Today I sent out four bids for full SEO campaigns (from keyword analysis to implementation to maintenence). This is coming off the heels of three SEO training sessions with a client on how they can internally manage a successful SEO campaign. I have seen a fundamental shift in importance from design to SEO in the past two years and for good reason; ranking hiring in Google or Yahoo! is far important than having a pretty website. The designer in me believes a professional, clean-looking website is always a must, however, the realist in me knows that clients need their websites to work for them first.

The Broz Design SEO knowledge base has grown leaps and bounds over the past six months. After working with multiple vendors and implementing numerous SEO strategies, a process has been established that will benefit future clients. As SEO grows and changes, the Broz Design SEO philosophy will adapt in order to keep the company and its clients ahead of the curve.

Labels: company junk, seo

My wife and I welcomed a bouncing baby boy into this world on April 7, 2009 (click here for pictures). We have spent the past few weeks in a dreary yet happy sleep-deprived state. I have enjoyed the time spent with my new son and am now working semi-regular days again as the boy has taken to dozing off in his swing in my office.

My apologies for any production delays, especially to my clients in the middle of projects. I will be grinding out as much work as possible over these next weeks to get caught back up.

Thanks to all of you for your understanding and well wishes.

Labels: client relations, company junk

I was once naive enough to believe that most business were ethical and operated their company with their client's best interest in mind. I understand the nature of capitalism is to make money, and yes, this is one of my many reasons for starting Broz Design. Money is the motivating factor for all businesses in the for-profit sector, however, it is only as good as the people who are giving it to you. I will not take a job just because someone threw a ton of cash at me*, but I will take a job because I think I can help a business double their sales leads with a successful SEO campaign or give them an active role in the management of their website with an easy-to-use CMS platform. An excellent reputation and a commitment to quality is far more important to me than revenue. I believe that running an ethical company will lead down a good path regardless if it is loaded with riches or not. Enter my membership into the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. Time now to practice what I preach.

* A scenario I experienced while working for a former employer: A client was closed because they offered more than double our firm's rate. Their business? Sex toys. I have no moral/religious objection to the sex industry, but I am fully aware of the stigma attached to those that work with and within it. I felt it was our firm's duty to not only pass on the project, but understand why it was passing on the project. Instead, the site was built and our firm did not mention itself on the website as the designer/developer nor did they use the site in its portfolio. The lesson? If you are ashamed of any work you have done, than you are doing something wrong.

Labels: client relations, company junk, seo, wellsource

I was expecting to have little to no design work booked (other than two retainer clients) until mid-January. I was pleasantly surprised to close two big web design projects this past week; one a web site design from scratch and one a conversion to the HyperSites web development platform. I also have bids out for two brochure sites, some hefty web maintenance work and one roller derby helmet (which I struggled quoting because, hey, has anyone ever really designed a roller derby helmet?)

My hopes are high that 2009 will be a prosperous and busy year for Broz Design. Here is to hoping the same for all my clients and vendors. Happy holidays!

Labels: company junk, hypersites, projects

Happiness seems to be exuding from my every pore. On separate client meetings this week I have been told that I look happy. In my former Art Director life (read: last month) I was told repeatedly that I looked angry or as if something was stressing me out. A lack of vision, vague work statements, poorly written contracts and unrealistic production schedules were all responsible for said stress. What bothered me the most about my former Art Director life was the lack of customer service with existing clients (unless said client had recently handed over a large check).

My experience has taught me that one of the factors to running a successful design firm is taking care of your clients. Bend over backwards to help them at every turn. If they send you a half and hour worth of minor web site edits, do not charge them. Take them to lunch especially if they have no immediate design work for you. Call them periodically to see how their business is doing. Introduce new or better ways they can improve their business via graphic or web design without being pushy and overbearing. It is easier to take care of existing clients, who in turn will reward your design firm and its excellent service with more business and referrals, rather than pound the pavement to find new clients.

P.S. I am slowly falling for Meade Street Station (in the Highlands area of Denver) as the best place to meet with clients in the afternoon (morning meeting spots are still up in the air). Their chili is delicious, they have a great local neighborhood vibe and if your meeting is late enough, you can order a good micro-brew for happy hour.

Labels: client relations, company junk

After re-optimizing Broz Design for SEO only a few days ago, I am already seeing some great results on Google. As of post time I am:

• On page one (!) for affordable Denver web design.
• On page five for affordable web design Denver.
  
• On page seven for Denver web design.
• On page one for HyperSites web development.
• On page one for HyperSites web design.
• On page two for Matt Brozovich.
• On page one for Broz.

I am ecstatic that my new SEO campaign for Broz Design is producing results so quickly. Of course, it helps that Broz Design has been up since 2001.

I keep hoping to see similar SEO results for Clear Creek Outdoors, but progress has been slow since we went live in August 2008. Part of the problem may be that no one is searching for fly fishing supplies during the winter in Colorado. Red Leader Marketing (a.k.a. Aaron Robertson) is currently assisting me in optimizing specific Clear Creek Outdoors store items that may be more popular in the cold months (i.e. outerwear such as coats, gloves and head wear). I think a new website selling just these specific items may be the answer, but we will see what Aaron thinks. He knows his SEO. And luckily for me (and for Clear Creek Outdoors) he sometimes works for beer.

Labels: clear creek outdoors, company junk, hypersites, red leader marketing, seo

After spending the past few weeks in transition, it finally felt that Broz Design became official today. The Broz Design website has been updated and re-optimized for SEO. A tax ID number has been purchased. Broz Design, LLC has been registered with the State of Colorado. All legacy projects from former Art Director lives have gone the way of the buffalo. New design opportunities are finding their way to me. In short; planting my own design flag in Denver during an economic crisis has made me the happiest I have ever been professionally and has even yielded a semi-profitable first month.

The first official Broz Design HyperSites web development project, Jetson Press, will be going live officially by weeks end. Feel free to submit your design opinions in the comments.

Labels: colorado, company junk, hypersites, jetson press, projects, seo