Cloud Computing has become quite a buzzword. It includes almost everything that is hosted on the internet, be it platform, infrastructure and software. Cloud computing has been broadly divided into three services Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). On cloud, the services are sold on the basis of demand. If you want to use a payroll system just for 2 days at the end of the month then you would be charged only for the two days. Cloud Computing results in a big load shift for a company. It is often considered as a cost saving technology. But, this happens only if used strategically. Cloud computing could a fantastic value-added service if used properly.

Below infographic on cloud computing shows how companies still spend half of their time on Server Management even when cloud computing can help them reduce this considerably.

The reality of cloud computing infographic by Rackspace UK.

Social media has become standard practice for eCommerce merchants. An astounding 86% have Facebook pages, 37% have a Twitter account and 63% have a YouTube channel. With E-Commerce spending Spree set to increase to almost $327 Billion by 2016 every e-retail merchant is out there on social media trying to lure as many customers as possible.

With over 900 million users, Facebook has surely caught the eyes of the major brands around the globe. Brands have started believing that there are more potential customers using Facebook than there are on their sites or any other e-commerce site. Usually Brands use Facebook to just keep the users informed of the various offers and to try and keep the interactions with the user up-to-date, there are many brands who have actually come up with a very innovative technique to try and lure users to start shopping on Facebook itself while having a chat with buddies or while playing their favorite games. Though users do not think of Facebook as a buying and shopping platform, many brands are increasingly getting lured with the idea of letting the users do so while just hanging out with friends.

If a brand decides to go for having its products for sale on Facebook than there are many applications which help the brands to add a very effective Storefront with great options for product display and payment options. These applications help in creating a very pleasing shopping experience for the customers. In this post we are publishing 13 Apps to Set up an eCommerce Storefront on Facebook to help and inspire merchants to get their own shopping cart on Facebook.

VendorShop

With VendorShop you could create a fully integrated, secure Facebook store. Add categories and attributes for products. You could also choose between a variety of shipping and tax options. Payment option includes PayPal and various other options. You could also create special offers and Competitions.

Payvment

The app lets you set up products, categories of products (i.e. shoes, T-shirts, sweaters), import photos, list terms of service and shipping options and more. Once you set up your online shop on Facebook, it will show up in a separate tab on your profile or page under “storefront”. The company also offers a virtual shopping mall of all of its storefronts on Facebook.

Ecwid

You can use same Ecwid storefront on numerous web sites, blogs and social networks simultaneously. And you can manage it all from a single control panel – changes are mirrored instantly across your sites. Ecwid seamlessly integrates with your existing web site with no programming needed. Ecwid supports drag-and-drop customization. 100,000+ sellers use Ecwid.

Muncom

This free PHP shopping cart lets you create a cart to display on your Facebook profile or Facebook Business Page. To create the cart you need to first design a free store on Muncom.com. Muncom’s shopping cart service is currently in beta.

SocialShop by Big eCommerce

The application allows merchants to display products on a Facebook Page. Merchants just have to add the application to their page, enter their store URL and then choose which products they want to display on the page. The retail platform will show up in a “Shop Now” tab on the page, and allows visitors to share products with their friends Facebook users can then click on a product to learn more but in order to buy the product they will be taken away from Facebook to the merchants store

Voiyk

Convenient admin panel allows you to quickly place your items in your Facebook store. You’ll have the ability to display your merchandise on your Facebook page or profile. Easily setup your Facebook Voiyk Store and try the first month for free. t\The process of setting it up is pretty straight forward as well.

ShopTab

ShopTab is an application which gives page owners the ability to add a shopping tab on their Facebook pages. It allows brands to showcase products from their existing online stores. A handy feature is the ability to export products from an E-commerce tool to the Facebook tool or it can be done individually as well.

SortPrice

SortPrice has brought some big retail players and their product catalogs onto Facebook for people to search through, build Wishlists, and “Like” so that their friends can see what they are interested in buying.

