WE'VE MOVED!
We are proud to announce our NEW community destination. Engage with resident experts and fellow entrepreneurs, and learn everything you need to start your business. Check out the new home of StartupNation Community at startupnation.mn.co
We are proud to announce our NEW community destination. Engage with resident experts and fellow entrepreneurs, and learn everything you need to start your business. Check out the new home of StartupNation Community at startupnation.mn.co
What do you look for in a Web Designer?
MatthewReinbold
subscriber Posts: 3
This is a question for those entrepreneurs who start businesses with a web-based component that they aren`t handling themselves.1) How did you discover the web talent that is working on your project?2) What was the biggest driver in choosing them over another canidate?3) What is one thing you wish you would have asked before they started work?4) Would you use them again and why?I know how geeks approach working with other developers. However I`d love to hear what really demonstrates value to the business crowd. What gets your business?
Sign In or Register to comment.
Comments
1) Cost effective for start-up2) Experienced enough to do what I need......and what I WANT3) GOOD LISTENER!!! This is huge to me...I have ideas...I don`t think they are bad ideas...I know what image I want my business to have...and although the web developer/designer might have some experience in the business of web design...I want him/her to first listen to what I am saying...and build on that...not just sluff me off as unexperienced or that I don`t know what sells. (yes...it has happened...often)4) DO NOT GIVE ME MORE THAN I NEED!!! I want an understanding developer that treats me like a person...not a computer...not just another paycheck. This site is personal to me...it doesn`t just represent my company...it shows the world who I AM!!! I started this company...I run this company...so any image put out there about the company is representative of me. In the same sense...do not make me out to be more than I am...if I want simple...give me simple...don`t keep pushing for Flash...or whatever. Give me what I ask for...no more...and definitely no less!5) TIME....TIME...TIME!!! How fast can you do this? I am an instant gratification person...sell me now or I move on! (I mean that in the nicest way of course...and generally I give a lot more room than I am comfortable with...but that usually means I am less likely to recommend later.)
In response to your specific questions:
1) Still trying to discover them...not as easy as it looks...lots to choose from.2) Biggest drives: Money, Time, Ability to do the job3) N/A4) If you continually deliver as promised...don`t over promise, or over sell yourself and thus have my expectations higher than you can deliver...then I will probably be a customer for life! Screw me, leave me hanging, or lie to me...and I have no issues walking away...see response to #1.
Hope that helps!
Who told you that all web developers are geeks? What made you come up with that stereotype?
Your question is what do you look for in a web developer? Well, let me tell you what takes to be a web designer/ developer. It takes more than what you would imagine. Aside from being a good lister and having the time to accomplish a project, they need to be knowledgeable of what they are doing. Anyone can design a web site (from what I see on myspace and this forum) but it really takes a developer to understand the functionality of a web site. Some of the things a developer has to take into consideration are:
1. How fast is the web site loading;2. What is the database structure (if one available)3. How big are the images being downloaded (size in KB`s or MB`s)4. Ability to create a web site and know how to reduce bottlenecks in the database5. Able to produce a fully functional design with out clitches or something that looks like "WebSite in a box"Here let me share with you what makes a great web designer/developer:http://www.homegiftpalace.com</A>For a Full CATALOG, please contact me...Directly and I will give you a link to our portfolio.
SolidGrnd. These are exactly the kind of things that I`m trying to understand - how entrepreneurs approach contractual web development and what leads them toward their choice. Nuevolution - 2 questions:1) Do you find that the SEO of your client`s sites suffer because of your Flash menus and headers?2) Is this your standard way of acquiring clients? Pitching your portfolio?
#1 We speak english. (as in, not geeks-speak-jargon). That`s seriously
one of the big things people say they like about us. When we talk about
something, if a person doesn`t understand it, we explain it until it
becomes clear. I didn`t realize other web companies didn`t do this....
but I guess not.
#2 Flexibility in offerings. We don`t really have "packages" per se, so
we bring lots of offerings to the table and you choose what you want
from that. We`ve tried to develop offerings for anyone - from the large
business to the small one-person show. I think people also appreciate
it that we don`t have any desire to sell you on something you don`t
want. The last thing we want is for you to get in over your head with
bills for stuff you didn`t need to begin with.
