PSD to CSS conversion: What are the benefits for a website development

At the primary level of website layout creation, designers create Photoshop documents (PSD). And based on that PSD latter on HTML coding is done to enable an overall image (PSD) into webpage. We also know that simple HTML coding of the pages do not help creation of stylish output – for that we need the application of cascading style sheet (CSS). But you may simply ask a simple question – why do PSD to CSS conversion- what are the key benefits? Well there are some good benefits as conversion help in separation of content from presentation elements, prevents duplication of structural content, helps in cross browser compatibility of the web pages and many other things.

Well working as a freelance graphic designer, I do face several queries of using CSS in the plain web pages. We all know that first a PSD file is sliced in html format and then the use of CSS comes. Well here I am directly jump starting the discussion as PSD to CSS conversion and its few benefits:

• Converting a plain look into stunning one: You may think of getting a out of the box design structure and coming to people like me (designer). We would certainly give you a great looking structure. But never think that creating the PSD is all done! I have to slice the PSD to html and there will be some issues of giving font, color, hovering effects through html. But If I have experience in PSD to CSS conversion knowledge, I will simply use the CSS file and sort out these things in no time. Eventually it would be very much easy for me to edit the styles on your demand (if any). I will be able to just give you what you want your web pages to look like.


• Coding time can be saved with proper PSD to CSS conversion: After you find PSD file is ready to be coded, you have to wait for a little to get it coded in html. There may be a lot many pages to be coded to get your site ready. Now think if designers are to code every page individually, the consumption could have been too much. But as I know the PSD to CSS conversion, I would use CSS through which just one time the style or code would be written and it can be called in innumerous pages. It also prevents the repetition or duplicate use of same code several times.


• There will be optimum page load time: Many a time it is found that for the use of too many coding and images the page load time increases. But it is no matter to me as I know how PSD to CSS conversion can work for me. Simply with less coding, CSS sprites and other compression methods will automatically help decreasing page load time.


• Browser compatibility issues are solved: In various cases it is found that the designs do not pass compatibility in different browsers. It happens for some special structural matter in the PSD. Then how the problem will be solved? Simply a good knowledge on PSD to CSS conversion will help in sorting out the problem. I will use the specific browser hacks in CSS files (those are generally not supported in html) and everything will be solved.

Well these are just a few benefits of PSD to CSS conversion for making web pages far better than what could be the output of simple html coding from PSD files. But for you please try to find out the web & graphic design portfolio of any designer to confirmation on his or her ability on successful and perfect PSD to CSS conversion knowledge. Select the right kind of person and get ready to see your website pages just what you desired to look like! Hope your search for experienced designer finishes with a discovery of a good designer.

Flash Vs HTML5: How relevant is the point of contradiction

In many cases you may like to build a website highly dynamic in look but not in function! Yes, I am talking about animations that just make the simple web pages just attractive in various ways! Well again to have some videos, games for entertainment, or the browsing mode (access through mobile phones) in your website you have to go for flash development! With its various facilities and friendly plug-ins flash developments have been serving us to build superb websites. However, there are some drawbacks of flash developments that have made the developers to think a new alternative for it. And thankfully a new alternative has come – HTML5. With its open source platform, easy access in mobile phones and other features, HTML5 is going highly popular just within few days. Interestingly again people have started comparing these two technologies and we are seeing lots of discussions about flash Vs html5.

Well, why such situation is created? This has gone a common enquiry among people or the customers who want to get their site developed with flash or html5. I am a freelance graphic designer and frequently I am asked how far the point of contradiction- flash Vs html5 is relevant? In what respect it is better to go for flash or the html5. Let’s see the things:

• Use of resources & performance: It is true that Flash has been giving us better animations. But we have been accepting the slow performance. Yes, flash was not that much efficient in using the graphics processing unit (GPU) to perform better. But thanks to html5 that has come up with better use of GPU. At the same time html5 does not consume a lot of memory like flash which makes the performance of the operating system slow. So in this respect comparing flash Vs html5 we can say html5 is better for sure.


• Mobile friendliness: Till people were satisfied using computers while accessing internet, everything was fine for Flash developments. But in recently we have found that mobile is taking the place of conventional computer types. People like to browse websites by mobile phones and here flash applications are falling short in showing charisma. Well html5 has come to rescue as it helps in creation of mobile friendly animations. So while thinking flash Vs html5, we have to say flash needs to improve this matter of mobile friendliness.


• Open source so cost effective: When we like to develop some nice looking animations in flash animation, we got to think about the high development cost! Sometimes people back off because they do not get the desired development within budget. So when comparing flash Vs html5 we have to uphold html5 as it is open source.


• Html5 not yet competitive & ready: For so much use and popularity Flash has become highly developed. And interestingly html5 has not yet become compatible with all the browsers even. So when we try to discuss the matter of flash Vs html5 we have to think twice as a child (html5) can hardly compete with a full grown man (flash)! Think till date html5 has not come out with many an implementation process while Flash has so many tools ready to get things done in proper way.

