Site operators: when shopping for designers, how much does
 

portfolio play a part? 100% ? 50% ? Not at all?

I just hire the BEST designer that I can afford.

for tour designs... I definately look at the portfolio ... then look at whether the program is still using the design .... and if they have a list of top converting sites do any of their designs show up there. But we typically do things in house. I don't even know who the players are in the design world.

always interested though... feel free to email me [email protected] ... if you want me to add you to my list for any future projects

I always went by the portfolio, but i always requested a mock-up design to give me an idea of their intentions with my site, if i was going to let them do the creative work.

Amp, how the fuck ya been dude?

this thread wasn't a toss in the pit to find work..... but thanks. ;-)

I was just curious. I see alot of portfolios out there every day.... some good, some not so good..... some that look good but can't deliver what you see.....

and then there are some like myself who haven't had a portfolio online in years.

Just was someting that popped in my head here and struck my curiosity as to how that impacts the buyers.

We have stuck with the same designer who re-did Arika's site last. I liked his style, and his price is reasonable. We use him for most of our mainstream sites as well.

Honestly I never looked at his portfolio as a decision to go with him. His attitude and preview design were enough to convince us.

edit - having just looked, his portfolio has not been updated for months...lol

A portfolio aint shit but an idea box for other neophyte designers that need an education and clients lookin not for your work but for what they would like to see someone design. The situation is not always about hiring that particular designer when perusing a portfolio.

I believe not having a portfolio has improved my business and shielded my clients.
Not having one encourages potential clients to contact you, if they are just window shopping I rather not show them what to wear.

If they know me, or know my work they know what they are getting is good.

On the flip side...

Its like asking a traffic guy to reveal all his traffic sources and how he does it.

Fuck that...

well, I guess I should throw my position in here.... since I started it.

Way I see it is, the outside site is nothing but bullshit designed to drum up business to the uneducated. Guess that's why I dropped my site a long time ago. It's fucking useless. A portfolio does nothing but give away your work to other designers.

However.... the back end is where it's really at. SUPERIOR back end site for your clients.... seamless integration with their day to day operations.... real time updates..... full comps..... tools..... the works. Having your shit together, and delivering a real solution instead of "designer" advertising fluff bs.....
Your clients should not have to WORK to get the work out of you. You, as a designer, are there to make THEM profitable.

And then we have a clear line between the men and the boys. :)

OH man, why ya go and say that part Amp.
Back end client area is where it's at.

Ya must really love these copycat fuckers.

I would say close to 80% being the portfolio.. and 20% the price of design

Good points guys.

I like the portfolio we have at webinc.com , we might only show part of our finished works but at least a potential client can see what we have done in the past.

EHehhe

No it's all about price.

Most clients want the cheapest deal possible.
If your cheap they will try ya out no matter what.

So it becomes a measure of bottom line for your time.
Declining business or referring it out.

I been referring out alot of biz lately, so take a guess.
A good client that knows the value of your work will pay more and won't mind doing so.

Well, i guess the only way for me to answer this is how do i hire my employees. We hire in LARGE LARGE LARGE part on portfolio. We also have them do some tests for us to make sure their portfolio is consistant with their on the fly skills

I would say 50% port 20% price and 30% of their creditblity..

Do you trust pr0stock or xxxoutsourcing? (see my point) =)

Alien,

Actually when talking to clients or potential customers I find that price isn't always the top priority for them. I'd say price is only a deal breaker in mabey 2-3 % of the quotes we send, and we send alot every single day of the week.

Sure, if you are just starting out you will look to save a dollar here and there, but I find most ppl who want a good paysite design(s), will pay the price your asking. I still think sometimes that our great paysite deal for $1499.00 is too cheap :)

If that be the case.... why, when I go to your site and click on Portfolio.... there is NOTHING in there.

You are not hired. :upsidedow

We don't have a portfolio either and are very selective to what clients we decide to take on. We look for clients that want to make money and aren't stingy on their web development budget.

I agree with Amp that portfolios are a great way for other designers to steal ideas. I also agree that it's about the backend and providing solutions that make the client money.

Almost completely all of our work is from referrals from current/past clients, and we do our best to provide a continuous service to our clients. So, no I do not believe having a public portfolio is necessary. -g

The bottom line is does the product price and quality meet the buyers expectations.

Someone starting out like myself will look for price, but I also know to look for a certain amount of quality in the price I am about to pay. Can I afford an AMP or AlienQ or Webinc design right now? Absolutely not. But in time those are the guys I will be looking to do business with because they are the long term people in the feild.

However there is always room for an unknown to step in and blow away the competition too. So I go by reputation (and not board reputation) first. Then what can I afford second.

Gage,

Well I hear you on stealing ideas, but that's very minimum you know. We have also had a few ppl steal some of our designs and put them in there portfolio - but they don't have them up long :)

Client referals are great for business too. I swear after we did those 2 designs for playboy inc. we must have got at least 15 companies / webmasters coming to us asking for info, pricing, time frame, etc.

actually I don't feel the stealing thing is really a big concern. If they're gonna steal it, they'll do it from you or the live site itself....

Agreed. -g

My thoughts exactly Amp

:1orglaugh

I enjoy'd watching them get torched.
They called me names. :1orglaugh

the designers portfolio plays a huge role...maybe 80%

I think when you start out it's good to have a portfolio online to show off what you are capable of, after a while when people know your work they will come to you with or without a portfolio. Point is that lots of people know your work amp be it from adult.com or jasonandalex or other works. So as you don't have a portfolio online your name is often associated with those companies and they probably figure you are good anyway.

I don;t think the copy thing is a mayor problem though.

i think portfolio plays an important role but make sure you investigate or ask about that certain designer cause some do copies or show other designer's work.

Portfolio is important if a potential client has no other way of knowing what your capable of. It saves time having to ask what work they've done.

100% A portfolio is a testatment to the designer's

1) creative spectrum
2) ability to change/versatility
3) command of psychographical/cultural sales cues
4) graphical sales strategy

Aside from your skills, your devshop is what distinguishes you from the everyday so called designer. Not only is it a devshop but it is also well aesthetically pleasing and actually functions.

Well, I've looked for designers in the past, and from a buyer point of view, if I cant see a portfolio, I wouldnt use someone, I'd just find a designer with nice designs on their portfolio page and also maybe make sure they are known around here or have a good rep. As for giving out secrets, lol, everything is there on all the affiliates sites, every site thats made for the big programs are all there in full detail, so I dont know about people stealing tips etc.

I agree, you need to make your name known for what you can do.

for me its like this.
1 - if the portfolio is good, I stay on the site and move on to step 2
2 - if the price is right i contact the designer. Ask him to get back to me in less than 48 houers. If he gets back on time (most DON'T !!! ) I move on to step 3
3- I ask him about one of my idears for the site, and if he is on the same page, I hire him,for that one job
4 - if the job is done to my liking, I will ask him again next time - but he dont earn any credit. If he screws me over once, he's out - sorry, but that is the bussines