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November 2007
in this issue:
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10 Tips For Hiring A Web Design Firm (Part 1)
| Based on the many sad tales and horror stories we hear from clients and prospective clients everyday regarding their experiences working with various ‘web designers’, we created this checklist to help people evaluate firms and make an informed selection. |
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Do they show demonstrated expertise from a Marketing, Creative AND Technical perspective?
Unfortunately, even a large percentage of so-called professional website designers do not possess the special blend of these skills adequately. Successful websites require much more than just programming skills or pretty pictures. So you might get an artistically beautiful site that doesn't function well from a user perspective or a technically functional site that doesn’t effectively serve the needed marketing purpose. In either case, you lose because if the site isn’t effective from all three perspectives, it will not be as profitable or useful as it should be.
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Do they regard themselves as just a vendor or a partner in your success?
If the firm regards you and your business as ‘just another client’, this will significantly impact the amount of effort and creativity they put into your project. Many firms just pump out site after site like a factory without focusing on each unique client with the time and attention they deserve. For this significant marketing investment you’re about to make, don’t you deserve to know that the company genuinely cares about the overall impact of the project on your business? We hear over and over how some firms are nowhere to be found once the initial project is completed because they operate from a client to client mentality rather than viewing their relationship with you as an ongoing partnership.
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Do they LISTEN as much as they TALK?
While it may be tempting to assume that the ultra-confident, smooth sales pitch means a firm knows what they are doing all across the board, many times it means nothing more than that they have a good sales pitch. If the firm doesn’t seem genuinely interested in YOU and YOUR BUSINESS, do you want to entrust your marketing investment to them? Do they speak to you in layman’s terms or do they like to use “geekspeak” to impress you?
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Do they use a proven methodology to ensure the success of all projects?
Unlike many professional areas, the website design/development field does not impose standards or certifications to ensure the level of skill required by people who call themselves web designers. Anyone can purchase software and hang out a shingle for business. Firms that have been successful for many years should have developed a standard methodology they follow so that you can benefit from their lessons learned during their years of experience. This is part of what you should be paying for, NOT just the technical ability to create HTML files and upload them to a hosting account.
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Local Land Developer Receives Online Makeover
Zafari is pleased to present the new website for The Wrenn Group. Headed by C. Ray Wrenn, The Wrenn Group has developed many multi-family properties in Charleston and Columbia, including Riverland Woods apartment homes, The Retreat, Atlantic Palms apartment homes, The Battery at Park West, and The Crestmont apartment homes. To learn more about The Wrenn Group, visit their website at www.thewrenngroup.com. |
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Priority Healthlinks Ready To Enhance Healthcare
Priority Healthlinks is a new consultancy firm that aims at helping healthcare businesses effectively execute strategies and change within their offices. After a little strategy execution of our own, we are excited to announce that the Priority Healthlinks website is live. Visit www.priorityhealthlinks.com to check it out! |
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Colleton Park, A Nod To The Traditional
Zafari recently completed a pocket folder for Colleton Park, a new traditionally-designed neighborhood under development in Aiken, SC. As a gesture to the days when northerners lived in the Winter Colony of Aiken during the cold winter months, Colleton Park features classic Southern Architecture and a community oriented siteplan to evoke all the nostalgia of eras gone by. Stay tuned for more pieces and an interactive website as the Colleton Park marketing project evolves. |
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Zafarians Spotted At The Coastal Carolina Fair
After an unfortunate accident involving the Schooner Pride and a giant squid, the Zafarians jumped ship and found themselves washed up on Folly. They discussed heading back to the office and resuming normal working lives, but they soon caught wind that the fair was in town. Deciding that turkey legs, deep-fried snickers, and nauseating rides were too tantalizing to pass up, they headed for Ladson. |
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2008 Flowertown Festival Contest Winner
Zafari is proud to recognize one of its own! Graphic designer Jessica Crouch is the winner of Summerville's Flowertown Festival design contest. Along with being the official poster for the festival, Jessica's design will appear on T-shirts, a cookbook, and the festival pin. She also won $300, so if you see her out, ask her to buy you a round or two! |
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