IMGForge Daily Blog

Soyung and I are pleased to announce the commencement of the re-design for the Pointer Sisters' website.  For years I had thought about asking Anita to give us the opportunity to build a new, interactive site but never did.  While we were in California, we visited (as we always do) the Pointer Brother, Fritz and his wife Liz.  They have been friends with us for around eight years. 

Fritz was on his way to LA to discuss the new Pointer Sisters movie with the producer.   I mentioned to him what I'd like to do with the site and received the call today that Anita and Ruth said "Go for it." 

We'll let you know how it goes!

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Another great post by Shaun is this one:

A (Nearly) Bulletproof Web Design & Development Project Checklist for clients and designers.

If you're aiming to agree a fixed price for the development of the website, as we do, ensure the project goes smoothly before you start, by communicating with your client at the outset.

They'll appreciate you for it, there will be less surprises, and you may be able to start making a profit from fixed cost website design jobs again;

1. Prices can change even for a fixed cost website
   • Web Design Costs are dependent on how many hours is spent working on a design and how many times the client asks for changes to it
   • Show the client your portfolio - that's the type of sites you build, do they like it?
   • Has the client supplied examples of the sort of site they are looking for?
   • Estimate a cost for a job, based on early discussion.
   • Ensure the client knows you can quote for a job only on the information you have available to you at the time
   • Confirm a job cost on reviewed client requirements
   • 50% of job before start, 50% on completion
   • Ensure the client knows you are costing the job by hours and you do have other clients
   • Make sure all your costs are approved before starting a job (remember VAT)
   • Ask the client to send you an email notifying his acceptance of the project scope and cost
2. It's impossible to make a site that will look the same in all browsers;
   • Specify which Resolution / Screen Size the Website Should Be Designed to
   • Specify a fixed width or fluid layout
   • Inform the client which browser versions you support
   • Ensure the client is aware of website font restrictions or recommendations and web page download considerations
   • Ensure the client is aware websites look different than on paper
3. Content should be supplied by the client in a form easily used
   • Who is supplying the text?
   • Who is supplying the images?
   • Get the client to supply all text, photographs and content in electronic format
   • Make sure text supplied, if formatted, is in a web-ready format
   • The client should supply an example site-plan, in a bulleted list
   • The client needs to specify any specific functionality required at the outset
4. ‘Milestone' dates for the project should be agreed
   • Communicate missing any milestone date for supplying content / adding new content will have an impact on launch commitments and costs - both of you have businesses to run
   • Agree content delivery date
   • Agree Site Architecture Freeze Date
   • Agree Site Functionality Freeze Date
   • Agree Design Freeze date
   • Agree Launch Date
5. Changes to the brief should be communicated and costs agreed / timings considered in electronic form
   • No Favours - The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the bodies of well meaning web developers
   • Everything should be charged out, agreed and accountable
     
6. Websites can go down every now and then
   • Who hosts the current site?
   • Get Contact Details
   • Hosting is a recurring annual charge
7. Domain transfers sometimes go a bit Pete Tong
   • You are at the mercy of third parties
   • Who controls current domain(s)?
   • Domains need registered every year
   • Get Contact Details
8. Emails might go down for a period of perhaps 24-48 hours
   • Who controls current email(s)?
   • Get Contact Details
   • How many email accounts to you have/need
9. Launching a website can be about pressing buttons and.... waiting
10. Websites Get Hacked
    • All CMS needs kept up to date
    • In most cases hackers seek to deface the site
    • A hacked site can mean disaster in Google
    • A site that has been hacked can be rescued
    • Who's in charge of security / CMS updates
    • Agree maintenance fees
11. A Winning Website Is never ‘Finished'!
    • The client should keep his site up-to-date with news if he has a CMS
    • Training for the CMS should be costed if required
12. A website is subject to Laws of The Land and the client should investigate these
    • The UK Companies Act
    • UK Distance Selling Regulations
    • Website Accessibility Recommendations
13. Agree ongoing responsibilities
    • Who is responsible for the client's email, hosting and domain management
    • Do you ‘guarantee' a website is fit for purpose for say 1 year?
    • When will annual billing start and occur

I'm sure I've missed some things out, but I wanted a post on the site I could point my clients to, to educate them on some of the less talked about aspects of developing a website. I expect to modify this page every now and again.

Take responsibility, agree the scope of the project, recognise the requirements to meet the brief within allocated time-frame, and bill for your time.

I've learned this the hard way. Now I aim at all times to communicate with the client as much as possible to ensure any web development job doesn't get out of control.

Original Post: A Website Design & Development Project Checklist

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Designing and launching a website can be a pain, even when managed correctly.

Here's 10 reasons your site won't be launched today.....

