8 reasons that business owners will be ten times happier with a website built on a WordPress content management system

As a business with ambition, your website is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. In today’s world, a company’s website serves as the hub of most other marketing activities. It’s where everyone goes to learn more about you, verify you’re legitimate and get a sense of whether they’d want to work with you or not. It’s critical that business websites today are modern, professional looking, well written, up-to-date and integrate well with tools for social networking, sales functions and even project management functionality.

A website built on a WordPress content management system (CMS) gives businesses the foundation they need to establish a web presence that stays up-to-date with new tools on the web and evolves right along with the business.

Here are 8 reasons that you’ll be ten times happier with a website built on WordPress, in comparison to HTML or other content management systems:

1. Easy Content Editing

Literally, if you know how to edit a Word document you can edit a page on your WordPress website.  It’s true, you won’t need to be a webmaster to update your website anymore. Imagine the savings!

2. Built-In Blogging Tools

Yes, you need this! If you’re trying to build a reputation as being THE expert in your field, a blog is the perfect forum to prove your credibility. Even if you don’t want to blog, blog functionality can be used to post press releases, events or other time-sensitive information. Either way, it’s absolutely critical for a website to have new content regularly to be ranked well in search engines.

3. Very SEO-Friendly

A site built in WordPress has search engine optimization (SEO) baked in. Literally. There are built-in fields for integrating keywords, links and other tags on each and every page to make sure if someone is looking for you on the web, they’ll find you.

4. Design Flexibility

There are literally thousands (and growing) of beautiful designs (known as theme available, so you’re sure to get a thoroughly modern, beautiful and functional website that is unique. And, if you get tired of your design in a few years you won’t have to start from scratch to build a new site. Instead, we’ll find a new design theme, integrate it and you’re good to go with a fresh new look!

5. Open Source Software

WordPress is a free open-source system, meaning any developer can jump in and add to its functionality. And they do, by the thousands on a regular basis. What this means to you is the platform itself is constantly being improved and upgraded by the best developers out there. Rest assured that WordPress will stay current with new social media tools and new browsers. Plus, there are no licensing fees, which makes it cheaper (free, actually) for us to offer to you as a solution.

6. Plugins

Plugins are essentially software modules that extend the functionality of the basic WordPress platform. For example, let’s say you have a WordPress site with a lot of great content and the goal of the site is to convert visitors to potential customers. An easy way to do this is to add a plugin that integrates a contact form on your site. So, now people have the option to call, email or simply fill out the contact form. Plugins are abundant, usually free or pretty cheap and improve the visitors experience considerably. Not only that, added functionality is much easier and cheaper for us to integrate than custom-coded solutions.

7. Cloud-Based Interface

Gone are the days of needing to have a specific piece of expensive software on a dedicated computer in order to access your website content (if you even want to know how to do that). Rather, the interface for your website is all on the internet. All you need is an internet connection and login and you have access to the administrative panel from any computer or mobile device.

8. Everyone’s Doing It

Finally, it should be noted that over 12% of the entire world’s websites are built on WordPress. That makes it the most popular content management system on the planet! What this means for you is the software isn’t going anywhere. It’s only bound to get better, and because it’s open source software in perpetuity you’ll never have to worry about it becoming commercialized or expensive to use.

What’s the catch? There really isn’t one. Honest. We’ve been converting websites from HTML and other CMS platforms to WordPress for our clients for a while now. The feedback has been positive 100% of the time. For our clients, it meets their needs to have a professional, easy-to-update and affordable presence on the web. For us, it meets our needs to provide a high-quality website solution that is supported both technically and visually by a lot of really smart people. Will it solve world hunger? Probably not, but you just never know.

We hope that answered some of the questions you have about WordPress specifically. Feel free to ask us any other questions you have or do your own research by going to WordPress.com.

Simple Facebook Connect

Simple Facebook Connect allows yous to add just about any kind of Facebook functionality to a WordPress website or blog, all without a lot of coding. The best feature is the fact that you can have each post automatically published to your Facebook profile or Fan Page. It’s true, this one can give you problems while installing, so pay attention to and follow the instructions. Or, ask us to help you get it installed and working properly. Either way, once it’s installed you’ll be able to add small pieces of specific Facebook-related functionality, one by one. Pretty cool, eh?

