Net Results
Helping your business succeed online.
Published by nrichmedia (www.nrichmedia.com)
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Volume 3, Issue 1 – Spring 2007
In This Issue
Welcome
Spring has officially sprung. Flowers are blooming, grass is turning
green, weather is warming up. Almost even feels like summer. What a
great time of year.
I was hoping to think up a nifty segue into this issue’s featured
article – “7 Questions to Ask When Hiring
a Web Designer” – but
I couldn’t come up with anything. Maybe it’s around 7 weeks
into spring already? Perhaps flowers blossoming puts you in a questioning
state of mind? Ah well… maybe just take your laptop to the park
and enjoy reading this one outside in the sun!
FAQ: What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a method for exchanging
files over the Internet, namely uploading and downloading from/to a
web server. It allows you to grab files from your web site (assuming
you have the ID and password), so that you’ve got a (backup)
copy on your computer and to place files on the web for the public
to view. FTP is, essentially, the way web developers modify and add
web pages (and documents) to a new or existing site so that they can
be seen on a web site.
If there’s a web-related question that you’ve been wondering
about, feel free to send me an email (info@nrichmedia.com). Chances
are you won’t be the only person to find the answer useful in
improving your web site.
Featured Article: 7 Questions
to Ask When Hiring a Web Designer
A lot of people, when searching for a web designer, don’t know
where to begin. They’re not sure what they’re looking for
or what to ask in order to determine if there’s a fit between
themselves and the designer.
As with hiring any professional, it’s always helpful to get
referrals from friends or colleagues who are satisfied with their recently
designed web site. That way, at least you’re confident that you’ll
be dealing with someone reputable, who does a good job. But, what should
you ask the designer when you first talk to him or her? Following is
a list of seven questions to ask:
1. Can I see your portfolio?
Now, you know if the answer to this one is ‘no’ you probably
don’t want to go any further! The designer should have his/her
own web site (which, hopefully, you like the look of) and, on it, several
samples of sites they’ve created, which appeal to you. The portfolio
should give you a good idea of what the designer is capable of and
their range of styles. If nothing in the portfolio impresses you, you
can’t expect that the designer will create something for you
that you’ll like.
2. What is the cost?
This is generally foremost on most people’s minds. Sometimes
it’s best to get this one out of the way right from the outset.
You might have a certain budget in mind and once you find out the price
realize that there’s no point talking any further. This can actually
happen with a lot of products or services you plan to purchase. It
can be a bit of an education to learn that a decent web site costs
more than $100. (If you find someone who’ll do it for that price,
don’t expect much.)
As with anything, you get what you pay for. Quality does cost and
most people find that it’s better to do things right from the
beginning. I can’t tell you how many people have come to me a
few months after having hired someone cheap and getting no results
from the web site they’re embarrassed to tell people about, wanting
to start all over.
You need to look at your web site as an investment. If it’s
done properly, even if you get just one or two new clients from it,
it usually pays for itself quickly. Many people think they can’t
afford to have a web site now, but maybe, after they’ve worked
for a few months or a year and saved up, they’ll be able to.
Truth is, that may be a few months or year of a loss of potential income
(or business-building) that you won’t get back. Instead of asking
yourself if you can afford a web site now, the more appropriate question
may be, “Can I afford not to have a web site now?”
Cost will usually depend on the number of pages needed on the web
site, the intricacy of the design, whether each page (or section) will
have its own unique look, the need for special features such as a newsletter
subscription box, a contact form, Flash animation, audio/video clips,
search engine optimization, and online sales.
You may get a predetermined price based on the above factors or an
hourly rate, with an estimate of the overall cost.
Be sure to find out if you’ll be paying extra for graphics incorporated
into the design, what the taxes are (if any), and any other “extra” charges.
3. What is the production process?
Asking this should give you a general sense of what your involvement
will be. Will you be getting assistance in writing solid marketing
copy for the web or doing it on your own?
What about the design? Will you be able to give input if you want
to? Will you be allowed to hand over the reigns entirely to the designer,
if that’s what you prefer? Determine what sort of involvement
you’ll want to have on getting to a design that you love. You
may have a distinct image in your mind or some examples of web sites
you’ve seen that you really like that you wish to convey to the
designer. Or, you may have no idea what you want, just that you don’t
want fuchsia text on a lemon yellow background and, that you trust
the designer to work his magic.
4. What are the timelines?
Usually, the designer will need some input from you before she can
begin work. An idea of what pages you’ll need, what the content
(text and images) of those pages will be, a logo (if you have one),
and style preferences will be required in order to start putting together
a design for your site. The designer should be able to tell you how
long it will take to come up with a design mock-up from that point.
This may include time for revisions, based on what you think of the
initial concept.
Once you’ve approved the design, the second phase will be to
actually build all of the pages and make the full site live for the
public to view. Depending on the initial agreement, this may include
optimizing your web site for the search engines (e.g., Google).
