Recent articles
How (and why) to regularly update your sitemap for Google
Need to update your sitemap for better search engine visibility? This article delivers a straightforward guide on how to do just that, ensuring search engines can quickly index your latest… Continue readingMarch 17, 2024•15 min read
Sitemap structure: Why it’s crucial for SEO
Are you wondering how the structure of your sitemap can boost your website’s visibility to search engines? A sitemap is your site’s blueprint, directing search engine crawlers to your most… Continue readingMarch 6, 2024•13 min read
How to generate (and automatically update) a Rails sitemap
To enhance your Rails application’s SEO, you must have an effective sitemap in place. This article demystifies the process of generating a Rails sitemap using the 'sitemap_generator ' gem, configuring… Continue readingFebruary 28, 2024•13 min read
What’s an ASPX sitemap & why your ASP.NET site needs one
An ASPX sitemap is an essential tool for any website built using ASP.NET. This structured file provides a map of all the pages and content on your website, making it… Continue readingFebruary 27, 2024•11 min read
What’s a dynamic sitemap and why your website needs one?
Struggling with outdated XML sitemaps and slow indexation? A dynamic sitemap is your solution. It automatically updates with every site change, helping search engines promptly find and index new content.… Continue readingFebruary 23, 2024•12 min read
PRO Sitemaps review 2024: App features, pricing, pros & cons
Navigating the world of SEO can be complex, in this review we’ll break down how PRO Sitemaps can simplify the sitemapping part. Ideal for webmasters and SEO professionals, this tool… Continue readingFebruary 13, 2024•8 min read
What is XML sitemap priority & sitemap change frequency & are they needed for SEO?
When trying to improve your search ranking and fine-tune your SEO strategy, every detail counts, right? Yes and no. Frustrating answer, we know. Sitemap priority and change frequency are a… Continue readingFebruary 6, 2024•12 min read
How to find a sitemap: Learn 5 ways, step-by-step
Struggling to locate a website’s sitemap? Whether you’re enhancing your site’s SEO, troubleshooting indexing issues or just curious about a site’s layout, finding a sitemap doesn’t have to be a… Continue readingJanuary 29, 2024•9 min read
How to create a sitemap for a website: HTML, XML, or Visual
Creating a sitemap is a critical step in optimizing your site for search and enhancing user navigation. But how do you create a sitemap without getting bogged down in complexity?… Continue readingJanuary 22, 2024•13 min read
7 types of SEO content to boost your visibility
Ever wondered why some websites consistently rank high in search results while others struggle for visibility? The answer lies in the power of SEO content. SEO content is the magic… Continue readingJanuary 11, 2024•13 min read
Website structure A to Z (with examples)
Imagine a city without road signs or a building without a clear layout – navigating through them would be a nightmare. The same goes for a website, the structure is… Continue readingJanuary 10, 2024•18 min read
What’s the relationship between SEO and content marketing?
Think of SEO and content marketing as a tag team or power duo that works in tandem to elevate your online presence. SEO focuses on making your website visible to… Continue readingJanuary 6, 2024•11 min read
SEO content guidelines: Essential rules for optimizing writing
Imagine growing your business exponentially, not by increasing your advertising budget, but by tweaking the content on your website to perform better according to the content guidelines for SEO. Sounds… Continue readingJanuary 2, 2024•16 min read
Content marketing vs SEO: Which strategy reigns supreme?
The digital marketing landscape has evolved significantly, and with it, the need for businesses to adopt a unified approach towards content marketing and their SEO has become imperative. By combining… Continue readingDecember 15, 2023•14 min read
Unlocking success: Mastering content creator SEO strategies
Becoming an expert in SEO content creation is the key to creating content that resonates with both users and search engines alike. This all-inclusive blueprint will expertly guide you through… Continue readingDecember 11, 2023•11 min read
Why content is important for SEO (and how to create it)
Did you know that content is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy? The right content not only attracts organic traffic but also enhances user experience and boosts your website’s… Continue readingDecember 10, 2023•11 min read
Create quality content for SEO success: A how-to guide
With a sea of content being published regularly, it can feel like an insurmountable challenge to get yours to stand out. Setting yourself apart isn’t impossible and the secret to… Continue readingDecember 7, 2023•12 min read
8 ways to master SEO-friendly content and rank higher
Climbing the search engine rankings is about way more than just pumping a ton of average, surface-level content. What might’ve passed for an easy search engine optimization tactic back in… Continue readingDecember 3, 2023•12 min read
How to create SEO content and climb the search ranks
If you want to improve your website’s search rankings and increase the amount of organic traffic, an effective SEO content plan is essential. As the saying goes, if you fail… Continue readingDecember 1, 2023•12 min read
SEO and content marketing: An essential combo (explained)
Are you ready to skyrocket your website’s visibility, attract the right audience and enhance user experience? Combining SEO and content marketing to a craft strategy is essential to achieving those… Continue readingNovember 20, 2023•12 min read
Need an SEO content checker? These are the top 7
Are you struggling to get your website noticed in the vast ocean of online content? Fear not, an SEO content checker might just be the lifeboat you need. In this… Continue readingNovember 20, 2023•11 min read
Content strategy in SEO: How to grow visits by 300% in one year
Are you tired of your content not getting the attention it deserves? Feel like you’re just throwing words into the void, hoping something sticks? Fret not! In this comprehensive guide… Continue readingNovember 20, 2023•16 min read
How to make a UML class diagram (and others) with examples
Understanding systems is what UML diagrams are all about. Whether it’s a UML class diagram, a sequence diagram or any of the other 10+ out there, there’s a method to… Continue readingOctober 23, 2023•11 min read
User roles reimagined: Discover what’s new in Slickplan 🎉💪
Hey there, web design enthusiasts! Have you ever been in a project with unclear boundaries, where every team member had unrestricted access? If so, you’ll understand when I say it… Continue readingOctober 9, 2023•1 min read
Process map vs flowchart: what’s the difference between them?
