Do It Right

Over the last six months we started several new website projects. And like all website projects, they move at their own pace. Clients are often distracted with other business priorities, and creating and/or updating website content is a never-ending task. Despite the challenges our job is to help our clients focus their attention, rally their resources, and complete their website project in a timely fashion.

We completed a few website projects in October, and we’re on track to launch a few more websites in November. For this week’s update, we would like to highlight an example of a client that rose to the occasion by working diligently on their website project. Here’s the story…

Cody Maple, who is our favorite freelance graphic designer, referred Esprix Technologies to Milestone back in June. We followed up, sent a proposal, won the job, and had the project kickoff meeting on July 1.

Esprix Technologies is essentially a distributor of chemicals. They have built relationships with affiliated businesses in China, India, and Japan allowing them to procure a wide variety of chemicals that serve a wide variety of industries. Their old website not only contained out-of-date information, but also it was difficult to navigate, and it did nothing to reinforce their brand identity.

BEFORE

AFTER

As you can see in the before and after screenshots, we completely redesigned the website with consistent corporate colors and fonts. We also streamlined the top-level navigation, introduced multiple ways to search for products, and incorporated several calls to action.

But the point of this story is not about Milestone or what we did for our client. It’s really about Esprix Technologies and the people who worked on their website project. Despite summer vacations and a hectic travel schedule with multiple overseas trips, they dedicated the time needed to discuss, review, and approve each stage of the project.

They were able to rally the troops as needed when it came time to update and/or create new content. And when it was time for the final push before launch everyone pulled together to fill in content gaps, approve stock photography purchases, and complete the project.

From start-to-finish their website project took 14 weeks. That may seem like a long time, but in our experience that’s about average.

Whether you’re building a website for a startup company or a long-established business, the reality is you will have many decisions to make. You have to be involved in the process. Sure you can pick a template and go, but in our view that totally misses the point.

Like it or not, as far as most of the world is concerned, your website is your business. When you’re ready to redesign your website, make sure you hire a marketing professional who can guide you through the decision-making process, and don’t forget to dedicate enough time to do it right.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.