Bad Dog Web Design

A while back we wrote an article “Just Because it’s Expensive – Doesn’t make it Good”

I just want to clarify some things that our customers and future customers do not understand.

In recent months I have been involved with an existing customer wishing to make their website better than it was.  I gave a quote for a content managed website using WordPress totaling my hourly rate to build and set up a better SEO (Search Engine Optimization) website that would include more functionality than they already had and increase traffic to their website.  Since WordPress is an Open Source software I do not feel right charging what some companies charge for a custom Content Managed Website when they are using templates they purchased at a low price to reach a high profit.

Without my knowledge my customer went to a less expensive web designer that changed the DNS (Domain Name Servers) on the website that re-directed it to another host rendering it unavailable to the internet costing them their internet rank to go down as it was not being acknowledged by any search engines.

My client then fired that person to go to someone else that doubled the quote I gave them to begin with.  Results:  Website is still down and stuck in limbo because the person they first hired was new in the business and didn’t know what they were doing when they transferred the DNS to a new host.

I recently was contacted by a company that paid a high dollar amount for a WordPress site that they thought was custom built to their needs.  The result:  The web designer paid less than $30.00 dollars for a WordPress template and added some free plugins to the website to increase functionality.

This company thought they were getting a website compatible across all platforms only to find out it didn’t work with certain browsers.  They contacted their web designer and have yet to hear back from them.  They called me for damage control on their existing website.  When using an Open Source product such as WordPress I strictly charge by the hour and not for the technology since I did not create it.

WordPress is a great tool that many fortune 500 companies use.  I highly recommend using WordPress as it is very easy to use and highly customizable to suit your needs.  It takes some set up on the back end that people not in the business do not understand.

My problem is the lower end web designers that use WordPress to take advantage of customers as a Content Management solution when there are many web designers out there that will be up front with the service they are providing and not claim templates as their own creation.

If you are thinking about having a website built DO NOT go to your lowest bidder.  It may end up costing you more in the long run to get it running the way you want it.

Make sure your web designer knows how to update your server to the latest versions of software available.  If they have never transferred a website or MYSQL database to another server, move on.

As I have said, this is a content manage system.  Your web designer should take the time to show you how to manage it so you are self sufficient.

Their are plenty of WordPress templates to choose from that may fit your companies needs and work across all browsers.  Your web designer should be able to do this research and present it to you so you know exactly what you are getting.

As you can tell I’m A LOT disappointed in these new web design companies that claim these templates as their own.

There’s a lot of people out there looking for a website they can update themselves without purchasing extra software or paying a web designer to make updates.

For a WordPress basic set up and data package we can make your website a reality at a very affordable price.

Basic setup:
$250.00 a year for hosting and technical support.

$500.00 Basic Design, Mysql Database set up, basic, Unlimited email addresses, SEO and technical support.

$700.00 Advanced Design, Mysql Database set up, Plugins, Widgets, Unlimited email
addresses, SEO and Technical support.

Call today for a free web consultation. 302-540-8073

Photos from the the Miles for Melanoma event today 9/18/11

http://miles4melanomade.org/2011/09/91811-event-photos

Get the summer started with your new website.
Web design starting at $299.0.
Content managed websites starting at $800.00

Some of our other services you may want to consider:

* Domain Name Consultation
* Computer and wireless network configuration setup
* Computer consultation
* Custom Website Creations
* Custom Graphic Web Design Services
* Basic Search Engine Optimization
* Search Engine Website Submission
* Google Maps
* Social Networking
* Onsite Training

Call us 302-540-8073

Miles for Melanoma of Delaware’s mission is to provide awareness to prevent and detect melanoma at its earliest stages, to promote research to find causes, better treatment and a cure and to support those impacted by this disease.

Miles for Melanoma of Delaware was prompted by the vision of Michelle Lynn Rigney and Anna Marie Farro.  Michelle and Anna met while going through cancer treatment and decided to make something good of a bad situation.  After reading about the various Melanoma foundations, the two decided that the Melanoma Research Foundation was the best to support for their cause.   Pulling in family, friends, other Melanoma survivors and caregivers, Miles for Melanoma of Delaware was formed.  Sadly, Michelle lost her battle with melanoma on June 17, 2008. During the 2008 and 2009 events, the committee raised more over $110,000 and was able to establish a grant in Michelle’s honour via the donation made to the MRF.  Our efforts continue as we remember Michelle and all others who’ve suffered and lost due to this terrible disease.

