is- but it’s also fun and you will enjoy it. The Jousters have been a staple of the Faire (and a not to miss show) giving you a modern experience of an old sport, but this year a new team takes on the challenge.  Male and female knights take to the joust three times a day- make sure you see at least one show, and cheer your team on to victory.

Our favorite show had to be the Fire Circus Show, adults and kids all agreed. The entertainment was unmatched- if there was a stand alone show, I would have paid to see it.  Artist Geoff Marsh juggles with and without fire, water, and more, and includes kids chosen from the audience.  Better, he is hilarious, and keeps everyone rolling with laughter from start to finish. One of our favorite parts of the day, and a show that we highly recommend you take the time to see.

fire show

Open through October 1, 2017. Other locations and dates on the website. Tickets are $25 per adult, $12 per child, under 5 are free. General parking is also free. For an events schedule, please see http://www.renfair.com/ny/

 

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Tips for Planning the Ultimate Concert Roadtrip

September 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment

If you need to take a break from the kids and rekindle your relationship with your partner, why not do something totally out-of-the-box and follow your favorite band on tour? Take a week out for some adventure and hit the road for some music, miles, and mayhem. A concert roadtrip is an exciting way to get closer together and enjoy some time together without distractions. Here are six tips to help you plan the ultimate concert roadtrip.

#1 Planing Your Tour

While the thought of randomly packing your bag and following a band may seem like a spontaneous move of inspired passion, the chances are it’s not a wise move. Take some time to sit down with your partner and review the schedules of your favorite bands that are performing in your state or neighboring states.

Plan your trip to include as many concerts as you can afford the money and time to attend. If you plan it right, you could be setting up the romantic road trip of a lifetime for you and your partner. Map out your itinerary and then give it to a close friend or family member, so they know where you plan on going.

#2 Snag Those Tickets Cheap

What does she like, what do you like? What are your favorite bands? At any given time of the year, there can be hundreds of bands touring the country and passing through your state. Do a search at FeeFreeTicket.com and check out the availability and ticket pricing. Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’ Roses, U2, and Katy Perry, are just a few of the examples of modern music icons that frequently put on shows all over America.

#3 Arrange Your Transport

Put the miles on your car, or make more of the moment and rent a classic van like all the rockers used to drive back in the day. Make sure that your ride is roadworthy, and all the taxes are paid up, the last thing you need is to come back from having the time of your life at the concert to find your tour van impounded.

#4 Set Your Budget

Once you know your costs, you can allocate your budget and see what you can afford. Life on the road can have some unforeseen expenses, so make sure that you keep an emergency cash fund available and hidden in the car inconspicuously. With all the merch on sale at the concert, chances are you will want more than one reminder of the evening. Make a list of all your expenses, including food, drinks, entertainment, concert tickets, gas, tolls, and accommodation. Make sure that you stick to your budget when you are on the road and always plan to spend a little more than you expect.

#5 Take Snacks

Traveling can take it out of you, so pack some extra snacks to eat if you need an energy bump before the concert starts. Protein bars, granola, and trail mix make for healthy options that won’t give you a sugar crash halfway through the bands set.

#6 Bring a Power Bank

Being caught out at a concert with a flat phone will leave you worrying about whether the kids are calling, instead of enjoying the event. Avoid this annoyance by keeping a fully charged power bank in your concert bag and keep your attention on the entertainment, not on your dead cell phone battery.

The Final Note

A concert roadtrip is a romantic getaway that will leave you with plenty of memories. It’s not often that you get time away from kids, so use it to keep the spark going in your relationship and bring you closer together.

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4 Tips to hiring an ecommerce web design firm on a budget

September 5, 2017 by Leave a Comment

For owners of small to medium-sized businesses, setting up a website is an effective strategy that you can use to increase your brand awareness in the online market. There are several website platforms claiming that even those who are not very familiar with programming can create good-looking websites using their products. There are also online guides that can help you learn both the basic and advanced techniques of web designing. The downside of relying on these online resources is that many people also use the exact guides too. Chances are your website may look very similar to others.

Hiring a web designer is definitely a great idea when setting up a website for your business. Instead of wasting several hours experimenting with things you’re not really good at, you may able to use your extra time focusing on what matters more for your business. But that doesn’t mean that you have to pay tens of thousands of dollars just to set up and maintain a website. There are actually many ways which you can hire an ecommerce web designer on the cheap. That is without compromising the quality of your website. Read more about the 4 tips to hiring an ecommerce web design firm on a budget and start seeing great results for your business now.

  1. Avoid hiring web design firms that specialize only in one aspect.

When looking for the best web developer for your business, you may encounter ones that are adept at creating attractive web designs and those that actually know how to incorporate them into your site. The problem with hiring two or more firms for your website is that the work usually takes longer and more costly in the long run. If possible, look for an ecommerce web design firm that can do all the work; from your company’s logo to the website’s user interface and everything that you might need. For owners of small to medium-sized businesses, setting up a website is one of the top 10 branding effective strategies that you can use to increase your brand awareness in the online market.

  1. Set up a realistic budget and don’t hesitate to negotiate the price.

Before starting the project, you should be able to discuss the timeline and plan with the web design firm down to the smallest of details. Set up a realistic budget and don’t hesitate to negotiate the price. For brochure-style websites, the price typically ranges from $2,000 to $5,000; while it can go up to $20,000 or more for sites which feature a bunch of products and which support electronic payment. You might find some good offers at less than $1,000 but be wary that the quality might get compromised.

  1. Plan ahead on the things that you need and you don’t need.

Web design services usually become expensive when the package includes a lot of features that can optimize your website. Although most of them are useful, you might not essentially need some of those features for your website. You may choose a couple of websites that you admire and pick some features that you really want for your site. Discuss the details with the web design firm carefully before making a deal.

  1. Trade for services if you personally know the web designer.

If you personally know the owner of a web design firm (or some other people who work there), you may consider discussing if they are open for bartering. For example, you may offer them accounting or legal services for a certain period in exchange for web design services. Discuss the terms properly so both of you will neither profit nor lose in the barter.

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