a quick guide to a good online presence

1. KISS & keep your
clients happy
a quick guide to a good online presence

2. a quick word about me
✪ webdesigner
happily freelancing since 2000
✪ member of the WSG (web standards group)
✪ course leader & tutor:
‘design for the web - webstandards‘
adult course at Tower Hamlets College (Poplar)

3. now to you ~ curious...
who is online?
static website?
managed website?
illustration: Alessandro Gottardo // alessandrogottardo.com
everyone using social media?
any favourites?
Having fun? Seeing results?

4. Why should your business be online?
changing times...

5. http://www.howtobearetronaut.com/2010/01/1940s-london-in-stunning-hig-resolution-colour/
the good old days...
☞ physical location
☞ letters & phone
☞ print-based promotion
☞ customer service
Why should your business be online?
changing times...

6. © Bobby Pfeiffer, 3/2010 - via Flickr
now and onwards...
✪ location & website
✪ letters / phone / email
✪ digital promotion +
✪ customer service
Why should your business be online?
changing times...

7. What makes a good website?
✪ good content: informative ~ up to date & updated regularly
✪ ease of use: intuitive navigation ~ easy access to content
✪ inclusive design: accessible on range of device, to all users
✪ visual appeal: memorable presentation of brand

8. moo.com
started small with unique product
strong branding - cute & personal
professional service & communication
high quality product
promotion via online communities
UK based, online printing business
now, international success

9. moo.com
“ Print is simple and wonderful.
We love it.
We're a new kind of online printing business
MOO was born out of a love of beautiful, high-quality print.
[...]
We're only young, but when we grow up we want to be the
best printer on the internet.

11. clear, simple and
minimal branding

12. effective interface with all controls
in designated screen area

13. clear and effective prompting
(call to action)

14. featured products

15. moo.com
email from: Little MOO | Print Robot
Hello Prisca.
We've met before, I'm Little MOO, the piece of software that
manages your order with moo.com. I hope you've now received -
and are happy with your most recent purchase with us. If it hasn't
arrived yet please don't worry, you can check-up on your order
here: http://www.moo.com/account [...]
Thank you for your help, Little MOO
✪ using simple & personal tone, consistent with website copy
✪ fast and clear feedback on order, inc. direct links to relevant pages
✪ personification of automated reply / confirmation

16. it’s not what you think :)
KISSKISS

17. KISSKISS
✗✗

18. KISS
Keep it simple, stupid.
design principle
Keep it short & simple.
Keep it simple & straightforward.
KISS

19. KISSKISS
RSS
photo
image
logo
link
audio
video
email
IM
SMS
news

20. KISS
✪ write for the web
✪ write often & regularly
✪ write for your audience
✪ start with a strong opening -
be direct & straight to the point
✪ short sentences & well structured text
Language
✪ write transcripts for audio & video content
illustration: One Little Bird // onelittlebird.redbubble.com

21. KISS
✪ embrace all individuals & their differences
✪ use images to support content
✪ keep it short, sweet & personal
✪ make it easy for people to contact you
✪ be prompt and polite in all your communication
Engage all visitors
✪ offer alternative content as needed

22. KISS
✪ present up to date content
using social media portals
Dynamic Content
✪ use commenting to engage
with your clients
✪ offer customer support via
various channels
✪ make use of multiple media
types to promote your message
✪ offer related & relevant content

24. KISS
Keep it simple, stupid.
design principle
Keep it short & simple.
Keep it simple & straightforward.
KISS

25. #1 - free option / open source
Getting online. What are your options?
#2 - managed option / commercial
#3 - custom option / bespoke solution

26. What are your options? #1 free option / open source
✔ free to set up and use
✔ no domain name/hosting costs
✔ quick & easy
✗ limited/restricted upload
✗ limited styling
✗ advertising shown
➜ sites.google.com
➜ blogger.com
➜ wordpress.com

27. What are your options? #2 managed option / commercial
✔ custom functions available
✔ more control over design
✔ technical support included
✗ control limited by package
✗ reliant on available templates
✗ certain restrictions remain
➜ squarespace.com
➜ typepad.com
➜ wordpress.com

28. What are your options? #3 custom / bespoke solution
✔ complete control over design
✔ expert guidance
✔ tailored solution
✗ higher initial cost
✗ longer timescale
✗ finding the right designer

29. Briefing your webdesigner...
most understandable yet
dreaded question you can ask:
How much for a website?
most honest and correct yet
dreaded answer you will get: It depends...
???
?!?

30. What exactly are you looking for?
a modest hut? a majestic castle?
photo from morguefile.com / bob@infinitydoctors.com photo from morguefile.com / Kevin Connors

31. comic by Jerry King, via webdesignerdepot.com

32. Questions you will be asked:
about you and your business:
how long? how big? how successful?
?
about your clients:
who? characteristics/personas?
?
about your budget:
how much? planned cost?
? £££
about your website:
existing site? if yes - what works? what doesn’t?
?
if no - main aim? who is the competition?

33. don’t be offended or shy ~ be open and direct ;)
✪ only after the initial meeting ~
ask for a briefing document:
outlining the project details, including pricing break down.
✪ answering these questions will make
the project work a lot more efficient
and produce the best end result.
✪ ask away! ask about anything
you are not clear about -
there are no stupid or silly questions :)
© Kirk Pearson, via Flickr

34. Design talk & why team work rocks.
✪ you & your designer/s are most creative
and productive as team.
✪ communication is key.
✪ give feedback promptly and clearly.
✪ constructive criticism is welcome
~ silence or dismissive comments are not.
✪ be clear in your direction and consider each other’s input.
✪ trust in each other’s expertise is the best
catapult for productive project progress.

35. illustration: Borja Bonaque // borjabonaque.com
Any questions?

36. Thank you for listening :)
Prisca Schmarsow
prisca@eyedea.eu
graphiceyedea.co.uk
@prisca_eyedea