What Separates Visionefx from other web design companies?

Every so often I am asked the following questions by prospective new clients; What makes our web design services different from other companies? What sets us apart?

I have created a '12 point check list' of what to ask and what to consider when shopping for web design and database services.

1) Question - “Do you have a portfolio area of ‘live websites’ demonstrating your creative web design shills and your technical web development skills?”

Every web design company exhibits their own unique style and execution. At Visionefx you may view up to +90 client websites, live and online. Afterwards ask yourself, “Do you like what you see?” Over time we have found that clients ultimately chose our company for the quality and uniqueness of our web site designs.

2) Question - “I already have a website and would like to have it redesigned.’ Do you have any before and after examples of websites redesign work performed?”

In our ‘Website Redesign’ section you may view up to +30 live examples of what a website looked like prior to it's redesign. Many Visionefx clients request a website redesign simply because their business has grown due in part to the increased business garnered from their website. Some of our clients are now on their 3rd website redesign, simply because their business has grown so quickly.

3) Question - “Do you have a formal process for your web development process and will I be allowed to view the website before my site goes live?' I want to be sure that I am completely satisfied with the end product?”

Yes! We have a 'time-tested' and 'proven web development methodology' to insure a successful and timely launch of your website. We maintain a webpage for websites in development. This provides a quick and easy way for our clients to find the link to their website while in development.

Our formal design-development process is as follows.
In preparation for web production we will maintain communication with you via onsite meetings, E-mail, phone, live web site visuals and,or Instant Messenger during the preliminary production stages for your review and approval the following;

A. Web Concepts – We share, brainstorm, discuss views and ideas with you to firm up the interface and creative direction of your website.

B. Keywords and Search Phrases – We research and review keywords and search phrases using several tools and methods to ‘search engine optimize’ your web site.

C. Wire frame – We develop diagrams or wire frames to establish your primary navigation, to establish a roadmap in developing your web site framework.

D. Design Comprehensives – We build website comprehensives for your review, to establish the look, feel and style of your web site.

E. Website HTML, ASP build-out - After your approval of the design comprehensives we start the web coding (HTML/ASP/ASPX). We will provide you a live I.P. or web address where you may view your website in production. Our clients are free to test their websites for speed, content, browser compatibility and operating system compatibility (PC) and MAC OS).

4) Question - “Do you have experience building websites for multiple industries, products or services.’ Can you build a website custom tailored to my business type or brand?”

At Visionefx you may sort through +15 web business categories containing 120 websites representing business categories from A to Z to include;

Allergy-Asthma, Architecture, Appellate, Arts, Antennas, Authors, Autos, Advertising, Banks, Bariatrics, Beauty, Boats, Brokers, Builders, Business, Boutiques, Cancer, Career Services, Churches, Commercial, Communications, Construction, Court, Clubs, Credit, Directories, Ecommerce, Education, Electric, ENT, Gastroenterology, Graphics, Gun-Pawn, HVAC, Industrial, Investor, Kids, Leadership, Library, Marketing, Marine, Medical, Ministry, Non-Profits, OB/GYN Group, Oncology, Orthopedics, Painting, Plumbing, Probation, Propellers, Political, Property Management, Public Relations, Real Estate, Recycling, Rentals, Retail, Seafood, Sheet metal, Spa, Training, University, Weddings and everything in between.

We also have 100 additional design concepts not linked or displayed in our web site per NDA’s (non-dis-closure agreements) with ad agencies and corporate clients. These websites may be viewed upon special request.

We also design and develop websites for non-profits, higher education institutions and city, state and the federal government.

5) Question - “Will you create a unique one-of-a kind web design for my business or do you use pre-purchased web templates for modification?”

Each and every one of our designs have been customized and branded from scratch in Photo Shop. Each web design concept is branded to a clients specific business or service. This part of our formal web design process described in sec. 3D. At Visionefx we also post designs ‘in progress’ and galleries of ‘finished’ designs. You may browse up to 500 unique and customized designs on our web site.

6) Question - “Do you have experience building database driven websites, CMS websites and ecommerce websites?”

Visionefx is primarily a .NET shop SQL 2000/ 2005/ 2008, although we do provide PHP MySQL database driven websites upon special request. We have posted online database case studies for many of the custom database websites that we have developed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't be fooled buy a web design company 'pretending' to be a 'full service web development company'. Many web designers purchase pre-developed, off-the-shelf databases and resell these to unsuspecting customers.

The end result is an unstable database that generates pages that cannot be found by search engines and cannot be modifed to grow with your business.

At Visionefx we have in-house programmers who write and develop programming code, customized to your database/web site needs.

Our website also features an ecommerce website design section where you may see and visit live ecommerce websites we have developed. If you are just starting out we will advise you the best route to take when considering ecommerce. If you are a seasoned pro, we will help you take your ecommerce application to the next level.

7) Question - “Will you help you to maintain or grow our website?”

Since we opened our doors in 2000 we have been performing website maintenance, online marketing and search engine optimization, graphic design and other related creative marketing task for clients who have contracted with us to be their ‘virtual webmaster’.

For the ‘Do-it-yourself-crowd’ we also build our web sites so you will be able to maintain your own website, change or add text and photos using the inexpensive web editing software, Adobe Contribute.

