How To Select A Website (or Print Graphic) Designer

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Mediaglue

Key considerations when you are selecting a web or graphic designer for your business.

Consider this statement;

“Price is only an issue when there’s nothing else to talk about”.

In many markets, there is nothing else to talk about. A Samsung 80cm TV for instance, is always a Samsung 80cm TV.  So if you’re buying one, price is probably an issue and with the price varying from $490 to $600 it might pay you to show around. 

Price and budget are different. If budget is your key consideration, value for money is the determinant. So if you budget $1,000 for your new TV  you’re going overlook models that are above $1,000. You will find the one you consider to be the best value for your $1,000. The problem is that, at least initially, most people don’t have a budget and need to spend some time sussing out the market to see what their money can buy. This is the research stage and a time when, as the vendor, you’re unlikely to make the sale.

Your research may reveal that you have over budgeted and you only need to spend $895, however if you find you can’t get what you want for $1,000 then you have to either increase the budget or decide which features you’re happy to do without.

So then, when you’re looking to hire a designer for print and / or web design, how do you decide what your determinates are? How do you know if they’re any good, and more especially, how do you know they’re right for you?

Everybody has a friend or family member who does design work. Everybody figures they can get it done at mate’s rates if they go to that person. But if you’re a stable, conservative company and the “friend” has a flair for design but is commercially naive, they could probably build you an attractive website that doesn’t work for your audience; the chances are that you’re not compatible. Using them to save a few bucks, or because you feel obligated to, would be a big mistake.

Thre are many considerations in making this decision, and I’m indebted to folyo.me for providing the most succinct article on this topic I’ve ever read.

Here are the summary points…

  • Look at the designer’s previous work to see if you like their style.
  • Look at their design structure, it’s not just about how it looks, a better question to ask yourself is, “Does it work from a user experience perspective and will it get you the result you want?”
  • Is the design justifiable? In other words, can they explain clearly why they did what they did?
  • Is their style and your idea on the same page? (Refer my example above.)
  • Can we communicate with each other?
  • What is their level of experience? Do they have the right expertise?
  • Are they passionate about their work?

There is no answer to the question, “How much is a website?” There are so many variables and it’s not just the number of pages either. I know of companies offering sites from $30 per month and I know of companies who won’t talk to you unless you have at least a $25,000 budget. The best answer I can give to that question is “It depends on what you want”.

From my perspective, I want to know if you’re happy with a single page design meaning each page looks exactly the same, or if you want the pages to look different as do the pages on this site. I want to know about your products or services, your marketplace, your target marketplace; your purpose for building the site, how the website fits into your overall marketing plan and more.

Plus I want to know if we’re compatible. If you’re looking for a grunge design, we’re wrong for each other! Our target audience is bricks and mortar businesses. If that’s who you are, and if you’re looking for a designer who knows how to represent you as a strong, serious, ethical operator, and knows how to help you make the sale, we need to talk!

Call us on 1300 884 757 or drop a note via the form.

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Christmas 2011

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Mediaglue

It’s Christmas time again and yes, we’re going to take a short break at the end of what has been for many Queenslanders and indeed for Australians as a whole, a tumultuous year.

The office will be unattended from 4pm Thursday December 22 until 8.30am Monday January 9, 2012 although emails and messages will be checked daily except on weekends and public holidays.

We wish all of you a very merry Christmas and good fortune and success into 2012.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sales tips and techniques for business owners and sales people

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Mediaglue

A couple of weeks ago, I recorded an interview with Michael Zipursky, Co-Founder of Business Consulting Buzz. Mike grilled me on sales techniques for business owners, consultants and sales people. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Here’s a list of topics we covered:

  • The 3 most important questions you need to ask before you can make any sales.
  • The process James has used successfully to land new clients.
  • How he doubled and quadrupled the revenue of his clients’ business.
  • What consultants really need to consider when setting their fees.
  • The best way to discover what you’re really good at.
  • How to target and approach the right people to increase your chance of closing the sale.
  • And much more.

Here’s the interview - please give me your feedback via our Contact form.

Thanks!

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Mediaglue Client Telstra Small Business Awards Finalist

Posted on July 20, 2011 by James

Last week I was the guest of Jim Baker and his wife Wendy to the Telstra Small Business Awards dinner where Jim’s business, James W Decorating, was competing for an award in the micro business category. This was Jim’s first nomination and to reach the final five at the first attempt was quite an achievement. Here’s a photo of me with Jim’s team on stage being acknowledged for being a finalist.

(Left to right in picture: Rozanne Brown, myself, Robert McGrath, Wendy Baker, Jim Baker)

I’ve known Jim for many years and one day recommended he write a book about how to become a successful painter. Initially he scoffed at the idea but some months later, he called me and asked for help in putting the book together. We provided the content and did the graphic design for the front cover and Jim had the book printed.

The book has been widely acclaimed by the industry and has been distributed by Dulux to apprentices. With sales both here and overseas, Jim is seen as a leader in his field for his contribution to young tradespeople.

Jim is focused on customer service and his motto is “The job isn’t finished until the customer says it is” which is a mantra many businesses could learn from.

I can personally endorse his work as he has painted two houses for me, and although we didn’t build his website, you can see it at NotJustAPainter.com.au

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What Is Your Brand Saying About You?

Posted on July 4, 2011 by James

Let’s not get confused between logo and branding.

Every business needs a unique logo and so does yours. Be aware though that your logo is not your brand.

Brand is the personality that identifies a product, service or company (name, term, sign, symbol, or design, or combination of them) and how it relates to key constituencies: customers, staff, partners, investors etc.

The experiential aspect consists of the sum of all points of contact with the brand and is known as the brand experience.

Unless your brand awareness is very high, and unless it brings you sales by osmosis, spending money on brand awareness is highly unlikely to create leads and sales.  Instead, money should be spent on creating a marketing message that delivers enquiries, leads and sales.

In his book named The End Of Marketing As We Know It, Sergio Zyman wrote to the effect that “Advertising has only one purpose – to sell stuff”. Significant commentary from a man who was writing about his experiences as VP of Marketing at Coca-Cola. If it’s good enough for one of the world’s most instantly recognised brands… (See more about Zyman’s book here.)

Let’s be clear here; we’re not saying that branding is a waste of money, or that it isn’t necessary, it is. Our position is that branding is about your overall appearance. It’s about presenting a common theme of colour, style, and message across your website, business cards, letterheads, advertising, street and vehicle signage and uniforms.

When you come to us for either a new brand identity or a brand make-over, we’re going to look at who you are, where you are, your product / service offerings and your target market. Your customers need to identify with your brand and you should promote it where there is a connection.

There’s no point presenting your business on Internet video if your market is the over 80′s, or in old fonts and colour schemes if you’re selling to the Under 30′s. Likewise, if your website has industrial photos and your target market is householders; your brand image is out of sync.

We love branding, but maybe not in the way you might expect…

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