Have you ever struggled to understand a complex workflow or wished there was a way to easily visualize the various steps in a process? Enter process maps and flowcharts, two… Continue readingOctober 9, 2023•8 min read
Lean, Six Sigma & Lean Six Sigma process mapping (+ templates)
Upgrade your business by improving processes, reducing errors and eliminating waste — that’s the idea behind Six Sigma and Lean methodology. Whether you’re in products or services, making processes better,… Continue readingSeptember 11, 2023•8 min read
How to create a network diagram: easily draw network diagrams with Slickplan
Need to see your entire network in one place? Make a network diagram. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a network diagram, and whether you draw… Continue readingAugust 31, 2023•7 min read
How to create an affinity diagram: make affinity diagrams easily with Slickplan
Picture this; in front of you is a mountain of data or brainstorming ideas that feel impossible to process, organize and act on. You know there are conclusions and insights… Continue readingAugust 24, 2023•6 min read
What is a decision tree (parts, types & algorithm examples)
What is a decision tree and what are decision trees used for are two pretty common questions asked when talking about flowcharts. Since you’re here, they’ve likely crossed your mind,… Continue readingAugust 21, 2023•11 min read
Top 10 best flowchart software & process mapping tools 2024
While staring into the deep abyss of online programs, both free and paid, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. Selecting the best flowchart software tools should be… Continue readingAugust 8, 2023•15 min read
Concept development in the product development process (plus examples)
The best products somehow seem to perfectly solve a problem. Where every feature feels like it’s tailor-made to make whatever you’re working on easier. Those aren’t accidents. Concept development in… Continue readingJuly 28, 2023•10 min read
Workflow process mapping: how to create a process map with Slickplan
One of the many powerful tasks it can handle is process maps. And we’re going to go over just how to create a process map. The Slickplan Diagram Maker is… Continue readingMay 15, 2023•13 min read
What is process mapping? 5 types of process maps defined
It may surprise you to know you’ve probably used some variation of this tool already, but what is a process map? How does it work? We’ll explain all of that,… Continue readingMay 4, 2023•6 min read
New drag & drop page cloning 🤩
About a year ago, we released a major upgrade to great fanfare. That included functionality overhauls to our most popular tool, the Sitemap Builder. Since then we’ve been constantly adding… Continue readingApril 20, 2023•1 min read
How to make a decision tree: easily create decision tree charts with Slickplan
Building a decision tree can be the foundation for any situation where the options seem endless. Fortunately, learning how to make a decision tree is a simple and straightforward process… Continue readingMarch 30, 2023•8 min read
How to make an organizational chart: easily create org charts with Slickplan
If your boss just asked you to create an org chart, you wouldn’t be the first person to Google "how to make an organizational chart". That might even be how… Continue readingMarch 23, 2023•9 min read
UI/UX designer resume guide with examples (& free template)
A great UX designer resume is the gateway to the next step in your UX/UI career. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to move on up, your resume, or… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•15 min read
How to Design a Website: a Comprehensive, Start to Finish Guide
The internet is part of who we are. In fact, in 2016, the UN General Assembly declared internet access a human right. That means a well-designed website is crucial for… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•21 min read
17 UI & UX designer interview questions & answers for candidates
Ah yes, every company’s favorite activity: hiring. It may not be the most glamorous undertaking but it’s critical to your operation because UI & UX designers are tasked with ensuring… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•16 min read
The 10 best content planning tools for 2024
Whether you’re building an app or website from the ground up or adding to existing content, the organization of planned information should forever be on the top of your shortlist… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•14 min read
Site Mapping How To: What Website Page Mapping Is & Why You Need It
Creating a website is more than giving life to pretty designs. You also need a plan. Site mapping in advance is how you create elaborate websites that are easy to… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•30 min read
10 common social media manager interview questions & answers
Interviews can be so stressful at times — for all involved. Waking up early and getting dressed nicely to go meet a stranger about a job. The candidate desperately needed… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•18 min read
Agile user story example: how to write user stories (template included)
Storytime! Ok, well, it isn’t that kind of storytime. User stories are a fun and easy way to collect information, requests, needs, wants, problem-solve, and more. But not just collect… Continue readingMarch 14, 2023•11 min read
Rarchy review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
Website projects are about one thing; how to best organize information. Rarchy is a tool that aims to help do just that by helping you build and edit sitemaps plus… Continue readingMarch 7, 2023•15 min read
FlowMapp review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
Variety is the spice of life they say but sometimes the number of apps and tools we have can feel a bit overwhelming. Which is worth the money? Which will… Continue readingMarch 6, 2023•16 min read
PowerMapper review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
An optimized sitemap makes for an intuitive website which is why creating sitemaps is such an essential part of web development. From navigation to SEO, it all starts with getting… Continue readingMarch 3, 2023•15 min read
WriteMaps review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
Looking for a way to improve your site navigation and build a more effective website for your visitors? Sitemaps are a crucial part of that process and WriteMaps is often… Continue readingFebruary 28, 2023•14 min read
Octopus.do review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
Octopus.do promises a lot in addition to sitemaps — from being a website planner to lo-fi wireframing – but does it deliver? The takeaway from our Octopus.do review is yes… Continue readingFebruary 27, 2023•16 min read
How to make a Venn diagram: easily create Venn diagrams with Slickplan
Drawing up Venn diagrams is a great way to better understand how various ideas, objects, etc relate to each other. They create quick clarity and are exceptionally easy to interpret.… Continue readingFebruary 24, 2023•9 min read
How to create a concept map: easily make conceptual maps with Slickplan
Concept maps are wonderfully powerful tools for visualizing concepts, organizing & generating ideas and clarifying connections. In this article, we’ll take you through how to create a concept map, giving… Continue readingFebruary 22, 2023•9 min read
DYNO Mapper review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
With ‘mapper’ in the name, one would hope DYNO Mapper at least covers the bases in the sitemap department given how crucial those are for website planning. In our DYNO… Continue readingFebruary 22, 2023•13 min read
Wireframe vs prototype: what’s the difference between them?
Simple vs complex. Lo-fi vs hi-fi. Static vs interactive. The difference between wireframing and prototyping is found in all those comparisons. As far as "wireframe vs prototype" goes and when… Continue readingJanuary 11, 2023•10 min read
How to create a flowchart: Easily make a flowchart with Slickplan
Is there more to building a flowchart than just drawing out the steps and connecting them? Is it possible to make diagrams more meaningful and useful for our tasks and… Continue readingDecember 15, 2022•17 min read
An introduction to XMLs sitemaps & their importance for SEO
Sitemaps have been our bread and butter here at Slickplan for years. We’re a bit partial to the process. Creating an introduction to XML sitemaps was a no-brainer and keeping… Continue readingOctober 25, 2022•14 min read
GlooMaps review 2024: app features, pricing, pros & cons
A visual sitemap should be an integral part of any website planning process. It gives you an overview of your site, highlighting how pages are related, as well as a… Continue readingOctober 19, 2022•7 min read
Introducing Design Mockups 3.0: What you need to know now 👇
There’s a pretty good chance you’ve noticed some of the very exciting changes we’ve made to Slickplan lately. Maybe you’ve even used a few of our new (and free) SEO… Continue readingSeptember 28, 2022•2 min read
Sitemap vs wireframe comparison: what’s the difference?
Just like a book has a table of contents that defines where to find information, a website has its sitemap. Deciding what goes into each chapter and how requires planning… Continue readingSeptember 15, 2022•10 min read
6 Different Types of UX Research Methods: Ultimate 2024 Guide
UX design is a continually evolving field, and there’s one clear process that supports those ideas flowing, and it’s a simple concept: research. There’s a world of UX research methods… Continue readingSeptember 4, 2022•17 min read
XML vs HTML sitemap: What is the difference between them?
In the battle of XML vs HTML sitemap, it really comes down to who or what is using the tool when deciding which is the winner for certain needs. It’s… Continue readingAugust 10, 2022•8 min read
How to become a content strategist (with portfolio examples)
Content marketing works (you’re here after all), but producing content without a strategy won’t amount to much. An overarching plan is what allows you and your marketing team to create… Continue readingAugust 4, 2022•11 min read
Slickplan launches free SEO toolkit 🚀
There’s more to SEO than just getting some keywords on the page. You know that. We know that – and now we can help you do something about it. To… Continue readingJuly 4, 2022•4 min read
How to create a UX portfolio: build a portfolio that makes any designer look great!
So you’re new to the field of UX and realize you’re going to need to start putting together a portfolio. That’s what all the greats are saying, right? But now… Continue readingJune 8, 2022•15 min read
One page website vs multiple pages pros & cons: which is best?