Shoutlet

Shoutlet offers an enriched platform for E-commerce. Merchants can turn their Facebook page into an online store and display their entire product line within a tab. A feature which stands Shoutlet apart from others is the ability to share a certain product with their friends on not only Facebook but 100 other social sharing websites.

Show Sell

Perfect for adding a product showcase to your Facebook Page, our Show & Sell app allows you to display up to 10 featured items with unique “Buy Now” links and social commenting plug-ins. Viral functionality of the app ensures your products are spread wide, increasing sales, and social engagement with your brand.

Tab Juice

This App lets your customers share your store and their favorite products with their friends. It also has a Review platform option along with Real time tax calculations. It also has a All-In-Tab Shopping Experience. The demo gives a beautiful LiveFront Preview.

LunarMods

LunarMods provides fast & easy tools for customizing your Facebook Pages. You can create a new store and install it on Facebook in about fifteen minutes. It provides SSL Encryption along with PayPal and Amazon Payment options.

Moluko

With Moluko you could build a standalone Facebook Store or link with your existing online store. Paypal Checkout system. Custom attributes for the products.

Text effects always gains an upper hand when it comes to create something better designs. A few days ago we published a photoshop tutorial on how to create a Futuristic text with Photoshop. Going on the same lines today we are publishing a tutorial where you will see how, with just a few steps and a little creativity, to turn your titles into cool ice cubed text. An Icy text can be used in various flyers, hoardings and brochures to indicate holidays or chilliness. Hope this would inspire you to create some more of this chilling effect for your designs.

In the meanwhile you may want to read some our other Photoshop and Tutorials related articles

• 35 Rare Photoshop Bokeh Effect Brushes
• 20 Tutorials for Improving Your Mobile Web Designs
• 55+ Really Funny Photoshop Disasters
• 30 Really Fresh and Stunning Adobe Illustrator Tutorials
• 45 Beautiful and Awesome Free Photoshop Floral And Swirl Brushes

Final Image Preview

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 1

First, let us setup our ICY background. Once you create a new document create a nice light color gradient background with white and light blue colors. Alternatively, you can also paste in some a real snowy type background scene. In our example, we opted for a snowy background to reinforce the ice theme.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 2

Now, use the text tool to type in your title text. Use a gray color (#d8d8d8) for your font color. For the font style, it is all up to you of course, but it is better to use the thickest fonts you can use for your theme so as to see the iced effect properly. Remember to take the other fonts you used in, say, your catalogs or flyers, into consideration as well. You still want the overall typography mix in your design to go well together and not for the title to be detached from the overall design. Then position your title appropriately in your graphic.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 3

Now, look for your text layer in the layers panel. Reduce the Fill Value to 0-30% depending on how transparent you want your ice to be. For our purposes, we have set it to 30%.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 4

Next, double click on our text layer to bring up its layer options. In the Window that opens, first tick off the Drop Shadow checkbox. Adjust the values as noted below for the drop shadow effect.

• Blend Mode: Multiply, Color: Blue #2457a2
• Distance: 7px
• Size: 7px
• Rest to default

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 5

Tick off the “Inner Shadow” option and then set these values here as well.

• Blend Mode: Multiply, Color: #a5bfec
• Distance: 0px
• Size: 40px
• Quality-> Contour: Half-Round

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 6

Click on the “Outer Glow” option as well. Then set the following values.

• Opacity: 100%
• Noise: 20%
• Color: #c6d9ff
• Range: 100%
• Rest should be default

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 7

Next on the layer styles list should be the Inner Glow effect. Click on its checkbox and apply these values.

• Opacity: 35%
• Noise: 100%
• Color: WHITE #ffffff
• Source: Center
• Size: 23
• Contour:  Cone-Inverted

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 8

Then, click on Bevel and Emboss. Apply all the settings as described below.

