The Key Factors of Website Design: Using CSS

When you look at a website, typically you go directly to what you had initially gone to a site for, very rarely, do ordinary Internet connoisseurs think any deeper than that.

If you do know websites, then you know that they are more than just aesthetically pleasing images and information pertaining to a specific subject. A website is a HTML code which creates how a website functions and is seen on your screen.

The integral part of HTML that makes it look good is the CSS.

 CSS = Cascading Style Sheets

CSS is such an important feature in any new website. Today’s web world encompasses an aesthetically pleasing appearance, with responsive optimization for any device. Almost every website designer in Toronto specifically, will explain how important CSS is and how it will bring your site to the next level. 

CSS does much more than simply styling your site, but it provides you with benefits that will ease the user experience on your website. 

CSS Tips For Website Design  

1. Aesthetically Appealing Layout

Styling can just as easily be added into the HTML code of your website. However, using CSS, gives the ability for creators to design the appearance more accurately.

CSS divides all websites and pages into groups of different sizes.

Every group can be designed separately, rather than making changes to an entire page or website.

Specifically, in Toronto where websites that are both unique and aesthetically pleasing are preferred. With the ability to use a CSS, it is highly encouraged to increase the flexibility during the styling processes. 

2. Quicker load time

Typically, the average person has an attention period of roughly 10 seconds. Having said that, if a website or page loads this slowly, there is a chance that the consumer will lose interest because it is taking so long. 

Developing quicker load times is an integral component to designing a website, in Toronto and the GTA in particular, since everyone’s lives are so driven with getting things done.

The best solution for quicker load times is using CSS. The way it works is when the page with CSS loads, the stylesheet will get stored within the cache of the browser. All webpages have their own styles and designs that are adjusted to the browser, ensuring that load speed can be faster.

CSS has countless other benefits when designing a website. CSS is one of the key ingredients to website design software today, and many professional web developers will rave about it. 

Anything from the aesthetics to the rapid load speeds, along with infinite other options.

Looking to outsource your software development to experts? ISU Corp is a well-established and professional custom software company. Get in touch today.

 

 

Best Car Rental Apps for Android and iOS

Whether you’re travelling for pleasure or business, the worldwide car rental industry is constantly growing. It is expected to have more than $124.56 billion invested into it by 2022.

Being able to rent a car from your mobile device has become a convenience that most of the Generation Z population have come to utilize.

Living amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, the way in which we all travel today has changed immensely. Now, most travel is absolutely necessary, rather than just going for pleasure. However, having the ability to rent a car allows just YOU and your immediate party to be in the vehicle, rather than your group plus a driver who has seen several people in one day. 

The increase in need for instant transportation services has not only been because of travelling, but because of young Millennials or Generation Z, with limited car ownership. A bonus to the car rental services is the lower rate of ownership, as it helps to lower the pollution and traffic levels. 

Today’s generation has the mindset of wanting to “be their own boss”, which has essentially made car rentals an absolute need for Generation Z. If you foresee trying to become the #1 car rental app, you must be able to analyze your competition and understand how to top that. 

With that being said, since this is such an up and coming industry, there are many car rental app options. Which brings you to wonder, what rental company or app is BEST?

Top 10 Car Rental Apps of 2020

All 10 of the apps are compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

1. Turo

• Choice of more than 800 different cars

• Book from local owners

• An easy to use chat function for good communication with both parties

• The owner is able to monitor the vehicle and performance within the app

• Elite mobile technology for the owners to earn more from the marketplace

2. Getaround

• Quick and easy verification for both renting or hosting

• Ability to book a car hourly or daily

• The host and rep are able to display all the share cars without a limit

• Allows for keyless entry + good security

• Can be located with your phone

3. Kayak

• Secure booking without having to re-enter your data or payment information

• Search filters to allow for more accurate search results

• Price projections to know what the trends are

• App navigation to and from airport route

• Share the itinerary with friends and family

4. Zipcar

• Easy to book check-in options for round trip vehicles

• Nearby trip details in the app for the car’s location in case of any changes

• In app unlock features

• Tailored to multiple languages

• Easy service changes or extensions

5. Hertz

• You can preview your upcoming reservation details right from the app

• Allowance for accessibility of receipts for your expenses

• Ability to search for parking spots using SpotHero

• Quicker booking and check-in options

• Ability to sign up with Facebook, and other social media platforms

6. Enterprise Rent-a-Car

• Enables you to tailor your search categories to filter specific vehicles

• 24/7 customer and road support

• Visit a favourite location for easy information

• Earn and redeem points for complimentary rentals

• Instant signing with fingerprint recognition

7. Virtuo

• Total car rental counter experience on the app

• Large selection of premium vehicles

• Digital downloadable key available to unlock the vehicle

• Automatic transmission for the best navigation

• You are able to add 4 friends as additional drivers for free

8. Carngo

• Choice of location, age, and date

• Book a car and get a coupon by email

• Variety of car selections

• Easy price comparison before booking

9. Skyscanner

• Book your whole trip from one app

• Search and compare flight prices

• Ability to get deals on hotels, resorts, etc

• Choice of car rental pick up location

10. SIXT

• Ability to book trips, and errands without duration limitations

• You are provided good search filters to choose; type of car, price, etc.

