{Illustration from Tomas Lanza}

I was thinking lately about websites, which is about 10% of my daily thinking (I’m a mom, so 10% is HUGE! 75% is baby thoughts (which includes a 20% worrying), 10% is for food, coffee and chocolate, 5% is daydreaming)

Anyway, back to websites. If you’re like me, you probably own a few fashion items in your closet. Now my question: do you wear them all, or, as myself, do you splurge and forget? Or, even worse, do you buy say a pretty dress and then decide after the purchase that it’s hideous on you? Wait, weren’t we talking about websites?

I have had a few clients who had similar fashion problems, but with their websites. They come to me because they already have a website, but it’s not doing anything for their branding. It’s hideous and they were wrongly advised by their (previous) «web-person» who «knew» Dreamweaver and Flash and made them a «nice» website for a few bucks.

Quite frankly, even though they paid little for it, it’s still money thrown out the monitor. But their website is making their brand look skimpish, as these trousers make my butt look fat!

So what to do?!

Invest in classic pieces and stick to essentials!

Jeans, black trousers, Manolo pumps, crisp white shirts: essentials in your wardrobe (ok, maybe not the Manolos, but this momma can dream)! Well, there are also essentials in web design, and though it might cost you a bit more than pre-made templates, your branding frame should have a perfect fit! Here are 5 quick tips:

1- Hire a professional web designer = hiring a stylist. Your cousin may «know» fashion, but would you ask her to style your wardrobe for an event that would be the pinpoint of your acting career (let’s say, the Academy Awards)? A competent

2- Look the part. Even though you are still small doesn’t mean you should look shabby.

3- Invest in a clean line. A suit looks sharps on everybody. Coco Chanel’s suits are timeless. Your website should have a personality (aka a branding image) but ultimately, your image shouldn’t interfere with your message (aka your content)

4- You can’t take a clown seriously. Flowers, polka dots, comic sans, flashy buttons, every colors of the rainbow, music (I hate music on a website, esp. if I can’t shut it!), Flash intro, snow animations… Stick to 3 or 4 colors, two fonts and avoid Comic sans like plague. As for the web-gadgets, if you feel like you need them, try working on your content instead! Here is a post about DCS, or design clutter syndrom!

5- In the end, your brains will best your look. A good website design will pique the interest of your audience and should hint your credibility, but your content will prove it. Your content is what will sell your product (service, writing, illustrations, etc).

So, are you a Web fashion victim?

If you want to learn more about branding, I suggest you to read this post.

Craving theses atm!

LINK :: Supayana’s shop

…with these colorfull scarves from Nitca!

LINK:: Nitca on Etsy

Lovin the patterns and the free-style text on the bag…

LINK: http://www.katespade.com/

Bought this tee for cheri for Valentine’s day and also this other tee for myself. They are excellent buys, from JellybeanApparel (and they have lots of clearence items right now!)

…you get sarahseven. (click on the pics for full view)

Ruffle Bib Dress by liza rietz

… by liza rietz.