• Technique: Chisel Soft
• Size: 20
• Gloss Contour: Cove Deep, Anti-Aliased
• Highlight Mode: Screen, #eef9ff , 100%
• Shadow Mode: Multiply, #b1b1b1 , 50%

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 9

Also click on “Contour”. Use Log as the contour and click on anti-aliasing.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 10

Then, click on Texture and then apply the Ant Farm pattern with a +7% depth.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 11

Finally, click on the Color Overlay option and then use the following settings.

• Blend Mode: Pin Light
• Color: Light Blue (#aec5ed)
• Opacity: 70%

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 12

Once you press okay, you will see our basic ice effect appear.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 13

Now, we will add more random type ice effects on the text to make it look more natural. First create a new layer by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+N. Then reduce the fill of this new layer to 0%.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 14

Next, double click on this layer to access the layer styles. First click on “Bevel and Emboss” and apply these settings.

• Technique: Chisel Hard
• Size: 20
• Gloss Contour: Rolling Stone Descending
• Highlight Mode: Screen, # Aebfe0, 100%
• Shadow Mode: Multiply, #b1b1b1, 50%

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 15

Then click on Contour, choose “half round” and tick on the anti-aliased box.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 16

Also, click on the texture button. Hunt and use “metal landscape” as the pattern and then set the scale to 130% and the depth to +10.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 17

Now, with our new layer still selected, change the foreground color to #e9e3d8. Then use a splatter brush by  clicking on the brush tool and then right clicking on the canvass to choose among the different brushes.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 18

Using the brush, just pain some random blotches over your text. This gives extra cracks and solid areas to our ice text effect. Just be creative with your placement.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 19

Finally, add some sparkles to the ice. Create a new layer by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+N. Then use a white colored starburst brush to add a couple of sparkle effects.

Final Image

After that, you should already have a nice looking Iced Text style.

The purpose of most of the websites is to try and keep the visitor on the site, to try and increase the average time of the visitor staying on the website. But, what if the visitor gets lost onto pages that do not exist on your site. Even when a visitor is lost on your site you could easily keep them entertained and busy by creating some really funny and entertaining 404 Error Pages. 404 error pages are quite famous around the web. Whenever a URL does not exists on the site a 404 error page pops up. The default page is just too boring to look at. It does not give any option to try and keep visitor on the site. Instead, web companies nowadays come up with some really stunning 404 error pages which not only say “Hey, you are on the wrong page!”, but also give various other options to do.

Some provide various other links to the services or some provide a search box for a user to search properly what they nee. Some also go a step forward and include some really funny quotations and illustrations to try and keep the visitors engaged to the site. The main parts of a 404 error page are the communication with visitors, preciseness of the content and clear navigation. A carefully designed 404 error page would make a visitor think that you really care for the perfect user experience and do not want them to wander in darkness.

Here In this post we have collected some fresh, creative and funny 404 error page designs. I hope this would help web designers and companies alike to try and design for their own website if you have not done so already! In the meanwhile you may want to read some of our Web Design related articles

• When Is The Time Right To Redesign Your Website?
• 20 Tutorials for Improving Your Mobile Web Designs
• 30 Fresh and Stunning Website Design Interfaces from DeviantArt
• 23 Truly Amazing and Unbelievable HTML5 Canvas and Javascript Experiments
• 25 Websites with Beautiful Typography

iPhones & iPads are both famously beautifully designed devices – and if you’re building an app, you ideally want your icon to fit into that aesthetic. A poorly designed app icon can make or break an app – a great looking app icon might be more likely to find it’s way into the pride of place on the first home screen, and can stand out amongst the icons surrounding it.

We’ve brought together a collection of thoughtfully crafted, stunning app icons that have been created by extremely talented designers. You could find a fantastic article over at WebDesignLedger regarding How to Design an App Icon?

