Techno-Savvy People: A New Client Base

The times they are a changin’…. in just a few short years I have witnessed a steady change in the types of people who contact Jaimee Designs for web design and development.  Once upon a time, my client base was made up of people with very little working knowledge of the standard web building language – HTML.  And now, just a short 4 years later, the bulk of my client have some experience publishing on the web.

I’m sure there’s a logical reason for this.  Maybe it’s the saturation of computers in the home?  Maybe it is the surge of social media that has made not just surfing the web, but adding to it a daily occurrence for a majority of the population.  Or maybe it’s the fact that the kids of my generation are now part of the working class adults.  Whatever it is, the result is obvious and as a web developer, I’m having to adjust my scope and services accordingly.

Most web designers cringe at the thought of their skill being something “everyone” can do.  They somehow feel it’s signaling the demise of the industry.  I don’t, however, because I see how this new basic knowledge is fueling even more needs for people with professional web building skills. And here’s why:

More Techno-Savvy Clients Increase the Need for Even More Technology

The put it simply, when you have a basic understanding of what can be done, you’ll find ways to need even more.  It’s always my web-building clients who contact me with more advanced ideas.  They are the ones who say, “I saw this on another website and want you to do it on mine.”

Just Because They Can Doesn’t Mean They Want To or Have Time To

I can change a flat tire, but I’d rather someone else do it.  And that’s the same way others feel about building a website.  Some people do enjoy taking control of things to save money, but by in the large, the bulk of my “can-do” client don’t WANT to do it.  They already have a job that they are good at and would rather hire someone who does design on a daily basis to give their website a professional look.

Web Design isn’t Just About Know-How; It’s About Talent and Skills

Much like a professional hairdresser or photographer, a good web designer is talented.  Not only do they know how to make a website work, they also know how to make it work well and look good.  So even if my sister knows how to cut my hair, I’d much rather keep my hairdresser’s planner filled up because she doesn’t just cut my hair, she makes me look stylish!  And as more and more businesses and organizations have websites, that professional look is what separates the good businesses from their amateur competition.

So, bring on the techno-savvy clientele.  I know you are out there and I welcome you to contact Jaimee Designs for your web connection needs.  Like me, you have grown up with the web and aren’t scared of it.  Instead you embrace progress and that continues to increase my job security!

Web Building Guide (for the client)

So, you decided you need a website or that your current site needs updating and have contacted me or another designer for quotes.  Great!  I love the energy of a new project and enjoy discussing what “can be” with an excited client.

But, having built 50+ websites for a variety of people, I know what lies behind the handshakes and high-expectations of the initial meeting can be 3-4 months of nail biting and tooth pulling.  So I want to give potential clients the information they didn’t know they didn’t know to help make the experience a good one for everyone involved.

Most business owners think their job is done once they’ve hired the correct person to develop the business’ website.  Understandably so…. they pay the money; we do the work.  But much like your accountant, your web designer can’t do good design without accurate information and open communication from you.   Truth be told, hiring a designer is only the beginning of what can seem like a new part-time job for the duration of the project.

The following is YOUR JOB when when getting someone else to design your website:

• Gather Content: It is a lot easier to design a house if you know what it going in it.  Same goes for a website.  So sit down for a few days and really think about what information you want your customers to have access to and write it.  It saves your designer time if you give him or her the content you want on your website BEFORE the layout is created.  Remember that the content doesn’t have to be the “final” draft, but having a good idea of what you want on the site will make the project run a heck of a lot smoother.
• Get Professional Photos: Want a fantastic website?  Send your designer lots of great pictures.. and not the ones you took yourself (unless you are a photographer, of course!)  Most designers will have access to stock photography, but they should only be used to fill in the gaps.  Great websites have real photos and professional photography does not  have to be expensive. Before your photo shoot, ask your designer what “types” of photos he or she recommends.  This attention to detail doesn’t cost a thing, but will make your website stand out from the rest.  If you are in South MS, check out:  http://ellajreesephotography.com/
  
• Stay Involved: Most designers will give you plenty of opportunities throughout the building process to insert your opinion, stop something you don’t like or add something you think is missing, but they can’t read your mind.  You have to communicate it and you’re not going to know what you think if you don’t pay attention to what’s going on.  If your designer isn’t giving you time to talk, let them know you want a say in all major decisions.  This is YOUR site, not there’s, so you should stay involved every step of the way.
• Make Time: I know you have a job and it isn’t web design, but your designer NEEDS you.  Find out when the designer plans to work on your site and schedule a little time off to be more available.  The project will go faster and be more successful in the long run if you give it the attention it deserves during the building process.

