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Website Design | Graphic Design – Why you must pay for these services

OK, youre probably reading this blog because you have found me on Google. You’ve done your homework and research and you have called a couple of companies and got a few quotes and now you are speaking to me. So many peoples first question to me will be ‘ do you have any graphic design or web design packages ‘ ? I will tell them no we do not operate like this and I can hear the frustration in their voice as they have rung 10 other web companies who all offer some sort of package. Thorough and proper web design should not be bundled up and sold like a cheap holiday package to Bali or the snow. Websites need to be properly briefed in and the project needs to be scoped out. Marketing advice and website usability needs to be incorporated , competition analysed and target market identified before any design can begin. All of these factors are critical and are overlooked by the mass of web companies ( I call them back yard operators) who tout their $395 for a full web design package OR even worse offer you a range to choose from. These guys are out for the quick buck, a churn and burn, production line mentality that will take your money and run. You will be treated like a number, not as a valued client, never have calls returned and be totally dissatisfied with the end product: a web template.

I cannot emphasise this enough before you choose graphic designers or a  web design company to work with you PLEASE have a very close look at their portfolio of work and ask your self this:

1) do all the sites look the same – then how are they going to treat my site and how will it stand out from my competitors. Just another boring website

2) are they using cheesy stock photo library images – this has been done to death and is a deal breaker when it comes to web design – obviously no thought has been put into the design

3) is the company using an actor for its video – yes, I have seen this, can you believe that a web company will use a paid actor to sell its services and then use the same actor on other web companies. This is insanity and goes to show you how unimaginative some companies are.

4) do the companies website look drab and too sales focused , with tacky, overkill headings. These guys are the lower end of the market so dont expect any hi-end design or marketing input with these people. A slick 5 minute phone sales pitch and a signed document will seal your fate and commit you to a horrific web experience.

5) Does the company have a physical office and can they be contacted – if they have a 1800 number and just an email enquiry form FORGET IT! – these guys are probably working a second job and doing this on the side.

So hopefully all this makes sense and will help you in deciding what web company to use when embarking on what is a very important decision: a website for your business.

If you would like any other information or would like to chat about anything I have written here please call me on 02 9360 8514 – Steve

About the Author

Hopping mad designs ( www.hoppingmad.com.au ) is a graphic design and website design studio based in Sydney

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