After checking out a new web design firm’s website, I found something that appalls me…they CHARGE BY THE PAGE!! Plus, they actually put “publish site to web” in their list of features.
If you’ve commissioned a website design, isn’t it assumed that the developer is going to at least publish the site to the web? Why is it that business after business is being pitched features that either are no-brainers, or include words that you need a PhD. to understand? If you feel like you’re being talked into a used car that “runs great, don’t worry about those 200K miles on her”, get a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th opinion.
BEWARE!!! BEWARE!! BEWARE! of developers saying they will give you “X” but then later tack on a charge for a contact form, stock photography, to resize images, for something as fundamental as including drop-down menus in your navigation. Options, such as these, should be included in a website quote. The initial few hundred dollar investment so boldly advertised, could be inflated into a number that boggles the mind if all the small print isn’t read.
Don’t just agree to a $500 site without talking to the developer about things like:
- What do you want the site to do?
- What are your expectations?
- Who are you selling the site to?
- Are there any special features you want in the site?
- How the developer is going to accomplish these things?
- Is the developer going to be available after the site is launched?
- How are people going to be able to contact you?
- What are ALL of the potential costs?
Services like Google Analytics and a complimentary amount of hours of maintenance shouldn’t cost ANYTHING! Certain options like a content management system, custom functionality, e-commerce, and items like these should be extra and outlined in your proposal. But only AFTER a lengthy conversation with the developer. The developer is the expert in web development, should make educated recommendations, and deliver a fair, realistic proposal. Don’t fall for listed items just to bloat an “included features” list.
Understanding that a business is approaching a service professional for their expertise and looking for professional, ethical guidance is something every business should embrace, not just web design.
Start a conversation, not a sales pitch with us for reasonable, effective web development services, info@graphxevolution.com.
The above article is the opinion of the “Diva”…someone who believes only ethical, professional, and honest talk is what will propel a business forward and not be a “flash-in-the-pan” company.
Categorized in Website Marketing and web design services
Tags: custom website, marketing, web design, web developers, web site development
OK, so it’s Saturday and as is a norm on a cold winter’s day in Northeastern PA, we are watching a movie, and staying warm with a bit of red wine. Star Trek is the choice for today, later maybe All About Steve, which may lend itself to a more humorous post, but I digress.
What do Star Trek and Website Design have in common? Both intrigue those who do not understand its technology, and both compel people to be as integrated into their respective technologies as possible.
While Star Trek is only a movie (sorry to all those “Trekkies” out there), website development is in the here and now…and every business should be involved (no Transporter required).
This week we will talk about all the reasons EVERY business should have web presence:
- Educate potential customers;
- Generate Sales;
- GET PEOPLE TO CALL!
Ok those are the most obvious reasons for most businesses to say they want a website. But let’s delve into it further. Read this GREAT article from Entrepreneur Magazine for the most commonly asked questions and reasons why every business should have a website. Seriously, if you are unsure, read it at length, I couldn’t say it any better.
So if you are considering to have Scotty beam you up into the very important realm of Website Design, he may not be able to help you. But if you want to have a conversation with a technologically advanced, but down-to-earth web design company, then give us a call. I can’t say that we can help you with identifying what Star Trek or Avatar technology may come into existence in the future, but I will say that things like the newly announced Apple iPad, and MANY advancements in website development are propelling us into a new age of delivering exactly what a customer wants.
(Although I really do wish I had a “Photon Torpedo” in my arsenal, that would just be cool)
Categorized in Communication, Website Marketing and web design services
Our latest e-commerce website development project will be for Bird Dawg embroidery, a custom embroidery shop specializing in canine embroidery.
Bird Dawg Embroidery Custom Webpage Design Concept
The website will include a full shopping cart for customers to order off-the-shelf items and a breed library featuring the endless designs offered by Bird Dawg. Initially, a custom quote form for customers to submit custom specifications will be available and in the future the potential to include an interactive custom quotation system will be included.
Check out the initial design to the right and stay tuned for the final project, scheduled to launch Spring 2010.
Categorized in web design services
Tags: affordable custom web design, custom webpage design, professional web designer, web design firm, website design agency, website redesign
Over the last 3 months we have been toiling during all of our free time to redo our website. Check it out…http://www.graphxevolution.com
20th Century Fox Movie Poster
What better customer than ourselves to give 110% when designing a great marketing tool and consumer educational tool?
We pulled out all the stops with customization, adding social media tools, updating our portfolio to be easier to read, and most importantly provided information on topics such as our first e-Book titled “Us vs. Them”, an fun look at why we stand out among our competitors and what a consumer should look for.
We’ve created several case studies on lean manufacturing applications we’ve completed. Also created, and one of the most helpful things we’ve created for customers is a Web Design Process list. We wanted to allow customers to see what really goes into a website, hoping to educate them. It’s not a novel but an overview explanation of the steps we take in developing a website.
Stay tuned for lots of exciting things to come, like continuing consumer education and new projects. We hope you subscribe to our blog ~ Thanks! Darlene
Categorized in Communication, Website Marketing and web design services
Tags: Custom Website Development, design, Education, Media, seo, website redesign
Website usability reports say a website design with the color #444444 (a grey) valued text, and light background is optimal. This is primarily for readability.
