Look, I get it. You want to look cool.

But looking cool means nothing if no one finds you in the first place.

As an Indianapolis web design firm, as we work with clients, we usually get the same wishlist. Our clients want websites which:

• Look cool
• Look fresh
• Look up-to-date

While we agree it’s important to build sites with the fresh, clean, cool look our client desires, in the long run it is the words and content the site’s pages hold which will be far more valuable in the long run.

As the web has grown, search engines (which can make or break a site’s visibility) have placed a high priority on site content. Google wants to display the most relevant results possible to every user. Because of that, we encourage small business owners to focus on solid copy on each page and consistent blogging to generate new content.

While the old adage is true that 90% of communication is nonverbal, when it comes to your digital presence, what you say matters. Consumers have trained themselves to find fresh, relevant, reliable information. If you’re not providing it, I don’t care what your site looks like, you’re not cool, fresh, or up-to-date.

You’re living in the past.

Need to start developing your own content? Roundpeg, an Indianapolis web design firm, can help! Contact us here.

There is no such thing as bad student…only bad teacher.

-Mr. Miyagi

As I was trudging through 16 years of school, I never thought I’d be the one teaching. As an Indianapolis web design firm, we choose to provide training for all of our clients. We like small business owners to feel empowered to manage their websites to support their business objectives.

Training is a standard part of every web design project.  So as we are wrapping up the design phase, I always set a side a few hours for training on how WordPress. I’ve taught clients of all ages and skill levels. Working with this diverse group of students has taught me more than I could ever teach them. Here are just a few of the  things I’ve learned along the way:

• Set ground rules and goals-Some people can become overwhelmed easily or (worse) attempt to camp out in your office for hours at a time. Spending 45 seconds at the beginning of the training allows me to reassure them and set reasonable expectations for what they can learn in one session. It also allows me to reinforce that there is a cutoff time for the end of the lesson. Learning to establish a timeline and ground rules has helped me not just in a training setting, but also when it comes to having productive meetings in general.
• Don’t just talk…listen-It would be easy for me to spend the hour of training rifling off WordPress methods without taking a second to breathe…and odds are my students would absorb about 10% of whatever I was saying. I’ve found it is far more effective to stop every 5-10 minutes and genuinely ask if they have any questions. Once you start losing your students, if you don’t catch them, the rest of the training is pointless. Please trust me on this.
• Gauge and adapt to learning styles-It would be easier if everyone processed information the same way, but they don’t. Each individual is different. They figure things out differently, learn at a different pace, and grasp some things easier then others. It’s the responsibility of each instructor to adapt their teaching style to the student. Luckily, I’m usually in a one-on-one setting, so adaptation is a bit easier and more straight forward. All I know is I have much more respect for my 5th grade teacher than I did three years ago. (Hi Mrs. Heller!)

Learning to teach has been one of my more rewarding experiences while at Roundpeg. Have you ever taught a class or student? What did you take away from the experience?

Working with a range of industries can sometimes provide unique challenges. A web design which  works well for a dentist may be completely useless for a client trying to sell candles. Types of images, navigation styles and plugins will vary dramatically with the industry and customer objectives.

Workplace Safety, an industrial risk management firm based in Indianapolis, came to us for an update of their website. In a complex and technical field they challenged us to present an incredible amount of information in a logical, organized fashion.  They wanted a site which catered to engineers but appealed to everyone. Our worst fear was overwhelming visitors to the site as we worked to design a web site which would clearly communicate their mission of  ”protecting human capital.”

We decided to go with a clean, simple layout. While the site holds a virtual encyclopedia of information, visitors are not overwhelmed when they arrive on the home page. A well organized navigation structure directs visitors to the information they are seeking.

Want to learn more about how to streamline your website? Roundpeg, an Indianapolis web design firm, can help. Take our web design quiz here.

