Too many choices!

I got another call today from someone window shopping for a website; they've talked to some big companies and some part time contractors. How do they tell the difference?

First, big or small, it's wise to use a web design and development company that has some history. Today, everyone is a web designer or programmer; students, out of work IT folks, graphic designers...and it's true, they can manage to get a site built, but what kind of result can you expect?

I just bid for a job with a small business recently. They own a cigar shop/lounge and desperately needed a new site. I had advised him to start with my standard design Content Management System with an additional hour or two to provide a customized banner.

We agreed; cost would be less than $1000 and the owner's daughter would be able to make any and all revisions necessary.

Until a customer, who comes in occasionally, offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. For $30/month in cigars, he would build a site for them. Sounds like a great deal, right?

Hmm...some guy? With a cigar habit? What if the guy gets a job? Or quits smoking cigars? What then...well, they would be back to the drawing board and starting over again. He's getting a couple of html pages and back to depending on someone else for changes.

Yes, our fees sound higher, but once setup; the clients makes all of their own changes and my smoking or lack of smoking habit won't keep them from being able to manage their website.

If you think you could benefit from a comprehensive system that you manage yourself, we're a Denver Web Design and Development Company offering a product that can't be beat.

Barbara Kiebel
Kinetic Webs LLC
www.kineticwebs.com

According to Jakob Nielsen, there are three key things that a user must accomplish in the first thirty seconds of viewing your site. 1. Who are you? 2. What do you do? 3. What should I (the user) do next.

If you aren't able to discern this at first glance, neither are your viewers.

Let's look at the first question: Who are you?

Tell it quickly and in the most old fashioned way possible...readers read left to right; place your logo at the top left and you'll provide that information and branding for your viewers.

What do you do?

This is difficult for many site owners. Avoid high gloss words or slogans; just tell people what you do. Are you selling something or offering a service or just providing free information...tell it quickly and succinctly.

Finally, make it clear what to do next. If your home page has enticed them with what you do; they want to get to it. Use a call for action; text or image that tells them such as 'Contact Us for Free Stuff' - something your designer should know how to do.

If your site is not providing these basics; maybe it's time for a re-design.

Barbara Kiebel
Kinetic Webs
A Denver Web Design Firm

Web 101

Designing a website is serious; it's business after all. It's not just about the computer programming, it's about the design, the keywords, the above the fold, the keyword density, the...well, you get the drift.

If it's a job that calls for serious results and professional expertise, then hire a web development firm with some experience and some staying power; not an out of work guy who needs a few bucks; he'll be gone the first time you need a change and you'll be starting all over - again.

We're specialists in Content Management. We set up the system and you make your own changes; the best of both worlds; but not subject to your designer's date on Friday night...or hangover the next morning!

Denver Web Design and Development
Kinetic Webs, LLC
www.kineticwebs.com