Our current black background and white text site may not encourage people to read through the information provided for education when making a web development team selection. Enter my favorite thing in the world, redesign our site.
That’s not sarcasm, I really do love a new site challenge and what better way than use our site as an example in usability, functionality, and inspiration.
Part One – Sunday, November 1, 2009
Along with a hot pot of coffee and iPod blaring, I have begun the website redesign process. It didn’t begin by opening Photoshop and checking out my normal website inspiration sites, but by learning what SEO keyword phrases I should target.
1. I researched and chose keyword phrases we’ll target (Coffee #1);
2. Next I perused the top sites that ranked for these phrases (Bowl of Capt’n Crunch) 
;
3. Finally for today, I took a look at the functionality behind these sites and determined what I liked vs. what could be done better, which of course we’ll try to improve upon.
Stay tuned….I’ll document the steps we take for the benefit of our prospective clients, and those looking to redesign their own website.
Categorized in Communication and web design services
Tags: markeing, seo, web desing, website redesign, website redsing
Credibility – worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy says Dictionary.com..
Lets face it, times have changed. No longer is business done simply by a smile and handshake, or accepted based a persons “word” as it once was. Credibility has all but vanished from business in a sea of lawyers and greed.
That software you just bought and tried to install on Vista; when it doesn’t work you call the manufacturer for assistance.. If your lucky enough to talk to a live person, the first thing they try to do is look for a way out.. “There is a problem with your computer, check for updates, if that doesn’t work reinstall or call Micro$oft.” A similar story when you call Micro$oft, “Nope can’t talk to you until you sign up for our $39.95 tech support package and when you do we’ll point the finger back at the software..” Or try walking into your local car dealership and asking what your favorite car costs, you may get an answer after a 15 minute test drive and sitting in the sale persons cubical for an hour. Or better yet, ask what the trade-in value of your car is..
The point is, credibility is no longer a given in todays business world; even to the point that the average consumer doesn’t even consider it when making a purchase. Though it has been my experience that if you are able to build a personal relationship with a client, one that allows the client to look beyond the instinct “what’s this guy trying to sell me that I don’t need” and show them that you are a credible business, one worthy of trust and honest, sincere advice; your chances of a successful business relationship with them increases exponentially.
So how do we bring credibility back into business? At graphXevolution, its simple..
- Honesty – Be honest not only with the client but with yourself. There is nothing wrong with saying to a client “I don’t know” because immediately following should be “But I’ll find out”. Even the best person in their respective craft doesn’t know everything about it, there is always something to learn. Be honest with yourself to know your limits and be honest with your client.
- Be Upfront – Don’t be the sales man at the car lot that “has to talk to his boss” when really he’s just going to grab a cup of coffee. Clients hate to be given a bill for additional charges, be it reasonable or not, when they are not expecting it. Nine times out of ten, a business knows well ahead of time that extra expenses are going to be incurred.. don’t wait, talk to the client about it so they can prepare and are expecting it come invoicing time. If you follow item 1 and are being honest, generally it does not become an issue.
- Be Fair – Be fair, again, not only to the client but to yourself. Charge a fair price for the value you bring the client. You as a business have a nitch that makes you successful or you wouldn’t be in business, identify that and be truthful to its value. I have found that being the lowest price isn’t always the best, many clients look to an average price rather then the cheapest. Building credibility with that customer will often bridge the gap between your price and the “cheapest” because credibility in it of itself has a value. Every business wants to make as much money as it can but be fair to yourself and your client.
- Say what you are going to do & Do what you say – Identify in detail what you are going to do for the client and be truthful to that. To me, there is nothing worse then saying you’re going to have a deliverable to them by a specific date and not being able to meet that deadline. Its like waiting for a package only to come home to the yellow sticky on your window because there was no one home to sign for it. Obviously some things are out of control, but being honest and upfront (items 1 & 2) will help to ease the client. If your being honest and upfront with yourself when planning deadlines, you can eliminate the vast majority of delays.
Building credibility into your business model can separate you from being another average company or the one that people talk about. The best form of advertising is word of mouth, credibility is what people talk about next to price.. “They did a great job on my website, gave me exactly what I needed without the stuff I don’t.”.. ”Well so and so did my site but they didn’t tell me that the artwork wasn’t mine, they sold me a blog but What’s a blog?“. At graphXevolution, we are not the cheapest nor the most expensive but our credibility along with knowing our nitch and keeping within it have allowed us to be successful both in business and in customer satisfaction. We take great pride in not having a “list of references”, rather a portfolio of which anyone can be contacted.
Categorized in Communication
Tags: affordable sites, affordable web design, business, business professionals, clients, credibility, honesty, pricing, small business, web development, web graphics, website design
Supreme Zipper of Lakeville, PA and New York City, NY has signed graphXevolution on as their official website developers.
Initial work will include an information website that will educate retail and wholesale customers alike on the uses, function and countless configurations of zippers. During the informational build up, further development in the areas of CRM, e-Commerce and marketing will be designed and implemented.
Stay tuned for the first peeks of the design. Site launch is set for mid-December 2009.
Categorized in web design services
Tags: b2b, CRM, e-commerce, marketing, supreme zipper, web developers, web graphic design, website development
After checking out a new web design firm’s website, I found something that appalls me…they CHARGE BY THE PAGE!! Plus, they actually put “publish site to web” in their list of features.
