Comments on: Why It’s Better to Outsource Web Design http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:02:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: SeitteNob http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-603 SeitteNob Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:18:39 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-603 Just want to let everyone know about a great Website Design company. I was a sceptical because of the price, but boy did they deliver for about $200 they did the most amazing work for me. I just wanted to pass that along to you guys. you can check them out at: http://www.leadsware.com/renovastar/index.html Just want to let everyone know about a great Website Design company.
I was a sceptical because of the price, but boy did they deliver for about
$200 they did the most amazing work for me. I just wanted to pass that along to
you guys.

you can check them out at: http://www.leadsware.com/renovastar/index.html

]]> By: Jason Lancaster http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-602 Jason Lancaster Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:08:23 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-602 I would echo the comments that out-sourced web design doesn't mean you should work with an overseas, lowest cost provider. The trouble is that the local aspect of small business makes it almost impossible for anyone outside your area to truly comprehend your goals. I would echo the comments that out-sourced web design doesn’t mean you should work with an overseas, lowest cost provider. The trouble is that the local aspect of small business makes it almost impossible for anyone outside your area to truly comprehend your goals.

]]> By: Adrian http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-574 Adrian Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:18:19 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-574 To Paul above: Design may not matter to you but it does to the marketing department and conversion rates. Improved landing pages and site usability can save thousands of dollars a month in marketing costs. You may think it doesn't matter to you but I'm sure you will when it comes time for your raise. To Shaun above: I agree you get what you pay for but right now is probably a better time then ever to get high quality work for a reduced price due to the economy and many freelancers probably willing to knock off 20% off that bill. For a company just starting out hiring a full time designer does not make much sense. Getting off the ground for a good price is most important. To Paul above:

Design may not matter to you but it does to the marketing department and conversion rates. Improved landing pages and site usability can save thousands of dollars a month in marketing costs. You may think it doesn’t matter to you but I’m sure you will when it comes time for your raise.

To Shaun above:

I agree you get what you pay for but right now is probably a better time then ever to get high quality work for a reduced price due to the economy and many freelancers probably willing to knock off 20% off that bill. For a company just starting out hiring a full time designer does not make much sense. Getting off the ground for a good price is most important.

]]> By: Shaun http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-573 Shaun Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:54:56 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-573 What a joke. All this article tells me is that the author: a) Has never really used outsourced web designers on a recurring basis. b) Has really, really, really low expectations or doesn't care about quality designs. c) Does outsourced web design and is trying to make it seem better. Here's the facts: You get what you pay for. If you want a Ferrari of a website, you'll pay a Ferrari price. If you want a Wal-Mart Powerwheels, by all means, go for it. I've been in this industry for over 7 years and I have come to learn that my time is worth money and the time wasted trying to wrangle up someone who can barely speak to me thousands of miles away to get a project done *the way I want* makes outsourcing more expensive in the long run. What a joke.

All this article tells me is that the author:

a) Has never really used outsourced web designers on a recurring basis.
b) Has really, really, really low expectations or doesn’t care about quality designs.
c) Does outsourced web design and is trying to make it seem better.

Here’s the facts:

You get what you pay for. If you want a Ferrari of a website, you’ll pay a Ferrari price. If you want a Wal-Mart Powerwheels, by all means, go for it.

I’ve been in this industry for over 7 years and I have come to learn that my time is worth money and the time wasted trying to wrangle up someone who can barely speak to me thousands of miles away to get a project done *the way I want* makes outsourcing more expensive in the long run.

]]> By: Paul http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-572 Paul Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:42:35 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-572 I'm an IT guy. I keep the computers running, stay on top of technology, its trends, and security vulnerabilities. I make software recommendations, I build websites, and I make web applications, data analysis, sensor-level I/O, etc. Web design is the lowest priority for me; functionality takes top prescient. The amount of data needed for a fully functional, scientific web app is enormous, and by the time I'm done dealing with data back-end processing, including developing the API and necessary services, there's little time or budget left for design. Design doesn't matter to me; simplicity and functionality are my core focal points. With the right website layout, a programmer of my talents (whatever they may be), can simply insert the app into the template code and move on. GOTCHAS: Google Maps, when it first debuted, wouldn't work on elements in a multiply-nested table layout. We had to redesign the website just to insert a Google Map. That's all changed now, but our website has the new layout. It was an unbudgeted, forced renovation with immediate need, and is full of kludge due to its imperative. Outsource your web design, [period] I’m an IT guy. I keep the computers running, stay on top of technology, its trends, and security vulnerabilities. I make software recommendations, I build websites, and I make web applications, data analysis, sensor-level I/O, etc.