When building a brand new site, or even rebuilding an existing one, a lot of factors go into making many of the different decisions along the way. Although most of… Continue readingMay 3, 2022•12 min read
How to secure a website for free (& paid site protection upgrades)
Once every 39 seconds, someone somewhere around the globe will fall victim to a successful hack. Depending on how fast you read this article, around 34 hacks will have been… Continue readingApril 26, 2022•22 min read
4 new information architecture trends: the future of IA for 2024
Information architecture isn’t quite as static as the brick and mortar architecture that progresses at a comparative snail’s pace. The online world continues to swerve, shift and change at breakneck… Continue readingApril 19, 2022•7 min read
User journey vs user flow: what they are, differences & examples
Although we’re framing this like a celebrity deathmatch for comparison’s sake, it’s less user flows vs user journeys and more user flows and user journeys in practice. They’re both used… Continue readingApril 12, 2022•7 min read
Agile UX process: integrating UX & agile development design principles
Agile user experience design has all but taken over how software and websites are developed. Nowadays you can find the Agile UX process behind any of your favorite apps or… Continue readingApril 8, 2022•11 min read
User flow vs sitemap: the difference between sitemaps & user flow
User flow vs. sitemaps. They have such similar sounds when you think of them in the context of a site, but are they the same? What differences do they have… Continue readingApril 6, 2022•8 min read
The user flow diagram creation guide (with 3 examples)
Obstacle courses are great…if your intention is to play on one. They’re not so great when you’re navigating a website or app. In fact, there’s arguably no quicker way to… Continue readingApril 5, 2022•11 min read
What is a new product development process? 7 step guide (2024)
Everybody’s heard at least one story of how people have stumbled onto a genius invention, product, or even discovered an idea that just fell into their lap, right? Well, even… Continue readingMarch 22, 2022•17 min read
Measuring usability metrics: 6 test metrics & free scorecard
Measuring usability metrics in the new design of a product should be very high on your shortlist of things to do in the design process. We’re going to go over… Continue readingMarch 3, 2022•12 min read
SEO project management: how to manage SEO tasks effectively
Are your competitors outranking you? What does it take to make it to that coveted top spot on Google? Shoot, what if you’re not even showing up on the first… Continue readingMarch 2, 2022•13 min read
What is user story mapping? (Plus 3 story map examples)
How is it that some websites or apps just seem to work flawlessly? Every step, every interaction, every button, intuitively crafted, right where they need to be. While it’s not… Continue readingFebruary 25, 2022•7 min read
What is product strategy framework? Examples & free template
We live in a truly incredible and innovative time in technology. Product strategy in the market, both physical and digital, have really hit the gas pedal in terms of the… Continue readingFebruary 21, 2022•13 min read
Information architecture vs sitemap what’s the difference?
Right off the bat, you should know that information architecture, or IA for short, and sitemaps are both crucial for your website’s success. To answer the big question you may… Continue readingFebruary 8, 2022•8 min read
What is customer journey mapping? Create journey maps in 10 steps
How does a customer get from A to B in your business? No matter the industry and no matter what A or B is, your customer is always moving along… Continue readingFebruary 3, 2022•14 min read
UX vs IA vs UI vs IxD design differences (& what they stand for)
Shocking. Another acronym in the internet world. You know we love them. They’re the big four of visual design and product design which together lead to more user satisfaction. We’re… Continue readingFebruary 1, 2022•9 min read
Website information architecture design strategy examples (& best tools)
It’s pretty well documented that the internet industry as a whole has a love affair with acronyms and naming things in weird ways. Sometimes very direct; other times, we end… Continue readingJanuary 25, 2022•12 min read
Website content management strategy: How-to + free template
Content requires management. Think about it, not only do you have various types of content in your arsenal, from social to website content and beyond, you also have content creators… Continue readingJanuary 19, 2022•12 min read
Best GatherContent alternatives (top 7 similar competitors)
Collecting, storing and preparing content – whether it’s for an existing or new website – is very much one of the most important things you’ll do in the planning phase… Continue readingJanuary 13, 2022•15 min read
Create a killer website content inventory in 7 steps
[Insert a cliche about the importance of content here.] You’ve heard ‘em all but, truth be told, people are coming to your site for your content. Period. Knowing exactly what… Continue readingJanuary 11, 2022•7 min read
What is a UX strategy process? Definition, example & blueprint PDF document
The phrase UX strategy gets tossed around the industry more than cornhole bags at a summer cookout, but what does it mean, and why should you even care? For starters,… Continue readingJanuary 7, 2022•15 min read
What is the Best Website Builder? Site Creation Tools Compared
We’re living in a truly amazing era of tech, the limits of it stretching further by the day — everything has gone digital with a website being a requirement for… Continue readingNovember 26, 2021•16 min read
Plan better with new sitemap, content & diagram templates
Website planning simplified. It’s kind of our thing and we’re happy to announce a new batch of templates that make creating a killer website even easier. What’s new? Templates! They’re… Continue readingNovember 17, 2021•2 min read
UX Strategy vs Product Strategy: What’s the Difference, if Any?
This topic is so hotly debated you could cook an egg on this article. UX strategy vs product strategy. Here we go… We’re going to just have to rip the… Continue readingNovember 17, 2021•10 min read
What is UX Design & What Does a User Experience Designer do?
Going to a website or downloading an app where the navigation makes sense, the layout is intuitive and your overall interaction is an enjoyable one is the rule now. We… Continue readingNovember 8, 2021•10 min read
Best UX Design Tools For 2024: Top 12 User Experience Software & Apps
Software UX design tools are the grease that keeps the wheels a-turnin’ during production. This applies whether it’s a website, an app, an intranet setting or a mobile UX design.… Continue readingOctober 28, 2021•16 min read
Best User Experience YouTube Channels (UX Designer Tutorials)
What they say is true; YouTube really does have everything! Aside from the adorable cat videos and unavoidable rabbit holes 😬, you also have tons of deep knowledge at your… Continue readingOctober 7, 2021•9 min read
Website SEO Silo Structure: SEO Siloing & Site Architecture Guide
Website silo structure SEO is a system of organizing a website’s architecture among web pages that group content related to a particular topic within a website’s sitemap. These pages are… Continue readingAugust 12, 2021• 9 min read
Designers and Developers Working Together (7 Collaboration Tips)
Designers. Developers. You can’t have one without the other. What happens during the design and development process, along with anything in between leaves a lot of room for things to… Continue readingAugust 5, 2021•14 min read
What Is Rapid Prototyping In UX & UI Design Software?
Build it and they will come, right? Well what happens if the software, app, website, etc. you’ve spent all that time and money building is a nightmare to navigate? How… Continue readingJuly 23, 2021•12 min read
What are the best prototyping tools? (2024 top 10 compared)
User-friendly and intuitive websites and apps don’t just appear out of thin air. It’s prototyping and the solutions that come from rapid iteration and testing that guide you to a… Continue readingJuly 19, 2021•15 min read
How to find the best content writer for your website [Guide]
If you’re building a new website, don’t save your content for last. Just like the layout or any other feature, the writing that you’ll include is critically important, and should… Continue readingJune 7, 2021•9 min read
New & improved page cells 💁♂️
Last month Slickplan released a major upgrade… including an improved user experience, new interface and functionality updates to our most popular tool, the Sitemap Builder. The response has been awesome… Continue readingMay 21, 2021•2 min read
It’s alive! Slickplan 2.0 is here 🚀
Today we are thrilled to announce the release of Slickplan 2.0! It’s been 10 years since we first created Slickplan and so much has changed since then. What started as… Continue readingApril 27, 2021•3 min read
What to know about Slickplan 2.0 🧭
Slickplan 2.0 is coming very soon. The improvements are going to be substantial and we want to make sure you’re experiencing the smoothest transition possible to the new platform. Resources… Continue readingApril 13, 2021•2 min read
Slickplan 2.0 NEW feature roundup ✨
Slickplan 2.0 is just around the corner! Our new and improved Sitemap Builder, coupled with a brand new, completely redesigned Diagram Maker and Content Planner, is ready to provide you… Continue readingApril 6, 2021•5 min read
Slickplan 2.0 is almost here! ⏰
Next month we’ll be rolling out a brand new Slickplan. This update includes all of the tools and functionality you’ve come to rely on, coupled with new easy to use… Continue readingMarch 24, 2021•4 min read
Using Personas to Create a Great User Experience
Every website, regardless of its artistic merit, should have an intended audience. For example, a blog might be designed around a particular topic, such as how to use a product or some other specific interest. Whereas a business website may be designed to reach certain customers, or an internal application may serve specific teams. Continue readingMarch 1, 2021•7 min read
User Acceptance Testing Methods for Web Development
What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)? User Acceptance Testing (UAT), otherwise known as Application, Beta, or End-User Testing, is a stage in the software development process that is performed by… Continue readingFebruary 10, 2021•7 min read
Shopify vs WordPress Comparison 2024: Which is Best?