When I was a Roundpeg intern in the summer of 2009, I oversaw our website redesign. Over the last two years, it’s been a point of pride for me to point to the site and say “I did this.” However, in the last two years web design has undergone quite a shift. While our site is still functional, it’s no longer  ”cutting edge”,  and quite honestly it seems a bit dowdy in comparison to many of our competitors.

As a web design company, we need to be ahead of the curve, not behind it. We are all about reinvention, and today we launched our new, redesigned website.

I’m not going to talk about the actual design aspects, we have covered that in a series of blog posts leading up to today’s launch. .What I will remember about this redesign is the way it brought our team together.

Our redesign followed four steps:

1. Vision-Forming a vision for what we wanted our new site to look and feel like was critical in pointing us in the right direction. We started by asking ourselves  ”what defines us?”, “how do we want visitors to feel?” and “how do we show off our personality?” The answers:   We are defined by our quirky sense of humor, sense of fun, and seriousness about our work. We love what we do and enjoy sharing what we know with others.   Roundpeg is a place where people feel comfortable and enjoy the visit.  The challenge was to create a site that made people feel the same way.

2. Plan-Setting goals and deadlines to complete phases of the redesign kept us on track. This was vastly different from two years ago. As an intern, the web design was my only project.   This time around everyone on the team was involved, and each of us had to block out time and dedicate energy toward our own marketing and still meet client deadlines.  It took longer, but we think it represents our best work so it was worth the time spent.

3. Buy-In-This was where the team really came together. When I helped redesign the site in ’09, I wasn’t an employee, so it wasn’t like a full-time, concentrated team effort. This year, we became a family. Every member of the Roundpeg team (including our interns and pets) was in on design meetings, giving input and suggestions for  improvement.  Each of us can point to specific elements and say:  That was my idea.

4. Review and Celebration-Two parts, both equally important. We picked this site apart at every revision. We poured over every word for spelling errors, tweaked code, and rewrote content. And just when we thought we were finished, we sent out drafts of the site some of our strategic partners who gave us even more feedback. What emerged was a stronger, more collaborative site.

And as far as the celebration, well… Lets’ just say we were going to shoot video, but we are not sure anyone out side of the family would really understand why we needed a screw driver and hammer to open the last bottle of wine.

In the end, the new Roundpeg site represents who we are, what we are, and where we plan to go. The strength of the site and the strength of the company are now one and the same … it is about the passion of our people.

So what do you think of the new site?  Share your comments here.

Want to update your image? Roundpeg, an Indianapolis web design firm, can help. Start by taking our web test.

Recently, a coworker told me a story about how a potential client actually made the following statement:

Honestly, it’s not like people have any emotional connection to the brands they buy. Why should I care about this?

Really?

Think about the brands you buy. What device do you listen to music on? What kind of shoes do you wear? What kind of car do you drive? In this society, we’re all brand ambassadors. And the most highly regarded brands are the ones who value the emotional connection they foster with customers.

The goal of any business is to turn random strangers into raging fans. Creating brand evangelists doesn’t just aid customer retention, it bolsters your referral marketing. For instance, I love Nike SHOX sneakers. They’re incredibly comfortable, and let’s be honest, I feel faster when I wear them. Not only am I a consistent Nike shoe customer, but I recommend the shoes to my friends. So what’s my value to Nike? It certainly adds up to more than a few pairs of sneakers. And because Nike understands the value of that relationship, they strengthen it with special discounts and services that go above and beyond my expectations.

Business owners should all view they’re brand and business the same way. Customers are not just logically tied to buying decisions, there is a strong emotional appeal behind every purchase.

As a web design firm in Indianapolis we spend a lot of time looking at websites. The most effective websites are created when brands realize they have an obligation to create an emotional connection with consumers. Business owners who understand this typically have a clearer vision of what they want they’re marketing to accomplish and a better road map for how to get there.

What are you doing to create and maintain emotional connections with your customers?

Want to turn Random Strangers into Raving Fans? Join us for a group working session on how to create lasting relationships with both prospects and customers.