Hopefully the above points have pointed out how html5 is emerging against the drawbacks of flash. Yet as I have just mentioned in the above point we should not try things too hard in comparing flash Vs html5. As html5 is slowly getting developed and miles to walk, we should use flash properly where applicable. But how would you know where to use flash and where html5? It depends on the selection of the designer for your project. You have to look into the web and graphic design portfolio of the designer to know who far competence they are in using flash and html5. Hope you forget the flash Vs html5 controversy and get your site properly developed as per your desired.

Construction website templates: Features that make a solid foundation

Who does not like to find a home - sweet home - to relax and recline to wipe away the fatigue of everyday work! People are always in search of space to turn into houses. Thanks to the businessmen who construct or provide idea of constructing houses. Well, here we are going to see how people who have construction business that spreads helping hands to people in search of home! Yes, the fastest way of finding help is internet – websites. If you can build an informative website on construction, you can easily help people to find ideas and houses. But now the question is how should be your site? Simply what type of construction website templates should be chosen to give your site the look and feel that attracts the users to know about you and your services? The answer for this question is- choice of solid feature-packed layout.

Now, how would you understand that you are selecting one of the best construction website templates? Being a freelance graphic designer it is a very common question to me as I directly interact with my clients. I feel more than happy to let my clients know what are best of features of construction website templates.

• Excellent use of color, graphics and images: People would come to find some nice construction ideas or information in your site. So you have to select one of the construction website templates that have been structured with use of images or graphics in just best proportion. If there is excessive use of graphics or such elements, the users may leave the site being irritated.
• Attractive header: Every time we look into a webpage our sight is first attracted by the header portion. So it is very much essential that you choose one of the construction website templates that have a place for attractive static or animated header effects. Remember with such a header you can make your message clear to the viewer very fast.
• Ample space to put text information: People would love to see the images of construction sites or the ready houses. But they would certainly love to get details of the construction elements. So whenever you are selecting one of the construction website templates, find if it has place to put text information or not.
• A great structure with better navigation and other panels: Whenever you are trying to get a site developed, your aim would be to let users feel at ease while browsing your site. So the placement of the navigation menus and other panels need to be well managed. Sometimes it is found that some advertisement panels in a few construction website templates are not in proper place and does irritate the users.
• W3C standard with cross-browser compatibility: Many times it is found that the layouts are creating problem in different browsers. At the same time the html coding and CSS files provided with the construction website templates are not compatible with W3C standards. So you need to take care of both the issues.

So these are the few major features that you need to look into while selecting one of the templates for developing a website for your construction business. Remember you can only get these features if you have found a designer who has experience in designing such layouts. You can simply make out an idea on the ability of any designer just having a glance on his or her web and graphic design portfolio. So select one of the best construction templates and make an attractive site for your business.

Professional WordPress templates: What are the qualities to look into!

You have decided to go for WordPress website development as it is ease to use, maintain and backed by huge community of developers? You are right in you decision to use WordPress (WP) platform provided you have chosen one of the best professional WordPress templates to fit with structure. Not only that, even you would get scope of adding widgets on your site.


Well, while working as a freelance graphic designer people want to get suggested on use of various open source platform. Some come with the query on the qualities of professional WordPress templates. My answer and suggestion always point to use of WP. There are several good reasons of using WP theme templates. So here are some key factors:

• Ease in customization: Every time you use any template your first priority should be to customization. Without the customization, the template would remain ordinary. So while you are choosing one of the professional WordPress templates never forget to see if you get all resources (PSD, CSS and Javascripts files) for customization.


• Structurally perfect & optimized graphics: Would you mind to see your website layout loading properly and its graphics just befitting the structure? Certainly not! So you should use professional WordPress templates that are designed properly to load the header, body and the side bars one by one. And the thoughtful use of graphics in proper size, format and combination reduces the http requests and consequently faster page load is possible every time.


• Semantic html coding maintaining W3C standard: The html coding, provided with all the professional WordPress templates, must be semantic (logical).Every elements in designs must be named logically just corresponding with elements used in the coding. Even the header, title and other html tags combined with apt use of keywords makes the layouts search engine friendly. At the same time find if the WordPress coder has made the coding W3C standard or not. Interestingly the logical coding helps rendering of these templates easy in browsers built for the visually impaired people.


• Scope for use of useful widgets and plug-ins: WordPress is highly popular for its thousands of plug-ins and easy use of widgets in the layouts. Say, you want to use a panel for the Adsense, then you have full privilege of keeping that portion in the layout with proper widgets in use. Using one of the best professional WordPress templates tour site is also ready to make use of useful plug-ins for future functionality enhancement!


• Browser compatibility issue: Many times it is found that your website layout is not compatible with different types of browsers. The main issue comes with IE, where layouts are shown broken if there is use of CSS 3. You cannot avoid IE and up to its version 8. But these will never come as issue if you use one of the professional WordPress templates that come with proper CSS hacks (some typical CSS properties or Javascripts) to make the layout compatible.

So these are just a few features that always make professional WordPress templates so much popular and of top quality. Ultimately your aim is to make your site look nice and function properly! You can also feel relaxed using professional WordPress templates as those are backed by huge community of WP theme designers. Finally what you are to do is simple – have a look on the theme portfolio of the designer from whom you are buying the theme. If you do not be careful, you would end up buying one of the professional WordPress templates that does not come in any use.