News from vh-crossmedia
Completed projects and news from my work
Data protection and SSL obligation
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on 25 May 2018 to ensure uniform data protection throughout the EU. The GDPR affects all websites that request personal data, i.e. email addresses (e.g. via newsletters or downloads), login data entered by users in the browser, contact or order forms and all online shops.
Is SSL encryption of my website important or even mandatory?
The use of an SSL certificate for websites has been recommended for some time and is also categorised positively by Google for search engine rankings. Google penalises websites that do not have an SSL certificate
If your website does not have a valid SSL certificate, visitors will receive a warning - in the worst case even an error message. Many visitors will then close the page.
When using a website, personal data of the visitor can be collected via various input fields and processed for the respective request. Unsecured input can be tapped and even changed by third parties without being noticed. Without SSL encryption, you enable an attack on sensitive data!
In addition to these aspects, it should also be mentioned that an SSL certificate is mandatory under the GDPR if you offer a contact form on your website, for example. An infringement can be penalised with a fine of up to €50,000.
What is "SSL" anyway?
SSL certificates are an all-encompassing measure to protect personal data and create trust. A small lock symbol in the browser bar indicates when we are using SSL encryption. But what is SSL?
SSL stands for "Secure Sockets Layer". It is a network protocol for the secure transmission of data. Websites can be equipped with the SSL certificate. Put simply, all data traffic from a website to the visitor and vice versa is encrypted so that the transmitted data cannot be viewed or intercepted by anyone else. This is often important for companies in order to be seen as trustworthy by their customers. The encrypted access to a website always takes place via https before the entered URL.
If you need support for the encryption of your website, please feel free to contact me!
Dancing to cool beats ...
Ideenschmiede Puderbacher Land is a volunteer project organised by the Puderbach Association of Municipalities. With the idea of a free "hip-hop workshop" with two-time German champions Gabriel Hermes and Miah Bein from Tanzfabrik Mittelrhein, more than 60 children (tested) were able to escape from everyday life and simply dance under almost normal conditions in four workshops over two days.
A great project that I was able to accompany with the appropriate advertising measures.
vh-crossmedia zieht um
Liebe Kunden und Geschäftspartner,
in Kürze sage ich der Voreifel Adieu und ich setze meinen Weg künftig im schönen Ahrtal fort. So bin ich ab dem 20.12. unter der folgenden Adresse erreichbar:
Kirchstrasse 5
53518 Adenau
Bis die Telefonverbindungen sich alle daran gewöhnt haben und die neue Festnetznummer eintrudelt, bin ich am besten mobil erreichbar:
0 151 - 25 28 38 81
Und um alles adrett und komplett zu machen, gönne ich mir eine kurze Auszeit:
Umzugsferien von Mo., 20.12 bis Fr., 24.12.2021
Ich wünsche allen eine erholsame Adventszeit und ein frohes Weihnachtsfest!
Fresh on the net: Centre - Assisted living
Mittelpunkt offers assisted living in the districts of Düren, Aachen, Erfkreis, Euskirchen and Heinsberg for people who, in addition to the experience and skills they have acquired over the course of their lives, have special needs due to a mental illness and/or physical illness and/or mental disability.
I am delighted to be able to support this helpful company with a website relaunch.
Fresh on the net: Way out - Assisted living
Assisted living Ausweg offers outpatient assisted living as part of integration assistance and educational support for young adults. The aim of the support is to break loneliness and the vicious circle, improve the living situation of affected people and make it easier for them to participate in life in the community.
I am pleased to be able to help with this sensible offer by relaunching the website.
More than a club ... JSG Puderbach
Demographic change is also causing problems for amateur clubs in rural areas. Many teams have difficulties filling their starting eleven, especially in the upper age groups. This is where the formation of a youth football association (JSG) can help.
The Puderbach youth football association is made up of four regional clubs. And in order to promote the youth leagues, a little PR was needed, with a new layout for articles in the club magazine and suitable social media posts. I wish the teams the best of luck!
Beer mat fundraiser with raffle
For some time now FREYwillig & with heart under the motto "Regional. Social. From the heart." in the name of a good cause. The enterprising Westerwald natives Christian Frey and Ingo Bein are present on all channels and skilfully use print, web and social media for their projects.
