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

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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) also delivering ‘applied art for the web’ course, part of MA Webdesign & Content Planning at Greenwich University

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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?

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

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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...

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© 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...

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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

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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

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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.

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clear, simple and minimal branding

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effective interface with all controls in designated screen area

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clear and effective prompting (call to action)

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featured products

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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

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KISS KISS ✗✗

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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... ??? ?!?

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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

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comic by Jerry King, via webdesignerdepot.com

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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?

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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

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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.

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

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Thank you for listening :) Prisca Schmarsow [email protected] graphiceyedea.co.uk @prisca_eyedea