As an Indianapolis web design company, we have learned that each client we work with wants a certain “feel” for their site. Some clients want to exude authority and confidence. Others want to be informative, providing a wealth of information and education.

Organic Health Alliance is a certified, licensed clinic with a distinctly natural approach to health. They practice physical medicine, and treat the whole person–not just the symptoms. This approach led Maria Bond-OHA’s owner-to redesign her site. In her opinion, not enough people in central Indiana were aware that high quality preventative medical treatments were right around the corner.  In addition to the informational elements of the site, she wanted her new site to elicit certain emotions when visitors arrived.

The OHA office is full of striking visuals, from the wall of treatment options that greets visitors in the entry to the soothing atmosphere of the consultation rooms. We wanted to bring that sense of calm, healing energy into the site. Through several photo shoots, we were able to capture images we knew would bring life to the site. Not only that, but the visuals in place are ideal to drive home the messages of serenity and education, two of OHA’s core values.

In addition to enticing visitors to visit and use OHA’s services, we also integrated e-commerce into the site with ecwid, our favorite shopping cart plugin from WordPress.

As an Indianapolis web design and marketing agency, we enjoy helping local businesses match their web presence with their culture. In the case of Organic Health Alliance, I believe we accomplished that.

Want Your Website to Have a Certain Feel? Contact Roundpeg, an Indianapolis web design company, by clicking here.

When I was in high school, I spent three years working at a telemarketing agency. It was exactly as horrible as it sounds. However, every situation has its benefits. I became accustomed to,  and even okay with hearing the word “no” (which prepared me for the next ten years of getting turned down for dates). I also developed the ability to pick up on verbal cues and adapt the way I conversed with prospects.

Selling a client relationship isn’t like selling a ten dollar pamphlet over the phone. In our business, prospects aren’t just buying your services, they’re buying you. It’s a much more in-depth decision, driven by both logic and emotion.

Long-term decisions mean a long-term decision making process. As a sales person, you’re forced to develop something you’re probably hard-wired not to possess…patience. Working at an Indianapolis web design firm, we exercise this patience on a daily basis.

Yesterday, we closed a web design project, on which we began preliminary conversations with the clients about three months ago. The client is a partnership made up of five different partners (which means five different decision-makers.) We had to convince five people of  two things:

1. Roundpeg had the capability to satisfy their needs
2. Roundpeg could build a relationship that would be beneficial for both of us.

I’m not someone who likes do go out and hunt. I don’t have a typical “closer’s mentality”. For me, the most satisfying part of my job is the fact that I get to build relationships that last. In our industry, relationships are the difference between success and failure.

What’s the sales process like at your company? Is it driven by your products or services, or by the relationships you build in the community?

Indianapolis Web Design

Does your website need a little attention? Are you turning off clients, prospects and search engines?  Do you know?  Give us a call to talk about a web audit or redesign

By now you may have  had a chance to listen to an episode or two of our new feature on the Roundpeg blog, “Next Big Thing.” It is an interactive opportunity for young professionals in Indy to meet one of their own: someone young, successful, and on their way to becoming a staple in the Indy business community.

Recently, I sat down with Rocky Walls of 12 Stars Media. Rocky and his partner Zach Downs are advocates of  video as a tool that creates relationships and invites communication. Their “Real Simple Video” service is a great tool that literally anyone (including small business owners) can use. Check out the interview below to learn a little more about Rocky.

This was an record setting week at Roundpeg.   We have seen a significant increase in our traffic as a result of our experiments with StumbleUpon and Linkdex.

Prior to March our best month, ever was 5,980 visitors to the site.  This month, we blew past the 10,000 mark.While some of it was “working the system” much of the results were driven by our content.

Once again we have a mix of video, podcasts and blog posts.  If you haven’t been here all week, this is what you missed.

