#Website Design Checklist

[chrisbrown4444]

Budget-Friendly Website Design Tools for B2B Companies Without Compromising Quality 

In today's competitive environment A professional and functional website is essential for B2B companies, however, creating a high-quality website can often be expensive. This poses a challenge for businesses looking to balance affordability and efficiency. The good news? Many budget-friendly best website design tools can help you achieve outstanding results without breaking the bank.

This guide explores solutions recommended by experts. Key features to consider and helpful tips to enhance your business with a cost-effective yet professional online presence... 

Why Budget-Friendly Website Design Tools Matter 

Tackling B2B business challenges

For industrialists and technical teams A website is more than a digital brochure. A website is an important tool for generating leads. Engage with customers and show expertise But budget constraints often force businesses to compromise on design quality or functionality.

Balancing cost and quality

Today, inexpensive tools are designed to maintain responsiveness. User experience and high levels of SEO optimization. By choosing the right tools, B2B companies can compete effectively in the digital space without overburdening their budgets.

Key Features to Look for in Affordable Website Design Tools 

1. User-friendly interface

Budget tools like Wix and Squarespace focus on ease of use. It allows technical teams to create professional websites without advanced coding skills.

2. Responsive design

The dominance of mobile traffic on the web makes responsive design non-negotiable. Look for a tool that guarantees smooth performance across all devices.

3. SEO friendly

An effective B2B website depends on search engine visibility. Tools with built-in SEO features like meta tag optimization and keyword inclusion can help boost your rankings at no additional cost.

4. Scalability and customization

Your business needs will increase. Therefore, it is essential to choose a tool that allows for future customization. Either through templates or plugin integrations. 

Expert-Recommended Budget-Friendly Website Design Tools 

1. Wix

Ideal for startups, Wix has a drag-and-drop interface with several professional templates. Its affordability and ease of use make it ideal for small B2B companies.

2. Classroom area

Squarespace is famous for its modern design. Suitable for businesses that value beauty and functionality.

3. WordPress

WordPress is a favorite of tech experts. It combines affordability with scalability. With many plugins and themes It is therefore an effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

4. Network flow

Webflow offers advanced customization features for creative and technical teams. Combining design freedom with technical precision. 

Practical Solutions for Cost-Effective Website Development 

1. Leverage open source platforms

Open source tools like WordPress significantly reduce development costs by providing free themes, plugins, and community support.

2. Use pre-made templates

Many platforms offer high-quality templates that eliminate the need for custom designs. Templates can save time and guarantee professional results.

3. Work with cloud-based tools

Design tools like Figma and Canva help improve teamwork. It enables real-time collaboration for fast and cost-effective project delivery. 

SEO and Quality Considerations in Budget-Friendly Tools 

SEO optimized features

Many affordable tools come with built-in SEO functionality like keyword optimization, meta descriptions, and sitemap generation. These features ensure that your website ranks higher in search engines. This attracts more traffic to your business.

Responsible design for industrial customers

B2B websites aimed at industrial customers should guarantee smooth operation on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Budget-friendly tools like Wix and WordPress offer responsive designs. 

Case Studies: Success Stories Using Affordable Tools 

1. Industrial organization To achieve scalability with WordPress

A medium-sized manufacturing company uses WordPress and a combination of plugins to scale their website as their business expands. Shows how inexpensive tools can grow with a company...

2. Get started on the benefits of Wix for business websites

B2B startup launches website in less than two weeks using Wix's drag-and-drop editor and professional templates This saves time and money. 

Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Tool for Your Business 

Assess your business needs: Consider the main goals of your website. Whether it's generating leads or increasing product performance or brand credibility...

Prioritize your long-term goals: Opt for a scalable solution that can grow with your business.

Usability testing: Use the free trial to ensure the tool's interface matches the skill level of your team. 

Conclusion 

Investing in a budget-friendly best website design tool doesn't mean sacrificing quality. With the right platform, B2B companies can create responsive, SEO-friendly, and professional websites that meet their business goals. Whether you are a startup or a famous industrialist. These tools can help you exceed your budget and build a strong online presence. 

[marrywillson]

A UX audit is an investment that pays off. By uncovering hidden issues and streamlining the user journey, you can unlock the true potential of your website.

[adasitecompliance]

User-Friendly Financial Website Design

User-friendly financial website design not only enhances accessibility but also improves the overall browsing experience for all visitors!

[simmerkate]

Desk Clutter Goals Set

Turn your Sims' desks into productivity hubs with this stylish and functional décor collection! Whether for a cozy home office or a bustling creative space, this set has everything your Sims need to stay organized and inspired.

Included in the Set:

Sticky Notes Stack

A colorful stack of sticky notes featuring a handwritten reminder. Perfect for adding a pop of realism to any workspace.

Envelope Pile

A neat stack of envelopes in various colors to create a realistic and busy desk vibe.

Stacked Letters

A collection of neatly piled letters for Sims who love to stay on top of their correspondence.

Scattered Letters

A casually placed set of letters to add a lived-in feel to your builds.

Pasta Salad Box

A fresh takeout salad box featuring greens, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and more. Perfect for lunch breaks at the desk.

Paper Coffee Cup

A cozy coffee cup with a detailed cardboard sleeve and logo design. Ideal for Sims who thrive on caffeine.

Apple Pen

A sleek and modern pen, perfect for pairing with the digital planner.

Digital Planner iPad

A high-tech tablet planner with colorful tabs and an open “Quick Notes” page. A must-have for organized Sims.

Bulletin Board

A functional corkboard to display notes, checklists, or trackers. Great for personalizing office spaces.

Planners for Bulletin Board

Planner sheets to pin onto the bulletin board, including a savings tracker and daily self-care checklist.

Details:

Category: Décor

In-Game Location: Clutter or search SimmerKate+

Base Game Compatible: Yes

Public Release Date: February 8th, 2025 Patreon (xx) ad-free

Socials

Follow me for updates, sneak peeks, and more custom content!

