Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Web Dos & Don'ts

Consider the websites you frequent most and how you use them. Do you ever get frustrated? Have problems finding what you're looking for? If yes, than you are already familiar with what is probably the most important principle of web design: Usability.

What makes a site usable? What doesn't? This isn't an end-all be-all list of web design snafus and successes, but here are five dos and don'ts that should give some basic guidelines to good web design.

DON'T hide the log-in from your site visitors so they have to scroll and search for it.

DO make the log-in more visible by increasing the font size or setting it apart visually in another way.

DON'T use pop-ups to present content, your users will be too lazy to disable their pop-up blocker.

DO respect your visitors and the time they spend on your page by not interrupting it.

DON'T use a font size that is too small or a color that is too bright to be legible.

DO choose a simple, no-frills font (like arial) and be consistent with it throughout your site.

DON'T have more than one flash animation per page.

DO make sure the focus of each page is on the content.

DON'T overwrite or use obvious marketing language in web content - it will be skipped over.

DO use concise language and bullet lists.

Want to know more? Check out this article that outlines 10 Principles of Effective Web Design.


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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Getting people to like you... on Facebook

Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...Image via CrunchBase






Someone sent me this after seeing it on socialmediatoday, so I thought I would share. As it turns out, though I'm sure some of us have had the inkling all along, earning Facebook likes for your business isn't exactly rocket science.

5 Tips to Getting More Likes on Your Facebook Page


What I learned?
  • Be fun, people like fun
  • Content, content, content
  • Ask questions
  • Self promote
  • Put your Facebook URL on everything
If you have anything to add, let me know in the comments below!
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012 Credit Union Blog Round Up

Welcome to the new year! New years is probably one of my favorite holidays because of what it symbolizes: a fresh start, a clean slate, a do-over. A time to reflect on last year's successes and mishaps and make changes for the future. Make new years resolutions to do more, learn more, and grow.

In that spirit, I want to kick off this year by giving our readers my top 5 credit union blogs to watch in 2012. Personally I plan on keeping a better eye on these blogs myself. I chose them because they are updated frequently, and have a wealth of useful and informative content.


1. The Financial Brand
If you aren't already following the Financial Brand, you're in for a treat. Though content isn't only centered on Credit Unions (yes, it also pertains to those 'big banks' we in the CU biz love to hate), it follows news, trends, social media marketing and case studies, and MUCH more. Not to mention, the "Webinars" tab at the top of the page can introduce you to all kinds of valuable information.

2. The Credit Union Exchange at cutimes.com
Here you can find a wealth of information and the opinions of industry experts.

3. Mark Arnold
This guy is full of industry knowledge and expertise on everything from customer service to branding to organization.

4. That Credit Union Blog
Some of the focus here is on east coast credit union news, but overall the info is good and they have several contributors with something to offer, from info on general management faux pas to specifics on the industry. Check out '23 Credit Union Truths', or listen to any one of the episodes of 'Current Issues in Credit Unions.'

5. Laskos on Credit Unions
Since our focus at Kearley is marketing and advertising--a blog that focuses on these attributes specifically is just my cup of tea. Though not updated as frequently as the aforementioned blogs, Laskos provides a good, critical eye on the best and worst of credit union PR.

Hope you enjoy! Please leave links to any of your favorite credit union related blogs in the comments below.