5. Do you have some client testimonials I can read?
Again, same as Question #1, if the answer to this one is ‘no’,
head for the hills! Obviously, the more testimonials a designer has,
the longer he’s been around. You might get a good deal if the
only testimonial someone has is from their mom, but does that instil
a lot of confidence in you?
Client testimonials are one of, if not the, best ways to learn how
good someone’s services are. Don’t be afraid to ask for
these and read them.
6. What about a domain name and web hosting?
Your site will need a domain name (e.g., yourname.com) and somewhere
to “live” in order for the world to be able to see it.
Does the designer offer these services or can she help you set these
up? If so, what are the costs? There is often a small set-up fee and
then annual (or monthly) fees for these services. Find out what these
are up-front to factor into your advertising budget.
7. How can updates to the site be made, after the site is up and running?
Often people aren’t thinking about keeping their web site fresh
in the future, just getting it up and “out there.” But,
in order to keep people coming back to the site and to have the latest
information on your site (not to mention to do well in search engines),
you’ll want to make sure the content is updated at least every
few months.
If you’re proficient at web editing software (such as Dreamweaver),
this should be a snap for you. Otherwise, you can either see if there
is some form of a content management system for you to use (or have
one custom built for your needs) or, it might be a more efficient use
of your time to simply have the designer do the updates for you on
an as needed basis. Find out which method suits you the best and what
the associated costs will be.
By the time you’ve finished grilling the poor web designer with
these questions, you’ll probably have a good sense of what it
would be like to work with him. Does this feel like a relationship
that you’ll be comfortable with? Did she make you feel like you
could ask questions without being laughed at? It’s important
to really feel that your needs will be met and that you even enjoy
the process, not to mention that you’ll be happy with the outcome.
Give all of these questions some serious thought when interviewing
potential web designers and you’ll be sure to make the decision
that’s right for you and your business.
* * * * *
Want more valuable information like this to help your socially responsible
business become an online success and get the results you've been looking
for? Subscribe to Net Results, our FREE
quarterly newsletter by filling in the form at the top left of this
page.
About nrichmedia
nrichmedia creates innovative and unique web sites and other multimedia
for ethical and socially responsible businesses and organizations.
We also offer green web hosting, web site maintenance, CD-ROM production,
and more.
nrichmedia was founded by Nathaniel Richman in 2000. Nathaniel graduated
from the Vancouver Film School with a Certificate of Recommendation
in Multimedia Studies in 1997 and has been working in the web design
and new media industry ever since. He previously received a Bachelor
of Mathematics degree (Honours Actuarial Science) from the University
of Waterloo and worked in the pension consulting industry.
Nathaniel works with several other designers and programmers, according
to the needs of the project, to provide the client with the most professionally
designed web site or presentation possible.
"Working with Nathaniel on my web site was easy... he listened
and provided a design I am very happy with. I am getting great feedback
about my site and clients have told me they 'read every page' when
they were learning about my practice and services. As I continue
to need materials for my business, Nathaniel listens and quickly
provides just what I am looking for. He has designed a business card,
brochure, and letterhead that are consistent with the look of my
web site. He has provided me with a professional look and I feel
confident handing out my materials to prospective clients."
- Ann Schlarb, Counseling Hypnotherapist (www.annschlarb.com)
To learn more about nrichmedia’s services, view
our online portfolio, and read glowing
testimonials from many satisfied clients, please visit www.nrichmedia.com.
Web Site Design and Promotion Blog
For plenty of tips and tricks on designing, marketing, and promoting
your web site, have a look at www.websitedesignandpromotion.com,
a blog co-authored by nrichmedia and Juliet
Austin.
Recent postings include:
Foundational
Links
Are
you Baffled by the Key Word Selection Process?
Be
Considerate With Your PDFs
Get
Walking
Feel free to place a comment on any of the posts there. It’s
an easy way to get a link to your site, which can increase your exposure
and help your site’s search engine rankings.
Charitable Causes
nrichmedia donates 5% of proceeds on all projects of $500 and above
to charitable organizations. We are pleased to have supported and continue
to support several worthy causes. To see a list of the organizations
we support, please visit www.nrichmedia.com/causes.htm.
The Not-to-be
Missed Link:
lesstoxicguide.ca
The Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia has produced its
Guide to Less Toxic Products.
The title pretty much says it all. This is a very comprehensive listing
of environmentally friendly alternatives for personal care, household
cleaners, baby care, and more. Still a work in progress (although,
by nature, it probably always will be), this site is a great resource
for making your life and the planet safer and greener.
Archives
To view previous editions of Net Results, visit www.nrichmedia.com/archives.htm.
Pass it on and Enjoy
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to anyone who might find
it useful.
Want more valuable information like this to help your socially responsible
business become an online success and get the results you've been looking
for? Subscribe to Net Results, our FREE
quarterly newsletter by filling in the form at the top left of this
page.
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 nrichmedia
is located in Courtenay (in the Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island),
British Columbia, Canada, and thinks and works globally! Thanks
to the Internet, we're able to create web sites and other multimedia
for clients all over the world. You can contact us by
or by telephone, at 250.871.7424.
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