Instagram: @SimmerKatex

Facebook: facebook.com/simmerkate

Website: www.simmerkate.com

CurseForge: SimmerKate

[delulu4anime]

Maniac

Ch 2-An Unwelcome Visit

Parings ➧ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ!ꜱᴀᴛᴏʀᴜ ɢᴏᴊᴏ x ᴄʜᴜʙʙʏ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Summary ➧ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴠᴏɪᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴏɴᴇ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ɪᴛ ᴜɴᴀᴠᴏɪᴅᴀʙʟᴇ. ʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴɪᴀᴄ ɪꜰ ʜᴇ ᴛʜɪɴᴋꜱ ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜰᴀʟʟ ꜰᴏʀ ʜɪᴍ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ.

Trigger Warnings ➧ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ ʜᴇʀᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ꜱᴍᴜᴛ.

Word Count ➧2.2ᴋ+

Taglist ➧@lady-of-blossoms (ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛᴀɢɢᴇᴅ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʟᴍᴋ❣︎)

    A few weeks had passed by after getting the dreadful news that Satoru would be standing by the groom like you would be the bride. You distracted yourself with the excitement Emi had once the pressure of picking a date and time for the wedding were finally set. The wedding would be on November twenty-sixth at six in the afternoon. This gave Emi and Kento exactly seven months to plan everything from who would be invited to what guest would be eating at the reception. Emi had brought her laptop and started on her checklist she had for her wedding when the shop had its down time.

    Due to the rainy weather over the past few days business was a little slower; most people wanted their coffee hot and to go so they could rush wherever they needed to go before the rain got to them. Which fortunately for you two meant you could look over the next thing on her check list which was what Emi wanted her invitations looked like. She had found a random website that seemed to carry hundreds upon hundreds of designs for invitations and rsvp cards alike for a reasonable price. She pointed out a few options then would scrunch her nose up as if she immediately hated the idea that her and Kento's name with their special date would be printed on something like that. You pointed out a few subtle designs which you knew she would hate just to see her reaction.

    "Isn't it your turn to dust the book shelves?" She said when you pointed out a design that resembled something a child would use to invite their friends to their sixth birthday party and not a formal wedding.

You groaned and raised the duster up to show her you knew that you had been assigned to dusting patrol which was personally your least favorite thing to do. You always got side tracked by books you wanted to add to your reading list.

    "I'm going. I'm going," You say as you shuffle your feet over to the first shelf. "By the way how many people are you planning on inviting. Between the both of you I'm sure at least a hundred people will be there." You say as you start to dust the shelf trying to hold back a sneeze as dust flys towards you.

    "I'm not sure yet. Kento and I want to keep it relatively small but the last time we talked about who all we wanted to invite we were already at a hundred and fifteen people." Emi said as she kept scrolling.

    "So much for small." You say as you look out to see the rain falling harder than it had been a few minutes prior.

    "You're telling me. Kento said he'd be stopping by soon to see if we had enough dinnerware for the wedding. We figured we could use what we have here. I'll ask him then how many people. I'm not looking forward to seeing some of his cousins. Compared to Kento they get unruly when they drink too much. I almost want to have a dry wedding but you know I'm going to need a few in me to have all those people staring at us all night." She said as she rested her head in her hand as she made a few clicking sounds on her mouse pad.

    "Are they really that bad? They can't be worse then we are. You remember the last time we went to The Black Out right? Kento refused to talk to us until we scrubbed the hundreds of dicks we drew all over his face when he woke up the next morning." You say and chuckle at the memory.

    "Oh trust me they are much worse. Getting drunk is the only way I'll be able tolerate them." She says as she grabbed one of her pigtails that has dropped over her shoulder and got in the way of her keyboard. She threw it over her shoulder as she started typing again.

    "I second that. I'm going to need to be hammered if I'm going to be dealing with Gojo all night." You say as you make your way dusting other parts of the shelf.

    "Why do you hate him so much again?" Emi asked looking up from her laptop to see you stiffen.

    Before you could answer the door flew open which caused the bell to ring out and caught both of your attentions. Kento walked in as he tried to fix his umbrella that clearly hadn't been able to withstand the winds of the storm. You both giggled at his disheveled look; his yellow and black tie had been flung over his shoulder. His glasses were covered in rain water while his taupe blazer had been left open by accident. This caused his cobalt blue shirt to come untucked due to the high winds and his taupe colored pants were soaked from the shin down.

    He looked like he had been to hell and back. You watched as he walked forward and placed his wet deformed umbrella into the holder as best as he could near the door. He straightened out his hair but before you could tease Kento you noticed the figure behind you. You felt your whole body run hot then cold because you recognized that snow white hair anywhere. Blue eyes looked up from his phone and a smirk painted across those rose tinted lips; those eyes moved away from you and towards Emi.

    "Emi!" Satoru exclaimed as he closed his umbrella and put it in the holder next to Kento's umbrella. The storm didn't seem to touch him compared to friend. "Long time no see." He said as she came around the counter to greet him.

    "If I knew the storm was going to be that bad I would've told you to stay in the office." Emi said as she leaned up and kissed Kento on the cheek.

    "I wanted to get out of the office and Gojo refused to take no as an answer." Kento said as he placed his hand on the small of Emi's back. "Plus I need to double check if you have what we need."

    "I'll show you to the back then. How many people are we inviting again?" Emi asked as she made her way to the back room where you kept everything from plates and cups to extra bookmarks and magazines.

Before Kento walked to the back he turned to Satoru and you knew Kento was narrowing his eyes at Satoru by the sound of his voice.

    "Behave." Is all Kento said before he turned to wave at you, then proceed to follow his fiancée to the back.

You almost wanted to beg them not to go because you couldn't remember the last time you were alone with Satoru. You sighed and turned your attention back to the next bookshelf to dust. Maybe if you kept busy he wouldn't notice you.

    "Well, well, well if it isn't my little peach." You heard Satoru call out to you.

Maybe not.

