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Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
15. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 11:47 AM
in response to: ModernGorilla
Thanks for the clarification.

I think not having a clear message, other than price, hurts web design companies. Outsourcing has its advantages and drawbacks, but the real problem is the perception that what web design companies do is nothing special is the real problem. Web design like any other design job is first and foremost an art form it requires a level of skill and creativity that doesn't come from a book or a course. The really great designers make it look simple but it isn't.
Click to view ModernGorilla's profile Mogul ModernGorilla 24 posts since
Feb 22, 2008
16. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:00 PM
in response to: Iwrite
You're right- I work for a large web design firm and the perception is that anyone can do it- they're just paying us to because they don't want to bother with it (I'm rolling my eyes as I type this). As you mentioned, it is an art form, and one that takes a few years to learn because you're actually designing out a graphical user interface and not merely putting content on a page; leading the eye around and creating an inviting environment takes some skillz. ;)

But either way, I'll skip around that and focus only on what will bring customers through their door. It's not worth arguing that they could 'do it themselves' because there is no way they would understand the scope involved.
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
17. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:10 PM
in response to: Iwrite

You bring up some very valid and interesting points.

Thank you.
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
18. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:12 PM
in response to: Iwrite
No mind the the tipos, I made a mistake in another forum where I mistaked rant and rave for rat and brave.

It happens to the best of us.
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
19. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:15 PM
in response to: intechspecial

In the last post I said tipos when I should of said typos.


I also wanted to define what I had said in more detail.


The forum where the mistake was made, I was commenting on how some people(including me) will rant and rave all the time over stupid things.


I did not want you to confuse this as being that I was saying a rat is brave over stupid things.


I hope this clarifies.

Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
20. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:17 PM
in response to: ModernGorilla
ModernGorilla -

Thanks again for the comment, if I might as, where exactly is your portfolio of the work you have done on your site.

Also, I love the design of the site, is that a customized WordPress template?

Thanks again for the feedback.
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
21. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:21 PM
in response to: ModernGorilla
You are correct that it is black(font) and white(background).

I have also noticed that there is an occastional blue(hyperlink) and a few colorful avatars.

This thread is becoming more informative and entertaining by the minute.

Unfortunately it has been "hijacked" and is now off focus.

I am interested if anyone has views on the future market of web design companies.
Click to view ModernGorilla's profile Mogul ModernGorilla 24 posts since
Feb 22, 2008
22. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:26 PM
in response to: intechspecial
I've had my hand in a thousand successful designs but I'm not going to use any of them because they aren't in the direction I'm seeking (I don't want to confuse anyone). I'm in the process of creating some new demo sites to show perspective clients and the site right now is really just to get my rankings started.

I designed it myself and it's actually full CSS with no backend.. that'll change in the future, but again, so will a lot of things. ;)
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
23. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:29 PM
in response to: ModernGorilla
Very cool.

I apologize I misunderstood, as I thought you were a well established corporate entity with years of business experience.

Please forgive my misunderstanding.
Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
24. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:33 PM
in response to: intechspecial
I don't think this was hijacked or off focus. We are talking about the future market of web design, just not in the way you were expecting. I am saying that the future should be strong for those who can position themselves as more than a set of extra hands but as a real asset to a business. Once web design firms land on that message it will not matter what new programs or sites pop up.

The key to securing a future for web design companies lies in communicating the relevance they have to the success of a business. The trend for web design is moving towards retention - how long visitors to a site remain on the site and are engaged. Templates cannot delivery that. There is where the future for web design is. The sooner designers get there, the faster they will realize the future.

I think the future for real designers is bright. I think small and medium sized businesses will need to transition their websites to more retention based designs very soon and designers need to be getting ahead of the wave.

How is all of this not talking about the future market of web design companies?
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
25. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:34 PM
in response to: Iwrite
You are actually right, I take that back.

My mistake.
Click to view Iwrite's profile Mogul Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007
26. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:42 PM
in response to: intechspecial
No problem. It is all good.
Click to view ModernGorilla's profile Mogul ModernGorilla 24 posts since
Feb 22, 2008
27. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 12:55 PM
in response to: intechspecial
I work for an established company that has done approximately seven thousand sites, this is just my pet project. I've got years of experience here and working within small, regional businesses that lends me a unique perspective on the subject.

IWrite is spot on in his assessment of where web design is going; I'd love to elaborate more but I'm not going to show my cards just yet.
Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
28. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 2:51 PM
in response to: ModernGorilla
I will be interested in seeing the cards you will play, and I think I might actually be able to learn something from this thread, although it clearly seems I already have all the answers.
Some times having all the answers simply means you only have the best questions.

So please expand, if I might ask, on how a web design company can stay profitable five years from now?
Click to view sassysandy's profile Start-up sassysandy 1 posts since
Nov 14, 2008
29. Re: Trouble for Web Design Companies Nov 14, 2008 3:34 PM
in response to: intechspecial
Only had my web site for a year now, and it's doing very well. No compliments to my hosting company. I was paying $25 per month for optimization that really wasn't doing anything for my site, that I could see. I dropped it and only pay for the site. After alot of reading about this subject I have learned that you can do your own advertising on the net for free or a small fee. And, it worked! Actually, I have had more visitor's with this method than the one I paid for. I was mislead by the hosting company. They lead me astray by way of not telling me what I needed to do to use this, they made me believe that just paying for it would give me a higher ranking. Not true. I also have another business that only requires two pages. I have a new web site for this business that I just happen to come accross and it's free! So I have linked the two. There is so much to learn, setting up the site is much easier compared to advertising, and advertising is key! I would tell anyone that wants to start a business to make sure they are sealling something they really have a passion for or truly believe in. Do your research. Read everything you can in general about hosting companies and optimization vs advertising and how to go about it. Make a list of questions to ask a hosting company before you sign up. Better to find one with a free trial, just in case. You can't start a business over night. It takes dedication, percerverence and alot of time. But, it's really worth it. People are still spending money. There are still people who have money to spend. Good Luck!
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