Marketing Opinions/Advice Sought for improving my site.

5 replies
Ok, so my partner and I are in the early stages of starting our own branding web design studio. Our target market is small business/startups and we're looking to grow business on many fronts (networking/cold calls/blog/social media/email, snail mail etc.).

Solid Design Group LLC | Lehigh Valley Website Design

Our site was a learning experience and sort of grew organically through iterations as we plunged deeper into the rabbit hole of business and learned more. As a result, I think it feels a bit disjointed and I know I need to cut down on copy and make sure the message in general is more cohesive.

Basically what I'm trying to communicate is that we offer premium, high-end web design and company identity/branding for more affordable rates than a typical agency/studio. Despite this, I'm not looking to compete on price, or be the lowest guy out there, I'm just looking to communicate that we are lower than typical high-end agencies but offer similar quality output. I want to be affordable quality (affordable in comparison to other agencies in the US, not India).

We're going to be adding a case studies section soon, with case studies from our first 2 clients, as well as more testimonials.

With all of that in mind, I'm asking for you warriors (the greatest marketing minds I know of) to take a look, and give me suggestions for improvement. These could be anything; design, copy, layout, UI, message, general marketing tactics, or anything else. I'm not looking for nitpicky stuff, e.g., "I think the logo could be 10% larger" (unless it's something you really feel strongly about). I'm talking about things that will help us convert.

As I said, the site feels disjointed to me in comparison to work i've done after, perhaps because of the unorthodox way in which it evolved. Do you get this vibe? How can I streamline/communicate more without losing the message or abstracting it? How can I make the site feel more polished?

I was hesitant to write this, because I don't want so much heavy criticism that it's daunting or disheartening. I'm more looking for ways to SELL SELL SELL, lol. To do a better job of impressing, convincing, and getting leads, by delivering our message more effectively. I want it to stand out, and to hit my target audience, those looking to pay 2k-5k for an premium website that would typically cost 6k-10k at an agency

Anything and everything you can offer me is welcome, and in exchange I will answer any questions you might have that you feel I'm qualified to answer.

Thanks so much in advance and best of luck in all of your endeavors.

Victor
#improving #marketing #opinions or advice #site #sought
  • Profile picture of the author soliddesign
    Nobody? Nothing?
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    Solid Design Group — full-service design studio bringing innovative custom designs and cutting-edge technology to small businesses, without the astronomical price tag. Visit us now for a free Quote!
    websites | logos/branding | web apps | print
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Hi Victor,

      Your prospective clients BIGGEST problem with your site is,
      "WHAT ABOUT ME!"

      You are inwardly focused, not client focused.

      Because you are using these words...

      We design
      We develop
      We market

      Instead come up with your 3 ideal clients.

      Each will have different requirements.

      Make a headline that tells one person that "this is your section"
      then do the same for the other 2.

      Let it be known that you understand each persons concerns,
      so that he/she knows you aren't like others he/she has dealt with before.

      You must do that first, so he/she starts to feel confidant in you,
      otherwise whatever you say will fall on deaf ears.

      Seek to understand them and package your solutions to meet
      their problems and challenges.

      Your job is not to convince people, it's to come up with solutions
      to existing problems.

      Best,
      Ewen
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      • Profile picture of the author soliddesign
        wow, ewenmack. thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for, as I am in the process of restructuring/tweaking the homepage design a bit.

        I will try to come up with some headlines/verbiage that is more client-focused.
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        Solid Design Group — full-service design studio bringing innovative custom designs and cutting-edge technology to small businesses, without the astronomical price tag. Visit us now for a free Quote!
        websites | logos/branding | web apps | print
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Originally Posted by soliddesign View Post

          wow, ewenmack. thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for, as I am in the process of restructuring/tweaking the homepage design a bit.

          I will try to come up with some headlines/verbiage that is more client-focused.
          I'm please you've got your thinking in the right place.

          We look forward to see your new format!

          Best,
          Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    Couple of things...

    1. You have the testimonials at the bottom. Those are SELLING/CREDIBILITY vehicles. You should put those above the fold.

    2. I would put client sites on the front page, along with a link to a mini-case study of what the client needed and what you provided for them.

    3. You say you want your site to SELL SELL SELL, but the only thing I see is "Get a Free Quote" ...which is what every other web design company says/does. Stand out from the crowd and have a compelling offer right on the front page which goes to more information about that offer.

    Example: "Call/Email with your project by Apr. 1st and we'll give 1 year of hosting for FREE (only 2 spots left)."

    My 2 cents...
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