Web Design Business - Help

[freeztar]

I'm in the midst of forming a website business with a few people and would appreciate any input that people could give.

I'm currently working on our promotional material and would really like to include some stats. Is anyone aware of scientific studies that have shown a link between enhanced web design and increased profits? I know it's common sense that a 'better' website will generate more profit for the owner, but how does one quantify web design 'better-ness'? Basic criteria from a methodology section of a scientific study on this might provide the answer.

Any other ideas related to starting a web design biz and marketing are also greatly appreciated!

[Donk]

I've been in print design for a very long time now. An important lesson is to Keep It Simple. Too many words, too much clutter, detracts from the message.

The same is true of web design, only more so. There's so much you can do with a web page that you can't with print. Colour costs no more than black-and-white. Moving pictures. Sound. Clickable links. It's tempting to put it all in - don't! You want a page that gives the basic message in a single glance, then enough content to back that message up. Clean, simple. People appreciate that, and they'll read it. If they want detail, it can be added with another click.

Plus, all those pictures and that snappy flash app can take a long time to load. Slow sites drive visitors away. And before you say "but my page loads FAST", try checking it on a slower modem. Us surfers are an impatient bunch. If a page takes 15 seconds to load, we'll probably click away from it.

My two cents

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by freeztar

I'm in the midst of forming a website business with a few people and would appreciate any input that people could give.

I'm currently working on our promotional material and would really like to include some stats. Is anyone aware of scientific studies that have shown a link between enhanced web design and increased profits? I know it's common sense that a 'better' website will generate more profit for the owner, but how does one quantify web design 'better-ness'? Basic criteria from a methodology section of a scientific study on this might provide the answer.

Any other ideas related to starting a web design biz and marketing are also greatly appreciated!

Whos your customers? What area of business are you looking to attract to using your design?

[freeztar]

Thanks Donk.

We definitely have the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) principle as a core value. Already, our company has helped small business owners by simplifying their sites and stabilizing their profits in the green.

Other than demonstrating our effectiveness from our portfolio, I'm at a loss for how to quantitatively demonstrate that our services are a benefit when selling to a potential client. Perhaps it's not really necessary, but I would love to have quantifiable data at my disposal being the geek that I am.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Cedars

Whos your customers? What area of business are you looking to attract to using your design?

Small to medium sized local businesses. I'm focusing on restaurants, but there are big opportunities in seeking alternate markets, such as lawyers and doctors.

Our design is based on simplicity and usability. Clients that could benefit from this approach are too numerous to list.

[Buffy]

Simplicity and usability are worthless if people do not find your site. I've found that when it comes to web site design, the magic word--well, acronym--is SEO.

Yes, its gotta look good and give people what they want immediately once they get there, but if you don't actually offer to get people to the site, then you're just like 1,000,000 other "talented" creative site designers....

No computer network with pretty graphics can ever replace the salespeople that make our society work,
Buffy

[freeztar]

Good point Buffy! Creating a customer-stream is definitely important. The thing is, from our experience so far, the site sells itself. Usually business owners have their hands in many different ad/marketing avenues. The same amount of people visited their websites before, but now they have customer retention.

I'm actually glad that you replied to this topic Buffy. More on how to offer that extra appeal (beyond the obvious) would be appreciated.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Usually business owners have their hands in many different ad/marketing avenues. The same amount of people visited their websites before, but now they have customer retention.

Horridly limited thinking.

I find that *most* business owners have *no clue* when it comes to marketing and their experience with advertising is either nil or "just enough to be dangerously wrong."

Web site design has everything to do with marketing and nothing to do with "design."

You need to teach them what they don't know without offending them by letting them know how little they really know.

Also, you'll find that the more clueless people realize they are about this stuff the *better* they are as clients....

Me send for you? I never send for anybody, not even if I need them,
Buffy

[Buffy]

Retention: What are you doing about capturing your customer base information? When do you contact them? How? Why? What's your value proposition for "loyalty?"

An ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness,
Buffy

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Buffy

Horridly limited thinking.

You are right of course.

I find that *most* business owners have *no clue* when it comes to marketing and their experience with advertising is either nil or "just enough to be dangerously wrong."

That's not been our experience so far, but we haven't done much volume yet.

Web site design has everything to do with marketing and nothing to do with "design."

If that's not the quote of the week then I now elect it as so.

You need to teach them what they don't know without offending them by letting them know how little they really know.

This reminds me of "untangling the knot". Good advice!

Also, you'll find that the more clueless people realize they are about this stuff the *better* they are as clients....

I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'd like to buy something from you.