[freelancer]

Ok, you may have seen the design posted at:

Need feedback on my new (uncomplete) portfolio design

The design we have come up with can be found here:

http://www.bengribbin.com/proof/index_proof.jpg

And now, I want your help. As most of you have your own business' e.t.c and use the internet, I want to know exactly what you want to see in a portfolio site.

What features make it easier for you to commit, like online ordering or lots of case studies?

What call to action do you prefer? A lot can seem pushy, like HIRE US, so what would you like to see?

I'm also looking for a copywriter who can work with me on this project and future ones to really develop the content of my site, as I want this to be a really customer puller, rather having to go and search for work I want it to come to me

What kind of detail do you want a designer / developer to go into? Do you want to know everything and anything about web design, do you want a simple jargon free explanation, or a few paragraphs on how we can help you?

I'll be purchasing an 0800 number, from your experience what is the best off-line marketing method?

I am looking at perhaps leaflet dropping business' around Yorkshire, and also buying a mailing list (where can I get a legal one) of businesses around my area and mail shooting (hahaha, I meant shot) them.

Thanks in advance, I know this is very in-depth and in your face, but I want my site to really convert the traffic and also be super perfect Most importantly, I don't want to confuse potential clients, I want the site to really speak to them on whatever level that might need to be

Thanks again,

Ben

[Indizine]

well bear in mind you need to know who your target market is so that it speaks to them, as clearly 'everyone' isnt your target market. It isn't 'everyone who wants a website' - it will be a certain type of business - so you should first identify who your potential customers are and where you might find them, before creating site deisgn and content.

You are asking 'us' for our opinion, but most improtantly, you should research the opinions of your target market and respnd to them with your design and content and othe marketing materials and strategy.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by Indizine

well bear in mind you need to know who your target market is so that it speaks to them, as clearly 'everyone' isnt your target market. It isn't 'everyone who wants a website' - it will be a certain type of business - so you should first identify who your potential customers are and where you might find them, before creating site deisgn and content.

You are asking 'us' for our opinion, but most improtantly, you should research the opinions of your target market and respnd to them with your design and content and othe marketing materials and strategy.

I'm trying to target small to medium sized business owners

[Indizine]

SME's are 50% of the UKs businesses - upto 249 employees is the correct definition (plus other criteria but thats not important here).

You need to further narow it down i'm afriad, or you will have no focus.

[Inzvestor]

Ben, in answer to some of your questions;

What features make it easier for you to commit, like online ordering or lots of case studies?
In my experience as a technology buyer it is a mixture.
You need to have case studies with before and after images, a timeline of completion, revisions undertaken, features worked on (and if you have outsourced part of the project or took on a partner to complete be sure to highlight this)

What kind of detail do you want a designer / developer to go into? Do you want to know everything and anything about web design, do you want a simple jargon free explanation, or a few paragraphs on how we can help you?
Keep the case studies jargon-free so non-techies can also understand (as the majority of SME clients struggle to turn on their PC each day)

Highlight parts of the site that you can demonstrate unique content - as this will become a point of difference in your favour.

Online ordering makes it easier to close a sale but is not essential, however a good call to action and a contact method where the client will reach a human and not an answerphone will also help.

Contact details for testimonial verification will go a long way to putting your clients at ease. I almost always contact a listed past client to get information from them about how the process was handled and what if anything they would have done differently (ie learn from other peoples mistakes)

I will almost always close the page of a web design companies site that has a poor portfolio and not include them in my tender process. Very rarely will I contact them for samples unless they are a referral.

I hope the above helps you.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by Inzvestor

Ben, in answer to some of your questions;

What features make it easier for you to commit, like online ordering or lots of case studies?
In my experience as a technology buyer it is a mixture.
You need to have case studies with before and after images, a timeline of completion, revisions undertaken, features worked on (and if you have outsourced part of the project or took on a partner to complete be sure to highlight this)

What kind of detail do you want a designer / developer to go into? Do you want to know everything and anything about web design, do you want a simple jargon free explanation, or a few paragraphs on how we can help you?
Keep the case studies jargon-free so non-techies can also understand (as the majority of SME clients struggle to turn on their PC each day)

Highlight parts of the site that you can demonstrate unique content - as this will become a point of difference in your favour.

Online ordering makes it easier to close a sale but is not essential, however a good call to action and a contact method where the client will reach a human and not an answerphone will also help.

Contact details for testimonial verification will go a long way to putting your clients at ease. I almost always contact a listed past client to get information from them about how the process was handled and what if anything they would have done differently (ie learn from other peoples mistakes)

I will almost always close the page of a web design companies site that has a poor portfolio and not include them in my tender process. Very rarely will I contact them for samples unless they are a referral.

I hope the above helps you.

Thanks very much Glenn

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by Indizine

SME's are 50% of the UKs businesses - upto 249 employees is the correct definition (plus other criteria but thats not important here).

You need to further narow it down I'm afraid, or you will have no focus.

ahhh I see.

How would you break it down further Sandra? Would it be to something industry related, or say small local companies with an existing poorly designed website or without one.

[Indizine]

to be more specific you could narrow it down to certain sectors if you wanted to, or by gepgraphical area, by size of business (which will also determine their budget to some extent) and also your own skillset and experience will determine who you attract - which will be seen through your portfolio range.

I see a lot of sites that seem to give the funky edgy portfolio, lots of bright colours - but this then wouldnt appeal to the corporate's who want the formal, professional feel.....and vice versa. Which types of business do you want to work with? Where would you fit in best and feel most comfortable? Start Ups? Corporates? Young growing businesses? Stagnant older ones?

There's all sorts to think about when considering your content and who you're aiming it at. And people do self-select or deselect themselves upon recognising if you meet each other's needs. Also think about what you cannot offer - and have a couple of names to hand to whom you can refer potential clients - this is better than turning people away for work not in your scope. And might even earn you a referral fee.

[IP2]

I agree very much with Indizine here, you need to be clear of the market segment you are looking for or most skilled to serve. It could perhaps be prudent to start with small manageable clients to build up your porfolio and reputation before tackling larger more complex client needs.

Again price is important to where you are positioning yourself and a common mistake made when starting a business is to under price yourself, initial smaller clients will allow you the time to figure your cost structure both to be competitive but also not to undersell yourself.

I saw a classic example of that in a local IT company winning a fairly major contract for a software project by going in far too cheap, whilst over the moon initially they soon realised that they were out of their depth, but didn't have the financial room to pull in the extra skills needed, the client ended up suing them out of existance (I acquired the remains on the cheap - but that's another story!) the client had been prepared to pay 10 times the price they had quoted!

Ultimately don't try and be all things to all people, be clear of the market that fits your skills now and adjust as opportunities arise.

[freelancer]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I really like the idea of appealing to start-ups and also small growing business'.

What if I created 2 micro sites I could then tailor to each group?