One of the biggest challenges front end developers face is having different browser versions on different operating systems display the page consistently. Even if you build your page with Firefox or Chrome on Windows, the page may display differently on those browsers with the Mac OS or Linux. Part of the reason is that each browser has it's own default stylesheet. One browser may use more padding on an unordered list while another may use just margin.

I stumbled upon Best Web Design Agencies a few months back and thought it might be a good idea to add LevelTen to the rankings directory; little did I realize that I'd get such a hard sell, but all in all it really looks like a pretty good product so I've let that slide.

I love large image background web sites – the ones where web content and functions are positioned over a photograph. In spite of many well-known brands embracing this style, I’m having a hard time getting copywriters, online marketers, and developers to share my affection for the full photo background. Here’s what I’m up against…

The Copywriter Argument

I would like to make a disclaimer before I get started on this three month project. I am a communications girl not a web developer. I have VERY minimal knowledge of HTML and no PHP or Java insight whatsoever. I do have a blog on Wordpress and I had never heard of Drupal until I was hired at LevelTen. With all that said, here we go…

When you first set up an account, you will not have a couple of really important Drupal modules. Here are a few tips to get an Admin view as well as a recovery type module (Just in case you accidentally blow up your Drupal site).

I must admit—I had to resist the urge to put my head through the monitor this morning when I pulled up ESPN.com and saw this. Seriously, do we really need to be monitoring the seconds until a man who puts a ball in a hole for a living decides on his next team?

We've all visited sites that are completely cluttered and offer more distractions than assistance to the end-user. Designing a better user experience increases conversion, retention, and can significantly impact your brand. Finding equilibrium between design and usability can be tricky - sit in the middle of a web design meeting between designers and user experience managers and you will certainly here compelling cases for strong design vs. strong usability.

Here a few simple tips to help you de-clutter a website and build a more positive user experience:

As a Web designer, I like to approach the design of any site as efficiently as possible. Long before I even became interested in Web design, I stumbled upon the art of information architecture, which is basically a complex map of information. As a primarily visual learner, I took information architecture to the next level by expressing information visually as opposed to textually. My fascination with mapping led me to what I consider my primary source of inspiration: maps!

A Web Application Engine is an extension to web servers that process/interpret web application code. Some app engines are built into various web servers others must be installed.

App Engine Tip

• Carefully select your application platform. While all engines can accomplish nearly identical functionality some will be a better fit for where you are and where your web future will be.

Popular Web App Engines

• CGI Scripts (Perl,C/C++,PHP)

An Internal Search Engine allows searching within a site for pages containing certain keywords. Internal SEs are particularly useful on large sites as an alternative to hierarchical menus for site navigation. Many scripts/programs are available to add searching capability to your site.

Internal Search Engine Tips

• It has been estimated that over half of web users are search dominated versus hierarchy links dominate. As your site becomes larger it is important to offer both options.

Quality describes the overall value (both perceived and real) of your web site from your audience's perspective. Quality drives the value of your site. While many people focus on aesthetics in judging quality, total quality relates to all aspects of your site.

Web Site Quality Gauge

• Basic:
  Packaged template design, light promotion
• Competitive:
  Custom theme design, strategic planning, functional features, moderate promotion
• World-Class