Specialty marketing firm Car Guy Marketing wanted a website that captured the imagery of their target industry. This racing-themed website met the company’s need for a flexible website that would allow their staff to edit content whenever necessary. Their new SixFour Web Design website will help them cross the finish line in style.

Role:

• Content Management System
• PHP Scripting
• Mailing Integration

www.carguymarketing.org

Prasad Thammineni, in a post for the Small Business Trends blog, offers five tips for working with outsourced designers.  This might be the person doing the graphic design of your company logo for the new box of stationery,  the person working on your next marketing materials, and of course to the person developing your company’s website.

While many small business owners don’t think that they have the time or the skills needed to get too deeply involved design projects, a small investment of time can make a big difference. If you’ve hired the right designer there’s no need to oversee the entire process.  However by taking some time to provide clear guidance early in a project, you’ll make the job easier and in most cases save time and prevent costly rework.

The ideas that Thammineni suggests essentially boil down to good communication, such as providing the context for the work needed and using simple sketches to help in starting to share ideas.  Using the examples he provides can help a business owner not only farm out a tasks that it would be difficult to do internally, but to do it in a way that almost guarantees success.

You can read the full article, 5 Tips for Working With Outsourced Designers at Small Business Trends.

Lauren McCullough, NYC based voice-over artist and actress wanted to welcome visitors to her Facebook Fan Page. We created a design that put the focus on Lauren’s good looks and great talent.

You can click the link to learn more about Lauren McCullough and her voice-over projects.

Role:

• Facebook Fan Page
• Embedded Video
• Social Media Links

Visit Lauren’s Facebook Page

As a small business owner myself, I often find it difficult to make time for personal development. But it is important enough that I do make the time. You inevitably learn something new every day when you run your own business, but there is value in making a formal commitment to self-development. In the long term, making the commitment to build your own skills is as good an investment as a new computer, a set of Snap-on tools, or a new phone system.

Working on your personal development doesn’t have to mean signing up for night school courses, although in some instances that can be a great investment. It can be as simple as subscribing to an industry magazine and actually taking the time to read an article, or spending some time to do some research on your biggest customer’s industry.

Here are some ways that you can develop yourself a little at a time, without too much of a time commitment.

Subscribe to and read industry newsletters -  Almost every industry has a trade association, and that trade association probably has a unique website designed for its members. Whether you are a plumber or a CPA, you can find a group online. You can learn about what issues others in your industry face, and what things that they are doing to solve them. Whether you are a plumber or a CPA, you can find a group online. In addition to advocating for business owners like you, industry associations publish newsletters that can keep you up to date. Best of all, the newsletters are usually free.

Go to a seminar – There are one day seminars on a wide range of topics at a wide range of prices from free to many thousands of dollars. Seminars are a great opportunity to get some focused time away from the day to day grind. Attending a seminar is also a great time for networking and starting new relationships. In my community, the Rotary Club partners with the internationally-famous Sandler Training to host a day of sales and management training. This training is typically valued at $2500, but they only charge $249 and donate all of the proceeds to polio eradication. You can do a good deed and grow your business acumen at the same time. Click here to learn more about the Rotary and Sandler Training program.

Can’t afford to travel to a seminar, go to one online. September 24th is International Freelancers Day, and one great way to get some free training in is to attend the International Freelancers Day Online Conference. Held entirely online, over 25 well known speakers like Brian Clark, Dan Schwabel and Bob Bly will present on ways to improve your freelance business. The conference is free, but you do need to register.

Learn from the Masters – Fancy yourself a budding Donald Trump or an up and coming Jack Welch? Why not learn more about their management style by reading a book. Many memoirs and biographies of the captains of industry are available. Looking for ways to invest your profits, why not take lessons from Warren Buffett. Reading a book in the evening is a great way to wind down and get inspiration for the next day.

Taking the time to improve yourself is never a waste of time. I hope that these ideas will inspire you to develop yourself as you develop your business.

You’ve finally decided to take the big plunge and have a website designed for your company, but where do you begin?  Your website should be functional and meet your business objectives, but it also should have a design that is appealing to your potential customers.  Before you dive in, here are ten things for you to think about that will prepare you for the web design process and help to make your website launch a success.

FUNCTION

1.    Who is your audience?

You’ve made the decision to build a website, but who are you building it for?  Think about who you want to visit your website.  If you sell construction cranes, do you want to attract home-owners looking for step-ladders?  If you want to sell home-made cookies, do you want to attract major supermarket chains, or people in the local community looking for a sweet treat?  By knowing who you are trying to attract, you can begin to design your website messaging.

2.    What is the purpose of your website?

Websites can serve many purposes.  They can be your online product catalog, they can entice visitors to come into your store, or they can used to educate potential buyers about why your widgets are the best in town.  Do you want your website to raise awareness of your political campaign, or to let antiques collectors know that they can buy that hard-to-find item from you?  Defining your website’s purpose early in the process will help ensure that your website works for you.

3.    What functionality do you need on your website?

Besides looking pretty, your website should help you in your business.  Some of the possibilities are gathering e-mail addresses for your monthly newsletter, a shopping cart for selling merchandise online, or a contact form so that customers can obtain a personalized quote online.  Think of the many ways that your website can become a valuable part of your team.