#3 Being mindful of clients` timelines. We may not always be lightning
speed, but we work hard not to keep people waiting. We`ve recieved very
nice compliments on this.
Anyway, those are just a few things. I definitely don`t want to sound
like I`m pushing my business on anyone, so if anyone has any further
questions, feel free to contact me.
I think a successful web developer really has to try to understand the
situation of the client and try to find suitable (and pertinent)
offerings that won`t overextend the client`s budget. This sometimes can
mean that the client starts out with a basic website for low cost, and
makes a plan to upgrade the website in the future.
On a technical level, I think web developers should work to stay ahead
of the curve in terms of current technologies, but also balance that
with the fact that not everyone is going to buy into all the new
fangled internet toys. Usability is important because without it,
people simply won`t find the information they came for in the first
place. Then they get mad and leave. After all, there`s probably plenty
of other businesses out there where they could get what they`re looking
for.
And finally, I can say from personal experience that SEO _is_
absolutely important. For a while when we started, we weren`t really
focusing on SEO and we hardly ever had clients that said they found us
through the website. Now, we`ve really expanded our SEO capabilities,
and we regularly have people tell us they found our website and liked
it, and decided to call.
It`s a fine balance of skills that go into a functional, beautiful, usable, and visible website.
Anyway... these are just my opinions. Your mileage may vary
"Is geek such a derogatory term?"
Simply put - No!
When I tell people I`m a geek, they think I`m being negative toward
myself, but really I`m not. Sure I`m a computer geek. And damn proud of
it! I`ve managed to get most of my friends and family to start calling
me "the resident computer geek" and meaning it in a positive way.
aspects of web site creation and not all web developers are
knowledgeable in basic design principles.
I agree with this 100%. Different web development companies can
have different strengths. Be sure your needs fit with their
capabilities.
"Is geek such a derogatory term?"
Simply put - No!I agree. My partner has a degree in Computer Science. In applying for his first job after getting his degree, his resume stated he was a "Computer Geek with Social Skills" under his name. The firm said that was EXACTLY what they were looking for and he had a finalized job offer within two hours of his first interview.In my own case, I`m far from being a "geek." I may use a computer for my work - but I don`t want to know the hows, whats and whys of computer technology.- J.
2. FLASHThere was a big brouhaha that Flash had become search engine indexable and you no longer had to worry about its search engine issues. Frankly, I have not seen the fruits of this `improvement` to a respectable degree yet so I still consider it a kiss of death for websites designed solely in Flash. If you have a Flash-only website then I recommend one of these two options; one is to design an html version of your website and make the home page of your website html rather than Flash where you can then allow users to choose between html or Flash. The second option is to redesign the site so that it mixes both html and flash together. For example, this might mean implementing Flash amidst content on an HTML page as you would an image. I realize there are certain limitations to this option but if you can create a slick site in this manner then you will have the best of both worlds; clean search engine friendly content along with an interactive, multimedia feel. Just remember that the majority of relevant text should be in HTML format for the search engines to index.oh and for your information: Do you know the difference between a Nerd and a Geek? "Nerds think of cool stuff, and GEEKS get the job done"Nuevolution2006-9-7 12:40:43
FreshYields...I have to ask...you mentioned that you prefer your potential clients to have a budget. Unfortunately...since I am not experienced in the ways of web development and design...I wouldn`t even begin to know how much to put into a budget for this type of service...so having the opportunity to speak with a developer or two to discuss my ideas would not only allow me to gage if it is going to be a workable relationship...but also allows the potential developer a chance to figure out what the real cost of my project might be (or at least a rough guess). In my experience web sites aren`t cookie cutter...so I it may be easy for a developer to say...these are my packages...this is how much they cost...give me a budget and we will see what we can do. But in my mind...I don`t see my site fitting into those packages but only because I don`t know enough about web D&D....so I see these package prices and I don`t see my site!? How would any of you address this? Ultimately...I am turned away almost instantly because I can`t see my site needs fitting into your pre-assigned packages...and I honestly wouldn`t even bother wasting either of our times if I can`t picture it! Ya` know what I mean!? Does that make any sense!?