Design Site Questions...
 

I'm yet again refining the LUMYR site and this time I think I'll be smart enough to ask for opinions as I go.

http://www.lumyr.com/lumyr6/

Only the main page is there so far - I'll make the pre-loader last. My primary questions are:

How many examples will be enough on the portfolio page?

Should I work out package prices for people who want to get site design with banners and ad support materials?

Do testimonials really have an impact or should I put a cool game thing there instead?



Thanks in advance for looking. I'll certianly remember anyone who takes the time and cut whatever break or return the favor however possible.

I'll share some personal opinions on a few points.

1. I feel that a nice portfolio of 10-15 relevant work examples, paysites for instance, is important. Too few may not build enough confidence and too many may dillute the strength of your stronger works.

2. In the mainstream, I find that project scopes are unique and there is no way to put a canned price on a project. I'm not sure how this applies in the adult world however. If not offering package pricing has worked well for you in the past, I would continue with that model.

3. I definitely think that testimonials are important and should be included if available.

Good luck.

Thanks for taking the time to look and respond. =]

I love the look of your site. Kudos.

> How many examples will be enough on the portfolio page?
pick as much as possible of your best work. The more you can put on there the better. Have examples from various genres and different design styles (everyone wants something different and unique if they are smart)


>Should I work out package prices for people who want to get >site design with banners and ad support materials?
I suggest you just give people whom you design the site for a 'break' on the prices of creating advertising materials.

>Do testimonials really have an impact or should I put a cool >game thing there instead?
In a designer's case, if they are from someone well known, yes. If they are from Joe Blow, you might as well just make it up. Also, if your portofolio has well know sites that you actually created then it's a big plus.

Just my :2 cents:

Thanks dude. =] I certainly have a bunch of well known sites in the portfolio and some real nice testimonials from bigger "players" to. Now I just gotta get busy adding them to the design.

Thanks for the compliment, I'll be sure to pass it along. It's actually the site of the person who does our mainstream work, I'm just the promotion monkey.

NP dude. I got everything but some outer links and the portfolio done. I'm gonna go with at least 10 as suggested. The toughest part is picking which 10! So much cool work here and some of it is more visual and some is more a great examle of massive profit generators. I guess I'll include comments with each one too instead of just putting up jpegs.

=]

I like the look. I'll pass along some marketing advice then since that's my forte.

Emphasize your sources. In your consulting section, you mention that the NY Times called you an Internet Marketing Genius. You put that there for a reason, because it has impact. So why hide it in a text block? Put it apart somewhere. It's as important as a testimonial (which is important)

The prices. As old an idea as it is, dropping your price by $0.05 or whatever to get a $199.95 type of price does have a subconscious effect on the viewer. I don't think it's crucial in this case. You could use it in the case of the price of a site, a tour, banners, and that stuff. Not on hourly wages.

Looks like a great site though buddy!

Hi Mark. Love the new look! I'm not a designer, but I'll give you my take on things from a marketing perspective :)

I'd say 10-20 examples on the portfolio page would be good. A few different designs and "looks", but not so many that it's completely overwhelming.

Second, rather than doing packages, I'd say offer a 10-15% discount on banners and ad materials if they're having a complete design done.

As far as testimonials go, they'd have the greatest impact if (1) they came from the people whose examples you have up on the portfolio page, or (2) if they're "well-known" names in the biz, names people can relate to, from the greenest newbie on up.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the makeover! :)


(edited because apparently I have a bad case of typo-itis today :warning )