The current idea of a "beer mat donation campaign" encourages local restaurants to turn beer mats into a donation in favour of social projects with the help of sponsors. The additional "joker lids" will also enable participation in a raffle with prizes totalling 5,000 euros!
As with every "FREYwillig & mit Herz" project, I am happy to be able to contribute to its success with my graphic design services when the motto is "Your donation for our region".
Calendar variety 2021
In your customers' focus 365 days a year: Make an impact all year round with personalised advertising calendars! These classic promotional items are still popular and successful advertising media.
Tipps & Tricks Nr. 8
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
Grafikdesign-Grundlagen: Raum
Hier ist 9 x Fachwissen zum Thema „Raum“ im Grafikdesign:
- Negativer Raum oder White Space: Die Verwendung von leerem Raum oder White Space um visuelle Elemente herum, um den Fokus auf bestimmte Bereiche zu lenken oder eine gewünschte Wirkung zu erzielen.
- Proportionen und Größenverhältnisse: Die Verwendung von Proportionen und Größenverhältnissen, um ein ausgewogenes und harmonisches Gesamtbild zu schaffen.
- Farbkontraste: Die Verwendung von Farben, um visuelle Elemente voneinander abzugrenzen oder um bestimmte Bereiche hervorzuheben.
- Abstände: Die Platzierung von visuellen Elementen in einem bestimmten Abstand zueinander, um ein ausgewogenes Gesamtbild zu schaffen und die Wahrnehmung von Inhalten zu erleichtern.
- Hierarchie: Die Verwendung von Raum, um eine Hierarchie von visuellen Elementen zu schaffen und dem Betrachter zu helfen, die wichtigsten Informationen auf einer Seite schnell zu erfassen.
- Text- und Bildverteilung: Die Verteilung von Text- und Bildelementen im Raum, um eine ausgewogene und lesbarere Komposition zu schaffen.
- Symmetrie und Asymmetrie: Die Verwendung von symmetrischen oder asymmetrischen Anordnungen von visuellen Elementen, um ein ausgewogenes und harmonisches Gesamtbild zu schaffen.
- Tiefenwirkung: Die Verwendung von Raum, um eine Tiefenwirkung in einem Design zu erzielen und die visuelle Hierarchie zu verstärken.
- Struktur: Die Verwendung von Raum, um eine klare Struktur und Organisation von visuellen Elementen zu schaffen.
Neue Drohnenaufnahmen: Baumfällungen
Die Firma Cousin führt kontrollierte Baumfällungen mittels Hubsteigern, der baumschonenden und modernen Seilklettertechnik oder auch seilunterstützt durch. Bei einer dieser fachgerechte Gefahrbaumfällungen durften wir die Profis mit der Drohnenkamera begleiten.
Outdoor-Werbung in großen Formaten
Planen und Banner sind ideale Werbeträger als Transporteur für gezielte Botschaften – aufmerksamkeitsstark und strapazierfähig. Ganz egal, ob Absperrgitter, Baugerüst oder Bauzaun: an stark frequentierten Orten garantiert Ihre Werbung angesichts des Großformates die gewünschte Aufmerksamkeit.
Design a good logo
With the many logos I've designed so far, one of the biggest challenges remains making it look (good). And although these word/figurative marks are always a combination of type and graphics, each logo should still be clearly distinguishable from others, remain flexible in its application and, in the best case, convey what it is about through its form. In co-operation with my clients, I always come up with interesting results that are functional and still put the name and idea of the company in the spotlight.
Tipps & Tricks Nr. 7
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
So werden Ihre Website-Grafiken zum Eyecatcher
Hier sind 9 Tipps für gelungene Grafiken auf einer Internetseite:
- Passende Größe: Die Grafiken sollten in der Größe an die Webseite angepasst sein, um sicherzustellen, dass sie nicht verzerrt oder gestreckt wirken.
- Hohe Qualität: Eine hohe Auflösung und Qualität der Grafiken ist wichtig, um sicherzustellen, dass sie auf verschiedenen Bildschirmgrößen und -auflösungen klar und deutlich dargestellt werden.
