To display your client list on the web - good or bad?

Calibre Designs · #1 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:09

So you've got testimonials and a portfolio online for people to admire which is very necessary in my opinion but to display a full client list on your website...

1. Is it necessary?
2. Would it instill extra confidence to a potential client?
3. Effect it would give to your competitors and should that be a worry?
4. More of a good thing or a bad thing in general?

Some of my competitors does this and some doesn't.

What goes through my mind when I read their list? Nothing much really, just more aware of their position in the market place and keeps us on our toes.

Any good opinions will be appreciated!

Inzvestor · #2 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:30

1. No
2. Providing you have references / contact points for the testimonials displayed I would not go for the client who had the most. I often avoid sites where the testimonial states 'Mrs S from Wigan' etc
3. If you had a business where you relied on repeat business then this gives your competitor free access to your client database - thus reducing the goodwill of the company when (if) you choose to sell.
4. Overall a bad thing - stick to listinging and displaying work for a number of clients rather than all of the clients.

Andy Trish · #3 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:48

I agree totally with Glenn.

I have a few testimonials from clients that totally love my services, I'm confident that if they were approached by someone else they would tell me.

Also what is the point of displaying your whole client list? it doesn't make you look any better.

GreenSquid · #4 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:48

1. No
2. No - if there was a huge list I would feel like the company were trying too hard to convince me they were good (same with huge testimonial lists)
4. I would say bad thing overall. A few testimonials, regularly updated and a strong portfolio.

Jeewhizz · #5 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:53

We don't display a list of everyone - some clients don't launch initially, and so don't want us shouting about their site

Others love it - one has even said that the link from our site helped bring in additional traffic for his site, which obviously helps!

I think it's important to have something up, just not everything!

Alvin · #6 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 17:55

Yes agree half a dozen or so examples is sufficient.

A

Maxine · #7 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 21:24

1. No
2. Yes I think so especially if they can see you have done work in a particular industry
3. I wouldnt care tbh
4. Good to have some samples in my opinion

Hayles · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2008, 08:23

Yes, def a good thing IMO as it instills confidence for our type of business.

We've got quite a few testimonials on the site, I've not really thought that we could have too many (?)

We don't give too much info regarding regular clients as we don't want our competitors knowing who is in the market for business lunches (it's taken us years to find the customers!).

H

icequeen · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2008, 08:39

1. Is it necessary? Not necessary but probably good practice.

2. Would it instill extra confidence to a potential client? Yes, especially for those in the design (logo, web or print), I want to see your styles and designs and see whether it fits in with my own preconceptions of what I want/need. For products? I guess it can't do any harm if it helps instill consumer confidence. Wouldn't want to see huge lists and testimonials and exams a small selection to get a feel for what you do would be enough.

3. Effect it would give to your competitors and should that be a worry?
Not if you provide a good service at a competitive price. People work with people and if a customer is lured away by price then it would only be a matter of time before they went anyway ...

4. More of a good thing or a bad thing in general?
I'd say good, or at least indifferent. I wouldn't think it wise to put chapter and verse on a website but it can't do any harm to have a portfolio.

glencooley.com · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2008, 08:53

I try and show diversity in style and projects.

I have done some very small projects that look great and have a nice story to them, I have also done things like intranets for large companies which dont make so much good reading....unless your in to Share incentive program's......Having a huge list is a problem and I dont think it sways one way or the other.

Alot of the large agencies list lots of clients and then "case study" 4/5 of the best brands/best looking work or most challenging etc.

With regards to competition as a supplier you really are at the whim of a client so I would promote them and yourself while you can as requirements change, people move on etc so a raport with one client may change naturally or deliberately so I wouldnt worry about competition. The only thing that would be a problem would be a stale client list. Why not randomise say ten clients every week or so. It looks fresh and keeps the competition guessing when you last did work for a client.

Its a good thing. Firstly it is a visual cue to the diversity of work you do and adaptability to differing styles. Secondly it shows that you are a popular choice. Finally it shows you are proud of the work and the results of all the work you do.

Its an emotive thing and sometimes clients are more coy than we are about having work/projects displayed. The first thing to do is ask your current clients what they would feel and like.....as they are the ones that would know what they want to see from you.

It seems we are all guilty of being insular, but with something like this why not involve your clients and give them a sense of ownership and buy back in to you. Its also a good excuse to have a catch up chat and see how they are doing etc.

Many thanks