Facebook Like Button

We just installed this on our own website, and wonder why we didn’t long ago. This can be installed in place of Simple Facebook Connect if you only want to give your visitors the option to “Like” your posts. Simple and to the point. Once installed, you’ll see a Facebook Like Button to your wordpress blog and are able to customize it however you’d like. Have a lot of recommendations you’d like to brag about? Add the button count, or normal by using short code [fb_like] [fb_count]. Add Facebook Recommendations Widget to your blog sidebar or to anywhere using this shortcode [fb_rec].

Simple Twitter Connect

Similar to Simple Facebook Connect, this is a series of mini-plugins that let you add any sort of Twitter functionality you like to a WordPress website or blog. This plugin lets you have an integrated site without a lot of coding, and still letting you customize it exactly the way you’d like. You can also set up automatic publishing to have each new post automatically published on your Twitter account. Again, read the instructions carefully to make sure you don’t run into any bugs during installation. Both Simple Facebook Connect and Simple Twitter Connect are designed by the same guy, Samuel Wood (aka “Otto”) who can be found and harrassed here.

WP Tweet Button

Much like the Facebook Like Button plugin, this one is a simplified version of Simple Twitter Connect. WP Tweet Button easily and fully implements Twitter’s official Tweet Button on your WordPress blog or site. The tweet button can be positioned as you please and can be styled as customized as you can imagine in the settings page. You can configure individual messages for your posts, use the title of your entry or a default message for tweets. The plugins also supports a variety of shorteners and can even help track the effectiveness of campaigns using Google Analytics.

Sharebar

This is a new one to us, but is quickly becoming a favorite.  The WordPress Sharebar plugin adds a dynamic and fully customizable vertical box to the left of a (wide) blog post that contains links/buttons to popular social networking sites. If the page is below 1000px (default), the vertical bar disappears and a horizontal sharebar appears under the post title. Big Buttons are used in the vertical Sharebar to the left of the post, while the Small Buttons are used in the horizontal Sharebar that appears under the post title (by default) if the width of the page is less than 1000px (or whatever value you set). The bar also follows the readers as they scroll down to read the blog post so that when the inspiration comes they can share your wonderful thoughts with the rest of the world.

Disqus Comment System

While WordPress comes with a built-in commenting system for blog posts, we recommend replacing it with Disqus. Pronounced “discuss”, it’s a service and tool for web comments and discussions that essentially makes commenting easier and more interactive by letting users login and comment using their Facebook/Twitter or OpenID. Since 9 times out of 10, a potential commenter is already on Facebook or Twitter or has an OpenID account, this saves them the trouble of having to sign up on your WordPress blog to comment. Another great thing about the Disqus for Comment WordPress plugin is that it seamlessly integrates using the Disqus API and by syncing with WordPress comments.

Smart YouTube

Definitely one of the best YouTube integration plugins available. Smart Youtube allows you to easily insert Youtube videos/playlists in your post, comments and in RSS feed. In fact, the main purpose of the Smart YouTube plugin is to correctly embed youtube videos into your blog post. The video will be shown in full in your RSS feed as well. Give it a try today! You’ll love it.

Know any other Social Media plugins you love and MUST be included? Let us know by commenting below…

Here at Blank Slate Interactive we’ve been doing a fair amount of research on how we can attract and engage fans on our own budding Facebook page. We’ve discovered a lot of good ideas and felt like we ought to share them with our readers.

First, a few Facebook stats to noodle on…

As of this post date Facebook has over 500 million users. That’s 1 in every 13 people on planet earth. Half of these users log in every single day.  As of this time last year , there were 1.5 million local business pages on Facebook, up from about 700,000 in 2009. Surely in a years’ time this number has grown considerably, too.

Clearly, businesses are catching on to the magic and possibility of social networking and Facebook, specifically.  As a marketing company that works mostly with small businesses, this thrills us. Not because of the business opportunities this presents to us (okay, maybe that’s part of the reason) but because social media is perhaps the most powerful, least cost-intensive marketing tool ever invented. The only exception might be word-of-mouth marketing; however, when you really understand it social media is a bit like word-of-mouth marketing on steroids.

For those of you finally warming up to the idea of having a business presence on Facebook, rest assured that even the smallest business can benefit from a Facebook fan page. You can use it to create brand awareness and interest, share information and discuss topics and ideas with fans (read: potential customers). Best of all, it can (and should) be integrated into your overall marketing strategy. We dare say that within a matter of a few years we predict it will become the central fixture of most small business marketing plans. So if you’re on the fence, get off it. Get a Facebook fan page and invest in a staff person to maintain it. All you really need is some time and commitment to maximize its true potential. If you don’t have the resources or staff you can also hire a company like ours to maintain it for you. (Sorry, shameless plug).