- Konsistenz: Alle Grafiken auf der Webseite sollten in einem einheitlichen Stil gehalten werden, um eine konsistente visuelle Erfahrung zu schaffen.
- Farbschema: Die Grafiken sollten in einem Farbschema gehalten werden, das mit der Farbpalette der Webseite übereinstimmt.
- Einfachheit: Vermeide überladene oder zu komplexe Grafiken, um eine klare und verständliche Botschaft zu vermitteln.
- Kontrast: Verwende Kontraste, um wichtige Elemente hervorzuheben und sicherzustellen, dass sie auffallen.
- Ausgewogenheit: Die Grafiken sollten eine ausgewogene Mischung aus Text und Bildern auf der Webseite schaffen.
- Benutzerfreundlichkeit: Verwende Grafiken, die die Navigation und Benutzerfreundlichkeit der Webseite verbessern, anstatt sie zu behindern.
- Barrierefreiheit: Berücksichtige bei der Verwendung von Grafiken auch Menschen mit Sehbehinderungen, indem du Alternativtexte (alt-Tags) und Beschreibungen verwendest, um die Inhalte der Grafiken zu beschreiben.
Making it big with impressive formats
Fachmännisch gestaltete Plakatwerbung bietet Ihnen die Chance, Zielgruppen zu erreichen, die sich in ihrem individuellen Medienkonsum nur schwer ansprechen lassen. So wirbt ein gelungenes Plakat leise und geduldig um die Gunst der Passanten und wird mit jeder Begegnung vertrauter. Ich bringe für Sie die wichtigsten Elemente auf den richtigen Punkt, damit auf den ersten Blick alles Wesentliche erfasst und die Aufmerksamkeit gezielt und schnell auf Ihr Produkt, Ihre Veranstaltung oder Ihr Motiv gelenkt wird.
Fit4Kids
What does a healthy breakfast look like? How do I behave in an emergency? How do I become more self-confident? The FREYwillig & mit Herz initiative, the Protestant Hospital Dierdorf/Selters and the medical care centres of the KHDS jointly provided answers to these questions and many other interesting facts about health and strong, courageous children at a health day for schools under the motto "Fit4Kids" summarised.
I am pleased to be able to help this project with various advertising measures.
Focus on humanity and sustainability
The AWO Siegen consistently pursues the idea of inclusion and solidarity with its facilities. Hotel Fünf10, Restaurant Fünf10 and the Academy Nine10 around. In this way, the vision of equal participation and sustainable integration of people with disabilities into the world of work is pursued. The employees with and without disabilities are a well-rehearsed team and work hand in hand - in such a way that everyone can contribute their individual potential. In addition, the projects have a natural, resource- and climate-friendly concept.
I am very pleased to be able to support these organisations with various advertising measures.
Fresh on the net: Frey Group of Companies
The Frey Group brings together what belongs together: service, product quality and social commitment. With its two established commercial enterprises and a charitable organisation, the members of the group feel connected to the region and live customer proximity out of conviction.
Cornelia Bauer: Focus on selling
Sales is more than just selling products or services, the customer needs a holistic strategy. Cornelia Bauer works face to face or in small groups with comparable target groups in her sales training and analyses where the relevant customers can be found, how to look after them perfectly, retain them and turn them into enthusiastic regular customers, because professional training is necessary and essential for success in sales. I am happy to support you with the appropriate advertising materials.
Tipps & Tricks Nr.6
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
Grafikdesign-Grundlagen: Balance
Hier ist 9 x Fachwissen zum Thema „Balance“ im Grafikdesign:
- Symmetrie und Asymmetrie: Die Verwendung von symmetrischen oder asymmetrischen Anordnungen von visuellen Elementen, um ein ausgewogenes und harmonisches Gesamtbild zu schaffen.
- Proportionen und Größenverhältnisse: Die Verwendung von Proportionen und Größenverhältnissen, um ein ausgewogenes und harmonisches Gesamtbild zu schaffen.
- Farbkontraste: Die Verwendung von Farben, um visuelle Elemente voneinander abzugrenzen oder um bestimmte Bereiche hervorzuheben.
