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Choosing A Web Designer

When looking for a Web Design Company, there are several things to consider.  Choosing a designer needs to be given a lot of thought.  There are several factors to consider.

  1. Select a designer that has experience.  Ask to see examples of the design company’s work.  The more experience the designer has, the more likely you are to get a site that will suite your business.
  2. Select a designer that you can work with.  During the design of your web site, you will be working very close with the designer.  You should have a good rapport with the web design company and trust that they will be able to develop a site that will enhance your business.
  3. Look at the long term.  Your web site will need be an investment in your business.  Hopefully, it will enhance your business by driving customers to you.  In order for that to happen, you need to have current content which requires making changes to your site.  Make sure the Web Design Company can provide you with a reasonable plan to maintain your site once it is completed.
  4. What services an my designer provide?  If your designer is graphics designer, there is a good probability that he can design a “snappy” looking site.  However, there needs to be some expertise in copy writing as well.  Good content is essential for your web site.  People who visit you are probably only going to stay on your site for 30 seconds or less.  You need to have the most important information ready for them to see on your front page.  A good web designer will have a way for you to present a lot of material on the front page in an appealing look.  In addition, most Web Design Companies can either advise you about hosting your web site or host it for you.  Select a company that do as many things as possible so you can all your services in one place.
  5. SEO Services available at a reasonable cost? One thing many Web Design Companies offer is Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  The web designer should be able to design your site with SEO in mind.  A lot of companies offer SEO/Manitence packages for their customers.. This is a plus because you are dealing with less people on your web site.
  6. Is the web designer accessible?  If your web designer is in your area that is a plus.  Try to select a Web Design Company that will be available if you have a problem.  If the designer is a long distance from you, that can still work.  Being available  is very important, no matter where the designer is located.
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Where should I spend my advertising dollars?

When a new business is considering how to get the word out to potential customers that they are ready to serve their customers, how advertising dollars are spent is an important consideration. You have to have a way for people to know about your business.

There are several ways people achieve this:

  • Phone book advertising
  • Newspaper advertising
  • Magazine advertising
  • Social Media advertising
  • Web site presence
  • SEO
  • Direct Mail
  • Door to door

Of course, all of these media could have a place in your overall advertising budget.  However, without a web site, you greatly diminish your ability to be found quickly by people who are on the go. You need to have a website so you can advertise your business in the other media by listing your web address.  Smart phones, tablets, and other mobile devices, have revolutionized the way people get information about your business.  People are using the other media less and less and are more reliant than ever on the electronic exchange of information.

For a business to take advantage of the electronic age, you need to have a presence on the web.  Think about how you get information.  Usually, people will look you up on the search engines, and then go to your web site and check out your business.  When people come to your website, you want to make a good first impression. One thing that could happen is that you are not on the search engine, or worse, you don’t even have a website!  It is absolutely crucial that you have a presence on the web so you can be found!

In articles to follow, we will discuss how to choose a company that will assist you in getting on the web, and just as important, help you to be seen.