Tag Archives: designers
Web design is dead!
Before people become too incredulous with this statement this author believes no. Web design is not dead, neither are the firms who are offering such services dead. It was something I heard recently with regard to the proliferation of blog publishing systems and with many sites offering free templates.With the apparent availability of a cheap instant web presence, is there is any need for anyone to sit down any more and learn how to create a website from scratch and all the programming and design skills that this demands, and subsequently for any business to invest in the people who offer that service? Well obviously this statement is something of an insult to all the talented designers and programmers out there, and the million of students investing time into learning these skills, and fortunately the statements are wide of the mark. Businesses do want to hire web design companies, and personally I think it’s in their interests to do so. The purpose of this article is not to simply knock creators of templates, as they are designers themselves – it is simply to suggest that there is sometimes there is an alternative, that will pay dividends in the long run.
Businesses want to cut corners, the market is tough globally – when faced with the choice of spending $5,000 on a site and less than a $100.00 for some businesses it is an easy choice. There are millions of ready to go websites out there, some are stunning, some are quite frankly not. Some are dated, some are not. But my advice to any business would be not to dive into the ‘cheap end’ immediately.
Having a professional web design company design a bespoke website will enhance your brand, it isn’t a necessarily a question of avoiding duplication, i.e risking choosing a cheap template another company is using, it’s about starting your own perception of your business on a strong footing, giving you the confidence in your brand from the outset. A professional web design company will be able to work with you from the ground up to achieve a brand you can be proud of. If you work with a committed web design team from the start they can grow with your company, understand your goals and react to your changing business goals. In that sense they become a valued extra member of your team.
It’s understandable why many businesses strive to cut costs, especially start-up businesses, but in today’s crowded markets and where your on-line presence has become critical, it’s worth listing your web presence on your list of costs as high as your office IT requirements.
Web Portal Development: 5 Things You Need To Ask Your Potential Web Portal Designer
It is not difficult to find web portal designers: post your project requirements on any freelance site and dozens of freelancers will contact you within 24 hours. However, choosing the right designer for your web portal development project is not easy. Unless you have hands-on experience with web development or web design, you will not be able to separate the wheat from the chaff.
You must look for experienced designers an inexperienced web designer will not be able to take complete responsibility of your project. Also, it is important that your web portal designer is creative: you wont do yourself any favors by hiring an experienced designer whose only ability is using ready-made templates to create boring, flavorless sites. Once you shortlist 5-6 of the best resumes, you need to dig a little deeper. To find out if they are worthy of working on your project, ask the following questions to your potential web portal designers:
Are your previous clients happy with your work?
Your best bet is to talk to your friends and colleagues. If they praise a designer who has worked with them in the past, you have found a reliable designer. But if you cant find the right person that way, the next best thing is to ask for references. Talk to 3-4 companies the designer has previously worked with, and ask them if they are happy with his work. If a number of people say that he is good, chances are he is good.
Have you worked on similar projects before?
If you want to design an ecommerce site, or if you are looking for someone to design a community portal for you, you need someone who has done similar work. If you want an ecommerce site, you need a web portal designer who is aware of all the elements that go into making such a site. You will increase your chances of getting a good website by entrusting your web portal development project to someone who has worked on a similar project.
Do you have creative ideas to engage the audience?
If you are selling something, providing a particular service or you want the people who visit your site to react in a particular way, you need a creative and interactive format that inspires the users to take action. Ask your potential web portal designer about his approach. Find out if he can accomplish this task by using creative design elements.
Do you use Flash and Java?
There are three types of designers out there. One uses a lot of Flash and Java elements, making it difficult for the reader to focus on any particular part of your website. The second type of designer shuns all Flash and Java as window dressing. The third type of web portal designer uses it in moderation. Ask your candidate about his ideas regarding the use of animation; also, ask him how he intends to use such elements to make your website more attractive.
Do you adhere to standard web development practices?
Considering the fact that you do not have an in-house team of designers working on your web portal development project, many different designers may work on your website from time to time. Ask your candidate if he adheres to standard Web 2.0 standards. If your website is built using standard practices, it is easier for other developers and designers to make changes to it.
Choosing a Web Design Company: Freelance, Consultancy or Dedicated?
When it comes to choosing a web design company, selecting the wrong provider can not only cost you thousands of dollars and a lot of wasted resources, it can also set your business back substantially from a marketing standpoint if the initial web design is not done correctly. Consequently, it’s important to understand the three different types of web design companies in order to determine which will work best for your website.
Freelance Web Designers
Freelance web designers offer some distinctive benefits, but there are also a number of problems that could arise with this type of provider that should be considered. Freelance web designers are often able to offer low pricing for their technical skills and web aptitude – much lower than a consultancy firm, for instance. Additionally, because clients are generally able to work directly with a freelance web designer, customer service is often exceptional.
However, some freelance web designers are notoriously unreliable and often quit or disappear before a project is complete. These individuals often don’t have the discipline and/or resources to ply their trade correctly. In fact, the anonymous nature of the web means that virtually anyone can sell freelance web design services – regardless of their experience and skill. While this can result in finding a gem of a provider from time to time, more often than not it can lead to disappointment.
Consultancy Web Design Services
The consultancy web design services offer one distinct advantage: management of multi-faceted web design. These types of web design companies typically have both in-house staff that works for them, as well as the integration of various outsourced experts. But while this might be an excellent strategy for the business person who does not have any time to devote to a web design project, the fact of the matter is that a consultancy web design service has its own share of problems.
The most significant issue with a consultancy web design service is the interruption of communication channels. If the client doesn’t like a design or feature, they must communicate this to the consultant. Then the consultant must relay this – hopefully well – to the designer/s. Then the designer back to the consultant and the consultant back to the client. Not a very efficient method, and furthermore the consultant that most clients work with rarely does any of the actual work involved in a web design project.
Dedicated Web Design Companies
A dedicated web design company is one that features all staff, technology and resources in-house. They often are able to offer the best customer service possible, as well as the most efficient and professional delivery of projects. And while a service of this type can sometimes be more expensive than a freelance or consultancy firm, the increase in cost is generally more than justified in the return of service, skills, and overall ROI. To find out more about a dedicated web design firm, simply use the links below now and be directly connected to a professional ROI and Web Design conversions expert.