- Negativer Raum oder White Space: Die Verwendung von leerem Raum oder White Space um visuelle Elemente herum, um den Fokus auf bestimmte Bereiche zu lenken oder eine gewünschte Wirkung zu erzielen.
- Hierarchie: Die Verwendung von Raum, um eine Hierarchie von visuellen Elementen zu schaffen und dem Betrachter zu helfen, die wichtigsten Informationen auf einer Seite schnell zu erfassen.
- Abstände: Die Platzierung von visuellen Elementen in einem bestimmten Abstand zueinander, um ein ausgewogenes Gesamtbild zu schaffen und die Wahrnehmung von Inhalten zu erleichtern.
- Text- und Bildverteilung: Die Verteilung von Text- und Bildelementen im Raum, um eine ausgewogene und lesbarere Komposition zu schaffen.
- Kontrast: Die Verwendung von Kontrasten in Größe, Form oder Farbe, um ein ausgewogenes Gesamtbild zu schaffen und visuelle Elemente hervorzuheben.
- Struktur: Die Verwendung von Raum, um eine klare Struktur und Organisation von visuellen Elementen zu schaffen und ein ausgewogenes Gesamtbild zu erreichen.
Fresh on the net: Blitz Blank Peterhoff GmbH
As a further member of the Peterhoff Group, the subsidiary Blitz Blank Peterhoff GmbH was also given a new look on the Internet. Founded in 1912 as a pure building cleaning company, Blitz Blank is now a professional in infrastructural building management in Berlin and the surrounding area:
Professional colour advice: your logo, your message, your target group - the right choice of colour
Wouldn't it be interesting to sort well-known German company logos by colour to see which colours dominate and which are the least common?
In order to analyse the approximate distribution of the colours of around 100 logos of German companies, I did not carry out an extensive study, but collected the logos of the largest listed companies in Germany (2023)* and sorted them by colour. In Germany, too, the dominance of colours naturally depends on various factors, including industry preferences, design trends and cultural influences. However, clear trends can be observed:
- Blue is often a dominant colour in many company logos. This is because blue symbolises trust, seriousness and reliability. Many banks, technology companies and healthcare organisations use blue in their logos to emphasise these qualities.
- Red is another common colour and stands for passion, energy and attention. It is often used in the logos of companies in the food and beverage and retail sectors to attract the attention of customers.
- Although Orange and yellow are vibrant colours, they are not used as often as other colours. However, they can be found in the logos of companies in the leisure, entertainment and children's products sectors.
- Green is often associated with environmental friendliness, health and sustainability, which is why it is more frequently represented in the logos of companies in these industries, but rather rare overall.
- Pink & Purple are rather rare colours in company logos. They are often associated with creativity, innovation and spirituality and are often found in the logos of companies from these sectors.
- Black and white have not been included in this thought experiment. These neutral colours are often used to convey elegance, minimalism and timelessness. Luxury brands and designers often favour black and white in their logos.
As a graphic designer, it is important to me to offer new customers professional advice on choosing the right colour for their logo.
Here is some advice I would like to give to new customers:
- The Target group understand: I ask my clients about their target group and their customers. What message or emotions do they want to convey? The colour should match the target group.
- The Competition consider: Let's look at the logos of my clients' competitors: What colours are commonly used in the industry? A different colour choice can help to stand out from the competition, but it is also important to fit in with the general image of the industry.
- About the Message think: What message or values do my customers want to convey with the logo? Each colour has a unique emotional impact. For example, blue symbolises trust, red passion and energy, green sustainability and health. I make sure that the chosen colour matches the desired message.
- Various Options test: I encourage my clients to try out different colour options. I create designs with different colour schemes so that my clients get a better idea of how the logo might look in different colours.
- To the Practicality think: I make sure that the chosen colour works well in different applications and on different media. The logo should be effective in colour print, black and white and digital applications.
- The Consistency true: If my clients already have a colour palette for their business, the logo should fit into that palette to ensure a consistent brand identity.
