All browsers have built-in margins and padding for html and can impact the meticulous layout of a design. Browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari may all render the spacing of the H1, p, ul, li,etc. differently.

To alleviate this problem and force the design to the margins and padding we specify, we must first set all of them to 0 pixels. This cancels out browser defaults. Now we can set our own heights and widths where needed. Below are two ways to accomplish this:

1. List all elements of the html and set the margin and padding to 0 pixels like this:

body, div, dl, dt, dd, ul, ol, li, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, pre, form, fieldset, input, p, blockquote, th, td {
margin:0;
padding:0;
}

- OR -

2. Use the Universal Selector which does the same as above, but in much lest code.

* {
margin:0;
padding:0;
}

Keeping your code clean and simple can decrease file size and ensure your pages load quickly.

In this tutorial, we will take a flat catalog image and create a more exciting 3D version.

Prepare your catalog image in a Photoshop layered file.

From the top menu select Edit > Transform > Perspective

Select the right bottom handle and slowing drag up a few pixels and you will see the perspective of the image change. When you get it to a similar angle as below, press Enter on the keyboard to accept the change.

Make a new layer. Select Layer > New > Layer

Select the Rectangular Marquee tool and draw a rectangular box on the left side of the image. This will be the spine of our catalog.

Choose a color from the Foreground Color picker.

From the top menu, select Edit > Fill
Make sure the Foreground Color is selected and click ok.

Your image should look like the one below.

From the top menu, choose Select > Deselect

Next, from the top menu, select Image > Transform > Perspective.

Select the left bottom handle and slowing drag up a few pixels, just like we did on the cover image. Press enter on the keyboard to accept the change. (If you have an actual image of the spine you can do the same technique to add perspective and align it with the cover.)

Lets finish it up with a nice drop shadow. Make a new layer. Select Layer > New > Layer

Select the Lasso Tool from the side tool bar and draw a shape similar to the one below. Control click on the PC, Command click on the Mac. Fill the selection with black and then deselect.

Now, let’s soften the edges of the shadow. From the top menu, select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Drag the slider until you achieve the look you want.

Adjust the opacity of the Layer to 15%.

Click and drag Layer 3 below layer 1 and you’re finished!

With the New Year here, it gives us all the opportunity for a fresh start.  A chance to reflect on the past year, and do things better in 2010.  While many of us are working on personal goals, it is important to use this opportunity for a fresh start with our websites and SEO efforts as well. 

So often we see that people are trying to “SEO” a website that is poorly designed, or features old technology.  In many cases SEO will bring these types of sites traffic, but when it comes to a conversion, the site may simply not have what it takes to turn lookers into buyers.  Think of your website as a virtual storefront.  When people “walk by”, are they enticed to enter?  You probably wouldn’t visit a mall and step into a store with products displayed from years ago would you?  The same concept goes for your website.  If your website is 3 or more years old, it is time to evaluate whether or not a redesign should be in store.

A website redesign can make SEO practices more effective and give your visitors a fresh view of the products and services you have to offer.  You can also utilize the latest technology to make your website faster and more user friendly.  When redesigning your website, here are some things you should consider

• Study your analytics data to create a website structure.
• Conduct keyword research during the process so you can put your most important pages up front.
• Utilize CSS vs. Flash technology.
• Listen to customer feedback, both good and bad.
• Hire a professional.

A new website can help you to capture the attention of your prospective clients and help them to better find the information and services they are looking for.