Design & Web Development Services & Training

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

A. Take your time in finding the design and development partner that is right for you. Don't base your decision solely on price (either direction sometimes the lower priced designers like myself are actually not only just as skilled as the higher priced ones but in many cases provide better customer service). Make sure you visit actual websites (if that's the service your looking for) that the company has designed or developed (don't just look at 'screenshots' of their work. Open an email dialog with the person and keep it going for at least a few days if not longer, you'll get a good sense of the person's personality and chemistry with you (don't judge too harshly on turnaround time on communications between a good designer and a 'non-client' ... we put all our focus on our clients not just in acquiring new business but communication should happen within a very reasonable timeline.

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

A. I think the most helpful fact for clients to know is that at least for myself and my design business. My entire commitment and interest is in doing both a quality job as well as building a relationship with the client. I have been in this line of business since 1994, and it's all I intend on continuing to do... so I'm here for the long haul!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. I'm not sure that there are any super special or effective questions beyond the obvious ones. I would say though that as a guideline to be sure to ask or discuss the following:

1. What are the policies or options for either training so that you can manage your own site, or what programs (how much will it cost) do they offer for ongoing support or services. [Do they offer a continuing client discount?] -- even if they 'don't' they may offer you one for asking!

2. Make sure you are very clear from the very beginning what your time expectations are. And if you don't have any ... MAKE SOME! Both you and the designer will have a better experience if there are tangible guidelines for how long a project should go on and when it's 'due' date is.

3. Never hesitate to ask any question at any time, don't rush into a relationship ... and the business that you conduct with your designer/developer is a relationship, you want it to be with someone you are comfortable with and feel that they really 'get' you!

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

A. I think the most important information clients could have before seeking out any professional service providers help or work, is to have some realistic idea of cost. If you were to realize that in order to build your buisiness in the physical world there would furniture expenses, and space leasing expenses, etc... doing business in the virtual or online world isn't much different there are very real expenses if you are going to launch your venture successfully.

We always tell our clients what, based on our experience, we think is the ideal for them to do (blue sky process) and the related costs, then we prioritize based on the client budget ... and work in phases.