Site Review: Crowdsource your company logo with 99designs.com

In the age of Web 2.0, crowdsourcing is the new outsourcing, and 99designs.com is an excellent example of how to profit from this phenomena. The Australian-based firm leverages the power of the masses to help SMEs (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises) who may not have in-house artists with design projects. The website is a spin-off from online media company Sitepoint.com, where users were holding design contests and awarding prizes to winners. The site’s founders realized that this could be an good business model and launched 99designs. In a sort of reverse-auction, a “seller” will put up a design brief detailing what he needs and how much he is willing to pay for it. Next, all registered designers submit their “bid” design and in seven days, the winner will be chosen and awarded the prize.

So, is this service right for you? For many small businesses who needs a logos, identity, stationary, business card or even website done, the 99designs can be a good source and a good investment. For a fee of $39 (plus the cash “prize”), you’ll get to choose from many designs submitted by designers from all over the world. The site currently has 37,000 registered designers and each contest has an average of 50 entries. Within the 7 day period, you are allowed to contact the designers and make suggestions and changes before deciding on the final design. Of course, there are some disadvantages with this model. First, to attract the best designers, you should offer a big enough prize to tempt the best of the best to join you. Next, if you end up not liking any of the designs, you’ll still have to pick a winner and hand out the prize.

Over-all, the pros outweigh the cons. While there’s not substitute to having an in-house designer whom you can work side-by-side with, 99designs can be  great way to get design project done at a fraction on the costs.

Building a Website? Top 5 Questions You Need to Answer

When you start a business these days, a website is one of the key items you’ll have to build. Almost every business has some sort of web presence these days. Whether you’re selling organic coffee at farmer’s markets or run a small bed & breakfast,  most of your (potential) customers will be asking for your URL (or at the very least, an email address).

Before you start building your website, make sure you answer these questions to help you build your presence online:

1) What’s the purpose of your website?

Depending on the type of business you have, your website can be a store, informational brochure or the website itself could generate business. This is a basic question that needs to be answered, as this will have implications on the design and costs of building your site.

2) Who’s your audience?

Your graphics and content should be tailored to the majority of your clients, allowing your site to meet their needs. Your “look and feel” should appeal to your audience, as well as the capabilities (and limitations) of their computers. For example, while a graphics-heavy, multimedia website maybe look cool, not everyone’s computers may be set-up to optimize these kinds of sites or even have the necessary internet speed to download such sites (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, for example, reports that broadband penetration in the US is only 27%).

3) How will people find your website?

With over 4 billion (and growing) website on the Internet, getting in front of people will be a difficult task. Aside from using traditional offline methods, your website strategy must include key elements of internet marketing such as SEO, link-building and online advertising.

4) Why will people stay?

The average person stays on one website for approximately 1:10. Ideally, you’ll want them to stay longer (or long enough), to achieve the goal of your website. The key is great content – give your audience what they want, what they can’t find elsewhere.

5) Why should people come back?

Aside from having great content, your website must also have dynamic content. Why should people com back over and over again, if you offer the same material? Make sure you add new things to your website – whether it’s through a blog post, news updates or other informational items. This provides your customers a reason to keep visiting your site and learning more about you and your business.

There are many other things to consider, but when you have these basics questions answered, you’ll have laid down a good foundation for your website.