    You never wanted the earth to swallow you up more than right now. Out of all the times for there to be a storm to slow down customers from coming in why did it have to be on a day that you had to see Satoru. You couldn't help the hatred that poured out of you; you rolled your eyes and looked over to him. He hadn't changed one bit since high school other than the fact his sunglasses he always wore were now tucked into his blazer pocket. He still towered over you at an astonishing six foot three and you hated how small you felt under his gaze whether you wanted to or not.

    "And if it isn't Mr. Douche bag. I just ate lunch you know? After seeing your face suddenly I feel like I'm going to puke." You huffed out as you fixed a few books that seemed out of place.

    "Ouch. Still as bitchy as ever I see." He said and leaned against the shelf you were cleaning.

    Now that he was closer you could smell the expensive cologne that you wanted so badly to hate but had to admit made him smell exhilarating. He wore an all black suit that only seemed to make his distinct eyes and hair stand out even more. Black blazer, black slacks, black tie, black leather shoes. He reminded you of a black hole that would cause so much distraction but your younger self wouldn't hesitate to dive right in. Your present self was faced with the supposition that you might want to dive in even now despite everything.

    "Why don't you take a picture so you can drool over me in private. Have you no shame peach?" He said as he looked you over.

    His eyes running from your beat up vans that you wore religiously and up your curvy thighs in the ripped jeans that wasn't tainted by food coloring yet. His eyes moved to the green and white stripped apron you had wrapped around your waist because your favorite one needed to be washed. Your white t-shirt that now made you feel shelf conscious with the v-cut that might be showing off a little too much cleavage. Usually you'd use those to your advantage to get a little extra tips but now you felt exposed to him. His blue eyes looking at your lips before finally looking into your eyes. You could feel the way your face heated up at the intense gaze you found yourself under as if he still saw you as the little desperate girl in high school.

    "Fuck you Gojo." You scoff as you clutch onto the duster in your hand.

    "I know you want to. I'm sure you've fantasied about it since high school." He teased and you knew that sinking feeling all too well. He just continued to confirm that you were delusional to think he would look at you the way you wanted him to.

    "Why'd you follow Kento like a lost puppy to the shop. I'm sure there's a dumb little assistant back at the office waiting for you." You say as you push past Satoru to walk over to a near by table. You shove the duster in your back pocket as you try and tidy up the table that didn't really need it but you didn't know what else to do.

    "Aw, do you envy all those assistants I get to bend over my desk and fuck," He mocked you as he followed close behind you. "You know that shade of green is unflattering on you peach."

You turned so quickly as you bucked your chest up against him. He might be taller than you but you weren't the helpless little girl you use to be in high school. You had vowed since then that you'd speak you mind no matter what.

    "How could I possibly be jealous of another stupid women falling for your cheap tricks. Besides how many divorces are you on again? From all the rumors I heard your precious Hina left you. I wouldn't talk so much shit for someone who was left with nothing." You lash out which only causes him to narrow his eyes at you. He placed both his hands against the table caging you in as and he lowered himself closer to you.

    "For someone who hates me so much you sure know a lot about me. Keep fooling yourself all you want but you and I both know you loved hearing about the divorce. I wouldn't talk so much shit for someone who'd love to be my next little wife. Isn't that right peach?" He breathed. He was even closer than before and the mixture of mint gum and that cologne drowning your senses again.

Before you could respond there was someone clearing their throat which caused you both to look over to see Emi, who had her hands crossed over her chest, and Kento standing close by with a smirk spread across his lips.

    "Sorry to interrupt this little lovers quarrel you have going on but I think now would be a good time to tell you both that Kento and I just decided that we still have so much to complete in the next seven months and we can't do it all by ourselves. We thought we could ask for your help but maybe we should ask someone else." Emi said firmly which caused you to push past Satoru again.

    "I'm sorry Emi." You softly said as you played nervously with some loose threads from your apron. "I'd be more than happy to help you both. We promise to be on our best behaviors to make sure this is the wedding you deserve. Right?" You said the last word through gritted teeth as you looked over at Satoru who was smiling at you then at Emi.

    "We haven't seen each other in so long and you know how much I love to tease my friends." He said as he patted your head as you tried to fight the urge to slap his hand away which is the reaction he was looking for.

Friend? Far from it and you know that you liar. You said to yourself as you grabbed the duster from your back pocket and made your way back over to finish dusting the last shelf.

    "Wonderful!" Emi cheered as she clapped her hands together. "Now to go over what you we need your help with." She said as she made her way to her laptop.

This was going to be the longest seven months of your life.

©ᴅᴇʟᴜʟᴜ4ᴀɴɪᴍᴇ 2025 ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛꜱ ʀᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ

ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀɴɪᴀᴄ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ

ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜꜱʜʀᴏᴏᴍ ᴊᴇʟʟʏꜰɪꜱʜ ᴇxʜɪʙɪᴛ

[blue-wolfe]

Is there any advice you'd give to someone looking to start a fiction podcast?

Yeah! I had an ask about this before that I meant to answer...

So, it very much depends on what you want from a podcast. I definitely learned a lot while producing S1. If you want something higher production and in-depth, you have to consider the following:

Audio checklist...

Music source and sound identity. Where are you sourcing music? Where are you getting your foley? Can you make it yourself?

Sound editing / sound design. What editing program will you use? Do you know how to craft soundscapes? Can you learn? If not, is there someone willing to work with you? I was unhappy with the initial sound editing in CHNT, and also on quite the tight budget, so I had to quickly teach myself sound design. It's clearly amateur. If this is you, you have to decide how okay you are with that.

Voices. How do you want voices? Do you have friends? Will you hire professionals? Will you craft a formula where you can do it all yourself?

Personal equipment for if you are recording yourself. I recommend the Shure SM7B with a Focusright Scarlett processor and a Cloudlifter.

Recording program. Audacity is free to use and a quality tool.

Social checklist...

Visuals and story identity; cover art, logo, and recognition.

Production company / individual identity, and website for accessibility and central information.

