Portfolio Use In NYC Web Design

While I tried for a long time to face an epic struggle against discussing something so “print-like” in a web design forum, I have to admit defeat and talk portfolio. Portfolio definitely brings back memories of folders and bundles, and even, gulp, poster boards.  However, a digital portfolio, you know, a web portfolio, is really important.

I would say, arguably 10 years ago, most people’s number one concern when getting a web site together as a customer purchasing design services was “is it going to look cool.”  Things like usability, or especially search engine friendliness really weren’t even on the radar. Now, the opposite is true, a portfolio is almost routinely ignored.

So, here are three quick rules of thumb to remember when putting a portfolio together for your site:

1. Less is more doesn’t apply to a portfolio. A screen grab with no related information is a terrible idea. An even more terrible idea would be just a link to the client’s site-especially when it opens in the same window. Yikes. I can think of three prominent agencies that do this off the top of my head.

2. A case study is not a portfolio is not a case study. Design portfolios should show designs, while case studies should be left to your other services, like SEO, marketing, or making delicious guacamole.

3.  Creativity doesn’t need to define the portfolio, just the work in it. For example, that interesting window size you choose to display your work in is sort of over the top.

So, with those items in mind, who are a couple of design firms with great portfolios (whom we don’t know, nor endorse, but like their portfolio):

http://www.avatarnewyork.com/portfolio

http://www.metdesign.com/portfolio/studies.html

More shortly…but if you have other suggestions, leave a comment.

Disclaimer: The Delphic Sage portfolio is being revamped, so while I hope to include our partners in design, I can’t just yet.

Squeeze Pages

Squeeze Pages Explained, in detail? Yes, it’s true. Our sponsor, Delphic Sage, a web design and interactive company that serves the Mid-Atlantic region (hmmm….NYC Webdesign) has published a new squeeze pages white paper. Pretty good stuff included in there, such as:

• What a squeeze page is
• How squeeze pages increase conversion
• Should you use long infomercial sales letters or short copy (we side on short here at WDNYC)
• Why your copy won’t matter to a search engine
• how to make your IT people love you

Fairly good breakdown of how to use squeeze pages, but we would like to point out that squeeze pages are only one variation of a landing page, not a magic bullet. We are going to have to post a full rebuttal eventually.

In the meantime, here is something that we want to share about what a squeeze page ISN’T. Everyone tries to explain the components of a good squeeze page, so here are a few items to keep in mind, as a squeeze page is NOT:

• A way to fix your crumby page quality just enough to lower your PPC bid
• A stand alone website. This is a terrible choice, in fact
• A substitute for every landing page. Sometimes you want people to buy, not submit information
• A scam

Feel free to check it out here.