So without further ado, here are some great ways to build your fan base and engage with them in meaningful ways:

1. Thank You Message

When you get a new fan, thank him or her. It’s a simple but powerful way to connect, especially if it’s not a friend that you’ve hounded endlessly to “like” your new page.  Its purpose is simple, to show that you are grateful for the “like” and are interested in his or her ideas and comments. By doing this you’re more likely to get ongoing engagement and ultimately, business.

Before you send off your thank you, though, here are a few norms to get into the habit of doing. First, send your new fan a “thank you” via a message rather than writing on their wall. Many people are very concerned with privacy and this is a way to avoid any misunderstanding that may come with a wall post. Additionally, make your “thank you” personal. Tell a little about yourself and ask a few questions. Ask about their interest in the page and if there are topics they’d like to see discussed. In essence, you’re starting the conversation. And this is the point, after all.

2. Ask Questions & Link to Outside Articles

As you build content on your fan page, keep in mind that your fans “like” you because they think that you’ll post content relevant to their interests, profession and lives. So take the time to find articles that you think would be of interest to them. Sure, bragging about your business’ achievements is a part of the equation but keep it limited. Many successful businesses use Facebook to build their own brand by focusing the attention on their clients or partners. There is a great deal of credibility you can build by associating your company with a larger, more recognized brand.

One of the most invaluable tools built into social media is the ability to converse with your fans. So don’t be afraid to pose open-ended questions. In addition to creating more interesting fan interactions it also helps your company grow in rank within Facebook’s search engine. One key factor to this approach, however, is to remain open-minded. You may receive controversial or challenging responses to your questions and you need to be prepared to respond professionally.  Often times a challenging response can be just the prompt your company needs to re-evaluate and improve in some way. If a comment is downright offensive you always have the option to delete it and move on. In the end this approach is crucial to building your fan base and thus, your business.

3. Respond in a Timely, Thoughtful Manner

Responses to fan posts come in a few different forms. The main response method is to comment directly on your business page wall. Another is when a fan “likes” or shares your original post. The latter can create a viral effect, which can be great for building your fan base. In either case, it’s important to recognize their efforts. You can simply say “thanks for re-posting” or “like” their post yourself. This builds goodwill and positively reinforces your fans’ engagement with your business page. It’s a simple but effective technique.

4. Publicize Cool, Local Events

If you’re a small, local business then chances are that your fans are also local. One of the reasons they’ve chosen to become a fan of your page is to feel a sense of community. A perfect way to reinforce that sense of community (albeit online) is to promote local events that you believe they would love to hear about. This can be an event for a business you admire or do business with yourself. It can also be a nonprofit, business association or even a cultural event. This effort goes a long way to demonstrate your commitment to and investment in the community. You never know, when you have an event these other organizations might return the favor and publicize your event on their page.

5. Give Stuff Away!

Who doesn’t like getting something for free? With a Facebook page, it’s easy to create a free giveaway or incentive that you know will be seen by people that actually care. It’s important to be thoughtful about your approach, though. The last thing people want to be is bombarded by offers, especially if it’s something they may not want.  A good rule of thumb is to limit your offers to about once per month and to make your offer or give away substantial. 10% off doesn’t incite excitement and intrigue the same way 50% off does.

Another element of success is to plan your give away with the end goal in mind. Are you trying to grow your fan base? Do you want to encourage repeat customers? Or are you launching a new product or service? Your end goal will determine your give away or offer. For example, a company that is in the early stages of their Facebook page development might want to focus on attracting fans. A great way to do this is to design a contest where a winner is selected to receive a specific prize once a certain number of “likes” is achieved. Whereas a more established company that is unveiling a new product or service might decide to give away a free ticket to a popular webinar or event where they can experience the new thing first-hand. Heck, if you manage it right you might even be able to design a cross-promotion campaign with another business. Rather than buying the tickets they might just give them to you in exchange for the publicity.

6. Hold a Contest

As mentioned above, another great way to attract new fans and engage existing ones in a genuinely interactive way is to hold a contest. The only legal requirement (and yes, we recommend you adhere to their requirements) by Facebook is that you use a third party application like Wildfire Apps to administer the contest. Here are a few examples by major corporations to get the juices flowing. You may not have the budget or time to create something that elaborate but I assure you, there is something about your business that can be leveraged to build your fan base and business.