Distribution channels. Where will you host your RSS and see your analytics? There are plenty of providers, and you have to decide your budget vs. quality concerns with a given provider.

Income source. For all the costs you add up here, how are you paying for it? There are plenty of cheap and free alternatives out there, but for everything you can do yourself, there's an upfront fee for the tools. I won't lie, I ran up a few credit cards a scary amount to get CHNT started.

All stuff I had to figure out at first, and if you do have the funds, it's not as hard as it sounds. The hardest part for me was doing the research and then properly sourcing some funding as a broke college kid.

But I have one more piece of advice for you that I still need to learn.

Making something shitty is better than making nothing at all.

It is a marvel to create anything. There will always be someone out there that appreciates it. I am a terrible perfectionist, and I end up agonizing over my own work. Paradoxically, the better you get at your craft, the more you will agonize yourself as your tastes get more refined and your skills cannot catch up. There is nothing productive about me banging my head against the keyboard because I doubt my own scripts, and there will be nothing productive about you going "oh... I'll wait til I..." NO! That is the devil. If you want to do it, do it now, or else you never will.

[mostlyghostly42]

worldbuilding websites list

guides/prompts

Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions - SFWA 

Dr. Zahir's Ethnographical Questionnaire - FrathWiki 

University of Auntimoany Ethnographical Questionnaire 

Creature-Race creation sheet by Sethian-Motzart on DeviantArt 

Worldbuilding Bible Template – Ellen Brock 

Guide to World Building - Pantheons — Dump Stat Adventures 

Building a Pantheon: How to Choose Your Gods - Tribality 

Making Gods & Pantheons: Worldbuilding Abstract | Red Ragged Fiend 

I invented this world building system for myself, and it's helped me a lot. Posting it here in case it helps somebody else too! (and because mnemonics are rad) : r/worldbuilding 

Simple Ideas for Your Solarpunk Worlds : r/worldbuilding 

50 Worldbuilding Prompts : r/worldbuilding 

A few months ago I posted a not-so-elegant expansion of the 4-elements system, and got tons of truly excellent feedback. Inspired by the exciting discussions from back then, here is version 2.0! CC appreciated :) : r/worldbuilding 

TheCosmicForces-WoWChronicleSample.png (PNG Image, 1350 × 1800 pixels) — Scaled (37%) 

GitHub - honno/classical-elements-expansion: Because the alchemical elements are so last millennia. 

brownlisthumanuniversals.pdf - Google Drive 

Worldbuilding: Fantasy Religion Design Guide – Inkwell Ideas 

Worldbuilding: Clothing and Fashion | HumanVariant 

A Guide to Conworld Architecture : r/worldbuilding 

Medieval Bestiary : Contents/SiteMap 

kosemen-2017-updated-edition-of-book-all-your-yesterdays.pdf 

Political Simulator 

A World Building Checklist | Articles | cru’s D&D Reading Room 

Split City 

Fantasy name generators. Names for all your fantasy characters. 

word processors/graph makers/visualizers

TiddlyWiki — a non-linear personal web notebook 

bibisco: Best Novel Writing Software for Writers 

Preceden Timeline Maker: Create a Timeline in Minutes 

Timetoast timeline maker | Timetoast timelines 

Free online timeline maker 

draw.io 

Parliament Diagrams 

TreeGraph 2 - A phylogenetic tree editor 

Fantasy Calendar - Level up your narrative 

Family Echo - Free Online Family Tree Maker 

Hero Forge Custom Miniatures 

Tennessine 

Courtney’s Picrew Zone 

Ellipsus | Collaborative writing software 

real world inspiration

The Meaning and History of First Names - Behind the Name 

Geologic Time Scale - Major Divisions of Geologic Time Chart 

Geologic Time Scale v. 6.0 - The Geological Society of America - timescl.pdf 

Travel Through Deep Time With This Interactive Earth | Smithsonian 

ChronostratChart2023-09 - ChronostratChart2023-09.pdf 

ics-chart 

International Commission on Stratigraphy 

Home - Nationalclothing.org 

Folk Fashion Tumblr - Traditional Clothing from the world 

Glossary for Medieval Art and Architecture 

Heraldry Links-A Free Learning Resource 

Flags of the World 

Food Timeline: food history research service 

History of invention: A science and technology timeline 

Medieval Bestiary : Animals in the Middle Ages 

Medieval Life 

Medievalists.net - Where the Middle Ages Begin 

Historical World Maps - World History Atlas 

[embodiedfutures]

i love treating our tumblr like a personal blog, it’s always felt so much more intimate on this app than other social media platforms! hi, my loves.

anyways, i just wanted to give you some updates:

new organization name finalized a few months ago

new color palette finalized last month

new logo finalized last night

been building the website in framer in my free time (we also considered readymag, which was cool too)

mission statement finalized earlier this month

vision statement mostly done as of last night?

volunteer hub for all our future members via notion designed earlier this month, that’s where we’re doing all our planning and brainstorming now

almost done designing the new volunteer roles and committees

we’ve all collectively been reading a BUNCH, taking inspiration from so many amazing sources, but especially Black feminism!

…and more to come. we’ve got a LOT on our checklist, including have to change our name on all legal paperwork and all that that entails, but it’s work i look forward to completing!

— reaux (she/they)

[mrghostrat]

trying to promo a new fic idea of mine on tumblr but i have..... 0 of an idea how to improve ☠️ how on earth do you go about with elevator pitches on a website like this? You pitched the idea of BNF and Streamerguys so well and naturally !!

to be fair, i have a bachelor degree in game design, and one of our early assignments had us make 25 game pitches in 2 weeks. then we had to throw 20 of them out and create 10 more. so i've got enough practise under my belt from that alone 🥵

elevator pitches are daunting, but fandom is so nice to us because we've already got the ao3 tagging system and handy trope vernacular. use them!! i try to mention my main tropes in all my fic summaries because they're such a succinct way to describe sooo much about the story (like "Enemies to Lovers")

the rest of it comes down to the actual storytelling process, and how well you can recognise your main themes and conflicts. for slower going stories (i.e. Streamer AU), the setting can also be a helpful detail to mention.

one of the hardest things about an elevator pitch is holding back information. you only want it to contain the most pivotal points, even if it feels like you're leaving out tons of important detail that people might like. when it's particularly difficult to cut a pitch down, i separate it into multiple summaries that focus on a different part of the story, and alternate which one i use when i post about it.

