Scaleability

13. October 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Website Tips

One of the great parts of website development and design is the ease of scale. My initial client interview determines the size of our team and it can range from one to “as many as we need”. This flexible model serves our clients well by not only tailoring the service to the clients’ needs but also conserving valuable budget funds.

I have a network of people I can call on to fill all the roles required in a project so that our web designs are beautiful and functional as soon as possible.

If you are just starting in website design or have worked alone for a long time, try out several working arrangements in your next project with the client’s best interest in mind.

What Happened to Our Web Designer or The Art of Being There

12. October 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Website Tips

“We had a designer, but we can’t find him.”

I don’t know what it is about website people, but I sure hear that A LOT. I suppose the work allows for flexibility and it’s true that with today’s technology, website development can happen virtually anywhere. But just completely disappearing? I don’t understand it.

Our clients can count on prompt replies via email, phone, or skype. We participate in the Bloomington community and are very accessible.

So don’t lose touch with your clients. No matter the phase of development there is always something that you can communicate to each client on a regular basis.

If you’re looking for someone to work with your company website and internet reputation, please consider contacting me this week.

Your Go-To Geek

06. October 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Mindset, Productivity, Website Tips

“So what kind of a web developer are you?” asked the man. “Graphics or code or what?”

I had to think for a minute. My answer amazed even me.

“I do what my clients need me to do. If I can’t do what they need, I outsource it to a competent third party. I just make sure they get what they need at a reasonable price.” Suddenly I realized I’m not just my clients’ web developer, I am their Online Manager.

Last week a client was switching email. I set that up and worked with her on her laptop to get the settings just right. I noticed that she was paying a little too much for her hosting account, so I recommended she contact the company and ask them if she can get the going rate (half of what she was paying). She did, and they did. One client needed some audio added to her site, and another needed better search engine results. Yep, I did that. And then there was the site I updated with some social media and fresher home page and navigation graphics.

So what am I some “Super Geek Jill of All Trades”? Not really. Just looking after the on line needs of my clients. Even when I’m learning new skills and reading about new trends, I’m thinking about my clients and how I can leverage these tools in their best interests.

At one point in my career, I thought website design was: develop a static site, deliver, move on to the next job. Now I spend my work days thinking about my clients and looking for new ways to help them or responding to their questions.

It’s not unusual for me to send a report over to my clients on ways we can improve their websites based on new information or technology. I like to think my clients can stay busy with their own careers and trust me to keep my eye on the world of websites.

And I really like it that way.

Go-To Geek. I’m going to have to work that into our tag line somewhere.

Interested in working with me? Contact me!

Not Every Company Should Use Social Media

04. October 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Social Media, Startups, Website Tips

The buzz around Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn has just about every company considering social media as part of their marketing budget.

Think carefully though because consumers are very specific on what they are looking for with social connections to businesses. Brian Solis, in his blog post “Social Media’s Impending Flood of Customer Unlikes and Unfollows” points us to an interesting study by ExactTarget. Results indicate consumers interact socially with companies to receive discounts and make purchases.

Companies who can offer a weekly discount or add perceived value to the social connection can retain customers and clients in social media connections. But companies who want to place a social media presence with no activity will soon find themselves “unfollowed” and leave their customers with a negative experience.

So when considering social media, make a 6 month plan and be sure to publish items of value for your clients on a regular basis. Not sure what items they really want? Take a poll, social media users are used to expressing their opinions. Just be ready to deliver that in a timely manner.

Pomodoro

30. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Productivity

I enjoy productive days.

I make a hobby of checking out productivity tips and techniques. One I’ve recently tried out is the Pomodoro Technique. I found a timer gadget for my Windows sidebar. It’s set for 25 minutes/ 5 minutes so you go in a timed cycle of 25 minutes of focused work followed by 5 minutes of a break.

I’ve found it to be somewhat effective as long as I turn off outside interruptions like the phone.

Here’s the technique cheat sheet.

 

 

Google +

27. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Social Media

I have had a Google + account for about a month. Impressed? Don’t be. It’s now open to everyone.

Once in, I added people I know from Facebook. Then I googled “follow on  google +” and found lists of the hot people to follow. I added them all. I watched my stream for 3 weeks. If anyone posted images or words I found offensive, I stopped following them (this removed 2). After 4 weeks I checked to see who had not posted anything publicly (down over half).

Of the remaining, I watched to see what posts did not add value to me or if over 2/3 of their posts were a “repost”. You know the kind: “I’m having coffee!” or “have a nice weekend everyone” and the reposting “video from such and such Pomeranian Puppy Learns To Howl Like a Wolf” (down 1/2).

Of the remaining, I watched for people that were self promoting and using their public Google + posts to sell their new book, newsletter, or coffee cup. I feel that posting valuable thoughts to the world will draw people to your Google + account or even your website where they can then subscribe to your newsletter or buy your book. That might just be me.

So now after all that cutting where am I with following? I follow 3: the 3 friends I added at the beginning from Facebook.

Imagine that.

Advice for Startups

22. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Startups, Website Tips

Starting a new company and need a brand new fresh website?

I suggest you start small. Create a one page website explaining your core principle (yes, as in ONE) plus contact information (order it as to your preference of contact). Add a second page at the start only if you are selling a product, and make that page the shopping cart.

Then over the year, grow your one page into one longer page like Generation Change does. See more examples at OnePageLove.com

Use only excellent content. Get overly wordy and you turn out looking like you talk too much. Make it easy on your user, keep it really simple.

At the same time you claim your domain name and set up that one page site, claim your Google, Bing, and Yahoo business listing.

There are other directories you might want to consider, but take this part slow. Keep your focus on the crucial message, make sure your information is accurate, and listen to your clients to add new features to your site.

Inspiration

20. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Website Tips

A recent Six Revisions Post “30 Strikingly Vibrant Web Designs for Inspiration” caught my attention last week, and we should pay attention to things that catch our attention. If it attracts me, I feel it will attract customers for my clients.

Key components include a vibrant color as well as careful typography and image choices.

Look about halfway down the blog entry to “Bzzy App“. It’s clean, bright and really really simple. They want you to download it. And could they make it any easier? I just really don’t think so.

What if we took our home page and focused on only one thing. The one thing we really want our user to do or experience first on the site.

How elegant. How simply smart.

I’ve done that with my home page. I want people to contact me.

The website for our company

Google Places, Bing Local, and Yahoo Business

15. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Website Tips

Google is now placing a stronger emphasis on publicly rated content. Every business should claim it’s Google Places Account.

Follow the Google Guidelines and start enjoying not only a better result in searches but a great commenting resource for your clients.

Claim these two also:

Make your listings match the data in your website exactly. Format your address, phone number and name the same way in all locations.

Pretty easy and free.

Google +1 Button for All

13. September 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Website Tips

Every client of mine is getting a Google +1 button and I am encouraging everyone to claim their Google Places and Bing Local Accounts.

Google +1 Button will be a nice easy way for their current fan base to help boost Google Results in local searches. Friends and contacts will see listings with more Google +1 clicks higher in the rankings. Higher in rankings is always better.

So get those +1 buttons installed on your current clients and make that part of your web development plan from now on.

Code to insert the button

Next Blog entry we’ll talk about the Google Places and Bing Local Accounts

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