A bit of advice please

[e-web solutions]

We are a web design company in middlesbrough and we are really struggling to find work at the moment.

i have written to a few, tried calling and have the sum total of 2 contracts myself through what i have done.

we have advertised on thomsons online directory and are always top on sites such as yahoo when you type in web design in cleveland but still im having no luck or business from that.

what could you suggest.

thanks in advance

[kyber]

Hello James,

I do not envy you the challenge you face. You will already know that for your kind of business, a lot of work is generated by recommendation. I would also say by people noticing your work.

For my 2p worth, I would suggest you consider some of the following:

1. Get involved in local business networks (chamber of commerce etc). Get yourself known, provide free sessions introducing business people to the possibilities.
2. Look at the better quality local newspapers. Many of these have articles written in them by local business people. Look at whether you can contribute a local column. Again, this is PR and in particular allows you to demonstrate an understanding of business issues rather than just being a techie.
3. Your website does not inspire me at all. Get some feedback through people in the business networks. I was unclear on what your company name was and on the proposition, I also found some of it tricky to read. If you are going to offer web design services, your own website has to really grab the attention of your target customers. (I am probably not such a customer - perhaps your website does achieve the objectives.)
4. Look at doing a small number of potentially high profile local websites (of interest to your target customers) on a pro bono basis (charity sites, local clubs and organisations).
5. Are you sure of your proposition? Your customer offer? Your target customers? Ensure you have this nailed before you consider more specific marketing. There are people on here who can help you define these things and then help you on the marketing.

Stuart

[e-web solutions]

Thanks Stuart.

I wasn't sure on the website either.

I thought it should have had the company logo on to give us a cosporate image but it doesnt.

I shall have a good word with my designer about this.

i am looking to joining the necc, does this really help you and if so in which way.

all your advice is very appreciated and i will use it to help the business.

cheers

[MinuWeb]

I would agree with the comments about your site, try making the it wider than 650 pixels, (800 would look better) I also totally missed your menu the 1st time I looked at your site, and thought the only pages you had were homepage and contact page.

[e-web solutions]

thanks for these comments they are a real help.

[kyber]

I see you have asked elsewhere for feedback on your site so I shall post accordingly.

Stuart

[e-web solutions]

It is Stuart.

Our designer is having a look at these posts aswell. I think.

he'll probably take some notes from this and change a few things.

and again thanks

[e-web solutions]

I see you have asked elsewhere for feedback on your site so I shall post accordingly.

Stuart

please yes stuart

[mrbusiness999]

I like the idea and feel of the site, but I agree with all that has been said. The message is unclear and the menu is faint. Also I think that you need your logo in there somwhere. But apart from that I like the style and vibe that the website gives off.

[e-web solutions]

I mentioned about the logo. as you do need a corporate image.

hopefully this will persuade him.

[annethedonn]

Join Ecademy.com - they have a business referral club - this, together with UKBF is where I get most of my work from.

Anne

[epiphany]

Design is very subjective so take or leave what I say :)

I don't like the way the site stretches right from the top of the browser window down to the bottom without having a border around it. I guess its a small thing but it just distracts me and takes my focus away from the center of the screen.

Big green gap to the right is a waste of space, fill it up with something useful: testimonials or whatever.

w3c says there are 56 errors on the home page so you cannot say you adhere to web standards. I am not one of these people that think web standards must be done on every page of your site because with some stuff its just not possible but not having any of your pages validating is just going to make you look bad

If you could make the pictures in the portfolio section direct links to the websites that would be handy.

No prices, clarity is something clients really appreciate

The contact form has that drop down but no option for for web design enquiry or just some sort of general enquiry.

You have a 0 page rank so you need to put major work into that before you start gaining business from search engines. Until you start to get a decent rank you will have to rely on word of mouth and getting out in the field to win some business.

Coming first for web design in cleveland in the uk doesnt mean anything as I can't imagine many people search under that term.

I hope you found my comments useful and practical :)
Terry

[Richard Glynn]

Hi James,

You've already got some cracking advice. Hope this random collection of observations gets close to a similar standard.

When you read it please don’t mistake my occasional well-meaning bluntness for me being a grade one know-it-all. I’m not and I most certainly don’t. I’m just passionate about making a difference if I can (even more so when I get paid for it!).

