With so many companies offering affordable and high quality Web design services, some entrepreneurs rush to set up their online store without clear goals and web strategy. If this seems to be you, better STOP now or suffer the consequences later.

Here are some questions you should answer before getting in touch with your friendly Web designer:

1. What do you want to achieve with your Website? Is it for informational purposes only? A marketing tool to promote your products or services? A marketing tool to drive online customers to your brick-and-mortar business? Or a full-service online store?
2. Who are your target customers?
3. Who are your competitors? Spy on their activities, marketing campaigns and Web designs
4. Are you familiar with Internet marketing methods such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), e-mail marketing, PPC, and other techniques? Though many companies offer Internet marketing services, basic knowledge of these things help plan a good website.
5. How much is your budget for both Web development and basic online marketing?
6. What is your measure of success or ROI? Is it conversion, leads generated, traffic generated or online sales? This is connected with your overall goal raised in the first question.

Beaver County in Pennsylvania has created a new logo design as part of its efforts to create a uniform and more modern image.

Recently, the lack of a unifying identity has prompted some county offices to create their own logo instead of using the county’s official seal featuring Old English lettering and two rearing horses.

The new county logo features the county’s name and state, a bridge over water, and the tag line “Divided by rivers — United by people.” The idea behind this logo design is based on Beaver County’s 2 rivers and numerous bridges.

Aside from building a single identity, this new logo will also help minimize expenses by buying business cards and stationery in bulk. With different logos, the county has to deal with different costs, suppliers and specifications.

The next target of branding makeover is Beaver County’s 800-page Web site. Take a peak at the site and you’ll see why a Web design overhaul is a must. Though it contains rich information about the county, it lacks visual appeal and usability features.

Via timesonline

In an effort to comply with NCAA’s policy of banning “hostile” and “abusive” American Indian nicknames, Arkansas State University (ASU) has decided to retire its official sports logo and moniker “Indians” as well as the Indian Family mascot after more than 75 years. The retirement will take effect on February 28.

The university had disputed the NCAA ruling in 2005 and defended that it represented Indians in a “dignified and stately manner”. Perhaps the decision of the majority to adhere to this policy made the university reconsider its stance.

The moniker “Indians” started in 1931, representing its deep admiration to the fierce fighting spirit of Osage tribe in Northern Arkansas. The Indian Family, the school’s official trio mascots, wears the authentic Native American costumes and headed by Chief Big Track, the renowned chief of Osage tribe.

So, what will be the future of ASU? According to a news report, Arkansas State University Mascot Selection Committee has selected the ferocious wolves as the official athletics mascot and considering the name Red Wolves as its official moniker.

For many years, search engine giant Google has been altering its original logo design to fit according to different holidays and major historical events. Since 2000, all these so-called Google doodles are created by the company’s Webmaster Dennis Hwang.

Now, regular K-12 students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in the US will have the chance to contribute their creativity, play around with Google’s homepage logo, and more importantly win a scholarship grant worth $10,000 plus another $25,000 as technology grant for his or her school.

Named Doodle 4 Google, the designs students will create must answer the simple but intriguing question – What if…? Here are the design guidelines:

1. The doodle should be presented on a white, landscape sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
2. You can download the Google logo template from our Lesson Resources page.
3. The winning doodle will be displayed on our U.S. homepage, so the Google logo should be clearly visible and recognizable.
4. The doodle can be in pencil, crayons, felt tip or paint, or can be done using computer drawing or design software.
5. Unfortunately, we can’t accept entries which use additional materials to create 3D effects.
6. Please encourage your students to create original designs. Be inspired by Dennis, but don’t recreate his designs.

Undeniably, encouraging students to share their versions of Google doodles will flood the online giant with creativity and fresh perspectives.

United Indoor Football League, a premier indoor American football club started in 2005, has unveiled its new and “much more contemporary” logo design. More importantly, it signifies some major changes in the league which the company believes will help attract more viewers and encourage more teams to join.

True enough, the new football logo is a better rendition compared to its previous design. Though it’s not something you can say as contemporary. Most of you’ll agree that the previous logo is reminiscent of the old logo by American Gladiators TV program. Using the great American flag as the overall theme might inspire patriotism but it is devoid of originality.

On the other hand, the new logo features a “blue football cutout with UIF in blue letters and the words United Indoor Football in red.” Moreover, there is a red star which serves as a dot for the letter “I”.

On the business side, the UIF logo design signifies the effort to improve efficiency and reduce overhead costs by using the appropriate technology. The monthly dues are also lowered from $2,400 to $1,250 per month.

The new logo is already in effect and the league’s 4th season will commence this coming March 8, 2008.

via UIF