SO to try and wrap this up, here's a checklist for things you can use when making a pitch/summary, and some examples:

the main relationship trope/tag (i.e. enemies->lovers, childhood friends, fake relationship, new neighbours, professional rivals, online relationship, celebrity/fan, secretly pining)

the primary conflict, or the catalyst for the story (i.e. aziraphale signs up for the paris trip, not realising his worst enemy is going too // crowley and aziraphale are mad for each other but legally can't date or crowley will lose his job // crowley wants to take a clipping of a rare rose but priest aziraphale wont let him into his garden)

a pre-existing work it's referencing (i.e. movies and tv show plots you're using, like The Office, Harry Potter, Love Actually etc)

the setting (incl locations, time period, character employment) (i.e. two shops on the same street, school field trip to paris, wedding planner, Through The Ages, coffee shop, actors, authors, musicians etc)

any other trope/tag for flavour if you need to flesh it out (i.e. coming out, meet cute, summer vacation, crowley is good with kids, angst with a happy ending)

[myactualblogisabbs]

AA resources

(Artist Alley, not Alcoholics Anonymous.) Since a lot of internet AA things are locked away behind Discord, I'm making a compilation of resources, in the spirit of oldschool information sharing. Note: I'm mainly done stickers and charms. I have very little experience with enamel/acrylic pins so far, however I expect to update this when that experience is acquired, probably around Jan-Feb 2025.

Good overall information about Artist Alley-ing! Covers everything from production to sales. Google keeps hiding this, so I might as well try and make it a bit more visible.

Manufacturers (Mainly Euro-friendly)

Pretty Good Stickers Based in Sweden. This place has a low minimum order for stickers, and the price drops the more you buy. Except instead having to order 100+ stickers, you can just order 2, 10, 25, etc. This is _gold_ when you do small sticker runs for old niche stuff, like I do. Heads up that they'll take more time if you order different materials, but they've always delivered within the timeframe promised when I've ordered.

Vograce Based in China, with all that that entails. Takes a long-ish time to deliver charms, and you'll get hit with customs. Discounts start around 6+ items, and different designs can be combined to get a bigger discount. Also a hit-and-miss with production managers. Best to find one that works for you, and keep requesting her. Very economical for charms (Minimum order is around 3), less so for stickers (Minimum order is 50 of one size + material, although you can do 5 different designs), but expect to wait for a long time + B- grades happen. Pawprint Designs Based in Spain. Good quality. Delivers faster than Vograce, no customs charge (If you're in the EU). Very good for charms, especially if you have a bigger quantity. Ships reliably fast, great for getting to conventions on time. Their charms have a relief quality to them, which makes them feel more luxurious and worth the extra cost. The styles and colours of clasps are more limited than Vograce, and unlike Vograce, they're not free. They are optional though, so you can save a lot by just buying the clasps you want from wherever you want, and assembling them at home. Also, they sometimes send you the resulting B-grades for no extra cost, so you can put them together at home using a bag of clasps, and sell for cheaper at conventions.

Useful Tools

Checklist Spreadsheet Template by Sedra Convention Sales Sheet Template

If you see something you made and wish to be credited, please let me know :)

(Note: I'd prefer if someone would put this on the internet in a neocities website at some point, to make sure it's actually accessible to everyone for real, and not just people with a tumblr account. I might do this at some point, just not sure when.)

[marrywillson]

The UX Audits Guide in 2024: Unlocking Your Website's Potential

Think of a UX audit as a check-up for your website. It analyses various aspects – usability, information architecture, accessibility ��� to identify areas for improvement. UX audits in 2024 are more important than ever, with a focus on:

Evolving User Needs:  Web users are growing savvier. They expect websites to be intuitive, responsive, and cater to their specific needs. A 2024 UX audit should consider these evolving expectations.

Accessibility for All:  Ensuring your website is accessible to everyone is not just ethical, it's smart business. A well-conducted audit will identify and address potential barriers for users with disabilities.

AI and Machine Learning:  The rise of AI and machine learning in UX analysis provides valuable data on user behaviour.  2024 audits should leverage these tools to gain deeper insights and personalize the user journey.

Benefits of a UX Audit:

Increased Conversions:  A smooth user experience translates to higher conversion rates. By identifying pain points, you can optimize your website to drive more sales or leads.

Improved User Engagement:  When users find what they need quickly and easily, they're more likely to stay engaged and explore further.

Enhanced Brand Reputation:  A user-friendly website reflects positively on your brand.  A UX audit can help ensure your website delivers a positive first impression.

Ready to Unlock Your Website's Potential?

A UX audit is an investment that pays off. By uncovering hidden issues and streamlining the user journey, you can unlock the true potential of your website. Consider partnering with a UX professional or utilizing user testing tools to conduct a comprehensive audit and take your website to the next level.

[adasitecompliance]

Financial Services ADA Checklist

7 Tips To Design ADA-Compliant Financial Services Websites

Banking and investment have recently changed a lot in the US, where more than 40% of adults access online financial services. With this ride in demand and need for online financial services comes the increased need for accessible web content. Despite only viewable pages of banking and financial sites considered to be places of public accommodation, only 1% of the most popular sites on the internet are compliant. And with more than 25% of US adults living with some disability, ensuring your site is compliant helps avoid ending up in expensive ADA lawsuits.

There is no need to worry if you do not know how to make your site ADA-compliant. We at ADA Site Compliance are here to help. We are the #1 source for all ADA website compliance issues and will check your site for accessibility while you focus on doing what you do best. Use the Financial Services ADA Checklist to tick all the accessibility boxes on your website.