In the meanwhile you may want to read some of our iPhone and iPad related articles

• Awesome iPhone Apps for Photographers
• 40+ Stunning and Beautifully Designed Apple iPad Wallpapers

Am I Missing Anything?

Have you found any creative, interesting & beautifully designed app icons that deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments.

Photoshop can be used to create some awesome effects. Photoshop’s Text and Layer Tools really prove to be handy for many designers. Typography in itself is a lot powerful that what many people think. Creating text effect for titles and posters of you designs could surely work as a charm for your clients. In this lesson, we will go through all the steps in creating sleek futuristic text. This will zap some instant awesomeness to your print-ready postcards and posters. So just carefully read the steps below and learn what you can do for your titles.

In the meanwhile you may want to read some our other Photoshop and Tutorials related articles

• 35 Rare Photoshop Bokeh Effect Brushes
• 20 Tutorials for Improving Your Mobile Web Designs
• 55+ Really Funny Photoshop Disasters
• 30 Really Fresh and Stunning Adobe Illustrator Tutorials
• 45 Beautiful and Awesome Free Photoshop Floral And Swirl Brushes

Final Image Preview

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 1

First, create a new document in Photoshop. It would be good to setup a large sized dimension so that you can create a fairly large text graphic that you can scale down better later. Also, it is better to use a large resolution (around 300ppi) so that the quality of the graphic can be maintained in printing.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 2

After setting up a new document, create a nice background setup for your graphic. A simple gradient color with your chosen color theme should suffice. For our example, we just used a gradient color with some lighter colored brush strokes as an accent. Just create the ideal background for you.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 3

Now, type in your text using the TYPE TOOL. Make sure you use a fairly thick type font style. For this effect, it is also recommended that you use rounded type fonts as it gives that sleek curvier feel to the effect. Just look for the best and most appropriate font that you need for your theme. For our example, we have chosen a futuristic rounded type font style with a light blue font color.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 4

Once the text is set, press CTRL+J to duplicate your text layer. Then, reduce the FILL opacity of this duplicate to 0%.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 5

Now, go back to your original text layer. Double click on it to access the Layer styles and blending options. Then, click first on the drop shadow style and apply the following properties.

• Blend Mode: Multiply, Color: #51626a
• Angle: 30 degrees
• Distance: 17px
• Size: 8px
• Rest Default

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 6

Then, tick the Bevel and Emboss checkbox. Apply the following settings to its properties.

• Depth: 500%
• Size: 43px
• Gloss Contour: Steps, Anti-Aliased

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 7

Click also on the Contour option. In its settings, set the contour to “Half Round” and then tick the Anti-Aliased tick box.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 8

Great! That should give you something pretty futuristic.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 9

Next, we will add some more layer styles. This time on the copy of our text layer. (the one we reduced the fill to) Simply double click on it to access its layer options. Then tick the Bevel and Emboss option and choose these settings:

• Depth: 215%
• Size: 18px
• Gloss Contour: Cove-Deep, Anti-Aliased
• Rest is default

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 10

Then, click on the Contour checkbox. Choose the contour “Steep Slope – Rolling” and tick the anti-aliased box.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 11

With that we should have a nice reflective outline to our text.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 12

Lastly, we shall add some creative textures. Create a new layer by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+N. Then, position this right between your text layer and its duplicate. Name this “texture”. Afterward, hold down the ctrl key and click on the thumbnail of our of our text layers.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 13

To create our texture, first setup your foreground and background colors. Now, technically it should be your choice of course depending on your color theme. Since we have a blue text theme here, we will apply a dark blue foreground (#164b7c) and a light blue background (#b2ebfc) to setup our texture.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 14

Afterward, go to Filter -> Render -> Clouds to render our initial texture element.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 15

Next, we will be applying a brush stroke filter. Just click on Filter -> Brush Strokes -> Cross hatch. Apply these values:

• Stroke Length: 50
• Sharpness: 20
• Strength: 1

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 16

Finally, change the blending mode of this texture layer to overlay in the layers view.

