Below is a list of some reasons why it may be time to give in to your logo’s cry, and get a logo overhaul:

• Your logo is so web-2.0-my-oh-my.  Keeping up-to-date with marketing and branding is vital to your business, but we stress that you stay away from design trends when it comes to branding your logo.
  
  Shiny, 3D spheres and glossy swooshes are everywhere. So-called designers create template designs, instead of really collaborating on effectively branding the client’s business. But just like Flash websites, trendy logos are in and then they’re out. They are also over-saturated, not really allowing you to stand out and become memorable.

• Your next-door neighbor’s kid (you know the one that does web design) made one for you using Microsoft Word or Paint. This just isn’t worthy of a comment (we mean that as nicely as possible).

• Clipart-a-holic. They come with your computer. They are also found at stock image sites. They brand you as unprofessional, especially if you are trying to build a good reputation in your business. Most importantly, they legally belong to someone else and we don’t want to see you get into any binds.

• You lost the original artwork and are using a copied version that you scanned off of your business card, pasting it on other collateral (see previous bullet about professionalism).

• You can’t remember what your logo looks like. If it’s been that long, you need us. We are here and ready to make a design you will never forget.

• You don’t have a logo at all.  A time for change is most-definitely calling. It’s time to give your business an identity so you can really create a brand for yourself.

If you can relate to anything on the list, don’t let it intimidate you. We understand that you are busy focusing on your business and it’s easy to get sidetracked on keeping up-to-date with the marketing and branding side of things. We’re a small business ourselves, but the difference is that we do this stuff for a living, so it is easier for us to make changes when needed. We’d love to give you a free evaluation on your logo! Contact us anytime.

We’ve heard dreaded stories from our clients before they started working with us: the previous designer lacked professionalism and real creativity, trying to communicate with them was like hitting their heads against a brick wall, time-sensitive deadlines were missed, and the list goes on.

It is possible to have a smooth process throughout the entire length of your website design project. If you follow these easy steps, you can avoid the nightmares you may have heard about.

Define Your Website Design Goals

If you don’t have a starting point or simple idea of what you want out of your website project, chances are your web designer will have trouble understanding or meeting your expectations. To start, figure out what you want your site to accomplish for your pet business. Do you need a more professional appearance? Do you need your site strictly for lead generation? When you define your goals, it will allow better communication between you and your design firm and your designer will help get those goals accomplished.

Define Your Website Design Budget

Many times, businesses do not consider a budget before searching for a website designer. Defining a budget is a must-do before starting the search for your ‘forever-designer’.

It is also important to understand that just because your next-door neighbor’s kid takes a web design class at his high school, and is willing to design your site for $300, doesn’t mean that a professional should work within this exact budget. Professionals have years of experience that enables them to provide you with results that an amateur cannot.

So how is a budget defined? Realistically there is not a set answer since no two websites or their purpose are alike. Some businesses are looking for a simple, informational layout, while others need full-ecommerce development. The other point to consider is that you are not just paying someone to design, code and test your site. You are also paying them for their knowledge and skills on what will and won’t work to achieve your online marketing goals.

Define a Realistic Deadline

Aside from understanding that design takes time, there are several phases in a web design project.

An initial consultation allows your designer to learn about your company and its goals and challenges. From there a lot of research time is invested on competitors, as well as making the most of achieving your goals.

The next phase is the initial wire-frame design. A scan is illustrated to give you an idea of how your website will look. From there you will request any changes and once the appearance is finalized, the designer starts the coding of your site. Coding can get pretty complex depending on the magnitude and depth, so be prepared for a simple site to take a few days and one with more detail can take weeks, if not longer.

When the coding is complete, it is now time to test the page on several browsers to make sure it is compatible and displays properly.

Another important point to stress is that communication between you and the designer must be a two-way, consistent street. Work schedules, technical issues, holidays, vacations, etc. must be taken into consideration as they also affect the project timeline.

Define Your Principals. Do they Match the Designer’s?

If you are a logging company, it may not be wise to work with a designer who hugs trees. I’m a tree hugger, so please move on. It won’t work. I’m sorry.

Seeing eye-to-eye on most things will help you work together more harmoniously. When the designer shares your belief structure, you’ll simply work better together and the process will run smoother for both of you.

Review the Designer’s Portfolio and Case Studies

A designer’s portfolio says more about their work than anything else. The proof’s right there in the pudding. Make sure the designer provides a diverse portfolio. Typically you can tell if they overuse the same design or are afraid to think out of the box. That’s a red flag. Move on. You want to be different. You want to stand out. You want your point to be made.

Contact the Designer’s Previous Clients

Any reputable designer will be more than happy to provide you with a list of previous clients and references so you can ask about their experience. Dig deep and ask about the process, if deadlines were met, if communication was equal and timely, etc. Understand their experience from start to finish.

Good luck on your search, and if after reviewing our portfolio and previous clients you feel that we are a possibly good match, we’d love to have a consultation to discuss your needs.

Through my years as a designer and marketer, I have seen two scenarios that deter people from utilizing professional marketing and design services:

The business owner is not aware of the differentiation between the COST of marketing and design services, and its actual VALUE.

Several businesses (start-ups in particular) are unable to differentiate between COST and VALUE of marketing and design services. They usually do not have a budget planned out and the only thing they see is how much the services ‘cost’. They do not understand the time and detail that goes into the services provided – from researching and strategizing, to implementing and launching a product or service.

They are not aware that the VALUE and INVESTMENT pay off after the launch with a successful Return On Investment (ROI).

The business owner lost faith in finding a reputable company.

Like any investment, it is important to remember that you do not entrust your money to just anyone. With every reputable marketing firm out there, there are the bad apples that spoil the bunch.

They get a potential client hyped up on false guarantees at fancy workshops and seminars, flaunt bells and whistles in the business owner’s face making them decide on emotional impulse, yet never come close to providing the results they promise.

Unfortunately for the good marketers and designers, business owners cringe when they think of doing business with a marketing and design team.

As a result, the business owner will try to handle the marketing and design on their own. Some business owners already have a background in marketing, which gives them an advantage. But for those who are not experienced, the branding, message, and call-to-action are improperly conveyed. This leads to frustration and they cease marketing efforts before it can really take off. Eventually the business goes belly-up.

With any investment, effective results take time and plenty of patience. When a buyer starts to see the value in their marketing more like a portfolio of investments rather than another line on an expense report, it becomes easier to distinguish between VALUE and INVESTMENT vs. COST and EXPENSE.