Top 7 Best Practices to Adopt to Design ADA-Compliant Financial Services Websites

Here is a list of the seven best practices financial services should adopt while designing their website to ensure they adhere to website compliance standards:

1. Conduct Automated and User Testing

The first step involves assessing the current accessibility level of your website. Automated user testing is especially a better option for checking sites with hundreds or thousands of template product pages, which is tedious to perform manually. An automated test involves analyzing accessibility status based on real-time data. Upon completing the analysis, recommendations are made for the entire site to be easily integrated into the overall website design. However, your site requires user testing because automated testing cannot flag every WCAG violation. It is where usability and digital accessibility experts and people who use assistive technologies daily manually test your site for accessibility issues. The best user interface and testing program for a website is performed with the help of experts from:

Local activist groups or nonprofit organizations working with people with disabilities

The disability community

Friends, family members, or work colleagues using assistive technology or who have disabilities

Testers from different databases

2. Simple Fonts and Texts are Always Better

With the website’s text size, font, and style speaking a lot of your brand, its consistent and logical use helps prevent any confusion among site visitors. And to prevent confusion, it is always better to:

Use bold or italic text for important points

Avoid using large paragraphs, as it can be confusing for users with dyslexia to read

Divide information into bulleted lists

3. Simple Fonts and Texts are Always Better

You never know who may visit your financial website. That is why it should be accessible to users with auditory, mental, visual, physical, and visual impairments too. So your website needs some changes if users with disabilities cannot navigate the website using the help of only the tab button. These four tips help ensure your site content is easy to navigate:

Placing important information in the exact location on all pages

Ensuring disabled users can quickly find specific information on your website

Linearly presenting information on the website so that users with screen readers can easily scan the page from top to bottom

Having a “Skip Navigation’ feature at the top of the site so that screen readers can quickly find and access specific content

4. Clear and Concise Navigation

Accessibility issues due to poor color contrast may arise in websites that focus more on using colors consistent with their branding instead of using colors that promote effective communication. Users with cognitive disabilities, the color blind, and some other users with disabilities may find it challenging to access a site if the text and background colors are not in proper contrast. Some tips to consider to ensure proper contrast involve:

Maintaining a color-contrast ratio of 4.5:1 between all text and background colors

Using high-contrast visual aids or color schemes

Not depending solely on text of different colors for communicating messages

5. Using Proper Color Contrast

Your financial website audio and video assets determine your website accessibility. Accessing your website’s audio and visual content can be challenging for users with visual or cognitive impairments without the proper measures. Including descriptions of all audio and video files embedded in the website helps improve your website compliance. It is because it will help visually impaired users understand the purpose of all the website audio and video content. The following tips can improve your site accessibility:

Adding text captions, subtitles, and alternative text for images makes it easier for screen readers to read

Including audio descriptions and subtitles in multiple languages

Adding audio cues signaling changes in setting, color, gestures, and other visual elements

6. Including Descriptions on All Website Social Media Assets

Most users with disabilities resort to using screen readers to access ADA-friendly websites. So placing help text inline error messages below fields will help ensure visitors fill out forms. This helps in two ways:

The first is visitors can quickly contact your website through the form

Secondly, inline errors help users understand how to repair any incorrect fields

7. Include Labels and Inline Messaging in Website Forms

Ensuring the alt text in the website copy is as straightforward as possible lets visitors easily access the content they need. The best way to achieve this is by dividing the website text into headings and subheadings and correctly positioning them on the web page. Lastly, ensure all abbreviations and acronyms used in the website are appropriately punctuated using periods for better readability. And do not forget to have a developer review your website code once the website is ready. Not only should your website comply with all laws, but it should also function properly without a code.

More About ADA and Website Accessibility

The ADA law requires that users with disabilities should be able to access public physical structures with the help of wheelchairs and ramps. In addition, it requires that users with disabilities be able to access websites easily. This means that users with impairments should be able to read, use, and navigate page elements of the website easily without any problems. This is achieved with the right website color contrasts, alt tags, website navigation, and proper markup and coding.

What are the ADA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines?

The web accessibility standards WCAG 2.1 are presently the highest in the US for website accessibility. It is challenging to attain Title III compliance as the law does not specify any website accessibility procedure. However, despite no official ADA standard, web content accessibility guidelines WCAG 2.0 AA is the standard adopted for website compliance.

Conclusion

Whether you plan to design or redesign your financial services website does not matter. What does matter is ensuring it is ADA-compliant for two main reasons: To ensure your website is accessible to everyone and also to avoid landing up in a lawsuit. Following these steps ensures video content on your website is accessible to everyone, including users with various types of disabilities. Web compliance is a continual process wherein you must check your website to ensure it’s updated with the latest compliance issues. Do not worry if you find this tedious because we at ADA Site Compliance can help. It is what we are best at, ensuring ADA-compliant websites. We proudly say we are the #1 source for all ADA-accessible website and compliance issues. Our team of accessibility experts will check and fix all errors to ensure your website is fully ADA-compliant!

[bomberqueen17]

Loftus Bralette Sewing Journal: cutting out

LOL so I have started the project but not made a ton of progress, but I thought, well, I'll write it up anyway.

First thing I did was watch the sewalong. It's not the slickest, shiniest sewalong-- there's no jaunty theme song, there's no animated intro, there's no flashy graphics-- it's very much Old Youtubey, where it's someone actually doing the steps and showing you as she goes, not really sped up, with minimal intercuts. As it happens, the demonstrating sewist is the owner of Porcelynne, which is a lingerie supply company and pattern maker, and she also helped design this pattern and the previous Cashmerette bra because she is not only a bra specialist but also is a very busty woman herself, and so completely on the same wavelength. She has incredible technical knowledge, has clearly sewn very many bras, produces a lovely end product, and shows you several places where she either made a mistake or has made many mistakes in the past and has developed this trick to avoid the mistakes. So it's a good solid sewalong... just not the most short-attention-span-friendly thing in the world.

So I will say I watched the sewalong with closed captions on and at 1.5x speed, just for my first runthrough.