Web design is the lowest priority for me; functionality takes top prescient. The amount of data needed for a fully functional, scientific web app is enormous, and by the time I’m done dealing with data back-end processing, including developing the API and necessary services, there’s little time or budget left for design. Design doesn’t matter to me; simplicity and functionality are my core focal points.

With the right website layout, a programmer of my talents (whatever they may be), can simply insert the app into the template code and move on.

GOTCHAS: Google Maps, when it first debuted, wouldn’t work on elements in a multiply-nested table layout. We had to redesign the website just to insert a Google Map. That’s all changed now, but our website has the new layout. It was an unbudgeted, forced renovation with immediate need, and is full of kludge due to its imperative.

Outsource your web design, [period]

]]> By: Sourceror http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-571 Sourceror Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:02:50 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-571 I agree that outsourcing website design can be beneficial for a small company with limited resources. However, you should almost NEVER outsource web CONTENT development, as it is just opening your business up to plagiarism. I recently posted an article about it here: http://www.strategicsourceror.com/2008/11/plagiarism-web-development-content.html <a href="http://www.strategicsourceror.com/2008/11/plagiarism-web-development-content.html" rel="nofollow">here?</a> I agree that outsourcing website design can be beneficial for a small company with limited resources. However, you should almost NEVER outsource web CONTENT development, as it is just opening your business up to plagiarism. I recently posted an article about it here: http://www.strategicsourceror.com/2008/11/plagiarism-web-development-content.html
here?

]]> By: Workpost Foreman http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-570 Workpost Foreman Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:36:25 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-570 Would agree that good, outsourced web work does not always = cheap or overeas! You might get a bargain but will generally get what you pay for. Would agree that good, outsourced web work does not always = cheap or overeas! You might get a bargain but will generally get what you pay for.

]]> By: Jason Lancaster http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/why-it%e2%80%99s-better-to-outsource-web-design#comment-539 Jason Lancaster Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:27:05 +0000 http://www.resourcenation.com/blog/?p=161#comment-539 I like this list - it's a great break-down of the reasons that most companies should out-source web design. I've found the issue with small business and web design is a little different, however. Rather than struggling with the decision to "outsource" or use "internal assets," many small business owners struggle with the idea of designing the site themselves, working with some friend or family member, or paying for a professional design. My recommendation - ALWAYS pay for a professional web design. Your site is your storefront, and consumers will "walk by" your store if the storefront looks like it was assembled by a 5 year old. If cost is a concern, it's important to remember a professional web designer can create a basic site for a surprisingly small amount of money. As far as letting IT staff design a website, I agree wholeheartedly with your statements. IT personnel often design sites with the "back end" and "power users" in mind, meaning your typical consumer might find an IT designed site difficult to use and confusing. Nothing against IT personnel, but they should stick with making the machine go instead of making it look pretty! :-) I like this list - it’s a great break-down of the reasons that most companies should out-source web design. I’ve found the issue with small business and web design is a little different, however. Rather than struggling with the decision to “outsource” or use “internal assets,” many small business owners struggle with the idea of designing the site themselves, working with some friend or family member, or paying for a professional design. My recommendation - ALWAYS pay for a professional web design. Your site is your storefront, and consumers will “walk by” your store if the storefront looks like it was assembled by a 5 year old. If cost is a concern, it’s important to remember a professional web designer can create a basic site for a surprisingly small amount of money.

As far as letting IT staff design a website, I agree wholeheartedly with your statements. IT personnel often design sites with the “back end” and “power users” in mind, meaning your typical consumer might find an IT designed site difficult to use and confusing. Nothing against IT personnel, but they should stick with making the machine go instead of making it look pretty! :-)

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