The Captain's [B]log
As a less formal home from home, The Captain’s [B]log exists to bring you closer to Bendigo Web Design, both professionally and personally.
We hope you like it.
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As you might expect, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to opt for a generic template instead of a custom designed site, unique to your business and your requirements but as the title suggests, here we will concentrate on the cons.
So, why should you not use templates for your website? Well for starters, they are so bloody generic and any designer who uses them for a client’s site, either doesn’t possess a creative bone in his body or is downright bone idle but at very least demonstrates little understanding and even concern for the client and his unique needs.
One of the obvious problems with using templates is that anybody else may use the same. You should know that the better the design is, the more popular it will be and sooner or later you will bump into your clone in cyberspace. Just imagine if that clone is in fact a particularly degrading adult site. How embarrassing could that potentially be for you?
Your template (along with potentially hundreds of others identical to it) will require a certain amount of customising. There is the generic logo or logo placeholder, for example. Replacing it will no doubt mean resizing your current logo at very least, or at worst, could require a complete redesign in order to fit. These prosaic designs insist that you remain within the constraints of it’s design or else accept the consequences and that is not how the design process goes. Web design follows logo design, not the reverse.
The logo is not the only element you will need to alter. There is the text and images to be replaced with your own and so by the time you have actually tweaked it to suit your needs, you may as well have hired a professional to build it from scratch. A word of warning regarding images supplied with templates. Stock imagery rarely comes with copyright permission and by using them in your template, you will often be contravening copyright laws.
Another important issue, although not just restricted to templates, is accessibility or lack thereof. Templates are seldom cross-browser compatible and invariably do not validate according to W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). Any bone fide designer worth his salt should be constructing sites in accordance with W3C. It may not be common knowledge but this is the law! You can easily check any website, web page or template quite simply yourself with the tools found at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/. Use both the Markup Validator and the CSS Validator. If the result is a list of errors, do yourself a favour and walk.
Be aware too, that many unscrupulous so-called designers actually have the audacity to claim that the supplied template is in fact the product of their own creative mind. They are quite willing to claim somebody else’s work as their own. Not only this but they would not think twice about making you pay for the non-existent design work; theft in both cases.
If you ever come across an alleged designer whose very own site is nothing more than a template, I strongly suggest that you keep moving.
Finally, should you decide to take the DIY approach, using a template is a shortcut and like any shortcut, provided you don’t stray too far from the path and you consider the points mentioned above, you should be OK. However, if you are serious about your business and wish to project a professional image, choose a designer.
I am aware that this modest article is not a complete or even a comprehensive contribution to the debate on whether one should or should not use templates and it is by no means a balanced examination of the pros and cons but it may include a few points readers may not have previously encountered and therefore be of some use.
Mid 2010 will see the City of Greater Bendigo launch their first Inventor of the Year Award.
$20,000 in prizes is the substantial incentive for the inventive and although Bendigo is not necessarily world renowned as a hotbed of innovation and invention, it should be pointed out that some great Aussie innovations were born here, such as Gillies Pies, Fernwood Ladies Health Clubs and the iconic Chiko Roll. Let us not forget the removable shirt cuff, the self-firing rifle and of course, the recent breast feeding sling!
Further information is available from City of Greater Bendigo Business Development Manager, Peter Jeffery (03) 5434 6241 or email p.jeffery@bendigo.vic.gov.au
The team from Bendigo Web Design would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and offer a huge “thankyou” for supporting us throughout 2009!
We sincerely hope you have a great New Year and that all your wishes be fulfilled in 2010. Having said that, please be careful what you wish for.
A few dedicated elves will be available for technical support over the holidays in the unlikely event that the Internet breaks or Santa’s mail is accidentally diverted to our servers and so we would like to advise all clients to either email us, post on the discussion forums or fill out a support ticket for a rapid response.
Before we leave you for this year we should mention some news.
- Referrals – We will reward you with 10% commission for any referral that results in a new web site or redesign. For new hosting account referrals, we will credit you with a free month’s hosting. There are no limits to the amount you can earn so get talking to your friends, relatives, work colleagues and business contacts. All you need to do is point them in our direction and ask them to mention your name and email address. You then send us an email confirming who you referred. As soon as their project in completed and final payment received, we then credit you with your commission. We have made the referral program as simple as possible to understand and use but for further details, please contact us.