We tell our clients, ‘We are here for you over the long haul.’

8) Question - “Can you build a website that is search engine friendly.’ Do you understand search engines; can you demonstrate real-time results?”

Short answer is a resounding YES.

If someone ‘Googles’ for your services or products it is best to appear on the first page for any search query. Same is true for results on Yahoo, MSN, AOL and Ask.com. We use Google as a benchmark because it is the most difficult search engine in which to achieve good ‘SERPs’. (Search Engine Ranking Position)

Below is a small sampling of what we have achieved for national, regional and local search results.

On Google search nationally (Allergy Asthma Doctors)
Our client 'allergydocs.net' is 1st page position 6 and 7 on the page 1
Search regionally (Allergy Asthma Doctors Virginia) they are position 1 and 2 page 1

On Google search regionally (Virginia Cancer Centers), our client VOA is position 2, page 1

Search regionally (Medical Oncology Virginia), our client is position 1, page 1 .

On Google search nationally (political consulting firm) our strategic business partner is position 1, page 1.

Bottom line, "No matter how nice a website you have --- if no one can easily find you on page 1 or 2 in the search engines you might as well have built your website in the middle of the woods."

9) Question - “Can you provide web content, or help to write your copy?”

Visionefx has established a strategic partnership with Rourk Public Relations. In today’s online market place it has become imperative for a website to communicate creatively as well as be grammatically correct.

From the creative point of view, your web copy or text must clearly convey your message to your visitors. From the search engine optimization (SEO) perspective, professional level copywriting yields ‘professional level search engine ranking’.

Visionefx and Rourk Public Relations have joined forces in order to provide our clients a top-notch Internet Presence from start to finish.

10) Question - “Do you provide references or letters to underscore the reputation of your company?”

Every live website contained in our live portfolio contains contact forms, email addresses and phone numbers, all available to anyone to inquire about our performance and reputation 24/7. We also provide 10 to 12 referrals in our web design RFP’s (Requests for Proposals)

Additionally Visionefx was featured in INSIDE BUSINESS, June 2007 as listed as one of the Top Web Development Companies in Hampton Roads, Virginia 2nd year in a row.

We are listed in the Virginia Beach Economic Development Business Directory NAICS code: 541511 and we are also the proud recipient of Verizon Superpages 5 Star Rating.

Also See our client reviews on Google! Visonefx Google Reviews

Our clients have always been our most important source of referrals!

11) Question - “Does your price include hosting and registering my domain name?”

In most cases your typical web hosting cost will range from $108.00 to $143.00 per year. We strongly advise that you obtain your own web hosting and a domain name (this is your website address). We emphasize that you never put your domain name and hosting in control of a 3rd party. Any web design company offering hosting or domain name registration is simply re-selling these services as a commissioned 3rd party provider.

We will help to walk you through this process and refer you to the best web hosting and domain registration services available.

In time your website and domain name will accrue value. Consider that 73% of all registered domain names are not live, but have been bought up by squatters. A number of years ago yellowpages.com was sold by a group of attorneys who owned the name for several million dollars. Even if your domain name is joebobsmith.com, it will still accrue value. The longer a website and domain name is live, the more valuable it will become.

Why? Overtime your domain name and site gets linked and stored in the cache or databases of directories, search engines and other websites. ‘Squatters’ by up these expired sites and domains and place ‘Google Ads’ or some other revenue generating service on these web pages.

Guard and protect your domain name.
Treat your domain name, as if it were your driver’s license.

Case in Point.

I cannot count the number of times when a client has told me that 'a friend' or 'freelancer' set up their web hosting plan, now they have left town (or no longer a good friend). This happens all the time. You have little or no recourse when this happens. In short, over time your domain name and website will become valuable to you and your business. Guard it well.

12) Question - “What are some of your largest and smallest clients' what are the typical cost ranges for large and small business websites?”

While we have the capabilities to do Fortune 100 level work, our focus is progressive small to mid-size businesses (SMBs - $50K to $50MM). Our quality, price points, breadth of experience and level of personal attention is a perfect match for businesses seeking a full service digital media agency.

Some of these prestigious clients include; The Atlanta University Library, Bay Creek Golf and Resort Properties, LTD Hotel Management Developers, KIS Computers, Tidewater Recycling, Corporation, Wilbanks Smith and Thomas, United States District Court and many more. Typically these sites range in starting price from $7,500k to $25,000k.

Our small business clients include professional home based businesses, small offices and small retail websites ranging from $2,800 to $5,700.

Now that you have done your home work, consider that your website is one of the most powerful adverting vehicles that you have in your marketing arsenal.

It is your 24/7 store front that is never closed.

A website is a compilation of video, television, radio and print all rolled into one very powerful advertising package. You have less than 5 seconds to communicate your online message before your visitor moves on to a more interesting website.

Visionefx associates have an extensive background in animation, graphic design and NY agency level advertising.

We understand communication and technology!

The World Wide Web is growing at a break neck pace it is essential for you to be proactive in growing and attending your web site to stay ahead of the competition.

We are here to help you achieve a powerful Internet Presence,
Powerful Sites, for Predatory Markets.

About the Author
Ricardo Vidallon is company owner and creative designer for http://www.visionefx.net