7. Ask a Fan

One of the riskiest, but potentially most rewarding approach, is to ask your existing fans to recommend your page to their friends. While some might be irritated by such a request, others may find the reward worth the effort. An incentive (free tickets, deep discount coupon, etc.) might be just the thing they need to take the time to bother their friends to recommend your page. The reward for you is a high conversion rate. Friends tend to trust their friends, and you’re much more likely to gain fans that know almost nothing about you with the expectation that they’ll like what you have to say.

It’s important to remember that the worst thing a fan can do is nothing. Yes, they could “unlike” your page but if you’ve taken the time and effort to provide worthwhile content and interaction with your fans the chances of them abandoning your page in a huff are pretty slim.

In terms of practical tracking, the most effective way is to request your new fans post a message to the business page’s wall, telling you which of your existing fans suggested the page to them. In addition to knowing whom to reward you also have the opportunity to thank the new fan (see #1). You may even think to offer the incentive to him or her so that the “likes” go on and on.

8. Make Your Page Human

Facebook is about making human connections, so personalize your business page with staff profiles and photos. The photos can be simple staff head shots, but the more interesting photos are those of them at work, at events or engaging in good causes. When writing the staff bios keep it interesting, engaging, funny and most importantly, short. I’d even go so far as to say the bios should be modeled after Seth Godin’s Purple Cow concept of standing out by being remarkable. Create something memorable and you will be remembered, essentially.

9. Video, Video, Video

YouTube is the one of the busiest search engines on the web, with Vimeo (another video sharing service) quickly gaining in popularity. People love context, and nothing provides context to a personality or idea like video. So take a chance, create a brief video! Invest in a cheap camera (even your iPhone would do) and talk about your services, your story, your vision. Talk about trends or relevant news items. Promote your incentive or offer. Simply upload these to your YouTube or Vimeo page and embed them on your Facebook page for your fans. This is cross-platform marketing at its best.

10. Current Project Photos

Since we serve the architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) and clean energy industries, this one is a good one for those of you in that industry. In these industries, most work is project-based. Meaning you have access to drawings, models or photos depicting the process of a particular project. Give those visuals additional mileage by posting them on your social networks. Here’s a fan page for our architect friends over at Bryan Bowen Architects that makes the most of project visuals. Give it a try. You’ll find that your fans are very interested in what you’re up to and want to help you grow.

I’m sure as you’re reading this you’re thinking to yourself, “I don’t have time for all of this!” We know. That’s why we’re here. We exist to help businesses execute their social media efforts in ways that produce results…in fan counts, in new business, in meaning. Let us show you how at http://www.blankslateinteractive.com.

About the Author

Kim Stone is a designer, ecopreneur, and online marketing expert based in Boulder, Colorado. Her marketing strategy and visual communications firm, Blank Slate Interactive, develops sustainable marketing solutions for businesses in the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and clean energy  industries. Kim has her very own hobby woodworking shop where she builds fine furniture and owns 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 finches with her partner, Kara.

Photo courtesy of 55 Hi’s

Lafayette, Colorado, January 31, 2011 – Blank Slate Interactive, a leading creative marketing studio has been selected by Two Moms in the Raw, a Colorado-based raw snack food manufacturer, to develop a ground up website and comprehensive online marketing solutions for the rapidly growing company.

Blank Slate Interactive’s website and integrated marketing platform will enable Two Moms in the Raw to easily publish and distribute high quality content enriching the strength of the brand, provide an easy and fun shopping experience, and rapidly expand its customer base using advanced social sharing capabilities and store location technologies.

The new website will be launched in March 2011 and will feature the company’s expanding product line.

About Two Moms in the Raw

Two Moms in the Raw is a manufacturer of 100% organic, vegan, and raw snack foods. Launched in 2004 by Shari Leidich, the mother of three discovered the raw food diet as a natural approach to healing and wellness after a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Shari found the diet lacking in tasty, satisfying treats on the go so she began making her own. Today Two Moms in the Raw products can be found in over 400 stores, including Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, and Starbucks. TwoMomsintheRaw.com

About Blank Slate Interactive

Blank Slate Interactive is an interactive design & marketing studio with over 12 years experience in small business marketing and design for web and print. Located in Boulder County, Colorado, Blank Slate Interactive engages with sustainability-minded clients across North America to strengthen their branding, deploy effective marketing initiatives with an education focus, and increase conversion rates. BlankSlateInteractive.com

Here’s what’s included in the Web Professional package:

