I’m Back

Hey Everyone,

I’m back and plan to start blogging regularly again!  I want to start focusing on the design industry and how it changes the world.  So please follow me and I will try to provide regular content from here on out!

The Purpose Driven Designer

When we hire a web designer we often think in pretty pictures, amazing colors, and really cool designs, but have you ever thought what really goes into a successful website?  You may think that all it takes is a designer but it sure as hell takes a lot more than that.  Think about it your website needs:

  • Content Strategy
  • Amazing Headlines
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Calls to Action
  • Social Media
  • Strategy
  • Planning
  • Wireframes
  • Blogging

See the list goes larger than design itself.  It takes a real professional to create amazing websites.  A jack of all trades almost.  They can’t just be good at design they have to be good at a lot of things.  They must understand the ins and outs of your business, profit model, what your goals are and your sky high dreams.  Let’s look at a few companies who take this amazing approach to web design.

Madtown Designs – Has a whole process dedicated to finding your business problems and bridging the gap between those problems to specific and clear design strategy.

Spin Industry - Has part of their process called create where they focus on creating a clear and specific strategy around your goals, audience, and building a roadmap to success.

Pickering Creative - Is another web design firm located in Nebraska who puts a large focus on creating design with purpose.

There are a lot of design companies out there that understand it takes a lot more than a quality website to be successful.  If your a business who is simply updating their website because it “feels dated” or because you believe a new design will make you more competitive – you might want to think again.  Design alone will not change your business, if your business is failing to be competitive you must first analyze why your company can’t compete make adjustments in your business and than after that spend the time looking at how your website can be apart of that puzzle.

purpose designer

As a business owner you have two options.  You can keep re-designing your website every few years feel like you’re making progress because your website looks cool even though it doesn’t mean any business objectives.  Or you can spend the time to think strategically about your business and website and make sure that your design actually has a purpose within your company.

What is Purpose Driven Design

The biggest thing missing from most websites is strategy or purpose.  When we spend the time to think strategically about what we want our website to accomplish it becomes about a lot more than a website.  We start changing our businesses around.  Our website is no longer a completely separate part of the company it becomes part of the company – a valuable business assest.  Purpose driven design is about taking you from where you are now (point a) to where you want to go (point b) all within the constraints of a website.

 

Tips for Planning a Wedding

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. Gathering your friends and family together to watch you exchange your wedding vows can be a truly magical experience. Before you get to experience that heart-stopping walk down the aisle, you have to spend months planning out the perfect day. Planning a wedding can be a very frustrating, and confusing experience. It can put stress on both the bride and the groom, not to mention their relationship. The following article will help guide you through the minefield of wedding planning. While these tips are specific to Madison Wisconsin, most of the advice is universal.

Hiring a Pro – Many couples struggle with the decision to hire a wedding planner or do it on their own. While there are many factors to consider, the biggest ones are budget and time. Do you have the budget to pay for professionals help, and do you have the time to plan the wedding on your own. A professional will save time, they know all of the best banquet halls in Madison, saving you hours of searching, but that time savings will come at a cost. Look at your budget realistically, as well as the amount of time you can commit to planning the wedding and make the decision that works best for you.

Delegate – If you decide to plan the wedding on your own, its important that you delegate some of the work. If you try to do it all, you will only end up frustrated and exhausted. Choose people you can rely on and give them a task. Typing wedding reception locations Madison, wi into a search engine is not the same as going out and inspecting the actual facility. Assigning your mother the job of visiting possible reception halls and putting together a short list can save you hours of running around town.

Stay on Budget – This is important. It is very easy to find yourself thousands of dollars over budget. Upgrading a dress, having an open bar, booking the very expensive private party venue Madison for the rehearsal dinner can all add up and the next thing you know there is no money left for the honeymoon. Keep track of expenses and verify you are on track on a weekly basis.

