Question

Topic: Website Critique

Desing Website To Promote Your ...

Posted by dan88k on 11/4/2012 at 5:59 AM ET 25 Points
Hi. I offer webdesign for small local businesses but have a few fundemental questions.

do i design the site to promote a ssite with all the bells and whistles OR one that might be more appealing to the local harware store etc when they visit the site for information.

I don't want to start teaking it to look too flash as i'm presuming that might scare off a customer who just wants a basic site with some seo.

On the other hand i want to differentiate myself from the armies of 14 year olds knocking up sites in their lunch hour.

There's also the issue that my customers are diverse. 2nd hand white goods to wine bar. I would imaging the latter wants to see more "bling" capability than the former.

The business is brand new so my idea is once i get a few customers i will be able to add a page showing "existing" clients portfolio's and therefore maybe solve some of the above problems

being a techie, marketing is a dark art to me so any idea's much appreciated. thanks

https://www.siennawebsolutions.co.uk
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  • Posted by Moriarty on 11/4/2012 at 7:04 AM Accepted
    Firstly, if you are offering your services to the general public, you will have to brush up on your social skills. You cay that you are a tecchie after all. In doing so, you will also brush up your marketing skills. To be quite honest the most important thing you can do in your business is listen.

    Listen to what your clients want, and fit your services to that. Give them ideas as to what they might also want, only leave the decision to them. Get them to leave you a reference as these are worth their weight in gold.

    The one part of marketing you will get is **setting up an email list** and sending occasional interesting blog updates to it. With that alone you will be ahead of 60% of marketers! Believe me, most marketers offering their services are missing out. You don't have to. You can keep your interested visitors aware that you are their webdesigner.

    The point of this is that you will also be able to show them precisely what you can do for them. That sets you apart from everyone else, let alone the 14 year olds. Doing this will allow you to start charging sensible rates too. Please do not get caught in the "I can be cheaper" biz - you are a professional and professionals who need a website will want to make a profit from it. That means investment, and that means sensible amounts of money.

    Being cheaper means you get all the idiots who want everything on the cheap - and then want more for the same price. Forget them and get one good client who will give you (1) a fair price for your work (2) some real respect (3) feedback and (4) tell others about your work.

    Oh, and they will probably come back for more in the next six months, year or whenever to have more good work done for them. Remember that a good site needs little in the way of maintenance - and that alone will save them a lot of time and frustration.

    To your success! Gemma xxx


  • Posted by dan88k on 11/4/2012 at 7:17 AM Author
    Hi gemma. thanks for those great points. I totally agree with 1 in particular. Pricing.

    However its a tough economic climate my current pricing structure is obviously just until i gain a couple of clients. So although i'm effectively not making any money i will be able to use them as references ..
    then i can revisit the pricing.

    that was my thinking .... rightly or wrongly. I appreciate i may get the idiots and have to manage accordingly :)
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