• Up to 15 pages – we’ll format content and images your provide for a completed look and feel
• Built on a WordPress CMS - this makes it a cinch to edit and add new content
• Tailored theme design – get an affordable, professional design that matches your brand
• Home page slideshow – feature your latest projects, special offers, or services
• Portfolio - feature projects and details of your work professionally
• 3 hours of copy editing – we’ll help you make sure your content sells
• Up to 5 custom graphics – we’ll design a great “call to action” button and others that make sense
• E-newsletter template – build your brand with a newsletter design to match your new website
• Custom contact form – capture new customers easily and efficiently
• Social media integration – Make the most of free social networking tools
• Blog or e-news subscribe form – make sure potential customers have a way to stay in touch
• Search engine submission – get a head start on your search engine ranking
• 1 hour of training – learn how to add or edit your website’s content yourself
• Google Analytics integration – easily track your new site’s traffic and discover your most popular pages
• Optional: Domain registration and hosting for an additional $35 per month

We’re only extending this amazing offer to two customers so get in touch for a free consultation before the chance is gone!

Think you don’t need your website redesigned? Read this to be sure.

Why you should hire Blank Slate Interactive

Blank Slate Interactive is uniquely qualified to design your firm’s website as the company’s founder has an extensive background in web design, marketing materials design, and marketing planning & communications for professional service firms. We have a deep respect for the work you do and know what it takes to attract and win new clients.

“What a relief to have a well-functioning site for our organization that has a great flow, look and feel! The Blank Slate team listens with clarity and constructed our site based on our needs and vision. They did everything we wanted and went above and beyond in their responsiveness, diligence and commitment to build our site. I’ve rarely encountered a more professional designer than Kim. Thanks so much!”

TJ Bowen, Executive Director
The Colorado Coalition

Be sure to read all of our testimonials to read what our clients have said about working with us.

Know of another company that could use a site redesign?

Refer them to us and get a percentage of the project through out Client Referral Reward Program.

If you’re like most businesses you know there are ways that your company website could be improved. But you may be wondering how to know exactly when it’s time to invest in a new website design. Here are 8 surefire ways to tell that it’s time for a redesign.

1. Your site was designed more than 3 years ago

Technology has changed so much in the last couple of years. If your site was designed more than 3 years ago then you’re not taking advantage of the latest frontend and backend technologies that easily and cheaply integrate with amazing (and free!) marketing capabilities like social media.

2. Your site wasn’t built on a content management system (CMS)

Most small business websites built through the mid 2000′s were built on HTML or some other development platform which is now obsolete or at the very least, out of date. Internet technology has matured considerably in the last few years and most site are now being built on a content management system (CMS). The benefits are numerous, but the most valuable is the ability for a non-technical person to add or update content without the need for a web design company or IT person. Why is this so great? Well, search engines love new content. Fresh content helps your website climb to the top of relevant search engine results and stay there. Not to mention, new content inspires return visitors and tends to translate directly into new business.

3. Your traffic numbers have gone down

If your site traffic measurement tools are showing a trending decline in viewer engagement (e.g. fewer unique visits and shorter times on each) you probably need to think about a site redesign. Sites that are well-designed and have fresh content tend to see better traffic statistics over time, not less. With nearly every business transaction starting with research about a company on the web these days it’s critical that your site is effective in drawing new customers in.

4. Navigating your site has become difficult and non-intuitive

It’s not uncommon for an site to go an simple and clean navigation structure to a cluttered confusing structure as it ages. Good site navigation relies on multiple elements to show your visitors the way through your site – menus, sidebar, hyperlinks, and footers. If you’ve expanded or changed your site navigation it’s possible that your visitors might not know the way around anymore. A quick and easy way to discover this without hiring a web design firm is to ask a relatively computer savvy friend or family member to find specific information on your website. If they have trouble getting around then it’s time to create a new website for the organization.

5. Customers cannot find a way to purchase your products or services

It’s amazing how many websites have done a great job of attracting new visitors but make it impossible for them to actually buy something or inquire for more information. A number of things are missing – a “call to action”, an easy and secure transaction process, a way to contact customer service, and a clear privacy and return policies. Photos, content and navigation are critical but so are the details that close the deal.

6. You’re not getting found through key searches

If your website is not optimized for the search engines, you’re losing a lot of traffic and potential business. To optimize your web pages your main keywords should be included in the title, description and keyword meta tags as well as headings, subheadings, main content, links, file names and image descriptions. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the key component to being “found” on the Internet, moreso than any amount of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising or other methods.