I let my customers have a say: The most important thing for me is to involve customers in the process and take their opinions and preferences into account. Ultimately, the logo is an important part of the brand and they should be able to identify with it. Collaboration and communication are key to finding the right colour for my clients' logo. My expertise and creativity as a graphic designer can help make a colour choice that effectively represents your client's brand. By providing my clients with professional advice and support in choosing the right colour for their logo, I can help create an effective and appealing logo.
*Source: Finanzen100 - The top 100 largest listed companies in Germany in 2023
You can find further interesting aspects in my Contribution to colour psychology.
Visitenkarten & Briefpapier: Wie Geschäftsausstattung Ihre Identität stärkt
Well-designed business stationery, such as letterhead and business cards, is of central importance for companies. It not only conveys a professional impression and strengthens the trust of customers, but is also an essential part of the brand identity.
A company needs well-designed stationery such as letterhead and business cards for a variety of reasons. These elements are far more than just practical tools; they are an important part of corporate identity and business success.
Well-designed business stationery creates a professional impression. When customers, business partners or potential customers see stationery or business cards that are carefully designed, it gives the impression that the company or person is serious and professional. This can build trust and leave positive first impressions. The stationery serves as an important part of the brand identity. It should reflect the company's logo, colour scheme and fonts. A consistent brand identity is crucial to promote brand recognition and strengthen the brand image.
Well-designed business equipment can serve as a marketing tool in this way: Creative designs and high-quality materials can leave positive impressions and attract potential customers. They are a simple but effective way to present the company and stand out from the competition. Professionally designed business stationery signals that you pay attention to detail and quality. This can help to strengthen business relationships and improve the company's reputation.
Stationery and business cards are also effective communication tools. They contain contact information that makes it easier for customers and business partners to get in touch with the company. A clear and understandable design is of great importance here. These elements also fulfil practical functions. Stationery is needed to conduct written correspondence and business cards offer quick contact options in business situations. They are indispensable for exchanging information efficiently.
This equipment serves as an effective means of communication and can even be used as a marketing tool to attract customers. Emphasising quality and detail signals professionalism and strengthens business relationships. In addition, there are legal requirements regarding business stationery, and it also fulfils practical functions in day-to-day business. Overall, well-designed business stationery is an indispensable contribution to a positive corporate identity and success in business.
Beastly good maps: designing a site plan for the wildlife park
I had the opportunity to create a site plan for the Wildlife park in Kommern to create. This required careful planning and creativity to create an informative and engaging map. Together with my clients, I gathered the information about animal enclosures, attractions and trails and emphasised the geographical arrangement of the elements. The use of colours and symbols helped to identify different areas and emphasise the proximity to nature. Important information such as animal species and safety instructions were integrated. After consultation with the park team, the map was used in various printed promotional materials and published digitally on the website. This work was a fulfilling opportunity to use my design skills to enhance the visitor experience and emphasise the wildlife.
Attractive site plan illustrations are crucial - and not just for a wildlife park - for several reasons. Firstly, they provide clear orientation for visitors by showing the geographical distribution of animal enclosures, attractions, facilities and pathways, making it easier for visitors to find their way around the park. Secondly, they serve as an important source of information by providing details of animal species and attractions in different areas of the park, allowing visitors to search specifically for their interests. Thirdly, appealing site plan illustrations enhance the overall experience of the zoo by presenting the wildlife and park facilities in a visually appealing way, emphasising the park's atmosphere and proximity to nature and animals. Fourthly, they are used for marketing and promotional purposes to attract potential visitors, whether in brochures, on websites or on social media.
To summarise, such site map illustrations are an essential part of the zoo experience, helping visitors to find their way around, find information, enhance their experience and improve safety, while also promoting the park's marketing.
Frisch im Netz: Schafzuchtverband
Es war mir eine Freude, die Website für den Zuchtverband für Ostpreußische Skudden und Rauhwollige Pommersche Landschafe e.V. einer umfassenden Neugestaltung zu unterziehen. Mit einem zeitgemäßen technischen Ansatz und einem modernen, frischen Layout konnte ich dazu beitragen, die Seiten auf den neuesten Stand zu bringen.
