Design
Hiring a Web Developer Versus a Web Company
Posted by Jennifer Maxfield in Design, Marketing, Web on November 3rd, 2009
Hiring a Web Developer Versus a Web Company
When you are looking to design or redesign a web site, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes. Often times, the pricing will vary from company to company. Some times, we as an agency quote against a single individual, often a developer who knows how to program web sites. Although, this may be a great option, as it is often less expensive to use a developer instead of hire a web company, there are some things you should consider before committing.
1. Redoing the web site is usually more expensive than doing it right the first time. A web site is not only a monetary investment but a huge time investment, and usually, you get what you pay for. All developers / web companies are not created equal, so make sure when you are comparing quotes that you realize the difference between a developer and a web company.
2. Web developers will often expect you, the client, to drive the strategy of the web site. There is a lot involved in how a web site is put together; what should go on what page; how the site should be organized; what the functionality on each page should be etc. If you are comfortable providing that type of direction, a web programmer is probably a good option for you.
3. Web developers usually don’t come up with your key word strategy or your copy. The client in this scenario often has to provide the copy to the developer and then the developer will drop that copy in to the design. There is often times not a back and forth, consulting, copy-writing role when working with a solitary developer.
4. Developers have a very distinct way of designing. Usually, there is a web designer and then there is a back-end developer, at least two people working on one project. When working with an individual developer, if you are going for a certain type of look, or a certain level of sophistication with your site, I suggest asking for design examples, and make sure they were the one’s that actually designed the site, not just programmed it.
5. Developers are more accustomed to working on one project per day. Multi-tasking, meeting with the client, organizing feedback, providing updates, taking notes on revisions, translating direction and proofing are all examples of tasks that a lot of developers are not extremely comfortable with. This role is typically filled by a project manager or account executive when working with a web company. This individual would manage the job, serving as the liaison between client and artist. This individual is specifically trained to work with the client and make sure the vision and direction of the client is noted and realized.
6. Developers often times do not provide very in-depth proposals. This means, that you don’t have a very clear picture of what is included, which can be problematic. It’s often good practice to have a very detailed and accurate outline of what the web site scope of work is so you know for sure that what you want is indeed understood, and more importantly, that the final product meets your expectations and objectives.
7. Because search engine optimization starts with a SEO-friendly design and programming, make sure that your web developer or web company understands how to design for search engines. Good on-site SEO is very important when investing in a web site, as you want to position your site to grow in search engine ranking over time. Also, you may want to find a web company that can also implement an off-site SEO campaign, like link-building for example. (It may also be helpful to work with a social media web company, so you can integrate all of your online efforts with your web site design.)
Web developers are a really great option for clients that are technically-savvy and confident in their writing skills. It’s also a good option for people that can package and deliver exactly what they are looking for and don’t need the consulting or strategic management indicative of an experienced web company. Also note the additional time commitment on the “client” side as you will be the primary driver for the project. In my experience, if you want a 20 page web site complete in 2 months, estimate out on average 2 hours a day at least if you have to create the strategy and web flow chart, work personally with the developer and write and edit copy.
My final word of advice would be to ask for references, for a developer or a web company, and then actually call the references!
Good luck on your web ventures!
Invest in Websites for Sales not Glory
Posted by Jennifer Maxfield in Advertising, Business, Design, Web on June 16th, 2009
So, even in a down market, I’ve been getting a lot of bites on websites.
“I need my website updated; I need a new website created.”
It’s been very exciting!!!! Plus, then you add social media in to the mix, and there is a flurry of other opportunities. I completely agree, that a good website is extremely important to have these days. A bad website can do a lot of damage; it definitely needs to be professional, and it needs to be a decent representation of your business. And, we all know people are tied to the web – Duhh. But, before you spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars on a redesign, or a spankin’ new site, make sure that it is critical to your sales process or your company’s growth. Does your website really play an integral part in landing new business or some other vital function to keep your business moving forward? Is there a huge missed opportunity because you don’t have a good website? Does your current website hurt you – turn business away? Does your site capture valuable leads that sales staff can work?
There are a ton of ways a website can be a big benefit, helping to bring in additional dollars, but if all it is is a glorified brochure, than you probably don’t need to be investing in a web revamp right now! If you have a basic site that does what it needs to do, even if looks a little 90’s or even 80’s, just make sure it’s worth the investment – not just a cosmetic make-over but an upgrade with substance. Also, if you don’t have enough bucks to extend beyond the redesign into marketing, you may want to rethink your decision to beef up or build the site. You can have the most gorgeous, interactive, engaging website in the world, but if you don’t drive anyone to it, or if it’s not built to good search engine standards, than fooey. What’s the point? IT’S NOT, IF WE BUILD IT, PEOPLE WILL COME process; you must show people the way.
Because a website can be a big undertaking, all I am saying is make sure it’s worthwhile – how do you know if it’s worthwhile – ask yourself, will it make you money? And that doesn’t mean just e-commerce. That can mean, with CEA for example, does this site accurately convey our capability as an agnecy, does it showcase our fine work, does it show our personality, expertise and company culture well enough that someone would e-mail us or call us? For an agency, these things are extremely important. Our website is a porfolio piece, and if our site wasn’t up to par, it could seriously injure us by giving the wrong impression. So the legitamacy thing, the need to impress thing, the collecting contact info thing – all vital to our business. We also market it online and in traditional advertising as well. Our website’s analytics system helps us better understand if our ads our working. That’s why we invest in our website; because it’s vital to our way of life. But to just have a beautiful trophy in the closet where no one ever sees it, well, than it becomes just another piece of not-so-important junk.