Saturday – Social Media at 25 and 50
It’s time to settle the debate about how age dictates social media competency.Some people lack technical understanding. Some people lack the strategical know-how to monetize social media. Some people are just plain stupid. None of these conditions are age constrained. This post had the most comments this week.  Check out what other’s had to say, and add your voice to the conversation.

Sunday – Next Big Thing, Episode 2: Alex Baker
Jay continues his foray into the world of podcasts with this interview with Alex Baker, Chief Executive at Infinistorm.  As I caught up with Alex in a very noisy coffee shop, he was very excited to talk about “virtualization”. While large corporations have taken advantage virtualization for several years, it is now a viable alternative for smaller businesses, which make up the core of both Alex’s (and our) clientele.

Monday – The Modern Home This move to simplicity is common in most interior design books right now.   Gone are the heavy, ornate pieces of furniture, replaced by simple, geometric designs, open spaces, and bright or calm colors.  This same design style is migrating into web design, particularly sites for home services companies.

Tuesday – Email has a Role in Social Media Plan The flashy newcomers to Social Media, Facebook, Twitter and Linked In, do not replace a solid eMail Marketing Campaign. When done right, email will allow you to stay in front of your prospects till they are ready to buy.   What do I mean by done right?

Wednesday - Links:  The Company You Keep - In business, as in life, you are judged by the company you keep.   People look at your associates and assume you share similar values.   The same is true of the internet.  Google and other search engines assign values to your website, in part, based on the inbound and outbound links.

Thursday – Internet Marketing by the Numbers When the numbers talk,  I listen.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a numbers person.  Despite the fluffy marketing exterior, I am at my core, an ROI add up the numbers kind of person.   I love graphs and charts which turn numbers into pictures. And I believe if you “listen” numbers will tell you stories.

This was an record setting week at Roundpeg.   We have seen a significant increase in our traffic as a result of our experiments with StumbleUpon and Linkdex.

Prior to March our best month, ever was 5,980 visitors to the site.  This month, we blew past the 10,000 mark.While some of it was “working the system” much of the results were driven by our content.

Once again we have a mix of video, podcasts and blog posts.  If you haven’t been here all week, this is what you missed.

Saturday – Social Media at 25 and 50
It’s time to settle the debate about how age dictates social media competency.Some people lack technical understanding. Some people lack the strategical know-how to monetize social media. Some people are just plain stupid. None of these conditions are age constrained. This post had the most comments this week.  Check out what other’s had to say, and add your voice to the conversation.

Sunday – Next Big Thing, Episode 2: Alex Baker
Jay continues his foray into the world of podcasts with this interview with Alex Baker, Chief Executive at Infinistorm.  As I caught up with Alex in a very noisy coffee shop, he was very excited to talk about “virtualization”. While large corporations have taken advantage virtualization for several years, it is now a viable alternative for smaller businesses, which make up the core of both Alex’s (and our) clientele.

Monday – The Modern Home This move to simplicity is common in most interior design books right now.   Gone are the heavy, ornate pieces of furniture, replaced by simple, geometric designs, open spaces, and bright or calm colors.  This same design style is migrating into web design, particularly sites for home services companies.

Tuesday – Email has a Role in Social Media Plan The flashy newcomers to Social Media, Facebook, Twitter and Linked In, do not replace a solid eMail Marketing Campaign. When done right, email will allow you to stay in front of your prospects till they are ready to buy.   What do I mean by done right?

Wednesday - Links:  The Company You Keep - In business, as in life, you are judged by the company you keep.   People look at your associates and assume you share similar values.   The same is true of the internet.  Google and other search engines assign values to your website, in part, based on the inbound and outbound links.

Thursday – Internet Marketing by the Numbers When the numbers talk,  I listen.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a numbers person.  Despite the fluffy marketing exterior, I am at my core, an ROI add up the numbers kind of person.   I love graphs and charts which turn numbers into pictures. And I believe if you “listen” numbers will tell you stories.