Just because it’s expensive, doesn’t make it good…….. or worth it.
Recently I was have having a conversation with a friend about a local website that we were looking through.  My friend told me that the owner of this particular business (I won’t mention the name)  just paid a small fortune to have their website refurbished and it was going to be great as soon as it was finished. She said it was going to be high tech and really cool.  I asked when that was going to happen. She said that they hired the company a few months ago so it should be soon.  Here is where I question this mentality.  Not that my friend is not business savvy, but when did expensive and waiting a long time for delivery become the standard for business?  As a business owner, and a client to other businesses, my expectation is that I will get what I pay for, and I will get it in a reasonable amount of time.  It’s like those people in a restaurant that order the most expensive thing on the menu because it has to be good if it costs the most right?  Or the person that drinks Cristal champagne at $300/$400 a bottle because that’s what the Hollywood stars drink.  Personally, I think it tastes like……. well I won’t say it here, but you get the idea.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that we are in the web design business and we have many small family owned businesses as clients.  We don’t charge a fortune even though we could.  We give great service for affordable prices with a fast turn around time so remember, more doesn’t always mean better…………

Bad Dog Web Design is promoting a starting price of $300.00 for a basic website design, 5
pages, including hosting for one year. Offer ends June 30, 2010.

www.baddogwebdesign.com

You have less than two seconds to create an impression on your visitor when they visit your website.  Be very selective when it comes time to choose a web design company for your website design.  Here are ten guidelines and pointers to help you choose the right designers:

1. Do they have a portfolio?
Make sure they have some experience.  Take a look at their list of customers and designs.

2. Can they cater to any type of business?
Look through the portfolio for variety. Do their client’s websites all look similar in format and structure? Make sure you are paying for a custom web design service, not a cheap template.

3. How is their response time?
This is vital to the success of your website. Take note of their choice of response (e-mail, phone, txt, instant messenger) and how quickly they can respond to your inquiries. If you prefer to do business over the phone and the designer doesn’t, then it’s probably best to move on to your next choice.

4. Do they have a contract?
If it’s not written – it’s not true. Everything should always be put down in writing. Before you sign anything, make sure you read the entire contract, including all the fine print. If you have any questions on anything: ASK! Don’t sign a contract unless you understand everything in it. If the company’s representative makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable with your “bothersome” questions, then end discussions and find another designer.

5. How reasonable are their prices?
Make sure you get what you pay for and if you are on a budget, tell the designer you choose you cannot exceed it. (This is usually a question I ask a potential customer.  Not to find out how fat their wallet is.  It’s so I can visualize the project and give and accurate quote of the website I’m going to deliver.
Make sure you have a plan to continually invest into the website’s construction. Your website is going to be the link between you and your customers, so make sure it is the best it can be. These days you can find web design for $199.00 and up.

If your budget doesn’t allow you to put everything you want into your website you might want to settle for a smaller website and create it in stages. Don’t settle for a cheaper designer. You get what you pay for.

6. Can they help you market your website?
Online marketing is key to your website’s success, It is best to find a designer that knows how to promote the sites they work on whether it be through search engine optimization, pay-per-click marketing, or another method. Ask your design firm what they feel is best for your company. When talking to your web designer make sure you give them information of how you would like your website to be represented on the internet.  This isn’t content this is your market, who do you want to reach?  You should feel comfortable in their explanation and reasoning; otherwise ask some other firms what they’d recommend.

7. Are their clients satisfied?
Don’t hesitate to contact their clients to ask for opinions and get their feedback on how their service with that company went. It’s your money after all. It’s better to spend 15 minutes on the phone than months of hassle and pain with the wrong developer.

8. Are they able to meet all your needs?
Do you want an e-commerce store, Flash elements or a custom web application? Can they do everything you want? The last thing you want is different companies meddling with your website’s design. Choose a firm that has the full corporate solution for your needs – whether it’s Flash intros or database-driven websites.

9. Can they deliver on time?
Are they willing to meet reasonable deadlines? If you need your site done by a certain date, can the designer you choose get it done by then? Be sure to ask about delivery times if you talk to their customers.

10. Do they take a personal and friendly approach?
Is the designer willing to help and suggest his/her own ideas, or do they robotically go along hoping they got everything you want? It’s always best to find a designer that has some ideas of their own, with fresh ideas and that knows their limits and won’t insist something be done a certain way if that’s not what you want.

We hope this information was helpful for those that read this article.  We hope after reading this information you contact us via email, phone 302-540-8073 or even on Facebook if you have any questions.

Regards,

Bad Dog Web Design