1. The changes you sent to the design brief on Wednesday
2. The 150 images you sent to us yesterday
3. The text you sent to us Tuesday.... in the post..... er, on paper
4. This is the first time your boss has seen it?
5. You never told us all your organisation used IE4
6. Yes, as we mentioned, 1024×768 won't fit on your bosses smaller screen
7. What do you mean your logo is changing
8. So you've actually not got any content ready for sections 3,4,5,6 and 7?
9. Ah..... so you want sections 3,4,5 and 7 removed from the navigation....
10. The guy who controls your domain is leaving early today?

The list could go on...... good communication is paramount when developing any website. It's a learning process, and you hopefully can only get better at it with time and experience.

I'm going to lay down in my next post what things a web designer should make clear to their client and get agreements on when developing any website.

 10 Reasons Your New Website Won’t Launch Today was originally posted by Shaun.

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We re-designed our website in June, right after we relocated to Cary, NC.  Although the site looked nice and had lots of information, we were just not happy with the results we were getting.  By using sophisticated tracking tools, we could see that many potential clients were visiting our site everyday, but we were not seeing much action.  This is when we decided something needed to be done.

We did some research and found that most people wanted less information!  By monitoring the tracking, we saw the path visitors were taking, then the amount of time they were spending on each page and we determined that too much text was too much text!  No one wanted to read all that information! 

Makes sense.  I do the same thing when I visit a site. I just don't have time to read all the details.  It always goes back to the old adage, "Less is more."

 We decided to use the tab object on the front page to advertise our specials, live chat and quote forms.  This has made all the difference.  We kept all of the old content (for SEO purposes), but we just emphasized the navigation so potential clients could get the information they needed at a glance.  Everything they need to know can be attained from the front page.

It is working for our site, it can work for yours. 

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Repost from 09/ 22/ 2008  

In a time when the lead news stories focus on businesses downsizing, the rising costs of gas and groceries, and general economic turmoil, it is hard to avoid feeling the "recession depression." But as business owners we have two choices: We can let the media send us into panic mode or we can view the economic downturn as an opportunity.
 
This is a time in the economy when millionaires are made. While some businesses are giving up and closing their doors, their competitors are seizing opportunities. Here are 10 ways to thrive in tough times:
 
1. Keep the marketing wheels in motion
Though your first instinct may be to cut costs, this is the worst time to cut back on marketing. Studies show that businesses that continue marketing through a slow economy are the ones that come out ahead when the economy begins to turn. Make sure you have a marketing plan and stick to it. If your current marketing efforts aren't producing results, try new strategies. When done correctly, marketing is an expense that should pay for itself. Find the strategies that work and then keep doing them.
 
2. Don't be afraid to discount
The reality is that consumers are holding on to their wallets more tightly. The key to unlock their dollars is in discounts. Take a cue from the big department stores--they are holding incredible sales and offering more coupons than ever. Reevaluate your pricing strategy and offer discounts off your most popular products and services. This may also be a good time to lower your prices across the board and then advertise your new lower prices.
 
3. Leverage the Internet
Are you selling products and services from your Web site? Can you expand your sales channels by selling on eBay or another online venue? Are you reaching your customers with e-mail marketing? Is your Web site optimized for the search engines? It doesn't have to cost a fortune to implement an online marketing and sales strategy. Even if you simply add gift certificate purchases to your Web site, you could uncover a whole new revenue stream. Seek out an online marketing expert and evaluate the opportunities.
 
4. Form a mastermind group
Get together with your staff or assemble a small group of people who understand your business and brainstorm opportunities. When several people get together with a blank slate and some good energy, magic can happen. Ask for ideas--you might be surprised by the results.
 
5. Tap into a new niche
Is there a niche that you have been meaning to focus on? Can you uncover a new market that makes sense for your business? For example, a florist that specializes in weddings could pursue the corporate market, a residential real estate agent could go after the investor community or a virtual assistant could decide to specialize in serving the unique needs of financial planners. Pick a new market and then develop a plan of attack.
 
6. Reach out to your customer base
One of the most overlooked business opportunities comes from your existing and past clients. The fact that they have already done business with you makes it far more likely that they will do business with you in the future. Make sure you are marketing to them, reaching out and reminding them that you are there. Ask them for referrals and offer a powerful incentive such as a cash reward or gift card for referrals.
 
7. Make improvements
This is an ideal time to evaluate all of your policies and procedures. Do they make sense in this economy? Is your customer service team delivering up to your standards? Could your sales team benefit from some additional training? How can you help your company perform even better? What are steps you can take to improve customer loyalty? Look at your business through a magnifying class and seize the opportunity to improve it across the board.
 
8. Survey your customers
Much can be uncovered by reaching out to your customers and asking them for feedback. Develop a short list of questions that include ratings on your products, services and staff. Ask specific questions such as, "How can we improve your experience with us?" Tools such as www.SurveyMonkey.com can help you accomplish this easily. Once you receive the survey results, evaluate them and take action to make improvements. You will undoubtedly find themes in the answers , so let your customers know that you heard them and share what improvements you are making as a result of their survey responses.
 
