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December 2007
in this issue:
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10 Tips For Hiring A Web Design Firm (continued)
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Is their cost estimate lower than the majority of other quotes?
Selecting a design firm is NOT like shopping for a car. While it may be tempting to simply ‘get quotes’ and go with the lowest price, it’s very difficult to compare apples to apples in this industry. There is a HUGE variation in the level of talent, expertise and customer support offered among designers. Cutting corners to save money up front can cost you BIG down the road. It’s much cheaper in the long run to choose the right firm to do the project right the first time! Everyday we meet with people who have already worked with two or three previous firms and have been let down every time. They could have saved themselves both time and money by being willing to pay a little more to have it done right the first time.
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| 6. |
Does their portfolio demonstrate a wide variety of styles and levels of functionality, depending on the needs of the individual clients?
Or does everything look sort of the same, like a ‘template’ was used? Many firms don’t have an understanding of marketing or user interface concerns, so they just pump out sites without taking into account the unique needs of your audience. Or worse they do what they think is ‘cool’ or interesting for their own benefit. A cookie cutter website may cost less, but it is unlikely to succeed from a marketing standpoint if it looks like every other firm in your industry. To be as successful as possible, all of your marketing pieces must stand out from your competitors and communicate to your audience the uniqueness that only your company offers.
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Do they depend on clients like you as their main line of business?
Is the firm well-established with a physical office and multiple ways to contact them when you need them? Is web design/development their main line of business or just a side job that might get put on the back burner when other priorities come up? If you can’t get them on the phone now when you’re a prospective client, imagine what it will be like when you need them after the project is over! Everyday we hear stories of people whose sites are 2 years out of date, domain name has expired or other negative impacts on their business because their ‘web developer’ is nowhere to be found, their e-mails bounce back and their cell phone has been disconnected!
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| 8. |
Is a flexible website content management platform offered?
Or is it a proprietary system that will hold you hostage? Many firms make most of their money by developing a proprietary content management system for one client and then re-selling it over and over to all subsequent clients for a lower price than a custom solution. It may sound like a good idea during their sales pitch, but think hard about what will happen if your needs change or the company doesn’t turn out to be as good as they sound at first. Can you pick up your site and move it to any other host of your choosing? Is the method of maintaining the content tied up in their proprietary code? What impact does their platform have on search engine rankings?
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| 9. |
What do their existing clients have to say about working with them?
Any professional firm with a good reputation should have loads of happy customers willing to tell you how great they are. You should definitely contact at least two or three of these references and ask them what it was like to work with the firm. Real experiences straight from real customers tell you way more than a company’s slick marketing materials. If the firm doesn’t offer to let you speak to a long list of existing satisfied customers that you can contact, be very wary.
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Are you impressed by their marketing materials and website?
While the old saying about the cobbler’s kids doing without shoes is often an unfortunately reality, if the firm’s own website is way out of date or has functionality issues, that should be a red flag for you. Did their own logo, brochure or website grab your attention and prompt you to call them above others you may have encountered? Is their image unique and eye-catching and creative? Did you find their website on the first two pages of the search engines? If so, they can probably use the same creativity and expertise to help your business stand out and get noticed as well. |
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The Storyteller Begins New Chapter
Photographer extraordinaire, Charles Bordner, is in the process of re-branding his photography business. To kick-start the rebirth of Charles as The Storyteller, Zafari recently placed the finishing touches to his logo, business cards and letterhead set. The new logo was recently unveiled on a Lifetime television series. |
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Detyens Shipyards' New Website Sets Sail
Zafari is pleased to announce the launch of the new website for Detyens Shipyards. The company has come a long way from being a family-owned company in the sixties to presently being one of the largest shipyards on the east coast. To show off their nautical prowess, their website received an extreme make-over and features a unique, animated aerial map demonstrating the capabilities of this major marine industrial complex. To learn more about Detyens or to view their new website, visit www.detyens.com.
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City Scene Live Comes to Life
Zafari recently designed a logo for upstart company CitySceneLive.com. Founded by Steven Truluck, Carter Helms and Jack Maybank, City Scene Live is an online venture that will allow people to view live webcams placed in Charleston's most popular restaurants, bars and night spots. The webcams will be a great tool for checking out which places are crowded or dead, scope out the atmosphere, and see who has live music. Stay tuned for more exciting City Scene Live updates! |
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Zafari: Keepin' it Classy
To celebrate the Holidays, the Zafarians decided to exchange their usual antics for a more upscale experience. While committing drive-bys on oversized inflatable snowmen and santas is prime, your friendly Zafarians opted for a progressive dinner around downtown Charleston instead. Dressed to impress, the Zafarians started the evening with hors d'oeuvres at the King's Courtyard Inn, followed by dinner at Circa 1886, and deserts and coffee at the Rutledge House Inn. |
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Christopher Cisneros Voted Vice President of MPBPA
Zafari is proud to recognize one of its own. Christopher Cisneros was voted in as the new Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Business & Professional Association for 2008. Since 1992, MPBPA has been bringing businesses together for mutually valuable purposes. Businesses constantly benefit from the wide array of speakers, networking services and community events they offer. For more information about MPBPA visit www.mpbpa.com. |
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