Business Bits - Logos & Websites

The alternate title to this post could have been "Business is Hard" or "Who Knew There Were So Many Choices Out There?"

If any of you have started a business with an online presence you know that there is a LOT to consider.  I've been working on getting a new business up and running and didn't realize how many layers there are to graphic design/web design.  I thought I'd share 'cause I'm kind hearted like that.

BRANDING vs LOGO DESIGN

This is a big decision and forces you to take a look at your business goals.  Are you looking for a logo and some business cards so that you can get up and running?  Are there numerous places that your business name will appear (packaging, advertising, etc) in the future?  The answer to these kinds of questions will help decide how much time and money to spend on this element of the business.

My interior design company needs only a website and business cards so I hired a graphic/web designer to do both and I was very happy with the results.

This time round I hired a branding company to create my brand.  My name will be on packaging, business documents and various types of advertising so it's important for me to have a cohesive and highly defined look so that I don't go off track down the road.  With this type of service you will receive the logo but more than that it includes your colour palette, font palette and photography or illustrative palette.  

WEB DESIGN vs E-COMMERCE WEB DESIGN

This has been the biggest lesson learned through this process.  When I had my website built for my interior design business I hired a web designer.  I got a functioning site with a few pages and a portfolio.  That was exactly what I needed.  My needs are a bit more advanced as this time round I need an e-commerce site.  All the same, right?  Not so much.

I hired an e-commerce designer and found that they have very different expectations and outcomes from web designers.  While they are certainly able to make your site pretty and visually appealing, they are most concerned with the functionality and business aspect of the site.  Here's a quote from my designer that shed some light on the topic for me.

"Too many people spend thousands on websites that sit there and look pretty, but don't sell anything."

Hiring an e-commerce designer will give you a transactional site that runs exactly the way you want it to.  This is about the sales of the business.  My biggest lesson here---Be prepared to have the design elements available for the e-commerce designer to use.  They don't design them for you.  

INVEST THE TIME

I spent weeks looking at websites, portfolios and client testimonials before deciding on the people I ultimately decided to work with.  This stuff is so important because it's what the world will judge you, your product or your service on.  

Along the way I hired and then fired one designer who was not responsive enough for me. Don't be afraid to walk away from someone whose business practices don't jive with yours.  

I pinkie swear I'll start sharing some of the actual details of the new business as soon as they start to unfold.