• One person can manage several profiles with just one login

• Control upcoming reservations and view past reservations

• Pre-schedule a car with credit card

It is ideal to keep an eye on the online car rental market profits and trends, but in some cases, you may not be able to, so here are 3 industry trends!

1. Increased use of artificial intelligence

2. Easy rental accommodation at airports

3. Ability to join subscriptions to help some companies grow their online community

Renting a car can often be a daunting task. However, here at ISU we specialize in custom software applications, reach out to us today to get advice and perhaps customize your own car rental app.

 

 

Top 10 Ways to Gain Profit from a Mobile App

An entrepreneur’s dream is to have the ability to do everything you need, all in one place. What’s better than that one place being a mobile app directly connected to your phone; allowing you to work anywhere, anytime.

Apps are definitely a growing market, especially amidst the pandemic. We have relied on apps for nearly everything. From connecting to friends, business meetings, and starting up businesses to find alternative ways to make money without the need to go anywhere. 

However, as this is a fast-paced growing market, there is a significant amount of money that goes into apps – billions of dollars for a rough estimate, and that number is always continuing to grow. 

Based on the stats from Statista – global mobile app revenues were calculated to be $69.7 billion US dollars in 2015, and in a short 5 years it is estimated to basically triple to be $188.9 billion by 2020. 

You may have come up with a savvy idea for an app, but like most, are unsure how to make it a reality. We’ll be discussing and going into detail on just how to do so.

How to Generate a Profit from Mobile Apps

In order to make money, we need to understand the HOW.

The 3 Basic Methods on how to get monetization include;

• App downloads

• In-app purchases

• In-app advertising

As you must know, if you want to maximize the number of downloads your app should be free. Although, it is recommended to create both a paid and a free version and analyze which one will make you the most money.

Deciding which monetization method to use for your app, all trickles down to WHAT kind of app you want to launch, as well as your target audience!

Conclusively, the best strategy to monetize your app, is to integrate it and make it feel like an ordinary part of the experience; you want to grow a large, active user platform to increase chances for revenue.

In-App Purchases

• An option that makes initially downloading the app free, but then provides consumers who would like to, pay for “deluxe” features within your app.

• This is most common in games or gaming apps; for new levels or accessories for characters

In-App Advertising

• Creates revenue from clicks and impressions

• In-app advertisements can vary for different sizes, positions, and placements

10 Steps to Creating a Profitable App

1. Create a vision

• Find your purpose and come up with rough ideas

• Questions you can ask yourself:

o   What do you want your app to do?

o   What problem is it going to solve?

o   Who is your target audience?

o   How are you going to make money with your app?

2. Research the Market

• Take your idea, and investigate what other apps are out there like it

• Plan accordingly and design your app so it stands out from the others

3. Create a Sketch

• Put your idea to paper, and draw out what each individual page and screen would look like

• It can be done on pen and paper or you can use a wireframing structure such as;

o   Pidoco

o   Axure

o   Microsoft Visio

o   Evernote Penultimate

4. Design the Appearance

• Take your wireframe ideas, and add colour and design

5. Back End Coding

• The largest phase of the app development

• While your code is being created by software developers, it is a good opportunity to register for a developer account with Google Play or the Apple App Store

6. Test your App

• This is a crucial stage, since you want to make sure your app is fully functioning

• At this point every screen should work and appear well

7. Modify and Adjust

• From the testing stage; adjust your prototype and make the tweaks necessary to polish up the app

8. Beta Testing

• This allows you to recruit testers from your target audience

• You can recruit the ideal beta testers from Twitter, Reddit, etc.

• Make sure the testers get engaged, giving you the most feedback

9. Launch your App

• Wrap up the final changes and then release!

• For Android: you are able to simply add your app and start selling it in Google Play

• For Apple: your app will have to be reviewed before it goes live, this takes time, anywhere between 3-10 days

10.  Market your App

• Promoting and marketing your app is important to ensure consumers know about it and start downloading the app; so, it can begin making money right away

• A good way to market your app is to promote it through your social media platforms, for example on Instagram through both stories and posts.

Creating a profitable app is no easy task, reach out to us today and learn more about how we can help you launch your next great business idea!