Make Time for Yourself – It’s a good idea to take some time for yourselves as a couple a few weeks before the wedding. A long weekend away at the beach can be relaxing. If you just can’t spare the time, a night out on the town can relieve some stress and get you back into planning mode.

Planning a wedding is exciting, fun, and a lot of work. Using a professional wedding planner can save hours of time and their expertise can help you plan your perfect day, but their help will eat into your budget. If you have the time and are a fairly organized person, planning the wedding on your own is probably the best way to go. Keeping these tips in mind will help make sure you planning goes smoothly and your big day comes off without a hitch.

Are The Wrong People Filing for Bankruptcy

Recently a client came into my office because they were considering filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy.  This decision should not be taken lightly and it realistically should be your last option when you have no where else to turn too.  Some Milwaukee bankruptcy lawyers will help people file for any reason.  The professionals will help you analyze your current situation and make an informed decision with you.
Make sure you do hire a professional attorney to help you with your debt relief.  Sometimes it is better to not file and really try to pay off your debts.  This can mean buckling down and not spending very much money, but it will be worth it.  This again is why you should look at professional Bay Side bankruptcy attorneys for help.
Some other options you can always consider before trying to file are:  Calling the credit card companies directly and trying to work out special payment arrangements.  You would be surprised how many creditors will work with you.  The last thing they want is for you to stop making payments or even worse file bankruptcy.  Companies lose everything when this happens.  Call them up explain your situation chances are they will work with you.
Consider credit card counseling.  While in some situations credit card counseling can be looked at as a bankruptcy.  It is still better than actually going through it.  CCC will contact your creditors for you and work out payment agreements on your behalf.  You generally get a greatly reduced monthly payment and reputable companies will lower your balances owed.
I recently had to go through some tough financial problems and wanted to share ways to help others.  Filing for bankruptcy in Milwaukee can be a difficult challange.  Don’t rush into it.  Pick someone that you can trust and that has your best interests in mind.  It is a tough road, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Southern Florida Web Designers

When most people think Florida they think sandy beaches, bright sunshine and palm trees. That is great incentive to come to Florida but its not all Cape Coral has to offer. Each city and town is rich in real estate and those who are of an entrepreneurial mind. Businesses abound. In today’s world those businesses need websites, and southern Cape Coral can provide.

When looking for your web designer in Boca Raton find one that can do multiple services. They should be proficient in web design, graphic design and SEO. This way you can get the whole package deal with out having to use multiple companies. They also need to be up to date on not just the technology of today but whats to come. The web is constantly changing and your professional Cape Coral website design needs to be able to keep up.

The design company should be easy to talk to and gain a good working relationship with. Your designer should be able to give good advice but also be able to listen to what you want. They may have a laid back personality and lets face it, its hard not to when working in a southern Florida environment, but they still need to be professional.

Being able to complete your website in a timely manor is part of that professionalism. Don’t expect your website to be completed in less then a week, but also don’t believe that it will take longer then a month. The time amount will very from each client based on how much work they need done. There are of course exceptions to everything so keep in mind that you are most likely not their only work at that time.

Having a local southern Florida website design in Coral Springs can come in handy. Some can make office visits to help explain how things work. This can be more helpful then a phone call or email at times. They also will know the trends of the area, what the people around you are looking for. Your web site can be trendy and professional at the same time. A good web designer can accomplish this without being flashy and showing off their skills. Your website should express your company, not your designers likes.

Lastly is the ability to do SEO. A fast easy way to determine if they can do this for your business is to see if they have done it for their own. You can test this by simply doing a search in you most used web browser. Search a few key phrases such as ‘web design in southern Florida’ or ‘southern Florida web designers’. If they company you were thinking of using doesn’t even show up on the first page then how can they claim to be able to do so for your business.

Get your website up and running, designed well and easily found. Once all that is done you will notice a difference in the amount of customers you are gaining compared to when you didn’t have a website. You can have piece of mind knowing that your business has its place on the web and get out to enjoy some more of that southern Florida sun.