Newbie "Experts" Pitching Design and Web Marketing Services

Newbie “Experts” Pitching Design and Web Marketing Services

Look into a vendor’s history carefully before choosing Web design and marketing services.

The explosion of the Internet over the past 20 years has made Web design a critical part of any business, and changed the landscape of marketing as well. Social media, search engine optimization and other online options for marketing have led cheaper marketing options. Unfortunately, it’s also led to an increase of individuals looking to make a quick buck, claiming to be experts in the field.

Articles like this one used to be common on low-quality “make money from home” websites, but this one was posted on the popular personal finance website Wisebread. It urges people with little-to-no marketing or Web design experience to hang out a plaque and start marketing services.

When the masses of unemployed read articles like this, suggesting these fields are good ways to make extra money, as if anyone could do it, there will be masses of unqualified individuals trying to sell Web marketing and Web design services to businesses. But simply posting to a personal Facebook page, sending multiple tweets per day or creating a personal blog on a webpage created with a template doesn’t make a person an expert in online marketing. Business owners need to be vigilant when considering candidates because of this trend.

Hiring a Web Designer

When looking for a web designer, review the work of several designers by visiting the websites from their portfolios. Check the metrics of these sites. Are they performing well? Surf around. Are they easy to use? Examine the design and graphics. Do they look fresh and modern? Once you narrow down a few good designers, check search engines and social media sites for red flags like bad reviews or complaints from clients.

It helps if you can envision your project from start to finish, and ask as many questions as possible about how the designer will implement it. Of course, if you are starting from scratch and are looking for the designer to come up with ideas, this is not possible. You can however, ask the designer to pitch you a few options on the design and then ask these questions. This ensures the designer is qualified and shows you how well the individual listens and communicates, critical factors in getting what you want from a designer.

Hiring an Online Marketing Consultant

A qualified marketing consultant knows what social media and other online marketing practices are best for your specific industry based on real-life experience with other clients. The best ones can provide concrete numbers that illustrate performance of past marketing campaigns as well.

Pricing

Although price matters in every business transaction, it’s important to avoid focusing too muich on cost. Skimping on a cheap designer or marketer usually results in poor performance. Remember. You get what you pay for.

Get experienced Web design and marketing services from efellemedia.

The founder of efellemedia has been designing and marketing websites since 2005. If you need design and marketing services you can trust, come to us. Call 206.384.4909 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation.