Todd Sumamno
It’s been said a picture is worth a thousand words, but what is your online reputation worth to you as a designer? The time, investment, and hard work you put into improving your design business are priceless when it comes to landing clients and making sales. So if you’re struggling with substandard results, take a few moments to read over these tips to improving your design agency’s reputation online.
Cover the Basics
First things first – make sure you have all your bases covered with your design agency’s website. This means making sure your site is fully functional, current, user-friendly, responsive, and fast. As a designer, your website is likely ticking all the boxes in terms of aesthetics. However, graphics and videos have a tendency to bog down website functionality and speed. Avoid a sluggish website (and potentially losing clients) by investing in reliable agency WordPress hosting. Investing in the right host is crucial in keeping your website running smoothly, efficiently, and quickly.
Get Social
Just about everybody doing business online today understands that social media is one of the most powerful ways to boost their brand and build client trust. You can improve your design agency’s online presence by creating a hotshot social media strategy. It’s not hard to do, but it does require your ability to show off your stuff with style and stay consistent. Post on social media often so you can keep your design services in the eyes of your potential clients on an ongoing basis.
Use Testimonials
A designer’s best tool for building their online reputation is through happy clients. Make it easy for your clients to leave 5-star reviews on your website. This is simply done with a WordPress plugin such as WP Customer Reviews or Google Reviews Widget. Online review statistics show that 92% of clients hesitate to purchase a product or service if there are no testimonials to read on a website.
Take Advantage of Blogging
One of the best ways to build your online reputation is to establish yourself as an authority in design. This is easily done by writing consistent, valuable blog posts on your design agency’s website. Yes, it takes time, and takes some imagination coming up with innovative design topics to write about – but it’s totally worth it. Keeping a current blog shows your potential clients that you’re invested in their satisfaction. It also helps to get your website seen and ranked on search engines such as Google.
Get Critical About Your Online Portfolio
All design agencies need to have a portfolio on their website, but most agencies fail at delivering an effective, engaging portfolio that converts visitors into clients. That’s why it’s crucial to take a critical look at your online portfolio. Keep it simple, because minimal is almost always better. Furthermore, consider getting other professional designers to review and assess your website’s portfolio. Getting a second (or 3rd or 4th) opinion is vital in attaining that perfect look when you’re showing off your design service samples.
Focus on Solutions
Let’s face it, nobody’s visiting your design agency’s website just to pass the time. The reality is that people are searching for graphic design services because they’re in a bind, in need of help, and they’re looking for help. Therefore, it’s important to put solutions directly into their hands when they land on your website. Show how you can solve your potential client’s problems by citing examples of how you can provide the best, most effective design services. Share how you’ve helped other clients with their design challenges and give examples of how you’ve made your clients’ lives easier with your professional expertise.
Keep in Touch
People love to feel special, and 9 times out of 10, you can appeal to potential clients through communication. You can do this by sending out an informative, value-rich newsletter each week. Have an opt-in or sign-in option on your website so visitors can subscribe to your news. This keeps them in touch with you, your work, and your agency’s development. Furthermore, if you have a lead generation strategy, keep in touch with those potential clients. There’s nothing wrong with sending a personalized note to say, “Hey! How are you?”
In conclusion, boosting your design agency’s online presence doesn’t have to be difficult. However, it does take time, attention, and being open to making adjustments. Implementing some or all of these steps will help you win new clients and get you seeing the online results your design agency deserves.
Brittany
