Does your small business need a Website or a Website makeover?

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Small and home based businesses. And this is the area that I want to target. For too long the internet has not been affordable to this segment of the business world. The small and home based business owner is immediately at some disadvange because they don't have the advertising dollars that a larger business has - but the internet can level that playing field. A good website, with great content can propel a site to page one or two depending on the product. And it give that small or home based business owner that 24/7 business card to use as a marketing tool. Many website owners also use a website for their most commonly asked questions - those FAQs and again this helps them market their business and product in a real effective way.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure they have a track record of success with customers. Ensure that they will be responsive to your requests or changes. A portfolio is just one visual way to see their "track record," but exchange some dialogue with who you may want to hire - either on the phone or via email. Make sure there is a written agreement of work up front.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I have had more than one client come to me with a Website Makeover because their last designer created a website that they couldn't update themselves. This is why I have chosen to primarly use WordPress as a content management system. If the client wants to update after the creation period - it is totally possible to learn, or if they want me to update and maintain that is possible too. And this is how great websites are created and then never updated - because the client doesn't have tools, skills, knowledge or sometimes the inclination to update their site.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The purpose of their site. Sometimes a client knows in their mind what they want...but they have to be able to convey that to their web designer. Just saying you want an ecommerce site is one thing, but if there are unique components to that site it needs to be articulated. Also ensuring that you provide the designer with the content and images and some layout guidance. Just a little bit of the clients time in the beginning will make the process go so much faster and further.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Our customer service sets us apart from the rest. We create a user friendly, clean and simple product. Our goal is to help the client boost their internet presence through a great website, and through use of the social media.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Helping clients get connect to the internet and the world wide web. And also taking that "burden" of website maintenance off of their plate. This is the issue that most businesses face - now they have a website but they don't know how, or have the time or want to update the website. And if the website isn't kept current...it is fairly useless.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I had an artist call me..and say "I think I have a Website." She related that she wasn't a computer person, but she knew at one time she had a website but hadn't looked at it in a while. And the guy that was updating wouldn't communicate with her except by email. Which to his credit I sort of understand. But this client just wasn't one to email. Anyway to make a long story short - I found her website, grab a hold of her domain name, established another hosting account for her and recreated her site...some where in this process she asked me to email her. I said "no problem" and she replied I just want to have your email on my computer but I can't type it in because the @ is broken on my keyboard and I'm not buying another keyboard. At that moment I realized the chasm of people who don't use the internet but realize the need for a website - and she was one of them. She was thrilled at her new website and loves how her art is displayed...all without the @ button!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. My continuing education is reading the latest information on search engine optimization and social media optimization. These two elements can/will help a business bubble through the search engine rankings.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Customer service and being responsive. I believe that the client wants to know that the designer on the other end of the phone or email actually cares about their project or website. I try to make a personal connection with my clients, and attempt to make all changes with in 48 hours of receiving them. And also making suggestions for improvement and changes to their site, and how to improve their business listing throughout the internet shows that you care about their success. My thought is that their success is my success.