Archive for February, 2010

Every once in a while, I catch a prospective client looking at our website samples the same way some would examine an x-ray, or maybe a piece of abstract art – interested, but without a very good idea of what they’re seeing.

I don’t think that’s hard to understand; unless you put together layouts and code for a living, a lot of the online world can be divided into pages that are pretty, and those that aren’t. To make matters worse, not everyone would agree on which sites fall into the good-looking category. Even so, most business owners and managers know they need to be looking for something in the web design samples they see, they just can’t quite put a finger on what it is.

To make things a little bit easier, and help you find the web designer or company that’s right for you, here are a few things to look for when you check out web design samples:

A variety. When looking over a portfolio, you shouldn’t get the feeling that all the sites have the same look and tone. Yes, every designer has his or her own distinctive style, and these elements are bound to come out in the projects they work on. Still, an eerie similarity between different sites is an indication that the person is unwilling – or unable – to start from scratch on a new project. Unless your business is just like every other one you see in their samples, stay away.

Quality. Taste is a subjective thing, but quality – even if it isn’t in the style you like – will nearly always stand out. There’s a big difference between a painting that’s bad, and one that’s just not for you. Web designs are no different. If what you see looks cheap, disorganized, or lacking in some other way, then take that as a sign that you should probably work with someone else.

Attention to detail. In the same way, what’s just as telling as a portfolio full of shabby-looking web designs is one that has stunning pages that seem just a little bit off. Whether it’s a misspelling here, a graphic that seems a little out of place there, or just the sense that the whole thing lacks a certain polish, missed details are a clue that the designer has trouble paying attention to detail.

A style. Assuming you don’t see any of the red flags I’ve mentioned, what should you be looking for? The best answer is a sense of style that matches your own. That doesn’t mean that you have to be looking at the exact website you would want, just that you agree with the designer’s overall approach to other projects. Clients sometimes forget that commercial design is still art – you might not know what you want, but you’re likely to recognize it, or parts of it, when you see it.

Looking over web design samples, online or in an office, can be a little bit daunting. After a while, it’s not unusual for one thing to start to look like everything else. But pay attention to these tips, look for any indications of future problems, and then find the best stylistic fit for you and your company. It might take a little while to develop a keen eye, but you’ll be glad when you find the perfect designer.

AFTER MaryDesigns Screenshot

I’m excited to tell you all that one of my clients, Brooke Richards, has just launched her new site today at: www.midwestsunkissed.com. Her company, Midwest SunKissed, sells hair and skin care products online. But don’t think this is just another stop for lotions and shampoos – these are all products that Brooke discovered (and started using herself) on her travels throughout Hawaii and the world.

As exciting as it was getting to know Brooke – a beauty products expert who spent years circling the globe as a flight attendant – I had even more fun working on her site. That’s because her company has a fun, retro look combined with a simple mission, and a quality set of products. And besides, how could I not enjoy thinking about the beach?

BEFORE MaryDesigns - Site from previous web designer

It was a great project from a marketing and web design perspective, too. The challenge was to take her existing “unpublished” website, which you could call “second class at best,” (Before Screenshot to left)  and upgrade it into something that would be as much fun to use online as it was to work with off-line. The first step was to rework the logo since her existing designer created one that was a raster image found through Google Images. Tsk Tsk

After that I was able to design a one of a kind unique retro layout to match and then got deep into the code, changing out the old images and tables with a fresh cascading style sheet (CSS) layout. While some of my readers and clients might not care for the ins and outs of the technical details, the important point is that change will allow Brooke’s site to load correctly every time, regardless of what kind of browser or computer system her shoppers are using. It also makes the whole thing much friendlier for search engines.

I can’t say enough good things about Brooke and Midwest SunKissed. I hope you’ll all take a moment to check out her new site, as well as her great products. I also want to thank her for the kind words she had for MaryDesigns:

“We discovered MaryDesigns while surfing the net for a fresh, new web designer. They ended up being the first and last stop in our search. She incorporated everything that we asked for and more. We cannot explain how relieved we became when we finally found a designer that delivered exactly what we were looking for: great communication, detailed information, and follow up.”

Of course, the end of Brooke’s site design – at least for now – means we now have more time to take on a new project. Could your website use a fresh coat of paint, better functionality, or more search engine visibility? Submit to us for a free web quote or give me a call today at 317–489–3783 (toll free 866-298-2879) and let’s talk about what I can do for you.

Press Release at PRWeb

Congratulations to Hoof n Paw Pet Supplies, who launched their website today at: www.hoofnpawpetsupplies.com. Their brand new site will allow them to sell dog products, cat products, or equine products.

Their website features a colorful layout, which makes use of the vibrant colors in their already existing logo. When I saw it, I just knew we had to let our crayons off the leash and allow their personality to jump right off the screen. Like bringing home a new puppy, it was love at first sight!

Don’t think it’s all about the look, though. In addition to well stocked product pages, the new site features our sturdy CMS eCommerce system – ensuring that Hoof n Paw will never have a problem updating their own products, prices, and availability.

