Steve Tout's Blog » Business

Business idea for web designers and developers

Steve — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:59:00 +0000

HTML is not dead. Let’s face it. Flash isn’t for every photographer or every budget. But when I look at the services and products available for photographer for building their websites there is little to no help for those who simply want an HTML and CSS design. The chasm between Flash and HTML websites should not be so huge, as if Flash is the only way to go.

Sell the logo+branding
Sell the color + additional typography studies
Add the CSS definitions based on the previous offering
Offer a few basic layouts, or a custom layout if that is preferred
Referral to a developer who can implement the design at an affordable price (don’t do this step yourself or risk undermining your credibility as a designer)
Repeat the process for the photographer blog design+branding+strategy

So for you designers, here is my business idea. Offer a basic logo+branding service for a flat fee of say $250, or $500, or $750 (whatever you charge for this). This is your business core, and every photography needs this more than they know. I can point you to a few dozen photographers who need this service right now, but who don’t know how to buy this service or that it’s even within their budget. It is your business to inform your prospective customer, and to create a preference.

A way to upsell this basic business need is to offer a CSS file as a deliverable. The basic CSS option uses a primary or basic color scheme using the themes that are included in the logo. The 2nd level uses type fonts from the basic study, and has a custom design for everything from H1,H2,H3 all the way to P, I, B, and all the basic events such as Warning, Confirmation, et al.

From there we can offer a basic service to design a layout that meets their needs, including layout graphics like rounded corders, shaded edges, etc…

To me this is common sense. We need wheels before we need a leather wrapped steering wheel. We need gas before A/C does us an ounce of good. And a moon roof without the moon? Let’s start out photographers with the basics, and allow their business to drive where their website design takes them, and their customer demographic dictate to us whether Flash is a “no brainer” or not.

The basics get yous and your customer’s business moving in the right direction. Partnership with the technical talent who can implement your beautiful designs will make you look like a rock star, and help your customer achieve their business goals faster than if they had to search for this on their own.

Just some brainstorming, would love to hear your thoughts.

The best advice Michael Dell ever received

Steve — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:47:00 +0000

I watched a quick clip with Michael Dell on CNNMoney.com where he talked about his business and his success. When asked about the best advice he ever received in his career, he reflected upon the wisdom of the late Dr. George Kozmetsky. “When you encounter a problem, fix it as fast as you found it.”

I think this is generally good advice for business and success in life. Problems that lie at the back of the burner can often consume energy (create ulcers/headaches, et al.) and a degree of thought that is disproportionate to the scale of a problem. Utilizing whatever tools you have at your disposal, assess, manage and resolve problems in an efficient manner to free yourself and your time to focus on other more profitable and productive tasks.

What is your website saying about your business?

Steve — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:42:00 +0000

One thing that strikes me is the sheer number of photography websites that look like someone threw them up over a weekend. Missing or incomplete photo galleries, bio pages that read like a wishlist of a wanna be photographer rather than a description of industry accomplishments, inconsistency in typography, poor or excessively edited images and a host of other faux pas can all reflect poorly on (the perception of) your professional image and standing as a professional photographer. If you have to write “coming soon” on any page in your site, it should not go up.

Your website itself is but a fraction of your overall marketing. You need a strong and compelling marketing program that can fuel your business forward. I recommend getting Mitche Grafe’s Power Marketing and Power Selling programs on CD. http://www.powermarketing101.com These work synergistically and so the marketing program as a whole can be improved month over month. A Website is a sales tool that supports the marketing program you have created for your business; one cannot replace the other.

Have you written down your business or marketing plans? Do you have a coherent and well thought out marketing strategy? Would I get the impression from looking at your website that you are in desperate need of Photoshop training, or that you are overextending yourself by trying to be all things to all people?

I hope you are on the ball and that you have put a lot of thought into your business and marketing plans. I can tell you in an instant whether the business and marketing plans were an after thought to building your website, or if your website is built upon a strong, logical business foundation within a few minutes. If you are new to business, or have spent a while in the business area but are new to wedding photography, I strongly urge you to sign up for Dane Sander’s book project called Fast Track Photographer to jumpstart your career in this field. Don’t let a poorly planned business affect the message you are sending your prospective customers; prospective customers will detect your tentative plans or lack of dedication (or enthusiasm) right away.