- Do you know Joomla!? – Bendigo Web Design is looking for a Joomla! guru to join the team. If you have no idea what I am talking about, don’t feel embarrassed as not many do but you needn’t apply However, if it’s as familiar to you as PHP, MySQL, CSS, XHTML, W3C standards and cross-browser compatability, then you are free to get in touch.
Merry Christmas,
Bill & The Team
The response to our first giveaway could be described as underwhelming at best and I’m not going to waste time analysing the whys and wherefores. Instead, we will be offering a fully featured web site and a year’s complimentary hosting to the one and only entry as a thankyou for making the effort.
Congratulations go to Liam of Not Half Bad Productions, who I’m sure will agree that it was neither difficult nor time-consuming.
Send us an email and we’ll get the ball rolling.
To mark the first ever computer-to-computer link, established on ARPANET (which grew up to become the Internet) on 29th October 1969, and in an effort to ease the woes of the recession locally, Bendigo Web Design is offering you the chance to win one of 26 awesome prizes worth over $4000, including websites, blogs, domain names and hosting.
Deadline extended to Midnight Friday November 13th, 2009 to get your entries in.
All you need to do is register on the Bendigo Web Design discussion forum and tell us what eye-popping domain name you would register and tell us all about your proposed website. Finally, answer the tie-break question by telling us why you deserve a website.
Your site idea might be a recession-busting business or perhaps you’ve decided that it’s about time your already established local enterprise joined the Noughties. Maybe you would like an online gathering point for a club, society or organisation, a blog for your own personal musings or perhaps something completely kooky. Whatever your reason for wanting an online presence, here and now is your chance!
Remember, the more interesting, entertaining or eccentric your suggestions are, the better your chances are of turning them into reality.
Have more than one idea? Increase your chances of winning by submitting up to 3 separate entries!
Registration is free and painless and you could walk away with one of the following great prizes:
1st Prize
1 x lucky winner takes home a fully-featured website package incl. 12 months free domain name registration and secure Melbourne-based hosting.
2nd Prize
2 x lucky winners will receive their very own feature-rich blog site with 12 months free domain name registration and hosting.
3rd Prize
3 x winners will receive their own personalized email address package free for the first year.
Consolation Prizes
20 x entrants will receive a voucher code for 20% off any website package from Bendigo Web Design.
What’s included?
Your choice from hundreds of themes and templates, custom graphics including a custom designed logo should you require one, a domain name of your choice*, Australian hosting, free management tools, search engine optimization as standard, complimentary search engine and directory submissions, comprehensive traffic statistics, lifetime* of maintenance and technical support, inclusion in forthcoming press releases, hints and tips on how best to promote your new site and the knowledge that your new site is locally built.
What’s the catch?
There isn’t one! You do not have to order or purchase anything from Bendigo Web Design to take part. It might sound somewhat trite but we really do believe that our local community is an important asset and an essential pool of resources, especially during the current economic blip and so we would be happy to put something back in.
Don’t forget, you have until Midnight Friday November 13th, 2009 to get your entries in.
Good luck!
How to Win Clients During a Recession
The following are just five simple methods to secure new and existing clients during an economic downturn.
1. Revisit Old Leads
Rummage through your desk drawers, cupboards and filing cabinets for old business cards, flyers, pamphlets and brochures. Don’t forget to check that old business suit gathering dust in the wardrobe. In fact, dig out any business literature you may have and start calling your contacts now. It’s likely that you may not come up trumps on your first, second or even third attempt but remain positive and persevere. After all, what do you have to lose?
2. Make Existing Clients Feel Extra Special
Your existing clients are your bread and butter, particularly during lean times and taking the time to make them feel extra special will validate and enforce their decision to remain your client and not defect to the competition.
Send all of your clients a brief email, thanking them for their business and let them know how much you appreciate their loyalty during difficult times. Consider offering them a reward of special discounts or gifts as a measure of your appreciation and don’t forget to include any news of new services or products, future special events or promotions.
3. Be Flexible To Accommodate New Clients
If you rigidly market towards a particular clientele, consider the potential revenue that comes with flexibility. If you previously excluded smaller clients that generate less income, now is the time to reconsider that policy because multiple smaller clients could make the difference between sinking and swimming during a recession.
Where logistically and financially feasible, look outside your familiar geographical target area and market to a wider audience.