We’ve had the opportunity to design and publish several pet-related sites in the past through our sub-site Glitzy Fritzy, but none that have featured equine web design. That made this website good fun, especially since the horse in the banner is the owner’s actual horse.

Let me also take the opportunity to invite you to get in touch with us today and find out what we can do for your business. Is your company doing as well online as it could be? If you suspect that your Internet marketing efforts could be yielding better results, or you’re ready to find out why so many of your competitors are cashing in with improved search engine visibility, an advanced content management system, or just a fresher look, then why not get a free consultation? We didn’t become a popular Indianapolis web design company by accident, and we’d love to show you some customized web solutions.

In design, as in life, there are some relationships that start out well, but ultimately go nowhere. But while the bookstores are practically overflowing with advice on when and how to get rid of that not-so-special someone, deciding to shed your web designer can be a little bit trickier. Who’s to say you can find another professional to take their place? What if you can’t afford someone else, or if it takes them too long to learn about your business?

Here are four solid signs that you should be looking for a new web designer – whether you’re looking at their first proposal, or they have been designing your site for years:

Their own site is terrible. In my mind, this is an enormous red flag. It’s absolutely amazing how many supposedly “professional” web designers and web design companies have sites that look, well… terrible. If they can’t even be troubled enough to do quality work on their own website – which should be their most important sample – then what can you expect them to do for you?

They don’t return your calls or emails. Next to talent and hard work, consistent communication is one of the foundations of a good website. As designers, we can only start with what we think looks good and will work for you; it’s up to the client to let us know if we are on the right track. And yet, it’s not unusual to hear of customers having to place half a dozen phone calls just to find out what’s going on with their project. That should tell you everything you need to know about the working relationship going forward.

Their proposal is vague. If you’ve been working with your designer or team for years, then having the exact wording on an agreement might not be your biggest concern (although it’s still a good idea, since spelling out the terms can prevent confusion and disagreements later.) But if a proposal you receive from a new vendor doesn’t specify exactly what will be done, by when, and for how much, then be sure to ask yourself why that is. At the very least, you should insist that these details be put in writing; but a vague agreement could be a big clue that you’re working with someone who doesn’t have their act together – or doesn’t want to be bound by specific agreement.

They have given you low quality work. While this one should speak for itself, I’ve met too many marketers and business owners who have been persuaded to give a lazy design team “just one more try.” Granted, not every layout or concept is going to be to the client’s taste. But even so, the difference between great work and a bunch of code and images that have been slapped together is usually pretty easy to see. Your time is money, and working with someone who isn’t going to give you their best effort won’t help you reach any of your business goals.

Having a bad designer or team on your company’s payroll is a drag on your productivity – not to mention the bottom line. It might be hard to cut ties with someone who isn’t pulling their weight, but the sooner you do, the more quickly you can get someone who will build a site that looks and works like it should.

Would you like a free web design quote?  MaryDesigns clients are all satisfied with both our creative work and quick response time!

It’s hard to think of any business bigger than a lemonade stand that can’t benefit from a functional, professional-looking website. And so, it’s not such a big surprise when clients come to us saying that they need to establish an online presence for their company. More often than not, however, they have no idea where to begin.

I can understand their confusion. Merely mention that you’re thinking about getting a new website, or updating the one you have, and you’ll soon find that there’s no shortage of advice on what you should do – including plenty of technical-sounding terms for “must-have” features.

Lost in all of this, though, is that websites are rarely built just to sit online; they’re usually designed to sell, inform, or serve some other purpose. And knowing what your site is all about before you hire a designer can save you an enormous amount of time, money, and frustration.

Here are three things to think about before you hire a web designer:

Who your visitors will be. What kind of person will be viewing your web pages? Will they be existing customers or new prospects? Colleagues or competitors? Having an idea about whom you want to draw in – and what you want them to take away from your site – is a critical first step toward building a concept that works. Try to form a specific image of your ideal visitor and then relay that to your designer so they can create something that attracts the right kind of attention.

What you need your site to do. Will you be selling online, or merely providing information? While there are obviously dozens of other things your site could do, this basic question can tell you a lot about the kinds of programming, hosting, and functionality you’re going to need. There’s no point in paying for complicated e-commerce packages if you don’t need them. Likewise, you’re going to be very disappointed if you expect your site to generate orders and it ends up working more like an online brochure.

Your budget and deadline. These might not be your first consideration, but it’s important to set the right expectations with any designer. Some companies can produce a simple website in just a few days; others require a minimum of a month or more. In the same way, costs can be across the board. While it’s a safe bet that quality work is probably going to put a bigger dent in your budget, it’s helpful to start out with a figure or range in mind.

Every Web project is different, and it’s not uncommon for a client’s needs or wants to change throughout the design process. But by having some basic ideas about what you need your site to be and do before you start collecting bids, you greatly increase the odds that you’re going to end up with a finished product that looks exactly like what you want.  Get a free web design quote from  MaryDesigns!