APMA News - April 2012 - (Page 60)

Website Wisdom First Glance: The Artistry of APMA.org In the world of websites, looks really can kill. The colors, layout, and imagery used in creating a website can evoke a certain mood in a user and play a large part in how easily the user finds what he or she is looking for. When designed correctly, a website can quickly become popular and a go-to source for information. If a website is designed poorly, however, users can lose interest or become confused in a matter of seconds—and move on to another site entirely. A recent study on Web browsing habits found the average website page visit lasts less than one minute, and users decide within 10 seconds whether to stay or leave a website. Creating an impressive website design has become one of the most critical aspects of the relaunch of APMA.org. Using feedback from members and the public, two different graphic designers each created a design for evaluation by APMA’s website team. The best elements from each design were meshed to create a site that will best serve the varied audiences who visit APMA.org every day. The following are a few design differences you will notice immediately on the new APMA.org: Distinctive branding. Branding ensures that all types of communications from an organization carry a similar look and feel. The new APMA.org will be branded in such a way that members and the general public (health-care consumers) will be able to identify the website as being “distinctively APMA.” Elements from the new website will also be used in APMA e-newsletters, printed materials, and other communications. Streamlined homepage layout. The new homepage will feature only select important and popular content, so the overall look will be less cluttered. The new layout should make it easier for users to quickly find the items they are looking for, without being overwhelmed by extraneous elements. Updated color scheme and clean, modern navigation. Shades of blue and gray on a white background, as well as pleasant gold and teal accent colors, will be incorporated throughout the new website. The font used across the site also will be clean and easy to read. As discussed in last month’s Website Wisdom, four main navigation panels will be featured near the top of the homepage (“Learn About Feet,” “Education & Professional Development,” “Manage Your Practice,” and “APMA Working for You”), which will serve as the starting point for finding online content. Each of the four navigation panels will have a drop-down menu with links to related content. • A professional tone. Minimalist, modern, and profes- • • sional all describe the tone of the new APMA.org. The APMA logo is now larger and in the top corner of the page. It has been worked into the site’s design, and the association’s name is clearly readable, helping to guide the user’s eye to the “join” and “donate” action buttons at the top of the page. This fresh look helps to support the goals of Vision 2015. Greater visibility for APMA’s Seal program and “Find a Podiatrist.” Eye-catching visuals now will highlight APMA’s Seal of Acceptance and Approval on the homepage, as well as the “Find a Podiatrist” online search tool, to give this important content top-level placement for users. Multimedia presence. A large, easy-to-view section of the homepage will be dedicated to displaying videos, images, and other multimedia resources related to the profession. • All of these new features and design elements make up the core of the new APMA.org homepage, but these changes are only the beginning. As the website’s launch grows closer, members can look forward to a clean, professional website that will be easy—and even enjoyable—to use. n • Next month: How APMA’s “Today’s Podiatrist” campaign will integrate with the new APMA.org, and tips for updating APMA content on your own practice website. Contact Andrea Lange at ahlange@apma.org. • 60 APMA News April 2012 http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org http://www.APMA.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - April 2012

APMA News - April 2012
In This Issue
Contents
Gen Z and myFEET
Dr. Caporusso’s Inaugural Speech to the House of Delegates
The Nuts and Bolts of Your House
Residency Genesis: A Priority for the Profession
Forum Builds Profession-wide Consensus on Student Recruitment
APMA By the Decade: 1942–1951
Profiles in Progress: Postgraduate Education
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: Insurance Plan Participation
Infection Control Issues in the Podiatric Setting
Committee Member Acknowledgements
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Visit the Nation’s Capital for The National
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Awards Nominations
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - April 2012