Comments on: How To Choose a Web Design Company http://www.jestercreative.com/how-to-choose-a-web-design-company/ Ottawa, Toronto web design, development, social media, marketing, training, content specialists, video and new media, production. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andy Xhignesse http://www.jestercreative.com/how-to-choose-a-web-design-company/comment-page-1/#comment-157 Andy Xhignesse Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:34:44 +0000 http://www.jestercreative.com/?p=749#comment-157 Hi Susan- Really enjoyed your post and agree wholeheartedly with your counsel wrt a selection process, I once wrote a post which was very similar to yours when i was associated with a web design firm. I'd like to add to your offering, and it centres around the idea of a website as an investment. When speaking with a prospective client I usually tell them that we are never DONE, and I beleive this is a really important concept for them to understand. As you I'm sure know, search engines like to see new relevant content being created and if a client thinks that after the website is up it is done, I strongly urge (you can read that as I use whatever is available to me to persuade, throw tantrums, swing bats whatever!) them to continue creating and developing content for their website that will answer their target audiences need. Finally, a lot of businesses see their website as an expense and unfortunately for most this is in fact the case. An investment is something that has a return or ROI. In order that a website has an ROI, (and it can be huge by the way) the website has to do more than just present information, it has to generate leads, that can be nurtured and ultimately converted to new business.(recent blog posts on our site, speak about this) The fundamental relationship between buyer and seller has changed from the seller "blah, blah, blahing" to the buyer "searching" for info that solves their problem. Positioning a company's website in front of this growing trend with great content, and providing the site visitor with abundant opportunities to engage at some level and begin a relationship will result in teh website not being an expense, but generating new business with a terrific ROI. Thoughts? Have a fantastic day! Hi Susan-

Really enjoyed your post and agree wholeheartedly with your counsel wrt a selection process, I once wrote a post which was very similar to yours when i was associated with a web design firm.

I’d like to add to your offering, and it centres around the idea of a website as an investment. When speaking with a prospective client I usually tell them that we are never DONE, and I beleive this is a really important concept for them to understand. As you I’m sure know, search engines like to see new relevant content being created and if a client thinks that after the website is up it is done, I strongly urge (you can read that as I use whatever is available to me to persuade, throw tantrums, swing bats whatever!) them to continue creating and developing content for their website that will answer their target audiences need.

Finally, a lot of businesses see their website as an expense and unfortunately for most this is in fact the case. An investment is something that has a return or ROI. In order that a website has an ROI, (and it can be huge by the way) the website has to do more than just present information, it has to generate leads, that can be nurtured and ultimately converted to new business.(recent blog posts on our site, speak about this) The fundamental relationship between buyer and seller has changed from the seller “blah, blah, blahing” to the buyer “searching” for info that solves their problem. Positioning a company’s website in front of this growing trend with great content, and providing the site visitor with abundant opportunities to engage at some level and begin a relationship will result in teh website not being an expense, but generating new business with a terrific ROI.

Thoughts?

Have a fantastic day!

]]> By: Michele http://www.jestercreative.com/how-to-choose-a-web-design-company/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Michele Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:30:05 +0000 http://www.jestercreative.com/?p=749#comment-120 Great article. As a web developer for 12 years, I've never done maintenance contracts, as they would always end up costing the client far more in the long run. For small changes, under 5 minutes, usually no charge. If there are several in a month, then they are billed at 15 minute increments. Larger changes, added functionality are quoted in advance, depending on what the client wants. Many clients have been with me for 10 years, and while I would have made a tonne of money with a maintenance contract, I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night. Another thing that's really important when requested a quote is to write down your requirements to the best of your ability so that you have a jumping off point to start conversations with various firms. I'm amazed at how many requests I get from people and all they say is they want an ecommerce site, or a 5 page site or something similarly vague. I take pride in providing you with a solution that will meet your needs within your budget, so let's discuss exactly what it is you're trying to do. Cheers, Michele P.S. This isn't meant to be self-promoting, so feel free to remove my URL, I won't be upset :) Great article. As a web developer for 12 years, I’ve never done maintenance contracts, as they would always end up costing the client far more in the long run. For small changes, under 5 minutes, usually no charge. If there are several in a month, then they are billed at 15 minute increments. Larger changes, added functionality are quoted in advance, depending on what the client wants. Many clients have been with me for 10 years, and while I would have made a tonne of money with a maintenance contract, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night.

Another thing that’s really important when requested a quote is to write down your requirements to the best of your ability so that you have a jumping off point to start conversations with various firms. I’m amazed at how many requests I get from people and all they say is they want an ecommerce site, or a 5 page site or something similarly vague. I take pride in providing you with a solution that will meet your needs within your budget, so let’s discuss exactly what it is you’re trying to do.

Cheers,
Michele
P.S. This isn’t meant to be self-promoting, so feel free to remove my URL, I won’t be upset :)

]]>