Der Schafzuchtverband ist ein eingetragener, gemeinnütziger Verein, dessen Zweck die Erhaltung und Förderung insbesondere der Herdbuchzucht dieser beiden alten Haustierrassen in ihrem ursprünglichen Typus ist. Die Organisation und alle anfallenden Arbeiten und Aufgaben werden auf ehrenamtlicher Basis gewährleistet.
Ich hoffe, dass die aktualisierte Website dazu beiträgt, die Online-Präsenz des Verbands zu stärken und einen positiven Beitrag zur Darstellung des Zuchtverbands für Ostpreußische Skudden und Rauhwollige Pommersche Landschafe e.V. im digitalen Raum leistet.
Tips & Tricks No. 16
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
9 facts about the importance of typography
The careful selection and use of fonts is an essential aspect of graphic and web design. By focusing on legibility, visual hierarchy and consistent branding, you can optimise text in designs and create an appealing overall look.
- Fonts play a crucial role in the visual communication of texts and contribute to the mood and readability of a design. For example, a sans serif font such as Arial can convey a modern and clear impression.
- Legibility is a key aspect of typography. A font that is easy to read enables users to grasp the text quickly and effortlessly. Serif fonts such as Times New Roman are often intended for longer sections of text, as the serifs support the flow of the text.
- Text formatting such as line spacing, character spacing and paragraph spacing influence the readability and visual flow of the text. Sufficient line spacing can make the text airier and easier to read.
- The right combination of fonts makes it possible to create visual hierarchies and differentiate between different elements in the design. You can use a sans serif font for headlines and a serif font for body text to create a clear distinction.
- When selecting fonts, it is important to consider the character of the design and the target group. Of course, a playful and handwritten font will be suitable for a children's book, while a serious and professional font will be more suitable for a corporate website.
- The scalability of fonts is crucial for legibility and adaptation to different screen sizes. In web design in particular, care should be taken to ensure that the fonts are easy to read on mobile devices.
- When using fonts in web design projects, it is important to use web fonts to ensure that the selected fonts are displayed correctly on different devices.
- White space or blank space around the text is an important design aspect of typography. It creates visual breathing spaces and increases readability. For example, sufficient space between paragraphs can make the text more accessible.
- It is advisable not to use too many different fonts in one design to create a harmonious and cohesive overall look. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 2-3 fonts and make sure they go well together.
Frisch im Netz: Dardenne Reisen
Für meinen langjährigen Kunden, Dardenne Reisen, durfte ich eine umfassende Webseite-Neugestaltung durchführen, um den Online-Auftritt auf den neuesten Stand der Technik zu bringen. Bei der Entwicklung des neuen Designkonzepts habe ich das Corporate Design des Unternehmens bewahrt und zahlreiche Bilder, Grafiken und Texte aus den vorherigen Seiten integriert. Das Ergebnis ist eine Webseite, die nicht nur einen vertrauten Überblick über die Inhalte bietet und den Besuchern ein frisches Erscheinungsbild vermittelt, sondern auch die Benutzerfreundlichkeit steigert und dank moderner Technologien besonders mobilfreundlich gestaltet ist.
Seit über sechs Jahrzehnten ist die Dardenne Reisen GmbH ein erfolgreiches Familienunternehmen mit Sitz in Schleiden in der Eifel. Als „Busunternehmen mit Zufriedenheitsgarantie“ verfügt das Unternehmen über umfangreiche Erfahrung im Linien- und Reiseverkehr und arbeitet mit verschiedenen Anbietern zusammen. Besondere Sorgfalt galt der Gewährleistung einer reibungslosen Navigation und schnellen Informationszugriffs für alle Nutzergruppen auf der Webseite.
Competitive advantage through originality: the importance of unusual advertising materials
Unusual advertising materials can be advantageous for companies in many ways. They offer an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of potential customers.
Eye-catching promotional gifts are an effective marketing tool that aims to attract the attention of potential customers and leave a lasting impression. They go beyond traditional promotional items and rely on creativity, originality and uniqueness to effectively convey a brand or company's message. Here are a few reasons why companies might consider using unusual promotional products:
- High recognition value: If the advertising material is unique and unconventional, companies are better remembered by the target group. This can lead to increased recognition and therefore more customer loyalty.