4.    Have you thought about a domain name?

Choosing a domain name is important.  Your domain name, www.YOURCOMPANYHERE.com, is the way customers will find you on the internet.  You want a domain name that people will associate with your company or product.  It also should be easy to spell and easy to remember.  Take the time to choose your domain name carefully; it’s a big part of your online identity.  Most of all, make sure that you own the domain name.  Many business owners have been shocked to learn that their domain was improperly registered, causing them to lose control of a valuable asset.  I tend to use Dreamhost because of their reasonable price for domains and hosting,  and their no gimmicks approach.

5.    What is your web design budget?

There is a large range of prices for websites.  You can build one yourself for free or you can spend well over $100,000 to announce the release this year’s luxury auto.  Many web design clients want to keep their budget a secret, but giving your designer an idea about how much you are willing to spend will prevent them from designing features are too expensive.  With a clear idea about your budget, it’s easier to design a website that is attractive and affordable, while still being appropriate for you and your business.

DESIGN

6.    Do you have a logo?

Everyone recognizes the “Golden Arches” or the “Swoosh” on a pair of athletic shoes.   Like those other famous companies, your logo is an important part of your company’s identity.   If you don’t already have a logo, no need to worry.  Your designer can work with you to develop one that represents your company and makes it uniquely recognizable.

7.    What other websites do you like, and why?

Take a look at other websites.  What are the things that appeal to you?  Do you prefer “Friendly” websites or those that are “Strictly Business”?  Are the colors bright and jazzy, or subdued with crisp, black and white photos?  Don’t forget to take a look at your competitor’s website?  What things do you like or dislike about their website?  Write these things down, they will help you when it comes to designing your website.

8.    Who will generate the content?

The written content on your website describes your products and services, and is what encourages your potential customers to make a buying decision.  A compelling “call to action” is an important part of any website.  “Buy Now!”,   “Call for a Free Estimate!”, and “Add to Shopping Cart” are examples of a call to action. When you meet with your designer, you should have a good idea of what you want to say on your website, and it’s great if you already have a first draft.  If you need help putting this together, you can hire an independent copywriter or ask your designer for help.

9.    What images will you use?

The right photos can greatly enhance a website. You can take your own photos, but they should be high quality and of a suitable size and resolution.  If you don’t have your own pictures, you can use stock photos which can be purchased at a low price, but add big excitement to your website.  Would a video of your product in action lead to more sales?  Letting your designer know this ahead of time will make planning your site and the necessary bandwidth easier.

10.    Who will maintain your site?

Are you tech savvy?  Will you have to make frequent updates because you sell seasonal merchandise, or because the price of raw materials changes frequently?  Updating your site from time to time keeps it fresh for returning visitors, and gives them a reason to come back.  Knowing how often and who will maintain the website will play a role in how your website should be designed.  Speak to your designer about your options.

Building a new website doesn’t have to be an overwhelming project.  Partnering with an experienced web designer can make the process easier.  Spend time with your designer and do some planning before you begin. This will allow your website to be completed with fewer delays, and increases the likelihood that you will be satisfied when it’s done.  The payback for the time spent thinking about these ten questions is a great internet experience for you and your customers.

North Carolina non-profit Reed to Pillar Ministries, Inc. wanted a website that would promote their mediation and counseling services, informing prospective clients on the variety of services that they provide. SixFour Web Design created a website that would help them in their promotion efforts and enable them to accept donations through the website.

Role:

• Logo Design
• Content Management System
• PayPal Integration
• PHP Scripting

The Clemmons Rotary wanted a Facebook Page to promote their major fundraising activity for the year that would match their existing website.  SixFour Web created a Facebook Page that features a four-page Micro-Site, providing the local community with information regarding the event.

Role:

• Facebook Customization

As small business websites become more common, business owners are wondering whether social media should be part of their overall communications strategy.  Done well, social media can be a effective low cost way of promoting your businesses and services. For example, businesses like the Arnold Bakery Thrift Store in Clemmons, NC use it to share the most recent deals with their followers.  However when it is done poorly, like Nestle’s PR nightmare,  it can draw hostile reactions from the people you value most, your current and future clients.

At the Money and Risk blog, Kim Luu provides a great overview for the small business owner looking to dip their toes into the social media ocean.

There are compelling reasons to dive in.  According to Luu, in May 2010, YouTube delivered over 14.6 Billion videos to its viewers.  Facebook itself claims that with a member base of over 400 million, that over 50% of its active users log on every day.  Until the next big thing comes along, social media is here to stay.

You can read the full details in Luu’s article, A Social Media Primer for Business Executives.

School Board Candidate Robert Barr was looking for a website design that would allow him to reach out to the community and communicate his message effectively.  As a first time candidate he also was looking for a website that would fit his budget.  SixFour Web was able to deliver an attractive and affordable website that met his requirements.

Role:

• Content Management System
• PHP Scripting
• Facebook Integration
• PayPal Integration

www.barr4schoolboard.com

Jewelry Designer Pamela Mitchell wanted a website to show off her creations in more detail than the shopping site Etsy.com.  We set up a gallery style blog to display her many baubles.

Role:

• Content Management System

www.pamelamitchelldesigns.com