9. Keep an eye on capital
What goes down must come up and the economy will rebound, though it may be awhile. If business is slower than usual, form a plan for getting through this period. You might need to open a line of credit, visit your bank and apply for a loan, seek private funding or even bring in a partner. Running out of capital can quickly kill a business. Make sure you assess how much you may need before you need it and have a plan for forging ahead.
 
10. Get help and keep your eye on the prize
Now is a great time to sharpen your own skills. Take classes, read books and network with others in your industry so you can learn from them. Get involved in your trade association and make sure you are on top of your game. Look for joint venture opportunities. Make yourself more efficient by outsourcing services that consume your valuable time. Also, determine your priorities. Where should you be spending your time? What can you do to make your company bigger, better and stronger? Leave the worrying to your competitors and instead seek out opportunities and stay positive. When you put the right energy and focus into your business--despite the economy--the results can be extraordinary.

Repost from 09/ 22/ 2008
Written by Stephanie Chandler

Stephanie Chandler is the author of several business and marketing books including From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-Books and Information Products. Discover hundreds of resources for entrepreneurs and more strategies for rejecting the recession at www.BusinessInfoGuide.com and www.TheBusinessGrowthConnection.com. For author and speaker details visit www.StephanieChandler.com.

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Free browser supposed to be available for downloading Tuesday
Taken from The Associated Press © 2008

Google is releasing its own Web browser in a long-anticipated move aimed at countering the dominance of Microsoft's Internet Explorer and ensuring easy access to its market-leading search engine.

The Mountain View-based company took the unusual step of announcing its latest product on the Labor Day holiday after it prematurely sent out a comic book drawn up to herald the new browser's arrival.

The free browser, called "Chrome," is supposed to be available for downloading Tuesday in more than 100 countries for computers running on Microsoft's Windows operating system. Google said it's still working on versions compatible with Apple's Mac computer and the Linux operating system.

Google's browser is expected to hit the market a week after Microsoft's unveiling of a test version of its latest browser update, Internet Explorer 8. The tweaks include more tools for Web surfers to cloak their online preferences, creating a shield that could make it more difficult for Google and other marketing networks to figure out which ads are most likely to appeal to which individuals.

Although Google is using a cartoonish approach to promote Chrome, the new browser underscores the gravity of Google's rivalry with Microsoft, whose Internet Explorer is used by about 75 percent of Web surfers.

Google's lead in the lucrative Internet search market is nearly as commanding, with its engine processing nearly two-thirds of the Web's queries.

For the past few years, Google has been trying to take advantage of its search engine's popularity to loosen Microsoft's grip on how most people interact with personal computers.

Taking in Microsoft
The assault so far has been focused on a bundle of computer programs, including word processing and spreadsheet applications, that Google offers as an alternative to one of Microsoft's biggest money makers, its Office suite of products.

Google has tried to make its alternatives more appealing and accessible by hosting them for free over Internet connections instead of requiring users to pay a licensing fee to install them on individual computers, as Microsoft typically does.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has tried to thwart Google by investing billions in the development of its own search engine and making an unsuccessful attempt to buy Yahoo Inc. for $47.5 billion.

The tensions between Microsoft and Google now seem likely to escalate with Google's foray into Web browsing.

Until now, Google had been trying to undermine Internet Explorer by supporting Firefox, a Web browser developed by the open-source Mozilla Foundation. Bolstered by an advertising partnership with Google's search engine, Firefox ranks as the second most popular browser, with a market share of more than 10 percent. Google recently extended its advertising alliance with Firefox through 2011.

Bearing the stamp of Google's renowned brand, Chrome could be an even more formidable rival to Explorer.

Still, Google's name is no guarantee of success. For instance, Google's instant messaging service hasn't come close to catching up to the market-leading products made by Yahoo, Microsoft and Time Warner Inc.'s AOL.

New browser battleground: online ads
In a blog post Monday, Google touted Chrome as a more sophisticated Web browser better suited for displaying the dynamic and interactive content blossoming on the Web as people migrate from television, radio and newspapers.

"The Web gets better with more options and innovation," Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management, and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director, wrote in the posting. "Google Chrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making the Web even better."

Microsoft brushed aside the threat in a statement Monday from Dean Hachamovitch, Internet Explorer's general manager.

"The browser landscape is highly competitive, but people will choose Internet Explorer 8 for the way it puts the services they want right at their fingertips ... and, more than any other browsing technology, puts them in control of their personal data online," Hachamovitch said.

Even as it has backed Firefox, Google has openly fretted about the possible ramifications of Microsoft's huge lead in Web browsing.

Google is worried that Microsoft could abuse its power by manipulating Internet Explorer's default settings in a way that might diminish traffic to Google's search engine, which serves as the hub of the largest online ad network.

In 2006, Google contacted the Justice Department to raise alarms about changes to Internet Explorer that Google believed made it more difficult to install search toolbars made by Microsoft's rivals. Although regulators decided not to intervene, Microsoft subsequently modified the way Explorer handled the selection of search toolbars.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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