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By: Matt Mernin
Interactive Web Developer
Having a website these days will no longer set you apart from your competitors. There are however, many factors that can help your website perform against your online contenders. If you’re considering developing a new website, this post should help you avoid some potential unexpected delays.
1. Choose the right website domain.
Your domain name is one of the first impressions your potential customer perceives about your company. Think long and hard about it; try to connect it to your existing brand and/or industry. The length of a domain is also very important. Some argue that longer domains are easier to remember, while others believe a shorter domain is easier to type. Either way, the domain needs to read easy and make sense. Try not to get your heart set on a single domain name because it may not be available. You can check availability by visiting www.domain.com. Simply submit your domain name, if it’s not available, domain.com will give you a list of suggested domains similar to your query.
2. Understand your target market.
Chances are you already you have enough customers to determine a general scope of who your target audience is. If this isn’t the case, do some research but more importantly ask your customers questions. Find out their interests. Roughly determine the average age, income, and gender, etc. All walks of life use the Internet, to convey your message and brand clearly the design agency needs to know who to design for. Maybe your target uses smart phones as their primary web-enabled device. Maybe your target is using a computer over a decade old. Techniques have been developed to address the limitations and boundaries set by society, take advantage of them by having a better understanding of your target market.
3. Determine the purpose of your website.
The capabilities of the web are growing rapidly! Your website is a platform not just for placing your contact information and details about your business. It should be utilized as a tool to help you accomplish tasks and goals. With your goals in mind a designer can develop strategies to point users in the right direction and funnel them to accomplish them. This will streamline your users actions, preventing them from getting lost on your website.
4. Integrate your website into other marketing materials.
From direct mail pieces to business cards, your website URL should be included on all of your existing marketing materials. When your website is launched you will need as much help as possible to spread the word and bring awareness. Not doing this can prevent potential customers from easily learning more about your brand, products, and services.
In this day in age when your website is your front door and often visited long before your brick and mortar location, be careful to set it up well and strategically. If you need help or have questions about Internet Marketing and Web Design, contact us!
By: Annette Venditti
Communications Ally
Remember the famous quote by Napoleon Bonaparte, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” Napoleon was a man before his time as this holds true today as you are somehow moved on a daily basis when you see an amazing photograph or piece of fine art that just leaves you breathless… and you finally walk away knowing that you are the better for having viewed it.
How do photography and art (graphic design) come into the workplace as you market and communicate using tools like print, video and the ever-changing social media sites? Your goal should be to reach your researched target audience and make them trust, feel and connect with the brand, product or service you represent and really understand who the company is and what they stand for.
I want to share a few key points on how to correctly use photography, art and graphic design in your public relations and marketing mix. These tips will give you the tools you need to look at each project and create the best end product and message for your intended audience.
1. Think. Brainstorm. Create. This basic process must never be skipped if you want your message to be the best it can be. Ask your team to participate in a brainstorm session and let them go back and think about the task at hand, process overnight, etc. Compare ideas in an open discussion and see whether photography, art or a combination of the two is the best path to take. Think beyond the obvious and you and your client will be happy you took the time when you see the results.
TIP: As you develop concepts and ideas sketch them on paper. Really look at the text and image mix and be sure it’s simple, crystal clear and wildly creative. Too much of any of these elements in the mix will add up to a catastrophe that will confuse your audience and not win you any design awards. Research top rated print and social media advertising and campaigns and see what makes them stand out from the crowd!
When the chosen photograph, art or graphic combination hit the mark, you will need very little text to support the message and your audience will love you for it!
2. Hire a Pro. Please. When you need photography or art/graphic design (for an ad or for an event) do your research and hire a true professional to work with you and create the best possible images and designs for your needs. Don’t rely on friends or family to supply what you need, the cost of your initial investment will be more than obvious when you compare the finished product to a less expensive version created by your sister-in-law who “knows how to use Photoshop”. Yikes.
3. The Social Mixer. Social media has given us a vast variety of ways to share photography, text, videos and art/graphics on sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well as Pinterest and Instagram, two image social channels that have changed how you and I see photographs, graphics and personal inspired interests shared. The same principles apply here, use professional images and graphics and be sure they are clearly stating your intended message before you share with your audience. Facebook Ads is another social media tool that allows you to share brand information and connect with potential customers. Take the time to research this ad platform and see if it might work for you and your client’s needs.
Keep in mind that every client (their brand, product or service) and every project you work on is truly unique unto itself. Challenge yourself and your design team to develop and create innovative solutions for every element and I can assure you this will keep your clients happy as larks and your team will walk away reveling in their hip new “creative genius” status.
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