(I can't watch a sewalong or tutorial while I'm trying to sew a thing. I do best if I watch it first, so I know what to expect. Hopefully it relates well enough to the instruction manual that I can piece the two together and figure out what I'm supposed to do as I go.)

And now I've started my own sew-through.

I bought a bunch of stuff from Porcelynne-- a nice kit for once I've made it, but basic stuff to muslin it. There are several places on the Cashmerette website and also in the instruction book for the pattern that lays out exactly what fabric you need and what notions. I also then made a list in Sharpie on a scrap of paper, inventorying how many pieces of each pattern piece I needed, and how many inches of each type of elastic I needed, so that I could enclose that inventory along with this iteration of the garment, so that I could refer to the checklist.

I also labeled the elastic-- N for neckline, U for underarm-- as I cut it, so I would know what was supposed to go where.

[img desc my hand holding several lengths of peach-colored elastic, one with a sharpie N and the other with a sharpie U which is sideways and looks like a C but I know what it means trust me. in the background is a baggie with other elastic in it including two pink straps I cut off an old bra to reuse the notions. This bra muslin is not going to be all one color or even going to match, that's just how it is.]

I forgot to order cup lining, it was in my cart but then the session refreshed and I didn't re-add it. So I'm making my muslin with two layers of the same fabric, which means I need to label which layers are the lining and which the outer. This is both easier and harder and I'll let you know whether I recommend this or not 😅.

I'm following Jen from Porcelynne's suggestion of marking the wrong side of the fabric with painter's tape, and i applied the tape immediately after cutting out each piece since there's not an obvious right or wrong side to this fabric, and I also used a felt-tipped marker to write on the painter's tape which 1) piece it was, which 2) layer it was, and 3) whether it was the pattern piece or the mirror image. (Given my specific brand of neurospicy I cannot reliably tell left from right so I'm just making One Half Of The Bra The Same Direction As The Paper Pattern And The Other Half Mirror-Imaged and I'll find out which is right and which is left once i put it on.)

I also immediately used a felt-tipped marker to trace the grainlines on the pattern pieces, then flipped them over and traced the marker line onto the other side, so that I could see how the grainline should be oriented while I had the pattern pieces in mirror-image mode, since the most accurate way to cut fabric is not to cut it while folded. And i know myself, I'd want to wiggle the odd-shaped pieces to fit best on the fabric, and I'd fuck up the grainlines, which are important especially as some of the pieces are cut from stretch fabric.

To add to the confusion, the lining is inside-out from the regular bra. So my first layer, everything mirror-imaged gets an A on the end. (Piece 1a, 2a, 3a on the painter's tape.) but for the lining, the A goes on everything NOT mirror imaged, because the lining and main pieces are cut from the same pattern piece. So the first half of my bra consists of pieces 1, 2, 3 in main fabric, and then mirror-imaged pices 1L, 2L, 3L, and 6L in the lining fabric, and then also 6 non-mirror-imaged in the lining fabric-- 6 is the center front bit and you cut both layers from your lining.

So then the opposite of that is the other half of my bra. Pieces 1A, 2A, 3A, and then lining 1LA, 2LA, 3LA, etc. And then there are two copies of pattern pieces 5 and 4 cut from the powermesh fabric-- the powerbar, and the back band.

L for lining appears in the written instructions, and that plus my own inability to distinguish left from right is why the bra is not labeled L for left or R for right. L for Lining would confuse me even if I just labeled the right half. So I did not, it is Side Unmarked and Side A.

I traced the paper pattern in felt-tipped marker directly unerasably onto the fabric because this is my muslin. And then after I cut it out (with a rotary cutter and mat) I took a pencil, laid the translucent fabric over the paper pattern piece, and traced on every notch, every marking, and the entirety of the sewing lines. For the mirror-imaged pieces, I did this and then flipped them over and darkened the sewing lines onto the now-right side of the fabric. Because this is my muslin and it is far more important to me to sew it perfectly accurately than it is to have the marks erase for later when I maybe wear it and maybe never do.

Yes, this took forever. I did not do this at my usual cutting table I did it on the kitchen table where I could sit comfortably, because I only needed about 24x24" of space to work, and I needed good light and a very steady surface and to be comfortable and not rushed while I worked.

[image description: all my cut out pieces spread across my kitchen table/counter, labeled in silver metallic sharpie on blue painter's tape, with the roll of painter's tape and the paper pattern pieces and my cup of water and scissors all strewn around.]

As soon as I was done I lay everything out, compared it to my checklist, compared the checklist back to the instruction book, made sure the painter's tape was on the correct side of each piece, and then put everything neatly away. I have all my elastics and notions in one little plastic baggie, and then all of the second half of the bra (so, mirror-imaged main pieces, and then non-mirror-imaged lining pieces) in another little plastic baggie, and then the first half of the bra is just in the main baggie that i put the other baggies into.

I brought the whole thing down into my sewing room, and what I did was get the lid of a rubbermaid tote to use as a tray, and lay out half the bra on that, triple-checking the orientation of the pieces, and I did find one where the masking tape was on the wrong side somehow argh. But I've started off by sewing the outer layer and lining layer of the first half together, and I got like one seam in before I was interrupted, but everything inactive is still in the baggies and everything active is on that rubbermaid tote lid in its correct orientation, so I could walk away from it and know where to resume when I come back.

I also have the paper pattern pieces easily to hand to check that notches are correctly marked, because I have no faith in myself to have done that right consistently. Normally I put the pattern away but I'm not doing that here, and I think it makes sense to just print the pattern out numerous times and put any corrections on every instance of it, and then have several copies of it so that any project in-progress can still have the pattern pieces with it until it is complete.

This is my note to myself to do that, keep the pattern pieces there and make adjustments as necessary and then when I finish the muslin, print out another copy with adjustments included.

I also would like to print out a mirror-imaged copy, and potentially have separate pattern pieces for the left and right, as I expect some asymmetry to be a factor.

