It’s Hard to Compare Apples-to-Apples When You Don’t Know What An Apple Should Be

How much does a new website cost?

This is a question I am presented with from existing and prospective clients almost on a daily basis.

What is frustrating about this is not that the client is asking the question – it’s just that the answer is really insignificant.

If a client says, “I only have $1500 to spend on a new website. Can you do it?” I will tell them that we are not the right design company for them. More often than not they are not actually locked in to such a rigid budget, but instead they are looking for the “best value” and trying to compare “apples-to-apples”.

So business owners get on the phone with a number of web design companies and digital marketing agencies to gather a collection of proposals, often with no justification to make their decision. This company charges $3000. That one $6,750. This one $9000. Aren’t all of the companies basically offering the same thing and just charging different prices? 

This is where clients get thrown off. 

How do you compare apples-to-apples when you don’t know what an apple should be?

Let’s look at it this way. We’re going to go out for dinner. I can tell you that whatever restaurant we choose must have a diverse menu, hot food, a big dining room, plates, utensils, salad and free water. 

“Well, how much is that going to cost?” you ask.

I respond, “It depends”. This is when my client sighs.

Will we be dining at the “Rusty Spoon Buffet and Flea Market”? It seems like lots of people eat there. They meet all of the requirements mentioned above. Diverse menu, hot, food, big dining room, plates, utensils, salad and free water.

Or will we be dining at the “Silver Springs Resort”? They also meet all of the requirements mentioned above.

Or maybe we will be dining at an establishment somewhere in the middle?

The challenge is to identify what you really want. Is it just “food”?

If so the Rusty Spoon will probably do just fine. 

But when it comes to a client expressing their digital marketing needs for their website, they don’t envision much further than “how much is the food?”

To many, a website is just what you see when you look at it on your computer screen. But just like a dining experience there is so much more to consider.

If done well:

• You will work closely with your digital marketing agency to outline marketing goals for your website and digital marketing strategies. (A great looking website that was created with no specific purpose other than to look good is not a great website.)
• It will be designed to work well across many devices
• It will be created by professional, experienced, talented artists that take the time to understand your market
• It will be created with the goal of optimizing your ability to be found in search results. That includes using proper page titles, headers, image tags and page content. (For the average client, if these things aren’t done well - or done at all – you will never know.)
• You will be trained on how to update, edit and maintain your site even if you don’t know anything about website design.
• You will be provided on-going support to make sure your website continues to be secure, function well and look great.

Just like choosing a dining experience, when designing a new website there is so much more to consider than “how much does it cost”. Be willing to educate yourself so you can find a digital marketing partner that will provide you with the level of expertise, service, and abilities that meet with your professional expectations and business goals. Otherwise, you might find yourself scraping off the crusty skin on a big bowl of day old chocolate pudding instead of enjoying an amazing dessert that was made just for you. 

Say “Cheese”: Photographing Your Park or Attraction

A great picture is a powerful way to tell a story and portray an emotion.  Having a portfolio of strong images can be the most important tool in your marketing toolbox and yet the majority of amusement parks and attractions are astoundingly bereft of quality images.

To resolve this issue, it only takes a bit of knowledge, planning and creativity.  Note that I did not say that you need a big, expensive photography budget.

Here are 5 Keys to Getting Great Photography.

1.       Have A Plan

2.       Don’t Try and “Grab Some Nice Snapshots”

3.       Use Models

4.       Empty Rooms Don’t Sell Fun

5.       Clean Up Your Images

Don't Be Fooled By Fake DNS Services Bills

Some of our clients have recently received what appear to be bills from purported DNS Services companies.  These bills ask that you pay for what they call Managed DNS Backup Business Services.  If you've received one of these “bills” - DON'T PAY IT.  This is a scam that's designed to dupe you out of your domain name (and a few bucks in the process).

"How did they get my information?" you might ask?  By accessing public records (WHOIS Domain Lookup, for example), these companies make it appear as if they hold proprietary information about you, your company, your domain and your DNS.  They hope that by including this information on the “bill” that you will be compelled to pay them their asking fee (usually around $65).  Do so and you’re likely to lose your domain name (and maybe even your website).

One way to prevent scammers from accessing your WHOIS information is to purchase domain privacy from your registrar (GoDaddy, Network Solutions, etc.).  With domain privacy the registrar substitutes your WHOIS information with the info of a forwarding service, thus removing your information from the visible record.  While this method is not foolproof (some forwarding services will release information with a simple phone request), it is another layer of protection in maintaining your privacy.

If you receive a “bill” for DNS services please read it over closely.  It’s likely that buried in the verbiage is a line stating that it’s a solicitation for services and not a “bill”.  If you still have questions, contact wddonline before you cut a check.  We’re looking out for you and we’ll help to determine the legitimacy of the statement.

Contact wddonline:  

(PH) 330.334.3132

(EM) social@wddonline.com

New Year, New Look

The New Year always brings a sense of renewal.  It’s a great time to step back and take a look at the past year and determine what you can do to make the upcoming year even better.  

With that in mind, take this opportunity to look at your online presence.  Your website, mobile website and even social media pages like Facebook or YouTube.  When it comes to technology, time moves very quickly.  What was an amazing website five years ago, may no longer function correctly or be the masterpiece it once was.

If you have a dynamic, vibrant business, a stagnant, out-dated web presence will not serve you well.  Use the arrival of the New Year as an opportunity to review your online presence.  Go through your website page by page.  Take a look at your website on iPhones, iPads and Android phones.  Is your brand represented the way you’d like it to be?  If not, start making an effort to improve.  Even small improvements over time can lead to great improvements.

In business, there is no standing still – you’re either moving forward or falling behind.  Now is the time to do what it takes to keep your business moving in the right direction this year.

Your Domain Name Is Like A Car. Is The "Title" In Your Name?

Your domain name is an asset like a car and needs to be controlled and protected.

And, just like a car, your domain name has a Title.

If someone other than you (your website provider, an employee or former employee) is listed as the Registrant of your domain name you don’t own it, they do!

It’s very easy, and free, to check. Just go here: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp

Type your domain name in the “Search all WHOIS Records” box and click the “search” button.

The results will display three contacts:

• Registrant (or owner)
• This should be you.
• Administrative contact
• Anyone the owner designates to manage the domain name, pay for renewals, designate technical contacts and keep the contact information up to date.
• This is usually someone in your organization or your IT or website company.
• Technical Contact:
• Anyone the owner or administrator designates to “point” your domain name to the proper servers for your website, web services and email.
• This is usually your IT or website company.

If you are not the Registrant you need to work with the current owner and the Registrar (this is just a fancy Internet name for “title agency”) to get ownership.

While you at it, be sure that all three contacts have current information (Names, addresses, email) are up to date.