- Attract attention: Unusual promotional items such as a printed beer mat or personalised drinking bottles have a higher chance of attracting attention. When a company uses a creative and unusual promotional gift or medium, it generates interest and can lead to people talking about it or sharing it on social media.
- Differentiation from the competition: In highly competitive industries, an original promotional item such as a deckchair can help you stand out from the competition. Customers may be more willing to engage with a company that is characterised by creativity and originality.
- Emotional attachment: Unusual advertising materials can create an emotional connection to the company. By surprising or delighting customers, they create a positive association and strengthen the brand image.
- Virality and word of mouth: Unique promotional items such as a personalised cutting disc have the potential to go viral. If customers are enthusiastic about an unusual promotional gift, they often share it with friends and acquaintances, which leads to additional reach.
- Addressing new target groups: Even in small formats such as round magnets or stickers, creative advertising media can appeal to target groups that are not normally the direct focus of the company. This can extend the reach and market penetration.
- Emphasising the corporate culture: A company can express its own culture and personality through unusual advertising materials. This can appeal to customers who share similar values.
The choice of promotional product should always be made in accordance with the target group and the brand identity. The cost of such promotional items should also be taken into account, as they may be higher than conventional promotional items. Nevertheless, well-thought-out, unusual promotional items can be a worthwhile investment to increase the awareness and success of a company.
Professional website or homepage construction kit?
Although it may seem that website builders offer an easy and inexpensive way to create a website, they are not always the best choice when it comes to sophisticated projects and an effective online presence.
Completed websites that have been created with the help of modular systems are often frustratingly similar to numerous other sites on the Internet that also use the same system. Why is this the case? Although the providers of these systems promise individual customisation of the web design, in practice users can usually only change colours, text and images without additional knowledge. They are often denied in-depth customisation - the options are very limited as the framework is strictly predefined and cannot be changed. And nowadays, a homepage needs more than just a few lines of text and images.
A modular site is just a modular site, and that's obvious - even to your customers.
There are ready-made templates, and the big advantage is that you have a page in no time at all that you don't have to fiddle with (and shouldn't, because then it gets very complicated very quickly). As a result, however, the websites of hairdressers, dentists and hundreds of other providers are astonishingly similar. There is a lack of individuality and creativity.
Professional web design by vh-crossmedia - for a unique brand identity and differentiation from competitors
A customised website can be tailored exactly to your requirements. With my support, you have the freedom to incorporate functions and features that are relevant to your business or brand. What's more, as a professional web designer, I can give your website a unique design and brand identity that exactly matches your goals and target audience. This allows you to stand out from the crowd and differentiate yourself from competitors.
Another advantage of your collaboration with vh-crossmedia is the responsive designwhich ensures that the website is displayed optimally on various devices, including smartphones, tablets and desktops. The User experience (User Experience, UX) is the focus, as a well-designed website is crucial for keeping visitors on the site and convincing potential customers. My services ensure that your website loads quicklyis optimised for different devices and complies with current web standards. A technically flawless website is of great importance for a positive user experience and a better ranking in Search engines. As a web designer, I can also optimise your website for search engines to increase your visibility in search results and attract more visitors.
More complex requirements that go beyond the possibilities of website construction kits can be implemented by me as a web designer with expertise in customised programming or integrations. The advantage of this is that no specialist knowledge is required, which saves a lot of time and money. Saves timeand the result looks as planned, namely professionally designed. Another argument in favour: the online world is constantly evolving and I always know the latest and most relevant Trends. I also offer long-term support, as I not only help with the creation of the website, but also with its ongoing maintenance. Maintenance, updating and problem solving.
ConclusionA professionally designed website exudes trust and credibility and makes your company appear reputable and quality-conscious. While website builders offer a simple and cost-effective way to create a website, they reach their limits when it comes to more sophisticated projects and an effective online presence. As a web design professional, I can realise your vision and help you achieve your online goals.
Boost for your online visibility: advantages through Google reviews
Increase the trust of your visitors and boost conversions by presenting real customer opinions on your homepage.