If you’re planning to sell online, you’ll need a website. Having your own website doesn’t just give your business full control of its online presence; It also gives your small… Continue readingDecember 10, 2020•16 min read
Wix vs WordPress Comparison 2024: Which is Best?
Have you wanted a website but were overwhelmed by the costs? It’s understandable why the idea might be daunting. Web designers are not cheap, and a quality website can easily… Continue readingJuly 7, 2020•22 min read
User Personas: 4 Examples That Illustrate What Makes Persona Development Effective
If you don’t know who you are designing for, how can you make sure that your UX design is relevant? This is exactly why user persona development to help refine… Continue readingApril 22, 2020•8 min read
User Experience Researcher – A Job Guide
Starting a career in the user experience (UX) research field is a decision that more and more people are making nowadays. Better understanding of what the job means and why it is important has grown substantially in the last few years. So if you’re just starting on your career path or looking for a change, this might be just the right choice for you. A position as a UX researcher comes with many benefits. Continue readingFebruary 26, 2020•6 min read
A Guide to Typography Design for the Web
When you’re planning a website, it’s easy to get lost in the details. Between the architecture and the color palette, there’s a lot to think about – especially if usability and the user’s experience is your primary concern. However, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of typography. When done correctly, it can lead to a more immersive experience and improve readability. Plus, with plenty of options to choose from, finding the perfect typography design is easier than ever before Continue readingJanuary 17, 2020•8 min read
Understanding Kanban & Scrum Tactics for UX Designers
If you’ve been even remotely around or in the website and software development industry in the last 20 years, you’ve heard of Agile. Agile principles focus on self-organized teams delivering… Continue readingJanuary 8, 2020•13 min read
Designing Buttons for the Web – Guide & Examples for 2020
Buttons on the web are an integral part of user experience. Their goal is to inspire conversion and action from the person on the other side of the screen. But when they’re not implemented well - either in design or copy - they may not be getting any attention at all. As a user experience (UX) professional, it’s important to know how to best design buttons for the web in 2020. Continue readingJanuary 6, 2020•10 min read
5 Content Management Trends Emerging in 2020
Content management is on the rise with the demands of content resources constantly evolving across organizations. Read about how you can respond to content management trends in 2018, from watching on the sideline to preparing for adoption into your content culture. Continue readingJanuary 5, 2020•6 min read
8 Emerging User Interface Designs to Watch for in 2020
Every year, new trends develop in user interface design that literally changes the face of the Internet for years to come. Some of these trends are just starting to emerge in 2017, while others grow more popular each year. With a shift towards creating user experiences, rather than just selling, 2016 introduced some great new ideas into UI design. Perhaps the biggest change happened after apps such as Pokémon Go blurred the line between reality and screens. With this now a possibility, how we interact with those screens is even more critical than it once was. Continue readingJanuary 5, 2020•5 min read
Understanding Mobile First Design Strategy in 2020
In 2015, Google announced and rolled out their “mobile-friendly” algorithm update, which meant mobile-friendly and responsive websites would get prioritized in rankings for better user experience (UX). Web administrators around the world prepared for the shift, and it took on a trending name, “Mobilegeddon.” Google even rolled out a mobile-friendly testing tool to help people check the mobile health of their website. Continue readingJanuary 3, 2020•10 min read
6 Mobile Design Trends That Are Taking Over 2020
It’s 2018, and this year it’s all about mobile. This should be no surprise either, as website traffic over mobile phones has increased substantially since 2016. This means every web designer should be paying attention to mobile website design trends because their users are likely using a mobile device. An optimized mobile design is not only good for the user, but it’s also good for the business. Continue readingJanuary 2, 2020•8 min read
The web designer salary (and career) guide
The web design career is growing, but what can web designers expect for salaries in today’s climate? More importantly, how does one become a successful web designer, and what options are out there for career satisfaction? This web design salary guide for 2018 can help answer those questions. Continue readingJanuary 2, 2020•12 min read
Don’t Miss These Top 7 Freelance Websites of 2020
Finding clients, when you’re starting out as a freelancer, is the hardest part of launching your new career. Word-of-mouth and local advertising are always great, but to make the most of your career, you need to use the Internet to your advantage. After establishing your own website and joining all the right social media groups, the next place to turn to is freelance hiring platforms. And you’re in luck! We’ve found some of the best freelance websites for 2019. Continue readingDecember 21, 2019•11 min read
2020 Conferences You Don’t Want to Miss: Design, Content Strategy, & Digital Marketing
If you’re eager for a road trip in 2019 or in the future, why not visit a new place and learn new stuff about design, content strategy, or digital marketing in the process? There are hundreds of conferences sprinkled across the United States and around the world that focus on content and content strategy, design and development, accessibility, search engine optimization, and more. But how do you choose where to put your money and time? Continue readingDecember 17, 2019•8 min read
10 Practical, Yet Fun, 2020 Holiday Gift Ideas for Coders
It’s the Holiday season again, and if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for that coder in your life, you are probably not alone. Finding great gifts for anyone can be a struggle, but when it’s for someone who thinks in binary, it becomes even more complicated. Do not fear, however, because we’ve created a great list of holiday gift ideas for coders. Continue readingDecember 2, 2019•8 min read
Top 20 Help Center Solutions for 2020
Think your website doesn’t need support options? Think again. Every website has a user and every user could potentially need help. Plus, how a website provides that help significantly impacts the user experience. Thankfully, today’s online support options include more than a few help pages. Below are some of the top help center solutions for 2018. Continue readingDecember 1, 2019•9 min read
What Does Digital Customer Experience (CX) Really Mean?