4. Increase Your Service Level
During a financial downturn, competitors may decide to undercut each other. By all means, reduce your prices to a manageable level but avoid getting into a price war. Instead, increase your level of service above that of your competitors. Nothing speaks louder than satisfied customers.
Your clients will feel content in the knowledge that they are receiving more than they expect and bending over backwards for them, to the extent of a strained muscle, will pay dividends.
5. Offer Your Clients Something More
Where possible, the provision of additional services to your clients should not cost the Earth but will go a long way to pleasing new and existing customers. Offering additional warranty on products and services, same day or on-site support, a home delivery service, free gift wrapping or just a hand carrying the shopping to the clients car are but a few worth consideration.
We all feel the negative effects of a recession but these few tips should help, even if they serve to inspire you to develop your own alternative means of economic survival. Here at Bendigo Web Design, we go the extra mile as a matter of course for all our clients and in addition to offering free hosting and domain names with all web design projects, every new client receives a free meat pie in Winter and deliciously refreshing sorbet during the hot Summer!
Be inventive and think out of the box.
Choosing Bendigo Web Design to visualize your web presence qualifies you for not only a complimentary domain name of your choice but a whole year of free web hosting too! That’s 12 months of ultra secure, Melbourne-based hosting, absolutely free!
In addition, all our web design packages are custom designed and include free Search Engine Optimisation and search engine registration/directory submission, Google Analytics and interactive Google Map, maintenance, free email support and use of our discussion forums. Unlike many of our competitors, all of our sites are developed to strict W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) accessibility guidelines and are cross-browser compatible to deliver your online presence to the widest possible audience.
Bendigo Web Design offers a range of design packages to suit most needs from the simple one-page Webvert to the database-driven e-commerce solution. We also specialise in the award-winning, highly versatile Content Management System (CMS), Joomla!
Prices start from just $295 for a custom designed Webvert and our most popular package is the 5-page business site at $795. Consider the comparative cost of newspaper advert and the choice becomes obvious…….Bendigo Web Design!
The inaugural Bendigo Motorcycle Expo is the first such event to be held in country Victoria.
Saturday 3rd & 4th of October 2009.
Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo.
It is anticipated that the Expo will feature all the major manufacturers of on and off road motorcycles including but not limited to Yamaha, Kawasaki, Harley, Suzuki and Triumph.
The smaller motorcycle manufacturers, scooter manufacturers, leather goods, customised parts manufacturers, after markets suppliers, airbrush artist, motorcycle trailer manufacturers, insurance representatives, pins and badges and motorcycle memorabilia will also be represented.
In fact, if it’s related to motorcycles in any way, shape or form, we sincerely hope to included it.
The cool Can-Am Spyder
Win Your Own Motorcycle!
Included in the modest $15 entry fee, you will receive one complimentary raffle ticket for the chance to win a brand new motorcycle!
To increase your chances of winning this fabulous prize, additional tickets may be purchased at the Expo for a cost of $5 each.
The proceeds of the raffle will go to purchase a life-saving machine that is desperately needed by the RADIOTHERAPY FOUNDATION at the Bendigo Base Hospital.
We look forward to seeing you at this new and exciting Expo and who knows, you may be riding away on your very own motorcycle!
In the meantime please take this opportunity to browse our web site.
The site was created by Bendigo Web Design to promote the inaugural Expo. You can read the latest Expo news or related articles, share photos and video clips, as well as participate in our lively discussion forum.
With a little over three weeks to go, tickets are flying out the door! So what are you waiting for? Get yourself over to the site and register on the forum.
www.bendigomotorcycleexpo.com.au
If you are reading this, then the chances are that you are just slightly/somewhat/rabidly (delete as required) curious aboutBendigo Forums or else very lost. The following information is for the benefit of the former, although the material is for general consumption and so encourage the latter to read on regardless. It goes some way to explain what the site aims to do, why it was created and by whom.
Created back in early 2007, this modest little site was born with communication in mind; the collation, discussion and dissemination of information. You might think that there is already enough of this sort of mundane tripe parked up and down the ‘Information Super Highway’ and that by adding to it, I’m merely wasting valuable bandwidth, not to mention burning a hole in my pocket. However, my mate Google informed me that Bendigo did not have any significant online discussion board or at least one that wasn’t affiliated with a commercial venture and so I took it upon myself to createBendigo Forums.
