...Why are you writing this post today? I hear you ask. Well I've just had a conversation with someone this morning (now my new client!) who had originally contacted a 'Graphic & Web Design' company based somewhere near Bristol.
This company claimed they'd create a fantastic logo within a few days and a fully working website within the space of a week after logo approval, all for a few hundred pounds. 'Brilliant', thought the client, 'I'll save a fortune!'... Until she saw the initial logo ideas that came back the following day.
The company clearly hadn't listened to anything the client requested, nor had they produced any designs that suited the image of her business or the kind of customers she was trying to target. A little worried, she requested some more logo designs as she wasn't happy with what she'd seen so far, but was told to wait until some of these logos had been placed on a website visual they'd been working on.
Here fears were confirmed when she saw the web visuals. The logo designs were bad enough in themselves, but the web visuals didn't even match the style, colours or design of the initial logo ideas either! She decided to stop the project before it went any further and although she'd lost her initial deposit, decided to visit the offices of this company to voice her opinion to the 'designer' that had produced these shocking designs.
When she got to the office, she was horrified to discover that there wasn't a design team at all, just a salesman sat at a call centre style desk, spouting out their quality design services to another unlucky victim!
When confronted, the salesman admitted that all the graphic and web design wasn't created in this country, just outsourced to other, so called 'design agencies' around the world. Although it was his company, his part of the business was just as a client contact/project manager. He had some design knowledge, but instead of doing the work himself, used his all singing, all dancing website to draw people in by offering low cost websites and design, knowing that he wouldn't actually be doing the work himself.
He would give the customers a little advice and ask some questions, before sending out the design brief to companies around the world which produce quick logos and websites for literally, just a few pounds. He'd then sell them off as his own work and charge his clients far more for the privilige.
Some people won't have any problem with this kind of business and just think it's a good idea. The ones who really care about their business and want a professional logo and website that shows of their business in the right way, will!
As there are so many graphic and web design companies out there both locally and nationally, it's tough choosing the right one for your business. For some, price is a major factor, but there are other things that you should consider too before making that final decision.
What levels of experience and knowledge does the company have to offer, and is there good variety and quality of work examples in their portfolios? Can they demonstrate happy client feedback, testimonials or have you heard good things about them through word of mouth? Are the logos and websites they produce originally created by themselves or simply taken from free logo or websites template downloads? Are you able to speak to the designer producing your work or have face to face contact with them to discuss your projects in greater detail? Can they offer more than just website design, like logo design, illustration, print or signage design services? Do they actually do the design and website work themselves or just outsource it all to the cheapest worker, wherever they may be in the world?!
Price is obviously a factor too, but don't let this be the main factor when it comes to choosing the right company to help promote your business. Do your research first and check out the company to make sure you're confident with the level of knowledge and skill they offer, or ask other businesses for recommendations.
Have a look at their website, or better still, have a look at the clients websites too to see the level of work they're actually producing for them. It's easy to make your own site look good but don't forget that the paying customer also wants their website to look good and perform well too!
Before making that final decision, remember...
If you pay peanuts, you're more often than not, going to get monkeys!