Like it or not, most of us are online customers now. So it's more important than ever for businesses to deliver a stellar digital customer experience (CX). But what exactly does that mean? One key issue is how your customers perceive their interaction with your business. Every single message, link click, phone call and other connection counts. Digital customer experience isn't just about customer service; it's everything. Continue readingOctober 2, 2019•11 min read
How & Where to Hire Freelance Writers
Content marketing is huge. In 2018, 91% of B2B marketers used content marketing, and 82% of B2C marketers found it to be a key strategy for success. And yet, 60% of people find it difficult to create content consistently. Even if today’s theme is, “everybody’s a writer”, that doesn’t make everybody a good writer. It doesn’t mean that everybody’s content is going to produce results for your business, like generating leads or converting prospects. Continue readingSeptember 17, 2019•11 min read
Best Sketch Wireframe Kits to Get Your Project Started
You’ve pushed through discovery: user research, stakeholder input, content audits, and more. Now it’s time to put the information architecture together in a responsive design that meets the needs of a hungry audience. Wireframes are not a new concept in this world. Wireframes set the stage for any final product or invention. Blueprints for homes and buildings serve as wireframes; in prototyping for products, they’re often displayed in three-dimensional formats, like with computer-assisted design (CAD) drawings. Continue readingAugust 28, 2019•7 min read
Getting Started With Building UX & User Flows for E-commerce
If you're going to build a successful e-commerce site, then you need to focus on what users want. If you don't, then even if you get plenty of traffic, you lose money because of uncompleted sales by disgruntled visitors. If you want to avoid that scenario, then it's important to think about user flows to help design a better overall user experience (UX). This topic can often be confusing, so we're going to break it down. Continue readingJuly 31, 2019•10 min read
Creating a Social Media Calendar, the Easy Way
Have you thought about building a social media calendar, but didn’t because you thought it would be too much work? Not only is that a bad idea, but it’s also simply not true. Creating a social media calendar doesn’t have to be hard, especially when you start with a template. Continue readingJuly 3, 2019•8 min read
Website Architecture: Users vs. Googlebot & What the Pros Think
Since the beginning of the internet, website developers and webmasters have tried to please search engine bots with various forms of keyword and linking strategies; from keyword stuffing to an emphasis on backlinks to a website. But website content hasn’t been the only victim of these tactics, as design and development, website architecture and site navigation have been impacted by what’s now considered black hat search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Continue readingJune 19, 2019•12 min read
5 Heatmapping Apps That Improve UX and Increase Conversions
Have you ever walked through a department store and wondered why in the world they organized it the way they did? You become frustrated because what you thought was going to be a 15-minute in-and-out trip turned into a 45-minute scavenger hunt for your grocery list. This is what happens when you don’t take user experience into account, and it happens within physical stores but also on the web, all the time. Continue readingJune 5, 2019•8 min read
10 Tools to Optimize WordPress Images for a Better User Experience
No one likes a slow-loading website. Long load times aren’t just horrible for the user experience; they can also negatively impact a website’s SEO. For many WordPress sites, long load times are due to unoptimized images. These pictures, literally, bog down traffic and potential profits. However, large files aren’t the only reason your UX could tank. You also need to choose the right images for conveying your message. Continue readingMay 8, 2019•8 min read
Mood Boards: Don’t Skip This Step in the Web Design Process
Mood boards are to designers what outlines are to writers. They are a way to collect and organize the thoughts and ideas for a design project; from color palettes to typography. Mood boards help designers and stakeholders visualize where a project is going, before it even starts. You can make your mood board physical or digital, either way, using a mood board is ideal for communicating a project’s visual direction and is more effective than a verbal discussion. Continue readingApril 3, 2019•9 min read
What to Consider When Designing Your Website Footer
There are countless articles out there about what your website footer needs. They'll say you need this, and don't forget that, and they'll tell you how it’s the perfect place to hide all those small lonely pages. Well we asked industry professionals a few questions about the crucial elements of a great footer to help you design this prime real estate on your website. Continue readingMarch 20, 2019•7 min read
15 Tips for Creating Efficient Wireframes
As you approach a design project, you no doubt want to dive in and put your creativity to work. But before you identify a color palette, logo, and imagery, it’s best to start with a wireframe. Wireframes a crucial step in developing UI, or user interface. Wireframes are a simple, often black-and-white display of how page elements will look on a screen. It drives the UI that will lead the design. Continue readingMarch 7, 2019•10 min read
5 Creative Uses for Your Website Favicon
Do we even remember a time before favicons? Those little emoji-sized logos we see in our browser tabs and windows are often overlooked, but essential to a brand’s full experience online. However, favicons are more than just an essential brand element: They’re also vital for users who like to bookmark. These little icons help identify bookmarks quickly and easily. If your brand grows, your favicon can even become more recognizable than your logo. Continue readingFebruary 6, 2019•7 min read
10 Checklist Tips for an Optimal Web Design Proposal Template
Congratulations! Your web design experience has brought clients to your door, asking for your services. And no doubt, they’re requesting specific functionality, design preferences, brand direction, and more in their request for your expertise. Often, these requests come in the form of an RFP, or a request for proposal. RFPs sometimes proceed RFIs, or request for information, which is the process of learning about your design process, communication with clients, troubleshooting, and more. Continue readingJanuary 25, 2019•11 min read
Technical SEO: Low Hanging Fruit Blocking Your Website’s Success
Everyone knows the value of content and words on a page. From page titles and meta descriptions to body copy, the words you use to describe your products, services, and brand are paramount to connect target users from search to your website. Although, while on-page keyword optimization is important, there’s a lot of off-page optimization happening that can greatly impact the success -- or failure -- of your site’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). Continue readingOctober 25, 2018•10 min read
Don’t Let Poor Photos Ruin the User Experience
Your website is almost done. You have your design sketched out. The sitemap has been approved. All that’s left to do is add a few pictures… But wait! Before you grab some random stock photo, put some thought into the images you choose. Photos are more than just design; they are a critical part of branding. If you aren’t careful, your pretty pictures can lead to a poor user experience. Continue readingOctober 17, 2018•8 min read
Creating (and Protecting) Your Brand Story
A brand is a powerful asset for any business, and your website is just one piece of the story. Even with the best design, factors outside of your control, such as user reviews, social media, and even other employees can quickly derail even the best branding strategy. This article will explain how to not only create a website that supports a brand story but also how to ensure that the story remains Continue readingOctober 10, 2018•8 min read
Audience Language Should Guide Your Information Architecture
When you’re tackling a new website built or redesign, and it’s time to think about your site’s navigation and information architecture, keep your audience language, literacy, and understanding in top of mind. Continue readingSeptember 26, 2018•6 min read
How to Interpret Your Website Metrics
There are plenty of metrics to keep an eye on in Google Analytics, but what do they mean and how can you interpret them? Check out these tips to impactful metrics and how they can help you improve your website’s experience for your target users. Continue readingSeptember 19, 2018•9 min read
Navigation is For Your Users, Not Your C-Suite
It’s not about them, it’s about everyone else. You’ll say this a lot when you work with your C-suite on setting navigation priorities. Follow these tips to keep them involved, but informed, about the best direction for your site’s IA and overall user experience. Continue readingSeptember 12, 2018•9 min read
5 Ways Slickplan Can Help You Build a Better Mobile App
Google’s 2018 mobile-first algorithm shook up the game of search results, rewarding mobile-friendly apps, and websites with better ranking. But did you get left behind? If you’re in the process of catching up to this major change, these five tips can help you strategize your app development and implement change using Slickplan’s suite of solutions. Continue readingSeptember 5, 2018•9 min read
Voice Search: It’s Here. Is Your Content Ready?
Voice search is on the upswing around the world, but optimizing for this new shift in artificial intelligence (AI) and users on-the-go with voice-friendly devices shifts the way we marketers need to consider how we write and deliver content. Is your content ready for the voice evolution? Find out how to home in and focus on what matters to Siri, Alexa, and more. Continue readingAugust 29, 2018•7 min read
What Different Generations Need From User-First Design
Website design should always start with an understanding of your target user. But besides your personas and their goals or aspirations, what does their age or generation say about how they use the web? These tips can help you design your user-first web experience for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Continue readingAugust 22, 2018•10 min read
How Empathy Maps Can Revitalize Your UX
Is your website failing to impress your users? If so, it might be time to focus on improving your user experience. Typically, that means user research in the form of usability testing, focus groups, and direct-request feedback. But sometimes, that just isn’t enough. While there are many ways to learn about your user, communicating what you’ve learned to everyone on your team can be more of a challenge. Continue readingAugust 15, 2018•8 min read
How Much Should You Pay for a Web Design?