Photoshop Text Tutorial: Step 17

The result is a very futuristic, sleek and still textured glossy design perfect for very modern themed text styles

“Go Green” seems to be the mantra of the decade! Almost every industry is trying to go green for the sake of the nature. Nature indeed has a fantastic taste of colors. Every color which exists in the world is beautiful and unique, but the color green has a unique quality and it is a very different color. Green color is an eye catching color it give us a feeling of freshness and satisfaction. Nature is filled with the green color. If we see around us we find the green grass, green trees, flowers and a lot more. Green also symbolizes greenery everywhere around and that is the reason why many countries like India have Green color on their flags. And, ofcourse everyone must have surely heard of the term Global Warming, which is again associated with the Color Green.

Photographers continuously trying to capture the beauty of nature in a creative way. Green surely seems to be one their favorite. Nature along with the mix of green makes a purely deadly combination for any photographer to resist. Environmental friendly photographers try and spread the Global Warming message in their own distinct way using the color Green. In the meanwhile you may want to some of our other color related articles

• 65 Fantastic Collection of Green Wallpapers
• Awesome Graphics for Global Warming Awareness
• 30 Stunning and Beautiful Pink Shade Wallpapers
• 60+ Beautiful Collection of Blue Wallpapers
• Amazing Wooden Typography collection
• 90+ Stunning Black and Dark Wallpapers

A website overhaul or update is part of the deal in a world where internet has crossed into our collective consciousness. Websites that have made a habit to stay in sync with the latest trends of the virtual world find it easier to navigate than those which crawl along with an update here and there.

There are more challenges in redesigning a website than there are in hosting a completely new one. Determining the when and how of a website redesign would swing the pendulum towards either increased business or losing out on the existing one! It is an imperative exercise that requires detailed planning and accurate execution.

Although there are no fixed rules for redesigning a website, a company/small enterprise or an individual must know it’s time to give the web designer a call, when:

• The website looks very outdated and does not reflect the changing trends
• The business has scaled up, but the website lags behind
• The competitor has a complete makeover
• The functionality or usability is a problem area
• Traffic Conversion Rate is abysmal resulting in it being unprofitable
• There is a mismatch between the visitor expectations and site information (mismatched brand image)
• The website does not support the latest plug-ins

It’s Time To Redesign The Website When

Redesigning is a huge decision as it entails the optimum utilization of time and financial resources. Ideally it should be an ongoing exercise to be carried out at regular intervals. However major changes need to be made in spite of all the year round efforts.

Initially it might seem like a daunting task. Nevertheless when designers arrive at the decision, they can begin by researching on parameters such as review the website analytics & performance metrics and setting benchmarks to take the website to the next polished level.

Therefore, it is time for an overhaul when:

A Website is Prehistoric

Internet is a dynamic place where changes are the norm. Trends change with season. Although it is impossible to keep track of all trends, a website that does not catch up with the latest is bound to tank. There is a huge difference between sporting a bell bottom of the sixties for a retro look and sticking to the trend just for the sake of comfort. Websites need to come out of their comfort zone and adapt to the changing times. The web 2.0 platform is completely different from the one that pre dates the social networking age. Hence, come out of the history pages and make your own (history).

A Business Scales Up

A business is bound to either scale up over a period of time or mature. Thus a website has to reflect the stage at which a business is. Today’s small enterprises might be tomorrow’s conglomerates. A website has to match steps and grow from being the part of local search to figuring in the top ten list of most visited sites (due to business volume or popularity or both). It makes sense by figuring out that when businesses grow the profile of their customers and clientele also improves. Stakeholders need an assurance that what they believe in is reflected in the website as they are a major draw in today’s competitive environment.

The Competitor Went For A Makeover

Like it or not, a competitor with a brand new website stands a better chance of attracting visitors and improving the traffic conversion rate. And there is always an opportunity in adversity. The distinct advantage of redesigning after a competitor does is that your designer will know where not to take a fall and learn from the competitor’s mistakes!