[iraimmigration12]

A Comprehensive Guide to Applying for a UK Tourist Visa

Traveling to the United Kingdom is an exciting prospect filled with opportunities to explore rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. However, before you can embark on your UK adventure, securing a UK tourist visa is often a crucial step, especially for travelers from non-visa-exempt countries. This comprehensive guide walks you through the application process, requirements, and tips to ensure a successful visa application.

Understanding the UK Tourist Visa

The UK tourist visa, officially known as the Standard Visitor Visa, permits individuals to visit the UK for leisure, tourism, family visits, business meetings, or short-term studies. It typically allows stays of up to six months, with some exceptions for medical treatment and academic research.

This visa is designed for short-term stays and does not permit long-term residence, employment, or access to public funds in the UK. The Standard Visitor Visa can also be issued for long-term validity (2, 5, or 10 years), allowing multiple entries, provided that each stay does not exceed six months.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a UK tourist visa, applicants must meet several criteria:

Have a Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and contains at least one blank page.

Demonstrate Intent to Leave the UK: Provide evidence that you plan to return home after your visit, such as employment letters, family commitments, or property ownership.

Proof of Financial Means: Show you can support yourself financially during your stay without recourse to public funds.

Purpose of Visit: Clearly state your reasons for visiting, supported by relevant documentation like invitation letters, travel itineraries, or event confirmations.

No Intention to Work: Confirm that you will not undertake paid or unpaid work during your stay.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Complete the Online Application:

Visit the official UK government visa website.

Create an account and fill out the Standard Visitor Visa application form accurately.

Provide personal details, travel history, and purpose of visit.

Pay the Application Fee:

The standard fee is approximately £100 for a six-month visa.

Additional fees apply for priority processing, super-priority services, or long-term visas.

Book an Appointment:

Schedule an appointment at your nearest visa application center (VAC).

Prepare to submit biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph.

Gather Required Documents:

Valid passport with at least one blank page.

Financial documents (bank statements, payslips, sponsorship letters).

Proof of accommodation and travel itinerary.

Invitation letter (if visiting family or friends).

Evidence of ties to your home country (employment letter, property ownership).

Travel insurance (recommended but not mandatory).

Attend Your Appointment:

Submit your application, supporting documents, and biometric information.

Be prepared for a short interview where you may be asked about your travel plans.

Wait for a Decision:

Processing times typically range from 15 to 20 working days.

Priority services are available for faster processing, often within 5-7 working days.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

Recent passport-sized photographs

Proof of financial means (bank statements, payslips)

Detailed travel itinerary

Accommodation bookings or invitation letters

Evidence of ties to home country

Travel insurance (optional but recommended)

Cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit

Proof of employment or enrollment (if applicable)

Financial Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover:

Travel expenses to and from the UK

Accommodation costs

Daily living expenses

Financial documents should be recent (within the last three months) and clearly show the source of income. If someone else is sponsoring your trip, provide a sponsorship letter and the sponsor’s financial documents.

Tips for a Successful Application

Be Honest: Provide accurate and truthful information. False information can lead to visa refusal and future bans.

Organize Your Documents: Ensure all paperwork is clear, complete, and well-organized.

Apply Early: Submit your application well before your planned travel date, especially during peak seasons.

Consult Official Resources: Refer to the UK government website for the latest guidelines and updates.

Prepare for an Interview: Some applicants may be called for an interview. Be prepared to discuss your travel plans and financial situation.

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

Understanding the common reasons for visa rejection can help improve your application:

Incomplete or Inaccurate Application Forms: Double-check for errors or missing information.

Insufficient Financial Proof: Provide clear evidence of your financial stability.

Lack of Strong Ties to the Home Country: Demonstrate reasons to return home, such as employment, family, or property.

Discrepancies in Provided Information: Ensure consistency between the application form and supporting documents.

Previous Immigration Violations: Disclose any past visa refusals or immigration issues honestly.

Unclear Purpose of Visit: Provide a detailed itinerary and supporting documents to clarify your travel intentions.

What to Do If Your Visa Is Refused

If your visa application is refused:

Review the Refusal Letter: Understand the reasons for refusal.

Address the Issues: Correct any mistakes or provide additional documentation.

Reapply: Submit a new application with improved documentation.

Consider an Appeal: In some cases, you may be eligible to appeal the decision.

Can You Work or Study with a UK Tourist Visa?

The UK tourist visa does NOT permit:

Paid or unpaid work

Long-term study programs

Marrying or registering a civil partnership

Receiving public funds

However, you can:

Attend business meetings, conferences, or short training sessions

Participate in recreational courses (up to 30 days)

Visit family and friends

Receive private medical treatment

Extending Your UK Tourist Visa

In most cases, you cannot extend your UK tourist visa beyond six months. Exceptions include:

Medical Treatment: If ongoing treatment is required.

Academic Research: For academics participating in research.

Applications for extensions must be submitted before your current visa expires. Provide strong evidence to support your extension request.

Traveling with Dependents

Each family member, including children, must apply for their own visa. Ensure that:

Children under 18 have birth certificates and parental consent letters.

Family applications are submitted together to streamline the process.

Conclusion

Applying for a UK tourist visa may seem daunting, but with thorough preparation and attention to detail, you can navigate the process smoothly. By following this comprehensive guide, gathering the necessary documents, and presenting a clear, honest application, you’ll increase your chances of securing a UK tourist visa. Whether you're planning to explore historic landmarks, visit family, or attend business events, proper planning ensures a memorable and hassle-free trip to the United Kingdom.

[effectual-services]

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Every application undergoes rigorous review and verification, based on comprehensive quality checklists designed to meet legal practices. We prioritize the inclusion of all potential variations of the invention in the description, ensuring robust protection for your intellectual property throughout the patent process. Trust us for accurate, high-quality patent drafting services Website: https://www.effectualservices.com/patent-services/patent-searches/ Effectual Services- Patent, IPR, Trademarks, Copyrights, USPTO and European Patent, and Intellectual Property Rights.

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