business insights
Why a Custom Website is so Expensive (Part 2 of 2)
In short, because it takes a lot of time. More time than most outsiders can imagine. But why?
Web 1.0
Go Media’s founders started building custom websites in the 90’s. In those days, a typical website was comprised of the standard Home, About, Services & Contact. This is commonly referred to as a brochure site. It was often static html and rarely changed in a year. There was very little thought going into SEO. There were rarely contact forms. It might have had five graphic images, total. Publicizing your email address was considered perfectly safe. Javascript, on the other hand, was feared by the industry.
Why a Custom Website is so Expensive (Part 1 of 2)
In short, because it takes a lot of time. More time than most outsiders can imagine. But why?
Web 1.0
Go Media’s founders started building custom websites in the 90’s. In those days, a typical website was comprised of the standard Home, About, Services & Contact. This is commonly referred to as a brochure site. It was often static html and rarely changed in a year. There was very little thought going into SEO. There were rarely contact forms. It might have had five graphic images, total. Publicizing your email address was considered perfectly safe. Javascript, on the other hand, was feared by the industry.
The Responsive Pricing System
Hi Go Media faithful! Bill here! I’m back to deliver another teaser article from my book, Drawn to Business. One of the most common questions I get from young designers who are either freelancing or starting a firm is “What should I charge for my design services?” So today we’ll cover The Responsive Pricing System, Go Media’s own system of pricing/billing. Here goes.
Everything You Need to Know About Dealing with Difficult Clients
Whether you are a freelancer or run your own company, we have all dealt with difficult customers. It can be an arduous undertaking to deal with the idiosyncrasies of different clients, but it is a must for any business owner or designer to properly handle difficult customer interactions. The consequence of handling a customer incorrectly will not only cost you money but will also create the possibility of bad word-of-mouth, which can affect future sales and money in your pocket.
If you don’t believe us, just check out our post about the book “Thank You Economy”. The in-depth review tells you about the importance of guiding your clients through the design process and ensuring that their needs are met from the beginning to the end. Brushing off a clients’ issue could lead to a nasty review on a social media site like Facebook or Twitter, which could in turn could deter future clients from contacting you for design services.
Go Media Podcast – Episode 5: 2012 Year in Review
This edition of the podcast is our 2012 Year in Review. A look back at our successes and failures of the year, what we’ve learned, and what we have in store for 2013.
This month’s Quick Tip is setting up Monthly Reports. It’s important to remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished, as well as where you can improve as you move forward.
Go Media Podcast – Episode 4: Pricing, Haters, and Bad Clients
This episode answers questions that you guys sent to us in comments here on the Zine, on Facebook and over Twitter. Listen to the Podcast [powerpress] Show Notes: Go Media Quick Tip: Under Promise and Over Deliver Know what it…
Go Media Podcast – Episode 3: The Role of a Designer
This episode focuses on the role of a designer with special guests Connie Ozan from Twist Creative and Julia Briggs from Blue Star Design. We also talk about setting up metrics for your business and the redesign of the Arsenal. Listen…
Episode 2: The Commoditization of Design and a Good Customer Experience
This episode focuses on the commoditization of design and a good customer experience with special guest photographer Dan Morgan of Straight Shooter. We also talk about elevator pitches and the redesign of GoMediaZine with Wilson Revehl. Listen to the Podcast…
Go Media Podcast – Episode 1: What to Do When the Well Runs Dry
Welcome to the 1st edition of the Go Media Podcast brought to you by our hosts Jeff Finley and William Beachy along with our awesome Producer: Bryan Garvin. This episode focuses on what to do “when the well runs dry…
7 Side Income Strategies for Designers
I’ve seen some posts recently about how designers can make extra money online. Too often those posts are filled with crowdsourcing or design contest websites. Sure, you can submit a design to Threadless and maybe win some money or you…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 7 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. It’s Friday – our last day of class. Today is only a half day. Our debriefing session wraps up at 2pm. They scheduled it this…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 6 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. **These last two posts were delayed due to the internet being out at our hotel following a big thunderstorm.** Before I get into it, here…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 5 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. I’m exhausted. I really need some sleep badly. If you decide to take this course – which I highly recommend, don’t plan on blogging at…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 4 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. Fair warning: I’ve been drinking – a lot. AIGA and Yale’s Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders course is NOT like any educational experience you will…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 3 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. Ok, wow. I’m pumped. Today was better than I had expected. Knowledge is power. At least, it feels like I’ve just acquired a super power…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 2 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. Ok, so this will probably be my least informative post in this series. But I want to give you the complete experience, so despite the…
Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 1 of 7
My experience attending AIGA & Yale’s School of Management course Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders. When my partners and I started Go Media many years ago, none of us had any formal business training. What we had was a passion…
When to Seek Brand Therapy
Go Media prides itself in brand-building. We’re adept at tapping into the core identity of our clients’ brands and helping them find ways to reflect their values. So why would we hire an outsider to help with our own brand?…
Disciple Clothing interview
Jeff spoke to one of our clients, Lauren at Disciple Clothing, and asked some questions about her experience running an apparel company. Here are her responses, enjoy! Can you tell our readers about Disciple, how it started? Disciple started with…
Weapons of Mass Creation Fest 3 – Ask A Pro
Ask A Pro at the 2012 WMC Fest This year’s WMC Fest will feature an “Ask A Pro” table where students, young designers and freelancers can have their design industry questions answered. The table will feature a number of local…
Textile Republic interview
We recently had a chance to talk with one of our clients, Textile Republic, about their business and their experience with web design. We thought you might like to read their responses… Tell us about the history of Textile Republic…
Design Business | Get Your Questions Answered!
Hey Go Media faithful! I am just now one month into writing my book! If you’re unfamiliar with it, I’m writing a book about how to build a design firm. It’s basically my life story up to this point. I’d…
Go Media’s Latest Initiative: On the Map
Hi there, I’m Marissa Mele. I was recently hired as the new office assistant at Go Media and I wanted to introduce our readers to a new initiative going on at Go Media called On the Map. By definition… On…
Starting Your Own Shirt Line — Part III: Business & Relationships
Hi Friends, Welcome to the third and final installment to Starting your own Shirt Line. In this article I’ll be talking about elements of business and planning and the importance of developing relationships. Quick recap of past two articles. In…