We are loving the opportunity to work with clients that want to reach further than the basic average. This means allowing yourself to work closely with a design team to create little snippets of innovation that begin and complete the overall marketing image of your business.
In this this example we have created a Facebook brand page cover and an App like button profile picture that is both fun, true to the business ethos and engages any existing and new clients. We then complete this with a FREE custom iPhone wallpaper to complete the look!
All this can be done from $99.00 which is absolutely nothing considering the added interest it will bring to you business image and of course it’s something that can be used again in other social media sites like Linked in.
In summary;
• Social media graphics are an affordable way to engage current and new fans.
We continue our look into the re-emerging world of retro & old school design which makes for quite a contrast against the overall trend of technology and fast production.
The beauty and simplicity of something that requires human contact gives a timeless and exclusive touch of class to any project. But what does that mean for the client business owner? It means that any stationary or marketing piece you distribute, communicates great design and trust. Your clients will instantly perceive (albeit subconsciously) that you take great care in all the finer details.
We hope that the following designs inspire you to have your own stamp made up, it’s not at all expensive and it’s definitively an investment in conveying your unique message.
Please stay tuned - In the next few months we will continue our series and bring you ideas for “Letter Press” and “Chalk Board” designs.
Domain names are an affordable way to secure and increase your business.
Your domain name serves as the headline for your business – it is essential that you give it the time and thought it deserves.
Regardless of whether your website is for business or personal use, there are a few helpful tips you can take on board to make your domain name choice a lot easier:
Dotcom prevails
In the internet world, .com is always the most memorable domain a person or business could have. To reinforce your location, Aussies should opt for .com.au as it signifies that you are located and/or operating within Australia. This is very important, considering the internet is placing a growing emphasis on geo-location.
Spelling
Try to choose a domain name that is easy to spell. The last thing you want is for your audience to type your domain incorrectly, and as a result be taken to a site that is completely different to yours. Keep your domain name simple to avoid any missed opportunities.
Marketing appeal
Set your brand apart by using a catchy, marketable name that’s both short and easy to remember. Can you imagine advertising this URL on a flyer or huge billboard? You want to opt for a domain name that turns heads. If it’s your business name, that will work too.
Keywords
It is extremely effective to use keywords within your domain name for SEO purposes. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to find your business and know what it’s about. If you have a painting business, for example, use the words ‘painting’ or ‘painter’ in your URL to signify your business trade.
There are boundaries to using keywords however – domain names that are too long or use excessive hyphens can be seen as spammy by Google and web users, so try to avoid long, keyword filled domains.
Buy your pie
Due to various URL extensions (.net, .org, .biz, .co), it’s important that you buy up all domain name extensions in a bid to protect your business brand. Purchasing all domain name extensions ensures that you won’t have to pay top dollar later on if somebody else has already swiped up your highly effective domain name. It’s also a wise move to boost sales. Simply redirect all extensions to your preferred .com and visitors to your website will be maximised.
These are just a few reasons why domain names are so important. Not only do they help potential customers find your site, they also have the ability to seriously boost your rankings in search engine results.
The bonus is that this is not an expensive strategy and can be easily implemented if you involve a trusted professional to work with you right from the start - This will save you headaches and get you started on the right track.
In summary;
• Domain names are an affordable way to secure and increase your business.
A friend of mine is setting up a new business. Like anyone in the same situation, his budget – or lack thereof – is guiding most of his decisions. Coming from a financial background, he’s got the business plan and finance under control, but he came to me for advice on branding and the website.
He sent through an email that said ‘I’ve got the name but haven’t figured out the font yet’. I think you could have heard the alarm bells ringing in my head from a block away. His business is a physical shopfront with an online sales component.
He was planning on designing the logo himself. That same logo would be on his signage, business cards and website. It would shape the design of his website and marketing collateral. He was starting a new venture by shooting himself in the foot.
I started my reply by telling him that if he had any budget whatsoever to spend, on marketing or branding, that it should be spent working with a professional designer to create a custom logo. I told him that a designer will ask him to profile his ideal customer and create something that speaks to them.
THIS IN EFFECT IS THE REAL BUSINESS PLAN BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON THE CUSTOMER - YOU ARE WORKING WITH AN END IN MIND!
This forced him to sit down and think about exactly who that person is - also a vital element to effective web design. Once he had a logo that appealed to his target audience, he could afford to start off with a basic web design that continued the branding shaped by his logo.
You might be thinking – shouldn’t your first website have all the bells and whistles? It depends.
While you want to launch with a website that looks professional, starting off with a basic website allows you to work in phases and improve your website according to feedback. You should be participating in social media regardless, which if done correctly, will give you a goldmine of insights into your customers wants and needs.
This is good news for your budget and will allow you to create an effective website later based on real data. Say you’ve been operating offline and you’re taking the first steps to get online. You may already know your customer thoroughly, however, I can guarantee you that there will be unforeseen opportunities that present themselves that you’ll want to take advantage of quickly.
In summary;
• Professionals save you time and therefore money.
• The business logo is part of the marketing plan.
• Set some of the budget aside for a logo and website.
• Your first website should be simple and fast.
WE SPECIALISE IN DESIGN, PRINT AND WEB SOLUTIONS. EMAIL US TODAY! WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE RIGHT STRATEGY AND ACCESS TO THE BEST PROJECT TEAM.
Keeping your business in the public eye is critical in any economy – especially when times are tough. The best way to make your presence felt is to engage the services of a graphic designer and get cracking on some serious marketing material.
So will a DIY job cut it or is a qualified graphic designer needed? While you may think you can whip up something passable yourself, a graphic designer can really help your business standout. Powerful graphics and an identifiable logo designed by a professional might be the difference between a couple of calls and a couple of hundred.
Quality artwork from a qualified graphic designer helps a business establish themselves as a reputable and legitimate brand. It’s a pretty simple philosophy – if you put that much time and effort into presenting a professional image, then it’s natural to assume you’ll put a similar foot forward when providing the actual service.
On search websites the businesses who have a well-designed logo as part of their profiles are the most successful at winning jobs.
While you might recognise a graphic designer is needed to help your business, you might struggle to find funds. However, with the average hourly rate for a graphic designer around $57, hiring a graphic designer could be more affordable than you might think.
If you’re concerned about a potential cash blowout, make sure you confirm with your graphic designer how long the work is expected to take. As an example, we don’t usually charge per hour, we charge per job.
Don’t forget to also factor in the costs of printing. There are often certain monetary advantages to hiring a graphic designer. As an “insider” in this business they should offer a wealth of beneficial industry knowledge, such as how to get discounted printing rates or even better than that, some design teams will offer you a complete service that includes design, print and web project solution. This will save you precious time and money.
So go ahead and get your business “sexed up” in order to have it stand out from your competition.
WE SPECIALISE IN DESIGN, PRINT AND WEB SOLUTIONS. EMAIL US TODAY! WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE RIGHT STRATEGY AND ACCESS TO THE BEST PROJECT TEAM.