You or your organization know it’s time to design or redesign your website. But what can you expect for these types of costs in 2018? Whether you choose a DIY platform or a professional designer, the costs and benefits vary for each and a process should be considered to make the right choice. Continue readingAugust 2, 2018•9 min read
Why Your Local Listings Matter to SEO Strategy
You see them on the sidebars of your favorite search engines: Local listings. If you’re not claiming your business’s local listings across the many digital platforms including social media and search engines, you may be missing opportunities to quickly deliver what your potential customers are looking for. Check out these tips for claiming and creating effective local listings to boost your SEO. Continue readingJuly 18, 2018•8 min read
How to Talk to (and Interview) Your Stakeholders
Your stakeholders have opinions and feedback that can drive digital initiatives in your organization. But have you asked them to speak up? Learn how to talk to your stakeholders and make them a valuable component to your next successful digital project. Continue readingJuly 5, 2018•6 min read
Dropdown Menus: Best Use Cases
There are many opinions about dropdown menus -- some developers love them, other developers hate them. But studies have found that in several cases, they can benefit the user experience. Learn best practices to develop the most accessible and user-friendly dropdown navigation experience for your audience. Continue readingJune 28, 2018•7 min read
Microsites: What Are They, and When To Use Them
Microsites are typically small, targeted websites focused on a specific audience or campaign. But sometimes they pop up more than they should across brands and organizations of all industries. See when you should use a microsite, and crucial questions to help you organize the right team and resources. Continue readingJune 19, 2018•7 min read
5 Tips for a Successful Content Migration
Is it time to migrate your content? Don’t fret, the process doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. Besides, you were going to need to do it one day. Updates and migrations are a part of website development, and content migrations are critical to both website redesign and maintenance. Migrations are the final piece of the website perfecting puzzle; however, they need to be done correctly; otherwise, your new site may quickly become a user experience nightmare. Continue readingJune 14, 2018•10 min read
Here’s How to Keep Your FAQ Page from Becoming A Graveyard
Are you thinking of including an FAQ page on your next website project? There’s a good chance you are. The frequently asked questions page is a common feature of many websites - regardless of the industry. They serve as a single place for a website user to find answers to all the common questions they might have about your product, services, organization or other relevant topics. They make it easy for website users; but unfortunately, they are seldom executed correctly. Continue readingJune 12, 2018•8 min read
Why a Call-to-Action Will Always Matter
The internet has been around for a while, and during that time there have been many changes in website design. We’ve gone from dancing gif files to flat design 2.0. We’ve lengthened content, minimized word counts, and added videos. One thing that is certain is that the user experience of the world wide web is continually evolving; another is that the call-to-action is a fundamental element of website design. Continue readingJune 8, 2018•8 min read
Microcopy Can Affect Your UX – Here’s How
You may not have heard of microcopy, but you’ve definitely have seen it. Microcopy are those small pieces of text that instruct, direct or inform users. It’s the copy that helps users know what to do, and ultimately significantly impacts a website’s user experience. Microcopy appears everywhere on a website, you’ll see it as error messages, on pop-ups, as email subject lines, and in those call-to-actions that encourage you to add an item to your shopping cart. Continue readingJune 5, 2018•8 min read
The Flat Design 2.0 Revolution
Flat design hasn’t been around very long, but it is already experiencing a bit of a revolution. The first iteration of flat design, known as Flat Design 1.0, exploded onto the web design scene around 2011, with dramatic design principles that challenged what many considered the standard. Now, less than ten years later, designers are seeing a new type of flat design, a more moderate iteration, known as flat design 2.0. Continue readingMay 30, 2018•8 min read
Preparing for Success with the General Data Protection Regulation
In an era of far-reaching user data breaches from banking to social networks, the European Union (EU) is set to initiate its April 2016-approved legislation known as the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. This is a bold move in the right direction for consumers whose information is spread far and wide on the internet, whether it’s logging into apps on smartphones, or providing personal data to companies for products and services. Continue readingMay 23, 2018•9 min read
Something for Your Inspiration: 10 Iconic Names Every Successful Designer Should Know About
Whatever industry you belong to, there are always people whom you may follow for inspiration. There are always some iconic personalities nearby who can inspire you and whose example you can follow. The web design industry is no exception. We’ve got our own champions and iconic names that every beginner and even experienced web designer needs to follow. Although it’s difficult to highlight a few names out of hundreds of the impressive personalities, we’ll make an attempt to introduce you to the 10 most notable web designers you should know about. Continue readingMay 16, 2018•6 min read
Check Out Some of Our Latest New Features
At Slickplan, we focus on making website creation a breeze, and some of our latest features make that goal even more possible. From Google Analytics integration to multilingual support these new features will take you from concept to website in no time. Gone are the days of multiple tabs – at least when it comes optimizing established website projects. Continue readingMay 3, 2018•5 min read
Chatbots: A New Website User Experience
Your site is a collection of information built upon a defined Information Architecture, making it easy to navigate through. However, if you don’t know what content you have, it’s hard to put together a useful architecture. Whether you’re creating something from scratch or redesigning an existing site, completing a content audit will help you take stock of all of the information you need before you begin assessing IA. Continue readingApril 25, 2018•7 min readHow to Make Sure that Your Website is Up-to-Date: 10 Most Important Factors
Today, when web technologies develop at a high speed, owning an eminent website looks like a hard work. Obviously, it is an understandable thing. First of all, there are so many features that appear every season or even month. Without a doubt, not all of them make sense but you never know for sure before you try them. Secondly, in the world of web design fashion is as unpredictable as it is for fashion-mongers. Thus, new web trends continue appearing, so we can see the long lists of them at the end of every year. The same thing is with colors, buttons, web fonts, photography, etc. The thing is that sometimes a strong desire to be in trend makes a user forget about significant points. Therefore, in this post, we put together 10 important factors that will help your website to be up-to-date. Continue readingApril 17, 2018•12 min read
How to Improve User Experience with a Usability Test
A website is as good as it is useful, so how do you plan one that your intended users will love? Creating a highly useful website is strongly tied to improving user experience, and a good user experience is strongly tied to successful websites. Understanding how to use a usability test to create these successful websites is somewhat akin to having a superpower. Continue readingApril 4, 2018•8 min read
10 Everyday Sources of Web Design Inspiration
Before you become overwhelmed with frustration, take a moment to consider these ten sources of web design inspiration. Continue readingMarch 28, 2018•8 min read
7 Strategies for Freelancers Looking to Sell More Websites
Selling more websites shouldn’t be as hard as it is, but unfortunately, for many freelancers, it’s an unfortunate reality. As with many creatives, the idea of selling might make you uncomfortable – even with the large number of online tools that make the process easier. Continue readingMarch 7, 2018•8 min read
Top 5 Web Analytics Tools Great for UX
Improving the user experience of a web project requires data and lots of it. You need to know what the user wants if you plan to create something that entertains or moves them to action. Great user experience is what separates a high-converting website from a mere website with a lot of visitors. Therefore, improving UX should be at the forefront of every web designer’s brain. Continue readingFebruary 28, 2018•8 min read
Redesign Websites Without the Oversized Coffee Mug
You’ve just been told that your company has decided to redo the website – all of it. For most designers, redesigns are just part of the job, but they aren’t always a welcome part. Unlike new sites, when you redesign existing websites you have the additional steps of auditing the current site, saving what works, identifying what needs to be fixed, and making it all look brand new. Continue readingFebruary 9, 2018•8 min read
How To Plan Large Websites With Less Stress
So, you’ve been asked to build a website, and it’s far from small. At this point, the question isn’t “how will you build it,” it’s “how will you plan it.” Slickplan understands how hard it can be to plan large websites, and thankfully, has many tools to help you do just that. Continue readingFebruary 1, 2018•8 min read
15 of the Best Website Development Blogs to Read
The field of web development is rapidly changing. Thanks to open-source and innovation, as soon as you learn one technology, a new one comes along. Because of this, it can be challenging to stay up to date in the industry. Thankfully, web development blogs make it easy for anyone to stay current with the relevant topics of today. Continue readingJanuary 17, 2018•8 min read
How To Properly Vet A Website Graphic Designer
Nowadays, almost anyone could use a website, which means nearly everyone could use a website graphic designer. However, hiring any type of help is challenging, and design help is even more so. In addition to finding someone that is capable of creating the kind of designs that you are looking for, you also have to find someone that will deliver that quality of work within your time and cost budget. Continue readingJanuary 11, 2018•8 min read
10 Tips for an SEO-Friendly, Easy to Navigate Website
Nowadays, it is easy for many websites to focus solely on search engine optimization, yet ensuring easy navigation on your website is more important than many people realize. To the surprise of some, website navigation and SEO optimization go hand in hand, because easily navigable sites are easier to understand by search engines. Plus, when search engines understand your site's navigation, they are more likely to display it to the qualified end-users searching for your keywords. Continue readingJanuary 9, 2018•8 min read
How to sell website design – 6 tips that don’t require a sales rep
You make websites; and if you also sell web design services, you probably do a good job at it. The problem is, however, being able to make good websites doesn’t always mean you are able to sell your web design services. You’re a designer, not a salesperson after all! Continue readingJanuary 4, 2018•9 min read
Design Better With These UX New Year’s Resolutions
Usability is not a trend, it is a necessity. If you aren’t already ensuring that your digital content is easy to navigate you should start now. It doesn’t have to be hard. There are plenty of UX strategies that make the process of creating user-focused experiences easy. It’s all about knowing what they are and deciding to use them. Continue readingDecember 27, 2017•8 min read
When Should You Use a One Page Website?