1. Your website home page begins with the words 'We are a small web design company'. You might want to think about what your customers want to hear from you - as opposed to what you want to tell them. This is a subtle yet crucial point. If your customers choose you because you're small then keep it in. However, something like 'Best Value creative web design company' might be stronger USP? I’m sure you can do much better than that. Tell people why they should use you and no body else? And tell them in the first words on your website.

2. As a rule of thumb use the word ‘you’ instead of ‘we’ in the copy. It’ll make it easier for you to focus your copy on your customers needs.

3. Make it as easy as possible for customers to buy from you. Most people cannot be bothered shilly shallying around briefing and discussing projects to get an indication of price. ‘Just tell me how much!’ Work out a few (four or five) fixed page packages and put the price up front. Use your experience so far to guess what most people want in a basic website. Price it out. You can always tweak the level of service once they’ve bitten. But make sure you make it as easy as possible for them to bite!

4. Personalise, personalise and personalise. Brand your packages in accordance with who your key customers are likely to be: e.g. Small Business Starter package – 5 pages £250 and so on. Personalise associated email and written promotional communication along the same lines. Make customers think ‘I’m a small business - so this must be what I need’. Copy should read: ‘Every small business needs XYZ. Our Small Business Website Package gives you XYZ for just £250. Call today etc.”

5. Speaking of personalising communication, Yahoo and Thomson are as impersonal as you can get. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it just keep it personal. Remember you are a ‘bloke’ wanting to help out ‘another bloke’ (or woman). Pick up the phone, knock on doors, visit business events and get your personality winning business for you.

6. Add a bit extra in your pricing so you have room to offer exclusive discounts to key groups. e.g. Business Link exclusive discount 20% off all standard packages.

7. Consider contacting local marketing agencies, printers etc. without a current web design offering and offer them a commission on any of your packages they sell. Mobilise them into a sales force for you. They get to enhance their offering and make a bit too! Be wary of conflicting interest by signing up competitors.

8. EWS? This won’t necessarily directly win you business but consider another trading style (perhaps ‘powered’ by EWS) in the ‘websites4u’ style. Something that does what it says on the tin. Another approach which proves quite memorable and makes you sound a bit cutting-edge creative is the popular colour/animal combo. redelephant, bluekangaroo etc. or opposites like our friend at hotigloo. But not EWS. Sounds like a train company. People like to deal with exciting people not train drivers – with apologies to train-driving forum members. (Take ‘RGPR’ for example – who’d want to do business with a company name like that??!!)

And I haven’t even started on PR! Lucky for you.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,

Richard

PS And what’s that hut in a field all about on the home page?

[kyber]

Richard,

I am not used to you. I have a small poll going with myself on which of our regulars would ask about the hut first. You have come from nowhere and win the lack of a prize.

Brilliant advice you have given. I shall direct this to my wife also (the website referenced in my sig) for her to give some thought to.

Stuart

[Richard Glynn]

Richard,

I am not used to you. I have a small poll going with myself on which of our regulars would ask about the hut first. You have come from nowhere and win the lack of a prize.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

My wife still isn't used to me. Thanks for letting me know about the lack of prize. Feel free to not mail it to me. Or just not email it me if its easier.

Richard

[ebonybailey]

i like your website, the width is slightly thiner than mine but i have had great reviews of my website, clean easy on the eye and all that. Have you considered payperclick, that way you can target your audience much better. so if you only get a few click they are clicking for a reason and costs will be down low if you have only a few click, and be more expensive if you have lots however if you have difined your ad it will be people you can work with if you see what i mean

www.top-click.co.uk

[e-web solutions]

All this advice is much appreciated and we will be going back to the drawing board as they say to redevelop the website and review our marketing strategies.

And again Thanks

[e-web solutions]

Richard how about a bit of advice on pr.

I would really appreciate it.

[Richard Glynn]

Hi James,

No probs. I'll give you a bell today.

Richard

[e-web solutions]

Richard cheers for them ideas.

the website is under redevelopment and those ideas you gave me will be getting put to use.

If anybody ever needs any help in pr dont hesitate to contact richard as he is a great help.