Web Design Gallery: Internet Man's Body Of Work

Web Design Goals, Techniques, and Principles Explained By Internet Man

Internet Man is a marketing oriented company. We have no interest in building sign posts in the woods. Our sites get traffic and are intended to lift a company up with continuous sales. That is why we approach every site with the intent of getting it to the top of Google. Sure there are sites where traffic doesn't matter, such as a movie trailer site. But the majority of sites - the sites that we do - are intended to get the company noticed and explain what the company offers as clearly as possible.

We are decidedly old school in our approach. This isn't for everyone. Some people like having the latest technique on their site. There was a time (10 years ago) when a new technique would bring tons of traffic. Now there are so many sites the name of the game is getting listed in Google. Sites that sacrifice Google for effect are not good bets. Not in our opinion anyway.

Google does twice as many searches as all the other search engines and directories combined. Until someone else figures out how to chain one million computers together into a single site that isn't going to change. Not having a site in Google is devastating to a company. Their only alternative is pay-per-click.

In terms of our design style, it is old school. That's because we are older and realize that you are investing in your site. We measure the success of the site by how well your business does. We don't see your site as something adjunct to your business. We see your site as your business. We intend on bringing business to you through your site. We don't mean by accident either. We mean by:

1. Strategically placing your site on the web where it can be indexed (by Google) for exactly what you sell.

2. Explaining your company and your offerings clearly and in a manner that will compel users to take action, either by filling in a lead form or picking up the phone and calling.

3. Keeping track of how your site is doing on the web and keeping you informed about what you should be doing to enhance your position in Google and bring more traffic to the site.

Don't get me wrong (on the old school line of reasoning) we are professional designers. Our lead designer, John Mills, holds a Master of Fine Art from the University of Michigan. Every site done at Internet Man goes through him and is subject to his approval. As a professionally trained designer, he makes sure that the site lives up to high standards of design. Most often that means clarity - clarity of design, clarity of purpose, and clarity of navigation.

Internet Man web sites consistently rank near the top of Google. That's because they graduated from the University of Michigan too. No, that's not true. They rank at the top of Google because that's our goal. Google shares the same web ideals that we do. Google likes sites that are clearly organized and high in informational content. Experience has shown us that a site needs two or three essays (like term papers) to rocket to the top of Google. So why not give it to them? Most companies have that information anyway. To exclude information from the site does not make good business (marketing) sense. Why not include it and get yourself a high ranking? Sites that are "all show and no go" go nowhere with Google. They are signposts in the woods. We don't like those sites. They're like a shanked shot in golf. We'd rather score a birdie and get your phone to ring.

Designing a site for a business is a daunting task. To me, as a professional artist, I would much rather design a work or art for a purpose. I'd rather design a Web site to explain a business than paint a painting to hang on the wall. That's because there is a purpose behind the effort. Nothing is more satisfying than to bring customers to a business. We enjoy the effort. It's hard but the payoff is worth it.

There is an emotional component to design that it hard to explain. It starts with learning about a business. Every business has a reason for being. They have some competitive edge or slant on what they are doing that makes them different from everyone else and also makes them successful. As a Web designer my job is to learn about the business in an attempt to figure out how they work - what makes them successful. Then next step is to embody that essence - through art - on the web. Sometimes that means finding the right colors and feeling to capture that essence. Sometimes that means developing a Flash movie to WOW the audience (yes, we do use Flash), and sometimes that means developing an online system to physically do the work better.

Sites are not playthings. Not any more. Commerce is moving to the Internet. Customers investigate their purchase on the Internet before they buy. This trend will only get stronger. In business, like society in general, we're going to see a divergence. Businesses that invest in Web design will grow and prosper. The old adage "if you're not appearing, you're disappearing" applies now more than ever thanks to the Internet.

We have about 100 sites in our gallery. We have developed over 1000 Web sites. If it were up to us, we'd have 1000. People move on and go with other designers. It's too bad. Everything we do is hand built and top notch.

Who you pick to do your Web site is an important decision. I feel we're the best. There are times when a designer will lavish attention on your site (basically because they don't have any work). But far too often you're getting templates, a disinterested Web designer, or a huge bill from a responsible firm. We're not the cheapest, but we're not the most expensive either. We do what we say we'll do when we say we'll do it. When we're finished, you'll get a reasonable invoice. That's my personal guarantee.

There are millions of Web designers out there. All Web sites are not created equal. There are good sites and there are bad sites. Good Web sites get picked up into search engines. Bad Web sites spend an eternity never getting noticed. You want a good web site. We create good web sites. A web site is an investment. Get something for your money. Know what to look for. Know about your underlying HTML. Develop a Web site that someone other than your web designer can work on. Don't let your Web designer develop with a tool that no one has. Insist and getting your source code. Keep your domain name in your account where only you have the password. Web design is one of the most misunderstood fields there is. Be careful when you delegate. Don't chance it. Click the Quick Quote button above.