What if you could say everything that you needed to say on a single page without the hassle of menus? The one page website makes this a possibility, while also adding native responsiveness, an intense focus on content, and lowered design costs. However, with all great things, there is a cost, and this popular web design trend comes with its drawbacks. Continue readingDecember 20, 2017•8 min read
10 Techniques for Optimizing User Flow on a Website
Is your website underperforming? Before you spend money on more marketing, consider improving the user experience first. User flow optimization is an excellent way to make any site better while maintaining the user as the focus. Before you can discuss how to improve user flow, you must first understand what user flow is. Basically speaking, user flow represents the path taken by a website user to complete a specific task. Continue readingDecember 7, 2017•8 min read
9 User Registration Forms That Fit a Variety of Needs
Think you can’t get creative with a user registration form? Think again. User registration forms come in a variety of flavors, all designed to introduce site visitors to a website, convert them to users, or send them further down a sales funnel. They are literally the front door of many web-based projects and are, therefore, vital to creating an experience the user will love. Continue readingNovember 29, 2017•8 min read
Organize Your Blog Content with Taxonomies
Adding a blog to your website, or maintaining one that is separate from it is much more than merely putting words on a screen. Just like any other website, it… Continue readingNovember 16, 2017•8 min read
How to Lower Your Website Exit Rate
Nowadays, websites much do much more than just look good. They must also perform. One way to measure the performance of a website is with its exit rate. Unfortunately, many people do not know what an exit rate is, or how to lower it. The first thing to understand about the exit rate is that it is not the bounce rate. The bounce rate represents the frequency of times that a user landed on a particular page and left from that same page. Bounce rates potentially denote an unhappy site visitor, someone who landed on a page and had no interest to visit any others. Continue readingNovember 3, 2017•5 min read
14 Information Architecture Books We Love
When it comes to information architecture, there is a vast amount of information on the internet, but it is not always easy to discern which information is worth your time. Unfortunately, there aren’t many online sources that thoroughly teach the ins and outs of web design. Luckily there are some excellent published works that are well worth your time and money. Continue readingAugust 23, 2017•20 min read
3 Best Podcasts for Every Type of Web Designer
Whether it’s a podcast dedicated to website architecture or one focused on branding through web design, you are sure to find something that helps grow your knowledge. It’s also easy to find the perfect one to fit into your life, as podcasts can vary in lengths and frequency. Listen to a 30-minute show on your daily commute, or settle in for a longer episode over an extended lunch. However you choose to listen, you are sure to find something you like. Below are three of the best podcasts for web designers of all types. Continue readingJuly 26, 2017•4 min read
Do you Need to Prep for Information Architecture Design?
So, you are all set. You’ve talked with the client (or yourself), and you have a good sense of what you are going to do. Now is the time to start organizing and diagramming your IA, right? Not so fast – before you begin, there are a few things to keep in mind. When it comes to website design, many people don’t recognize the amount of work that goes into it before you have a finished product. It’s almost like reality television. Sure you are watching it as it unfolds, but did you consider what may have happened before the show aired? Continue readingJuly 17, 2017•3 min read
You Can be Anything but Not Everything
When designing with the user in mind, it can be tempting to try and please everyone at the same time. While it may seem efficient or even practical to meet every possible need, in reality it’s not the best way to approach web design. Instead of going after all potential users, it is much better to have a targeted audience. Let’s discuss why and how. Continue readingJuly 12, 2017•4 min read
Cards: Your Ace In The Hole For A Winning User Experience
When it comes to User Experience, cards are an excellent medium for consolidating and communicating user information. The ability to both customize and re-ordering cards, based on the user's personal preferences and behavior patterns, makes it easy to create a satisfying User Experience (UX) for everyone involved. Many people think of playing cards when you mention the word ‘cards’; but generally speaking, cards have been an information dissemination device for many years. We’ve used business cards and trading cards to quickly share information in an attractive and easy-to-digest way. The cards used in website design are based on the same principle. Continue readingJuly 5, 2017•3 min read
Why Business Goals Are Important to Information Architecture
Why do you need to understand the business for Information Architecture? The first reason is because it helps define the context of a page. Additionally, when you consider business goals, you help support the business, which is designed to support the users. It’s important to remember - there are business goals for every project, and money is often at its root. If you were designing for only want the user wanted and needed, there would be no need for anyone to pay for such products and services. There’d also be a lot fewer websites advertising them. Continue readingJune 28, 2017•4 min read
How To Clean Your Website Of Unnecessary Clutter
You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘less is more’ but have you given any thought to how to apply that truism to your website? Sure, you want to create a well- designed site, but you also need to balance your design with something that will actually serve its purpose. Especially when talking about things such as landing and intro pages there is a thin line between busy and clean. In this blog post, I’ll discuss some ways to not only recognize clutter in your UI, but also stop it in its tracks. Continue readingJune 7, 2017•5 min read
3 Ways to Learn Information Architecture Online
Information architecture wasn’t always a stand-alone function. When the Internet was still young, this responsibility was assigned to the webmaster. Now, as websites become more complex, many web teams need a dedicated individual to manage their site’s structure. The information architect not only thinks about what is on the site but also how the end user will interact with that information. If you are looking to build well-organized, user-friendly websites, understanding information architecture is a definite prerequisite. Thankfully, there are many ways to do so online. Continue readingMay 31, 2017•3 min read
Illustrate Your Ideas with Design Mockups
Whether you have a simple wireframe, an elaborate sketch or a fully polished mockup, it can be easily uploaded into your project. To connect your design to your sitemap, select design mockup from the drop-down page menu. You can upload almost any image file type, including .tiff, .jpeg and .png Continue readingMay 24, 2017•2 min read
It’s Time to Audit Your Information Architecture
Your site is a collection of information built upon a defined Information Architecture, making it easy to navigate through. However, if you don’t know what content you have, it’s hard to put together a useful architecture. Whether you’re creating something from scratch or redesigning an existing site, completing a content audit will help you take stock of all of the information you need before you begin assessing IA. Continue readingMay 18, 2017•4 min read
Want Better Service Quality? Start by Improving the Customer Experience
If a website or mobile app is designed to help users do something -- whether for business, pleasure or information, shouldn’t it, by definition, benefit that user? Most designers are aware of this principle; however they still struggle with utilizing it. Service quality, as a result, has become a relevant measurement of the success of a website or app. Service Quality is heavily based on the customer’s experience. The customer determines whether or not the service they received satisfied their initial expectations. Their experience will be what they base it on. If you want your customers to report better Service Quality, give them the experience they are looking for. Continue readingApril 26, 2017•4 min read
