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When we start working with a new client, we have a questionnaire that we ask them to fill out. I think that some people get a little overwhelmed by some of the questions so I wanted to explain the purpose.  My job as a professionally trained web designer is to create a design that you like and will help you market your business on the internet. In order to do that, there are several things I need to know. 

I need to know what you hope to accomplish with your website – are you selling a product or service? Are you sharing information? Are you trying to collect information? Do you want to blog? Are you hoping that blog will provide an income? 
 
I also need to know who you are trying to reach – who do you want to buy your products or services?  Who do you want to share information with? Who are you hoping will read your blog? How old are these people? What is their income? What are their lives like? Are you trying to reach local people or people all over the country or even all over the world?
 
Another important thing I need to know is who is your competition? Are they local or worldwide or something more in between? Is there a particular competitor that you really want to blow out of the water?? I ask for links to your competitions’ websites so I can see what THEY are doing – how their website works for them. My training helps me to do a little detective work and figure out their strengths as well as their weaknesses. With this information, I can not only design and build a website that will be highly competitive, but I can also help you develop an internet marketing plan.
 
Getting into the visual design elements, I ask for links to three websites you like as well as three websites you don’t like. I also ask what it is you do and don’t like about these sites. These sites can be of any type, any subject matter  - sometimes clients choose sites that  have something to do with their line of work (and the subject of their new or redesigned website), other times they have nothing to do with their line of work. Either is fine. A lot of times, the client isn’t quite sure exactly WHAT it is they like or dislike about a site they choose, but when I have three sites to look at in each category (like and dislike), I can usually figure it out. Remember the game “Which One of These Things is Not Like the Others” on Sesame Street? I play a game similar to that with these website selections – but instead, I look for what they have in common. And this is where my training in screen design really helps out!
 
Here’s what I do with that information. This helps me to understand what YOU personally like to see when you visit websites. Now, you need to understand that while YOU may like to see certain colors or features when you visit websites, they may not be appropriate for the type of site that YOU need for YOUR BUSINESS. But I also realize that YOU are paying for your design and development so obviously, you are going to have to like what you see when you visit your own site. If I can get a good idea of the things you like personally, I can take that information and those design elements and transform them into something that WILL work for your site and reach your target audience. It won’t look just like your favorite site (and it shouldn’t or we could both get sued for copyright infringement!), but it will have the elements that you personally like to see AND it will be designed with your target audience, purpose, and desired outcome in mind.
 

Short answer: YES! My biggest design challenges have been when the client does not have a logo. This always surprises me and honestly, throws me for a loop. Some people don’t think they can afford a logo and just skip this. Some people just use a photo of themselves instead.   Well, YOU are not the identity of your business. You may represent your business, but you are not your business.  Your business has a name, it needs a “face” as well – that would be your logo.

Why is it hard to design a website for a client that doesn’t have a logo? I started thinking about this the other day after reading a blog post I read by a friend who is an interior designer. Basically, her process is to meet with a client and have them show her their favorite things in their home.  This gives her a good feel for what they like and who they are – what design style they would like to see in their home.  This is what a logo does for me when designing a website. What colors should be incorporated – pastels or primary? What feel should the site have – corporate or whimsical? What shapes – soft rounded curves, or sharp squared corners? What fonts are appropriate – simple traditional or an ornate script?
 
Once there is a logo involved, the design ideas start going crazy in my head and I have so much fun getting them on screen as a live website! If you need help with a logo, we’re here for you! We do that too! :o)
 

When asked to design a website, I often hear that people want to “WOW” their visitors with a really “cool” website. What I’ve learned with my experience and training is that they’re quite often going after the wrong “WOW” factor. 

If you have a website that is an entertainment site, then having that “WOW” factor be in the design is appropriate. However, if your website is about selling a product or service, the “WOW” factor should not be in your design – it should be in your content. A really flashy design can actually distract your visitors from what it is you’re actually offering and may not help your bottom line. You need a design that shows off the “WOW” factor of your product or service.
 
Let’s face it, in this day and age, just about anyone can build a website. But you don’t just need a website. You need a website that’s going to get the job done for you – a website that’s going to help you succeed and make you money. We know how to help you with that – in fact, we would have a ton of fun helping you with that! I literally do the happy dance when I hear from a client that they’re seeing real results from their website!
 

We’ve always worked with Micro Businesses here at Definitive Digital Design. Yes, we planned it that way! Being a micro business ourselves, we understand the challenges as well as the potential of micro businesses.

From what I’ve seen of micro business owners, they are hard working, creative, offer some amazing products and services, are willing to take risks and try new things, willing to learn new things and do it all (even scrub the toilets if need be!) and also know when to outsource tasks that are better off handled by someone who specializes in that particular area. They get that time if money and don’t have any of either to spare. The clients we have the most fun working with are the ones that team up with us – they let us know what their goals are for their business. This allows us to offer suggestions on how they can utilize their website and internet presence to reach their goals.
 
We also understand the budget constraints of micro businesses. That’s why we keep our pricing as low as we can. We can do this since it’s usually easier to work with a micro business than a larger company. When we deal with just one person rather than a committee of people, not only is there less red tape to deal with, there are less headaches and things just go smoother and quicker! We also have a lot of fun getting to know our clients and helping them compete with the “big guys!” ;o)
 
If you’re looking to do more with your web presence but don’t have it in your budget to hire someone to handle it all for you, we also offer affordable coaching in this area. You already know your business, your target audience, and your competition. You can learn how to take this knowledge and information that you already have and put it to work marketing your business on the internet. Whether you’re looking for a class type coaching experience or something more personal and tailored for your specific business, we can help! 
 
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