7. Your business has evolved but your site has not

Businesses change over time. They might grow significantly (the ultimate goal, right?), re-brand, or offer new products or services. If your business fits into any of these categories and your website does not adequately reflect this then you should consider a site redesign. An integrated, consistent brand (offline and online) builds customer trust and keeps consumers coming back.

8. Your site displays differently on web browsers and devices

A few years ago there were only a few popular browsers like Internet Explorer. Now, there several widely popular browsers for use on various platforms (e.g. desktops, mobile devices, and hybrids like the iPad. Websites today must factor into their designs the nuances and limitations of each browser to reduce the occurrence of unpredictable results like unreadability. A professionally executed redesign will ensure that your website performs well on all major browsers across all platforms.

About the Author

Kim Hoyer Stone is a web designer, ecopreneur, and online marketing expert based in Boulder, Colorado. Her design and marketing firm, Blank Slate Interactive, develops sustainable marketing solutions for businesses in the architecture, engineering, construction, medical and technology industries. Her and her partner have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 finches. Yes, seriously.

Choosing a design team to redesign your website or revamp your branding can be a daunting task. If you don’t spend much time talking design you may not understand the lingo or even the process of designing a website or brand.

It’s an important decision and one that will determine whether your new website or brand really shines. Here are a few important characteristics that we look for in other design collaborators and what you should expect to also see from a designer or design firm.

1. An easy-to-navigate and informative web presence

Expect to learn something about design from the designer’s site before committing to anything. A serious designer or firm will use their website not just to brag, but connect with you and educate you. This approach achieves many things:

• Credibility, trustworthiness, and a sense of curiosity about what YOU need
• A demonstration of their passion and devotion to detail through case studies and blog posts
• A dedication to customer service as evidenced by client testimonials
• A good understanding and use of grammar and communication skills

2. Excellent communication skills

Communication online has gone down the path of informal to the point that many no longer spell-check or use basic sentence structures anymore. A professional designer will know that this is never acceptable for business communication.

3. Honesty

The designer or design firm’s track record should be clearly stated and accurate. The amount of time they’ve been designing isn’t nearly as important as their willingness to fully disclose their real level of involvement in a given project. You want a designer that won’t try to pad their experience or skill set just to get the project.

4. Detailed proposal & contract

Designers that aren’t serious about succeeding are also not serious about protecting themselves legally. By working with a professional designer or design team, expect a proposal and contract that outlines the scope of work in detail as well as the limits of the work and their services. The whole point is to get the appropriate expectations set right from the get-go so as to avoid surprises or frustrations down the road. Here’s a sample of a good website design proposal and contract.

5. Measured perfectionism

Altering a minor detail can change the whole look of a website or print piece. A professional designer will be aware of the smallest details and work to refine them until the right visual balance is created.

6. Customer service like the old days

A good design team will have a policy to reply to your emails or phone calls within 1 business day. If you’re in the middle of the project, likely even sooner. If they can’t get back to you promptly with the answer to your question they’ll let you know when and how you can expect to hear from them. You should also be able to reach them during their normal working hours. Additionally, you won’t have to ask them to be available for questions from your staff or other vendors…they’ll offer this before you even think to ask.

7. Good time management

Deadlines are a key element of the design process – without them projects would go on forever. A professional designer will have a good idea of how long each step will take AND  will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do to help her make your deadlines. In addition to keeping you informed on their progress at least weekly, you should expect them to keep you on task as well.

8. Great feedback

Client testimonials are direct feedback for you about the designer or design team and give you a good indication of what you should expect. The best testimonials include direct contact information of the client, so if you ever want to double-check the accuracy of the testimonial you can do so without needing to get the designer involved.

9. Flexibility

No matter how detailed the initial scope is written, a good designer will know that things change and flexibility is a must. Things adjust and change in ways that no one could have anticipated. As long as you and your designer remain open to change and discuss how it could change things like the overall budget or timeline everything will turn out fine.

10. Solid work samples

Samples of a designer’s work tells you all you need to know about what to expect. At the same time, professional designers will always be working to improve their design skills. They will always be open and honest about their limitations and areas they’re working to improve. It’s up to you to discern whether their skill set matches your needs but a good designer will help you flush out whether they’re the right person for your project or not.

About the Author

Kim Hoyer Stone is a web designer, ecopreneur, and online marketing expert based in Boulder, Colorado. Her design and marketing firm, Blank Slate Interactive, develops sustainable marketing solutions for businesses in the architecture, engineering, construction, medical and technology industries. Her and her partner have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 finches. Yes, seriously.