“How very altruistic and philanthropic of you.” I hear you think but the truth is that my family and I were new to the region and tools such as the Interwebthingy and Bendigo Forums, enable us to network, discover the region, answer questions, share views, discuss local and national issues and who knows, maybe even make real friends (As in ugly bags of mostly water as opposed to the virtual ones who exist only in Cyberspace).
Forums, sometimes referred to as discussion boards, are unlike conventional chat room facilities in that participants are not required to be present at any given time in order to take part. They can log in and read or join in the discussion when it’s convenient for them. Also, each individual discussion has its own unique thread which is in turn filed within the relevant subject category. These categories are created in advance by me or the nominated Moderators but should demand prove it worthwhile, additional categories can be easily added. The various topics are saved so that they might be visited at any time in the future and thus serve as a useful archive.
The great thing about forums is that as virtual meeting places, they do not discriminate against race, religion, age, sex, disability or even which AFL team you follow. Forums and their users are neither affected nor restricted by time or location. They are open to anyone at anytime from anywhere on the planet (with the possible exception of Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam who have recently been ‘blacklisted’ as ‘enemies of the Internet’ by human rights group Reporters Without Borders 
).
Bendigo Forums aims to be a family-friendly, fun and informative free resource for anyone and everyone with an interest in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia and as such, I encourage you to pop over there now and sign up for your free membershipand get posting now!
Above all, I hope this site will be of some use to someone, somewhere but if nothing else have fun!
You might also like to read Bendigo Forums.
….dead in the water or simpy ahead of it’s time?
The development of an online community can be seen soul-destroying given the amount of work that one can put in for such little initial reward, and by reward I mean satisfaction and not financial gain. The methods employed by commercial and non-commercial social networks to increase participation are often very similar but for very different reasons.
Increasingly, companies are integrating social networking concepts into their online presense to build brand loyalty, push products and services and generally increase their market. Very few Australian businesses have recognised the potential of integrating a simple discussion forum into their sites, for example (obviously where relevant). There are examples in Bendigo, including one that did but paid very little attention to its importance.
When your customers form alliances with others to share their views, business needs, and interests, it can forge stronger emotional ties to your brand. These social networks grow virally and exponentially after customers invite their friends and colleagues to join and so on.
However, while the ‘IT business that shall remain nameless’, will no doubt come back with a more fully-featured, interactive community section having seen the potential of a rival site (their words not mine), there will always be the presence of commercial fluff to distract the user. This is the obvious aim and one which should be pursued as it will eventually pay dividends for them and rightly so.
Bendigo Forums is not commercial. Other than possibly introducing a few Google Ads to help pay for the running costs, that is the way I intend it to stay. Bendigo Forums aims to encourage a social network based on a mutual interest, Bendigo. The potential for local government, business and the community in general to benefit from a site like this is great and probably the reason others will hurry to jump on the band wagon once they realise.
I’m a social entrepreneur by nature, with very many fewer self-serving interests than your average businessman and no corporeal product or service to sell but I do believe Bendigo Forums has the potential to offer something to the community in terms of the general concepts of social networking.
As the numbers of those who engage in online communities grow, more and more look towards forums and discussion boards when researching a product or service. After all, wouldn’t you like to talk to the customers rather than just the sales staff driven by the desire to sell? With this in mind, it is increasingly likely that those in search of information pertaining to Bendigo and the surrounding region will look for discussion groups and forums related to the area.
With relevant content, visitors will stay long enough to read and glean the information they require. With healthy debate and discussion on all aspects of the subject matter, visitors are more likely to sign up and participate. Visitors need a reason to return and their involvement in discussion is just one. There are numerous other methods of promoting ‘stickiness’, from offering chat facilities and interactive games, to regular competitions and multimedia sharing facilities.
The attitudes of most of those who have already been invited to participate in Bendigo Foruns are disappointing and there are alarming parallels in the attitudes, delivery and uptake of Information and Communications Technologies in the region, to those in rural Wales over ten years ago! I was very much involved in the development of the ICT infrastructure for rural regeneration and development in Powys, Wales and so I’ve seen it first hand.
For the moment Bendigo Forums is little more than a hobby I’m willing to share with anyone who’s interested and not a conscious effort in community development. It could be though! With a little effort on my part it could take off very quickly.
And so if you have an interest in Bendigo and the surrounding region, get yourself over to Bendigo Forums, sign up and start posting. It’s free and very simple.
Read about Bendigo Forums.
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