How to Hire a Web Developer

How to Hire a Web Developer

by | Dec 30, 2017 | Websites

Websites are often the first impression potential customers get of your business. This is why it’s crucial to have an engaging website. Unfortunately, getting a quality website can be a grueling process. In fact, most business owners may not know where to begin. Follow these steps on how to hire a web developer.

1. What is a Web Developer?

First, what exactly is a web developer? Simply put, a web developer is someone who creates websites. Easy enough, right? Wrong.

2. What to Look For

As much as we think we’re always right, surprisingly there are many times that we’re wrong. Moreover, there can be times when we think a website aesthetic will look great for no reason in particular except we like the color scheme. With this in mind, a good web developer will not be a “Yes Person.” As much as a web developer will want to keep a client happy, they care more about what’s best for the client. Additionally, web developers will focus on the best way to present your brand’s message. What do you want users to understand about your business? A strong web developer will find an engaging way for users to get the message. Also, you should hire a web developer that is focused on functionality. Making sure that the user experience on mobile, tablet, and desktop is similar and good, and that the website itself is easy to navigate are critical.

3. Pricing

Listen, money is important, and people don’t want to waste money. Having said that, you get what you pay for. There is a reason why no food critic ever says that $1 Per Slice pizza places are the best ones around. Now, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a high-quality website. Instead, an understanding of the cost of building a website will ensure that your business gets a top-notch site without wasting thousands of dollars.

4. Location

Your web developer’s location is actually very important, which is why I suggest staying within the borders of the good ol’ U. S. of A. Now, this isn’t because there aren’t talented international web developers out there. Of course there are. However, if you want to communicate with your web developer, it’s good to know you don’t have to worry about what the cost of an international call will be. Ideally, you should hire a web developer that you can communicate with easily, if necessary. Trust me, you will have to talk to them. A lot.

4. Portfolio

Finally, you should always view a web developer’s portfolio before you hire them. If you’re sick and you go to a doctor, you don’t ever want to hear, “You’re my first patient ever!” The same thing applies to websites. You want to see that a web developer has done a website within your industry or similar to the design you want. Unless you’re OK with being a test pilot in a plane built by your cousin.

Now that you know how to hire a web developer, start looking for one! The beautiful thing is, you don’t have to look very far!

Thank you for reading, “How to Hire a Web Developer”.

Carlos J Montalvo

Carlos J Montalvo

Freelance Web Developer

Hi, I'm a professional Web Developer with over 5 years experience. If you're looking for a new or redesigned website, feel free to contact me anytime. To view my recent projects click here.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for upcoming articles.

How to Make a Great Landing Page

How to Make a Great Landing Page

by | Dec 24, 2017 | Websites

A landing page is a great way to create a better user experience on your website. Why? Because a landing page immediately takes your customers to exactly where you want them to go. Having said that, it is important to keep several things in mind when designing a landing page. Here are some tips on how to make a great landing page.

1. Call to Action

Honestly, this is the most important part of the landing page. When I say, “Call to action”, I don’t necessarily mean the verbiage (although I will discuss that in a bit). What I mean is, what is your landing page supposed to have the user do? The layout of your landing page should lead a user to do what you want. Moreover, the action taken should be only one. Don’t create a landing page that allows users to download information about your product while simultaneously asks them to watch an instructional video. Focus on one thing–getting the sale, collecting customer data, increasing product awareness–and create your call-to-action (and design your page) based on that.

2. Aesthetics

The aesthetics, or the look, of your landing page is vital. You want to make your page visually appealing. However, a great landing page isn’t just about looking pretty. You need to understand that there needs to be function behind the form. If you’re trying to have users fill out a form, consider using different colors to draw attention to the form. As an example, if your color scheme is blue and gold, you may want to have the landing page be a light blue background. Then, the form can be dark blue, so your eye is naturally drawn to it. The font color can be in gold (full disclosure–I chose blue and gold because those are my hometown colors. I have no idea if they are appropriate for a business, unless your business is in my hometown).

3. Copy

Now, what should you say on your landing page? Besides hiring a copywriter, in which case email me immediately because I’m affordable, there are some things you need to consider. First, the pitch itself. When you’re crafting your sales pitch, consider what you want your customer to feel. If you own an ice cream shop, you don’t just offer great taste. You provide customers with nostalgia, with memories of childhood. Write copy that reflects this! Also, consider what you’re using your landing page for. Are you trying to have the page rank organically in Google? If so, you need to have at least 300 words. Next, you need to know if you’re using this landing page for a Google AdWords campaign. If you are, make sure the copy has keywords you want to focus on. For example, words like “local” and “expert” should be peppered into your content to improve your Google Quality Score.

4. Price

Customers don’t make decisions solely on price. However, you should always include your price. Don’t worry about scaring potential customers off with an exorbitant cost. Why? Because if they’re scared off by seeing the price up-front, they are still going to run away when they hear the price when they’re ready to purchase. Including your price helps ensure that the leads you generate are good ones, ones that are more likely to convert to sales.

A great landing page is a wonderful tool to help businesses increase sales. Create your landing page today!

Thank you for reading, “How to Make a Great Landing Page”.

Carlos J Montalvo

Carlos J Montalvo

Freelance Web Developer

Hi, I'm a professional Web Developer with over 5 years experience. If you're looking for a new or redesigned website, feel free to contact me anytime. To view my recent projects click here.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for upcoming articles.

Does My Business Need a Website

Does My Business Need a Website

by | Dec 23, 2017 | Websites

If you’re asking yourself, “Does my business need a website?”, the answer, without a doubt, is yes. The truth is, all businesses need a website. Here are several reasons why:

1. Credibility

Here’s a scenario–you’re sick, and you need medical attention. Would you go into some person’s van in a back alley because they claim to be a doctor? Of course not! It’s these kinds of situations that are the beginning of horror stories. With this in mind, not having a website and having a small e-commerce business is the same thing. Consider this–a website may be the first interaction your customer has with your business. Additionally, first impressions are hard to overcome. So, if the first impression of a business is that, according to Google, the business doesn’t exist, then sales are going to reflect that you don’t exist.

2. Increase Revenue

Imagine being able to lie on your couch in your pajamas and sell your product to your customers 24/7. Fortunately, you can do this with an e-commerce website! A website gives your customers a chance to shop at all times. This can increase revenue. Work less and make more money–it’s the American Dream!

3. Brand Awareness

Moreover, a website is a great opportunity to clearly explain what your business does and how. In other words, your website is an uninterrupted elevator pitch with an attentive audience. You get to say what you want and how you want to say it.

4. Quality Matters

So, you’re ready to commit to a website. I’ve convinced you, expertly might I add, that it’s time to make the investment for your business. However, this doesn’t mean that you should get any website. As an example, if you want to eat seafood, you don’t order it from a gas station. The quality of your website matters! Now, you may be worried about the price of a good website. Luckily, there are good web developers that do great work without overcharging.

So stop asking yourself, “Does my business need a website?” The answer was, is, and always will be, yes.

Thank you for reading, “Does My Business Need a Website”.

Carlos J Montalvo

Carlos J Montalvo

Freelance Web Developer

Hi, I'm a professional Web Developer with over 5 years experience. If you're looking for a new or redesigned website, feel free to contact me anytime. To view my recent projects click here.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for upcoming articles.