Google reviews are a crucial marketing tool for companies: With over 8.5 billion daily search queries on Google, these reviews are a significant influencing factor. Many users already rate products and services themselves via Google services. Every high-quality and positive review puts your company in the spotlight and increases the credibility of your brand compared to the competition. So don't hesitate any longer - utilise the power of Google reviews to boost your success in the online market! Let me show you how it works ...
Customer reviews are invaluable and a powerful marketing tool. For this reason, many companies decide to integrate Google reviews on their website. By integrating Google reviews, you receive all new reviews in real time. This results in numerous advantages:
- Credibility: Google reviews are written by real customers and are therefore often more credible than testimonials or reviews published directly on the company's website.
- Transparency: By displaying Google reviews on your website, you show transparency and openness. Potential customers appreciate this and may feel more comfortable using your products or services.
- Social proof: Positive Google reviews serve as social proof of the quality of your company. Potential customers are more likely to use your products or services if they see that other customers have had a positive experience.
- SEO benefits: Displaying Google reviews on your website can have a positive impact on your search engine optimisation (SEO). Reviews and star ratings can be displayed in search results and influence the click behaviour of users.
I can provide you with elegant templates and integrate them into your existing WordPress site to showcase the Google reviews. The choice of layouts is extensive, ranging from full reviews to Google stars. Show the world what your customers think of you and grow your business - I look forward to hearing from you!
On this topic, please also read my article on Rating cards for social media.
Tipps & Tricks Nr. 15
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
9 interessante Aspekte zu den Themen Farbtheorie und Farbpsychologie
- Farben haben eine starke emotionale Wirkung auf Menschen und können Gefühle wie Freude, Ruhe oder Aufregung auslösen. Warme Farben wie Rot oder Orange können beispielsweise eine lebhafte und energiegeladene Stimmung erzeugen.
- Die richtige Farbauswahl kann die Stimmung einer Website oder Grafik beeinflussen und die gewünschte Botschaft effektiv kommunizieren. Eine beruhigende Farbpalette mit Blautönen kann für eine meditative oder entspannende Atmosphäre sorgen.
- Durch das Verständnis von Farbpsychologie können Designer gezielt Emotionen ansprechen und das gewünschte Verhalten beim Betrachter hervorrufen. Zum Beispiel: Ein „Kaufen“-Button in auffälligem Rot kann Aufmerksamkeit erregen und zum Klick animieren.
- Farbkontraste helfen dabei, visuelle Hierarchien zu schaffen und wichtige Informationen hervorzuheben. In etwa zieht ein kontrastreicher Button in einer ansonsten dezenten Farbpalette die Aufmerksamkeit des Betrachters auf sich.
- Die Auswahl der passenden Farbpalette kann die Markenidentität stärken und die Wiedererkennbarkeit fördern. Die charakteristische rote Farbe von Coca-Cola ist zu einem wesentlichen Bestandteil ihrer Markenidentität geworden.
- Farben können auch dazu verwendet werden, Nutzer durch den Informationsfluss einer Webseite zu führen und bestimmte Aktionen zu fördern. Ein farblich hervorgehobener Fortschrittsbalken zeigt dem Nutzer an, wie weit er in einem Formular vorangeschritten ist.
- Die Farbgestaltung sollte immer im Einklang mit dem beabsichtigten Publikum und der Zielgruppe stehen. Eine Kinder-Website kann lebhafte und spielerische Farben verwenden, während eine Business-Website eher auf dezente und professionelle Farben setzen sollte.
- Farben können Kulturen und Regionen unterschiedlich interpretiert werden, daher ist es wichtig, die kulturelle Relevanz von Farben zu berücksichtigen, insbesondere bei internationalen Projekten. In manchen Kulturen symbolisiert beispielsweise Weiß Reinheit und Unschuld, während es in anderen Kulturen mit Trauer in Verbindung gebracht wird.
- Die Nutzung von Farbkonzepten und -regeln kann dazu beitragen, dass Designs professionell und ausbalanciert wirken und eine angenehme Benutzererfahrung bieten. Die Verwendung von ausreichend Kontrast zwischen Textfarbe und Hintergrundfarbe verbessert die Lesbarkeit und Benutzerfreundlichkeit einer Webseite.
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