Well, I hopes this helps you to better understand your role in the web design process.  You have quite a job, so get to work…

Web Hosting: In Search of the Greenest Grass

If you’ve kept up with any of my blogs about hosting, you know that I have a real passion about great hosting services and no patience for anything less.  I’ve complained a lot about certain companies as they tout themselves as being reliable and fast and end up being anything but.

Last weekend, my team successfully transferred over yet another website off of the IXWebHosting servers.  I really do hate to put down one company for less-than-desirable services since they obviously aren’t the only offenders out there, but considering the money my clients have paid for their websites, I have no choice but to fight for optimum web surfing experience and sometimes that means pointing fingers when necessary.

The website is MMLonline.com.  My team created that website in the fall of 2008 and we went with IXWebHosting for the web host.  It was a match made in heaven because the hosting company offered the newest ASP.net support and lots of other goodies. Sure, it was a risk suggesting a new hosting provider to a client of mine that I myself couldn’t attest to.  But I saw the cup as half full and went for it.  From about month 1 on, the website experienced sluggish loading time and within the year, the website had been down more than 5 times for a 1/2 day or more.  I gave them the benefit of the doubt because breaking up really is hard to do.  So I called….. A LOT!  I can’t tell you how many times we called the company to ask what the problem was (and make sure it wasn’t something in the coding) and the tech person tell us that we were on the “problem” server.  No matter how many times we changed servers within the company, we seemed to not be able to escape the issues.

Friends, I am a believer that sometimes we are better off with the devil we know than the devil we don’t, but I had finally realized that the problem here really wasn’t me or my impatience… it was them and I saw green pastures elsewhere.

So, here’s to a new relationship with a company called WinHost.com.  Like any beginning relationship, everything seems perfect.  The site seems faster and support seems compatible.  My only wish is for my clients’ website to be more accessible to their users and that I’m not writing a contrary blog about this company in six months.

How to Start a Business Fan Page on Facebook

Not sure how to get the facebook fan page going, check out my video blog for step by step instructions.  And check out my blog, “Facebook Fan Page: What To Do and What’s Taboo” to learn about posting ideas.

Facebook Fan Page: What to do and what’s taboo

I’m sure all of you have heard of Facebook.  I’m also sure that most of you out there have a Facebook account.  Many businesses are now starting to see the benefits of creating a social space for promoting and communicating with their customers too.  But just because social networking offers a free platform for sharing doesn’t mean you should abuse your friend’s and fan’s constant attention.  Promoting your business or organization on social media sites is like having a conversation… keep it social, find what works for you, and determine success through engagement.

Don’t Sell, Socialize

Remember that your friends and fans don’t love Facebook because it’s a constant stream of ads.  They love it because they get to keep up with their friends, family and colleagues.  They enjoy seeing what everyone’s doing.  While selling a product or service may be the end goal, you have to meet your goal slowly through daily or weekly posts that are more like talk around the water cooler instead of TV commercials. So keep that in mind when you post information on your fan page.

Find Your Niche

Telling you to socialize, not sell is easy, but teaching you exactly how to socialize is difficult.  Each business has a different relationship with it’s customers and finding exactly what your fans enjoy knowing about you is the key to having a successful social media account.

Ask yourself the following questions before you hit the “post” button:

• Is this interesting?
• Am I giving my fans an inside scoop?
• Am I building trust?
• Am I being professional?
• Am I keeping confidential information, confidential?

Here are some examples of good business post ideas:

• A photographer sharing recent photography session photos
• A news organization posting breaking news stories
• A sign company sharing daily work pictures from across the U.S.
• A beautician sharing pictures of her best hair styles
• A non-profit sharing weekly stories of success to show fans where the money goes
• A musician telling fans where the next gigs are

Never do the following:

• Talk bad about your clients or customers.  You may think it’s entertaining, but people aren’t stupid.  If you complain about someone else, you’ll complain about them.
• Give out confidential information.  Social media is still media no matter how private it can seem.
• Get too personal.  You may tell your personal facebook friends what you had to lunch, but your business’ fans don’t need to know that.
• Talk too much.  Communication is great in moderation.  Don’t bombard your fans with 10 updates a day.  No one is that cool!

Judge success by the number of comments you get

Finding what works is all about finding what makes people talk.  If you post 10 articles about your business’ services and NO ONE comments? Then maybe it’s not working.  Don’t give up; try something else.  And keep trying until you find what produces comments and feedback.

At the end of the day, building a successful facebook fan page is easy… as long as you remember to keep it social, find your niche, and measure success through engagement.