In a rush to make websites visually appealing and search engine friendly, most of the businesses forget a very important aspect of website designing – customer friendliness. The result is a narcissist website that dwells greatly on the business’s products, team, offerings, locations etc. but has no place to deal with customer issues.

Most customers do not have enough time to read every word on a website. They simply scan it for ‘relevant info’ and this is simply what narcissist websites miss!

In contrast, an intelligent website has the right information, at the right place and does not leave the customer stranded. Here’s what an intelligent website must do:

• Provide to-the point statements
• Proactively address common concerns and questions
• Offer active online self service support
• Encourage a dialogue with customers

While designing your website the focus should be the anticipated needs or concerns of your customers rather than self praise. Too much of “me me” stuff may simply irritate them away. Tell customers about yourself but do it in a way that is helpful for them as well.

What is Google Sidewiki?

Google Sidewiki is the latest Google offering that can be developed into a potential touch point between marketers and customers. This Google toolbar application enables you to put in helpful information next to any webpage. Google Sidewiki appears as a browser sidebar, where you can read and write entries along the side of the page. Anyone who uses the FREE Google toolbar with Sidewiki enabled can use this application. You can also download this application from the following URL:

http://www.google.com/sidewiki/intl/en/install.html

How Can Marketers Leverage it?

By writing Sidewiki entries that are informative and relevant, marketers can leverage the space for interacting with their customers and prospects. Moreover, since Sidewiki allows visitors to submit their comments, it becomes an excellent platform for promoting a service or products and gaining feedback at the same time! In addition, the Sidewiki space can also be used for guiding visitors about your website, upcoming events/offers, industry trends and much more. Another advantage is that the comments or information that you share vie Sidewiki can be directly promoted through Twitter and Facebook. The way you use Sidewiki would vary with the type of website or blog you have, however, the application certainly presents a unique opportunity for interacting with your audiences directly from your websites.

How Add Google Sidewiki to a Website?

Here are a few simple steps that would guide you through the process of adding Google Sidewiki to your website:

Install the latest Google Toolbar with Google Sidewiki. The tool bar would look something like this:Visit your website or the web page where you want to run Google Sidewiki.

Ensure that Google Sidewiki is turned on in the Google Toolbar. You then need to log in to your Google account to be able to see the Google Wiki sidebar on the left side of your web browser.After signing in, you will see the name of your site, as well as the field to “Edit your name”. You can modify your display settings or add relevant keywords etc. here if you wish to.

Next, you make an entry about what ever information you wish to share with your audiences and click the Publish button.

The entry can now be seen on your website.

From instigating discussions, to prompting offers, marketers can utilize the Google Sidewiki space in multiple forms to spur interaction with their audiences directly from the website. The application promises not only increased web traffic, but also ensures multi pronged benefits for marketers.

Choosing a right theme for your blog or website is imperative to accentuate its visual appeal.  In vogue are stylish, yet clean themes that perfectly synchronize the design and text elements. Here is a collection of some popular free WordPress themes that blend elegance with simplicity.

Blumin: For its sheer simplicity and neat layout, Blumin is a highly recommend theme for those who like elegance simplified.

Simple Balance 2.0: With increased control over it’s  layout and color options, advertising space, and multiple font options, this is a theme that can be tweaked to create impressive custom styles.

Zoxengen: With the flexibility to modify font and headline style in multiple ways, Zoxengen, 3 column widgetize theme is  a perfect choice for those who like to update theme styles frequently.

Rainbow Circles: A three column fixed-width theme, with a double right hand sidebar, enabled for widgets.

WPImagination: Featuring a separate homepage for the latest posts and space for “asides” or quick notes, WPImagination is a good choice for creative blogs.

WhiteSpace: Attractive and simple, this  theme is a good choice if your are looking for  soft and simple wordpress themes.

Brilliance: With a  provision for an adsense block in the third column, Brilliance is a 3-column, widget ready theme with soothing colors and design.

Modern: The uniqueness of this theme lies in the horizontal layout of page links that creates a clear distinction between permanent and updated content.

Prima: With eye catching color combinations, Prima is another simple and  attrattractive theme.

Elements of SEO: Designed keeping SEO in mind, this classic theme has multiple tweaks and is completely widget ready.

Nishita: Simple, sleek and with real quick installation, this is a perfect choice for photo blogs.

Sports2: A mix of bright shades and clean layout, this theme is a perfect choice for sports blogs.

Fonts are an expression of a designer’s ingenuity. However, hunting around for appropriate fonts is a tedious task. Here is a selection of some of the most popular free website fonts that you can use to adorn your websites.

Resonance Bold

Nilland

Nadia Serif

Mayberry Pro SemiBold

Layer Cake

Junction

HVD Comic Serif

CartoGothic Std

Birra Stout

Whiteboard Modern

Professional, responsible and sophisticated- are the key factors that define corporate blogs. Different from generic blogs, corporate blog designs are more classy and uncomplicated.

Here is a collection of ten most popular corporate blog designs that are a perfect blend of style, simplicity and branding:

Yahoo

Google

Nike

Dell

Cisco

Walmart

Design Matters

Johnson & Johnson

McDonalds

GM

Simplicity is the keyword for website design these days. The current trend sees designers moving away from complex designs towards simpler and unique layouts with an out of the box approach. These innovative layouts and designs are in-vogue for websites and blogs.

Here are some examples of innovative website designs that harbinger the concept of creative simplicity:

Last, but certainly not the least, yours truly, Tangence. (You see we are sincere followers of the clean is in suit, and therefore had to feature on the list)

Following are some innovative blog and community designs:

CVM Solutions has got a facelift! At least its online persona has. The leading provider of supplier management sofware, CVM has a new website that is more vibrant, fresher and still very sophisticated - a true representation of the company, where it is right now and wants to be in the future.

CVM Solutions - New Website Design and Creation

Tangence was involved in the complete design and development of the new website. The Tangence team created a clean and appealing design which allows easy navigation. Tangence was also involved in creating all the graphics and diagrams for the website that makes the content easier to follow and understand. A set of graphic icons were created for visual representation of the main solutions provided by the client.

CVM Solutions - Diagram