A Picture is Still Worth a Thousand Words
Posted by Jackie Smith in Advertising, Art, Design, Photography on April 24th, 2009
The world sees ads quickly flashing across the television screen or while flipping through the morning newspaper. Companies only have four to five seconds to grab the reader’s attention with an advertisement and keep them interested to read on. Since a photograph can bring a product to life without one single word, advertisers believe in its ability to attract consumers. Think about the Got Milk ads. Yes, they have the celebrity appeal, but even the ads portraying the more common folks posing with milk mustaches invokes emotion and draws us into the image. People of all walks of life can appreciate the pictures that have brought the sexy out in drinking milk.
Putting a photo shoot together is one of the ways advertising agencies can create a picture that is worth a thousands words. Photo shoots can help a company express passion and inject emotion into a product. Demands are high in photo shoots, since cost and time constraints are always contributing factors so the client and their agency must agree on certain expectations.
Below are tips for a successful photo shoot:
• Leave the actors on the acting set. Use real people like actual customers or employees, rather than models. The photo shoot itself is more natural this way making the picture more genuine.
• Don’t skimp on retouching. An audience can be captivated by the added special effects.
• Lighting is everything. Natural lighting versus stage lighting is going to determine the mood of the photo whether it’s going to have a natural feel or an abstract artsy feel.
• Don’t forget the details. Little details like sprinkles on an ice cream cone or lipstick on a coffee mug give the visual accents needed to round out the mood of the shoot.
• Location, location, location. The world is your backdrop. If an exotic location is not practical, have the creative team create it in the studio.
Creating an advertisement using a less is more approach to copy along side an eye-catching picture is the start to a successful campaign. Remember pictures have stories to tell, but it takes a good photographer to paint the canvas.
Print design & layout: For Those DIYers
Posted by Eric Gwatney in Advertising, Design, Print on March 27th, 2009
It’s becoming increasingly popular for people to design and/or edit their marketing materials. It’s understandable, it doesn’t look that hard. I can do that, right? Well, after 4 years of college and nearly 10 years in advertising…it ain’t that easy either.
Well, I can’t stop you from doing your own work, and I do applaud you for learning something new and trying to save your company some valued marketing dollars. So to help you make your company look a bit better here, are a few tips you should know.
1) Fonts: Everyone loves using fonts. I need this font to showcase this service and this font to showcase this other service. Next thing you know it’ looks like a carnival exploded (even carnival posters usually only have two typefaces though). Try to keep it to two typefaces and no more than two type variances of one of them. (ie. A bold Helvetica for headlines, and times with normal and bold for copy). Also try to keep from using more than 3 type sizes. This will keep conformity to your design and not make the users eye dance all over the place trying to figure out want they need/want to read.
http://www.amazon.com/Typography-Workbook-Real-World-Graphic-Design/dp/1592533019/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238174329&sr=1-1
2) Layout: One of the best way to learn proper layout is with some colored construction paper, sissors, a glue stick, and a pile of 8.5×11 white sheet of copy paper. You cut the construction paper into a bunch of different shapes. Small squares, large squares, HUGE squares, rectangles, circles and maybe even a triangle or two. The more variance in sizes and more pieces of cut up construction paper the better. Now take these shapes and glue them to your copy paper. Align them so they are appealing to your eye. Now, visualize as to what could be a photo, a headline, and your copy. Voila, layout 101.
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Layout-Understanding-Using-Graphics/dp/0713488387/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238174282&sr=1-30
3) Equipment: Get the right stuff. Leave word for that letter you need to write to your boss and pick up a decent design suite. Of course I recommend a Mac with the Adobe CS3/CS4 package, but not everyone needs that kind of power. Corel makes some decent entry level programs that printers can still use. Oh and publisher is out…please don’t use that for anything but maybe your church newsletter, if you must.
Adobe: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/design/?promoid=BPDDY
Corel: http://apps.corel.com/lp/other/5590/index1u.html
4) Learn the equipment: Most are pretty easy to learn. And the best thing to do it buy a book. The second best is to hit up a podcast. There are quite a few ranging from beginner to advanced. The book though will help you find the topics you need to look up though. Third is to find a friend who you can call for tips. Also, don’t feel you can’t call you agency and tell them you’re having to cut your marketing budget and have to do more design in house. You may be able to work out a deal for them to check your work and give advice for a small fee. Just watch out about contacting them too often, it may end up cheaper to just send them the work. And I hope you are still sending them a bone or two, other wise you might want to find another source for critquing your work. Below are a couple some links you’ll certainly want to check out.
Indesign CS3 – http://www.amazon.com/InDesign-Macintosh-Windows-Visual-QuickStart/dp/0321503066/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238173663&sr=1-2
Corel – http://www.amazon.com/Corel-WordPerfect-Suite-8-Dummies/dp/0764501879/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238173706&sr=1-12
Podcasts – http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=124921198
- http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=130134744
In closing, doing small projects here or there on your own can not only cut your costs, but can save you time. Things like small flyers, in house memos, small event posters, and other small projects can be done quickly once you’ve learned the programs. Just don’t get in over your head and you end up doing more design work than your daily job…time is money and a lot of time it’s better to just send the job out and save your time. Good luck and feel free to ask questions.
Keep an eye out for my next blog…Indesign tips and tricks!