The Functionality Or Usability Is A Problem Area

A user friendly website ensures better traffic conversion ratio. The matter of the fact is that a reader just skims the information he requires and on finding it moves to the next stage. A website that has easy navigability will guide the reader to the next step within minimum time. A research supports this by indicating that the first to last step should be as good as 1-2-3 i.e. the user should be able to get what he wants within three clicks!

There Is A Mismatch Between Brand Image And Visitor Expectation

If visitors find that the site does not reflect the kind of brand image it has over the years, they might decide not to proceed with the next transaction. For instance if a brand is popular among children but its website makes use of graphics which could not be approved by parents, the website loses out on their potential customer base even in the real brick and mortar world.

The Website Does Not Support Latest Plug-Ins

Often visitors have to deal with a website that loads slowly, has broken images and the content is distorted. This puts them off. They would rather not take the risk of navigating a website with such distorted images and content. It might be misconstrued as a virus attack by them!

Here a point worth mentioning is that when websites use Content Management System (CMS), it becomes easier for them to transit to the next level.

Traffic Conversion Ratio Is Abysmal

A website becomes unprofitable if the conversion ratio drops. This happens due to many reasons. It could be because of the navigational problem as discussed before or it could be due to improper SEO techniques adapted by the company. Zeroing in on the real culprit and fixing the problem would ensure that the website becomes profitable enough for hosting.

Points To Ponder Before The Haul Up

The rationale of redesign will chart the way forward. A website designer determines whether a website begs a complete makeover or only a few touch ups will do the job.

Realign or Redesign

Few designers are of the opinion that a complete makeover is akin to realigning the website to make it more functional and user friendly. Redesigning on the other hand is the change made in the aesthetics such as images, graphics, color schemes, typography etc. Some believe that redesign is an integral part of realignment as designers have to focus on functionality aspects of the website as well as aesthetics while they are making the changes. All designer are of the consensus though that realignment is a part of the customary maintenance exercise as it offers insights into the possible problem areas of the existing website.

Redesigning decision is based on the hard core data that a designer collects from the website. For instance a web designer has to be able to convert a data into a creative design that has to find acceptance among clients and visitors. Therefore the designers determine whether the client requires a brand new form of website or whether only a few changes would suffice.

The Process

The designer studies the old website, takes note of the required changes and proceeds on improvisation. It is imperative at this stage to keep back up to track changes as well as to revert in case of any issue that might crop up at a later stage.

The designer might want to go slow – a step at a time if the website caters to regular customers, such as an e-commerce site. An out and out restructuring would mean learning a new method of navigation and letting go of the familiar to adapt new habits which might not go down well with the customers. A resultant drop in conversion would be triggered thereby affecting profitability.

Nevertheless, this does not entail only a slow launch as certain businesses thrive on being trendy. For instance websites that went for a brand remake would want it to reflect in the website. Such websites can announce that there will be a change in the website and host a brand new one. Similarly a website can be redesigned during the off season of a business so that it does not interfere with the regular business cycle. Businesses that insist on making changes during the peak might end up with a website that has no visitors due to the continuous changes that are happening on their website.

Yet another important point to note while redesigning is that the designer has to test the website for cross browser compatibility at all times – during pre – launch, launch and post – launch.

While redesigning the designer has to ensure that the client has quite a few options to choose from so that a consensus can be obtained as to the best design for hosting purposes.

The focus of a designer should be on resolving the existing issues. A website may have a strong visual presence but if it’s is weak in the content section, it may not go down well with the readers and the search engines as updates ensure that the reader is hooked to the site and search robots find the updates relevant enough to rank the website higher among SERPs.

Conclusion on Redesigning Your Website

To Redesign or realign, the client should know when it’s time to decide for either or else the website might just be another damp squib.