What is more important for a website design or content?

Not to sound like a broken record... But here it goes!

Get a grip everyone, I am still hearing the same old stuff “But so and so said content is the most important don't worry about the look of the site it is content that sells”.

Or

The look of your website is everything if you have a great looking website everyone will flock to it and buy, buy buy…

Once again may I remind everyone that if visitors are not impressed with the visual presentation of a website what makes you believe that a person will stay around and read the content???

If a visitor to your site loves the visual appeal of your website and then when they look at the content it is a bunch of fluff, has typos and/or grammatical errors, what makes you think they will read anymore about your business or venture into articles you have written?

You need both an awesome (professional) look and great content.

How can you kick it up a notch? Make sure your website is branded/designed to attract you perfect customer.

What do I mean by branding to attract your perfect customer?

Every business need to know who their particular clientele is – and every business needs to know what their prefect customer looks like.

Do you know who will buy your product or services?

If you say everyone – then you are not going to be able to get the target audience you need. You will not know how to - or where to direct your marketing dollars.

Example: If you have a product or service you are selling to baby boomers do you think you would design the website to look like something from Sesame Street or MTV, Of course not.

If I am Home Depot I would not market to customer who have never done home improvement in their life, are not interested in it, or only hire people to do what needs to be done. I would market to people who enjoy doing their own projects and learning how to improve their home or homes of others.

If I am Macy’s I would not target people who didn’t have a certain income – or those that didn’t care about brands of clothes or fragrances’. People who have restricted income would go to places like Wal-Mart or K-mart.

You should always know who you target audience is the more details the better – once you have that you will know what will attract them in the way of design and content.

You need great content and a look that attracts your perfect client/customer.

There are all kinds of people in the world some are visual some are information driven. You must always appeal to both. It doesn’t matter what your personal taste is – it does matter what your client would appreciate and be attracted to.

Moral of the story?

If you have a less than great looking website - or your content leave something to be desired get it fixed!

If you have not sat down and figured out who you need to market to, do it – you will be amazed at the change when you start marketing in the right direction. Success is just around the corner…

For a list of tips on how to market you website Click Here.

For help in website development or branding contact Artista Design

Want a FREE Consultation – Email or call 801-910-4825

Providing Creative Solutions & Amazing Results

Think You Don't Need A Logo? Think Again!

One of the most basic things you need for your company is a logo.

A logo is an image that represents your company. It can be an illustration, a symbol, a name, or a combination of these. A proper logo works to project your desired company image.

You may be one of those people who think a logo is not a big deal, I beg to differ.

I run into people all the time that think having a logo designed is a “waste of money” but nothing can be farther from the truth.

Why is a logo important in the grand scheme of things?

The human brain recalls an image much easier than just words. Logos are about instant recognition. At a glance, your customer has found you. The brain triggers the relevant information about your company instantly. Symbols are much better and faster for recognition than words.

This is especially effective when branding a product. The logo becomes the product in the consumers' mind. Your logo can represent everything positive [or negative] about your company.

People really do judge businesses by that first visual impression.

A good logo is the anchor to which a great website, business cards and all other visual marketing materials are design around.

If you are starting your business and need a good logo, or if you think you could use a new logo to project your success, here are some things to think about.

Your Logo Must Be Original…

The design should be unique, with no potential of copyright infringement. You want the design to attract those you know would be your target demographic. You don’t want your logo to be confused with somebody else’s. The cost of a confused customer is way too high.

Keep You Logo Simple…

The best logos are those that will look good in black and white as well as color. You are going to want to use your logo on every document your company produces - all the marketing materials, e-mails, letters, etc.

In order to accurately and clearly reproduce your logo in so many different places and in so many different sizes, you want to keep it simple.

A simpler logo can be reduced, re-colored, enlarged, appear on the Internet, or be printed on your business card as needed.

Text Logos

Specialized fonts can be used in text logos.

Examples: A slanted font can represent movement and speed. A script font represents elegance and sophistication. A reversed font can represent modern art. A comic font is good for representing children. A thicker font shows power.

Words really are images, and presented in the right way, the written name of your company can give the same instant recognition, as an illustration or symbol can.

Symbolic Logos

Purely symbolic (abstract) logos can represent your company. A symbol is not as clear as text and it may take many more client impressions to get them to remember your logo. However, if you are good at marketing it can cause an indelible impression on the public (once it sticks). Think about it, when you see that Nike swish do you have to see the company name at all? I rest my case…

Before people could commonly read, businesses used pictures instead of words to advertise their services. If such an image is appropriate, you might consider it.

Text and Symbols Combined

Combining the benefits of both text and symbols may be the most powerful way to use a logo. You get the instant recognition of your name, and what you do.

Lean toward clarity of a message in your logo. If the common person can glance at it and know what business you are in, and what kind of company you are, then you are on the right track.

What Colors Should You Use?

Different colors represent different things in different industries. People react to color, and you want to make sure it’s the reaction you want. The right colors will add strength and clarity to your logo. The wrong color will turn customers away.

For more information on the psychology of color click here

All Images are Logo's of Actual Clients

Need some professional help? If so please contact me Pamela@artistadesign.com – together we can design an unbeatable visual concept for you or your company!

http://artistadesign.com/portfolio.html

What is branding and is it important to your marketing strategy?

When you read about branding you often think it just means a distinct logo – or perhaps mark – but branding your business is much more than that. It is an attitude – a way of doing business – where people get what your company is really about.

A company or business should make sure that all pieces of visual marketing materials are – distinct and memorable – through the consistent use of company logos, corporate colors, typography and any other visual elements that have been decided on.

But - creating that visual consistency and identity is only the first step in attracting your perfect customer (branding your business) – as important as that is – there must be more than a visual image to keep a client – coming back for more.

Branding is much more than just ensuring that customers recognize a logo.

Branding means creating an emotional association (such as the feeling of success, happiness, or relief) with your business, product or service.

It is the quality, integrity and customer satisfaction that customer associates with your business.

If you have read many of my articles you know I am a strong believer that you must be true to your word – integrity in all things.

I am forever amazed at business spend lots of money to look great and have such a professional appearance only to fall short when it comes to people skills. Living up to your word and taking care of clients is what builds a strong customer base. That is a major part of branding your business -

How many times have you come across this type of business – they look good, they sound good, and they promise you the farm but when it comes to delivering, they fall short? On the other hand, maybe you loved the product and service but when you have a question or problem you couldn’t reach them – or they wouldn’t even call you back?

To be truly successful you must care about the client’s satisfaction – as well as the integrity of your word. This is a continuation of branding your business.

FYI: Did you know that when a customer is satisfied – they may tell a person or two – but when they are unhappy with a product or service they tell at least 10 people?

Need professional branding? - Mention this article and save 20% on websites development, business cards, logos and more!

Pamela Artista Design - 801-910-4825 pamela@artistadesign.com