Creating User-Friendly Navigation on a Pageless Website
If you’ve been on any websites the last couple of years, you may have noticed the popularity of pageless websites. It wouldn’t be a surprise, because these endlessly scrolling websites have been called the future of website design. Their pros and cons have been discussed from many points of view, including the technical considerations of page load time, their effect on SEO, and their low-maintenance. User experience, however, is an entirely different consideration. Continue readingApril 14, 2017•5 min read
Starting a UI Project with the UX in Mind
When designing a user interface, it’s easy to get lost in the process and forget about the end user. Even though the user interface is designed to create a connection between man and machine, many of us instead focus on the machine rather than the man. Continue readingMarch 17, 2017•2 min readLaunching a New Website Planning Suite — Slickplan.com Is Taking Web Architecture To A Whole New Level
Slickplan, a seamless sitemap builder since 2009, launches three new website planning tools. This launch takes Slickplan into new territory in terms of everything professionals need to plan a website. From sitemap to finished product, Slickplan offers a powerful new solution for a critical step in producing successful websites — pre-CMS planning. Continue readingFebruary 8, 2016•1 min read
Website Planning Just Got Better – Announcing Slickplan’s Pre-CMS Suite Launch
Hey everyone, wait until you see what we’ve been up to. Slickplan just launched three critical website planning tools to coincide with our popular sitemap web app. If you already thought our site mapping platform was amazing, you will find these new tools even more important in the planning of successful, well thought out websites. Let us introduce you to new... Continue readingFebruary 5, 2016•3 min read
Add Images with Design Mockups
Do you ever wish you could show clients or your team ideas for the pages inside your sitemap? If so, there’s an exciting new update to Slickplan. Whether it’s a… Continue readingFebruary 6, 2015•1 min readDetermining Blog and Content Categories
If you are taking time to create blogs, articles, posts, and various website content that will drive traffic to your website, understanding content as it relates to your audience might… Continue readingDecember 11, 2014•2 min read
Using Multiple Home Pages
Multiple home pages could be the solution to your multi-site enterprise storefronts or the downfall of your small business. While there are certainly a number of substantial reasons for designing… Continue readingDecember 11, 2014•3 min readOrganizing Web Pages
As “unparalleled user experiences” moves to the top of the list in perfect website design, the structure and organization of your web pages is the most important aspect of your… Continue readingDecember 11, 2014•3 min read
Perfecting User Flow in Sitemap Planning
Effective website and app design begins with expert architecture planning and a well-thought out sitemap that is crafted to engage audiences and enhance user experiences. Perfecting user flow is the… Continue readingDecember 11, 2014•3 min read
New Features: Real-Time Chat, Lock/Unlock & Approval, Batch Editing, and more…
The new features are pouring in, making Slickplan better than ever. Whether to perform a real-time chat or manage sitemap approvals, this tool just keeps on giving. Let’s take a… Continue readingDecember 3, 2014•3 min read
New Features: Export goodies and more
We’re movin’ right along here at slickplan. This month has been filled with small fixes and new features. The latest updates are: Visual Editor for Cells Notes: Cell notes just… Continue readingSeptember 25, 2014•1 min read
New Features: Batch editing and Groups
We are on a roll! Since our last update we have been tirelessly working on getting the much requested “multiple selection” feature for our content planning and site mapping tools.… Continue readingAugust 20, 2014•2 min read
New Feature Roundup
Okay, we admit It’s been a while since our last post. We’ve been quietly working on some big updates for our site mapping software that you and our other users… Continue readingJuly 16, 2014•2 min read
The science of site mapping: Using Slickplan’s site crawler
One of Slickplan’s new features that we’re most excited about is the site crawler. Armed with nothing but a Google XML file or a webpage URL, the crawler reads the… Continue readingJanuary 7, 2014•2 min read
4 ways Slickplan makes teamwork a breeze
It’s hard to appreciate the beauty of a great collaboration tool unless you’ve done a major project without one. If you’ve ever dealt with a file with a name like… Continue readingJanuary 7, 2014•2 min read
Welcome To the New Slickplan
You may have noticed that things have been pretty quiet from the Slickplan team. No, we haven’t just been catching up on Breaking Bad—we’ve been hard at work. While you’ve… Continue readingNovember 27, 2013•2 min read
Up Your Conversion Rates with a Better Sitemap
We’ve all seen it before. The website that just doesn’t seem to know what it’s about. The important items seem difficult to find and the less important things are splattered… Continue readingAugust 27, 2013•2 min read
New Features: Page Types and Sections
Slickplan is excited to bring you a new feature set for sitemap design. We have listened carefully to you, our valued customers, and implemented the items you want and need… Continue readingNovember 21, 2012•1 min read
SlickPlan – Custom Charts and Maps
Web designers and project managers have a need for tools that improve efficiency. Tools that increase efficiency allow web design firms the opportunities to grow their businesses by making it… Continue readingAugust 13, 2012•3 min read
Slickplan To Save time And Money
Most folks do not realize how hard Webmasters have to work these days to build a website. It is not uncommon for them to stay up most of the night… Continue readingJuly 11, 2012•3 min readNew Feature: Invoice History
After we released of the new Slickplan it became pretty apparent that you wanted to be able to have one nice tidy spot to view all of your transactions and… Continue readingJune 21, 2012•1 min readNew Feature: Multiple Admins
Slick Plan Just Got A Little Sicker With this new version of Slickplan it was extremely important to include collaborative options with our sitemap tools. Since the process of creating… Continue readingJune 14, 2012•2 min read
Slickplan + New Basecamp
Basecamp is an integral tool to many web design agencies, including our own. We’ve known for some time that using Slickplan in conjunction with Basecamp makes the design process simpler… Continue readingApril 18, 2012•1 min read
And the Winner is… US!
Atomic Interactive, the digital marketing agency headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, created the design, development and marketing strategy for Slickplan.com. Slickplan was created to fill a hole in the web design… Continue readingApril 16, 2012•2 min read
Slickplan Superlatives
We have an announcement for our users who’ve given us feedback in the last two years: we listened. And we’ve been working hard to implement your ideas into our sitemap… Continue readingMarch 27, 2012•1 min read
We Have Liftoff
People have a way of letting you know if you’ve got something good going. With Slickplan’s registered user population booming and rave reviews pouring in, we knew it was time… Continue readingMarch 27, 2012•1 min readSlickplan & Perfect PDFs
Export PDFs…Of ANY Size One of the suggestions (OK, complaints) we heard time and time again about Slickplan was to improve the PDF export function. It was a valid gripe,… Continue readingNovember 15, 2011•1 min readSlickplan’s Untapped Potential
While we loved the original Slickplan, we suspected early on that Slickplan was brimming with untapped potential. The comments and suggestions we received from you confirmed this suspicion. Our ideas… Continue readingNovember 12, 2011•2 min readSlickplan Pro… You Asked For It
We decided to create Slickplan because every website we made needed a sitemap and every piece of software we used to create sitemaps was, well, lousy. Since launching Slickplan almost… Continue readingOctober 21, 2011•1 min read