1. "The Sins of Web Site Design"

If you've been a Workhorse client for any length of time, you've probably heard me harp on concepts such as keeping your site fresh, clean, and frequently updated. Good ole' Workhorse isn't trying to just keep itself useful. These are, as you can see, crucial steps in keeping your site on top.

As seen in, and adapted from, Entrepreneur Magazine:

"Avoid these design missteps and reap the rewards. ... If you are committing these site development sins, it could be costing you more than you know."

"Being Cluttered... Be selective about the content you decide to put on the site and organize it in a clean and logical manner... | Making things difficult... The route from first click to sale has to be easy. | Staying static... Your web site is never done... Keep finding ways to engage your customers, add content and make your site fresh. | Copying your competition... If you look too much like other businesses, customers could have trouble telling you apart. | Ignoring your audience's needs... if you're not designing for the people who buy from you, you could be losing their business. | Eschewing analytics... Google Analytics will help you understand where your traffic is coming from, what keywords people are using to find you and what they're reading on your site. | Refusing to get help... If web design is not your strong suit and you need more than what a web design template can provide, seek professional help."

At Workhorse, we look at the development of your site as only the beginning. Much like a seedling that requires food, water, and sunlight to survive, so does your site require ingredients for growth and success. If your site needs updating, please let us know. You don't need to reinvent the wheel by completely redesigning your site every few years. With the basics already in place, we can perform upgrades to both design, content and coding, for a fraction of the cost of a new design.

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2. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
- Isaac Newton

My personal goal with Workhorse Creative for the past ten years has been to provide businesses with agency quality design, without the agency price tag. You should never feel that you have to shell out big bucks just to have a team of professionals behind you.

As owner of Workhorse, I am the primary designer for both web and print. One advantage that I have, having worked in high end agencies and knowing many creative professionals in the field, is that I can put together a team for a creative project at any given time. An actual advantage over static employees, not only do I not have to charge high rates for these employees, but I am able to pick and choose the professional talent that I think would be best for the task at hand. These are my giants.

Many of you have probably benefited from my team approach, perhaps without even knowing it, if you have ever asked Workhorse to do print ads, copy writing, and even web site design. So whether you need a little help, or a lot, we are here for you. And as always, the most important team is the Workhorse / Client partnership.

3. Extra, extra, read all about it!

A web site is one of the most powerful, overall least expensive marketing tools that you will ever have. However, another, often-overlooked, trick of the trade is the press release. Workhorse has links to all major (and minor) publications throughout South Carolina, and can format, write, and send a press release for you, when necessary.

Press releases are best used for pertinent company information that the public would also find interesting or useful, and we can help you to determine whether your news is worthy of a press release. For instance, new hires, new business openings, new location openings, community work, and the like, are good ideas. And, press releases are free.

4. On a personal note.

As many of you already know, my now 5 year old son has been in treatment for cancer for the past two years. As of this newsletter, he just about has it licked, and we are looking forward to ending treatment very early next year, and returning to life (and business!) as normal.

I would just like to extend a heartfelt thank you to so many of you who have sent cards and emails and words of support. You all also have families, and your own personal struggles, and it certainly has been a difficult year economically for all. I am reminded with your support that so many of you who started as clients have become friends. Loyalty is as important in business as it is in life, and I look forward to continuing to work hard for each of you, and delivering continued success through 2011 and beyond.

Happy Holidays!

Please, have a happy, safe, and fun holiday season. I hope that you are able to relax now at the end of this year, enjoy time with your family and friends, and come back with a strong business year for 2011. We at Workhorse Creative look forward to being a continued part of it.

I hope you have found this issue informative. If you have any suggested topics that you would like to learn more about, please email us.

P.S. We have now added a "News Archives" section to our web site, so that you may go back and re-read this e-newsletter, or peruse previous issues at your leisure. And by all means, pass it on! Here is the link: www.workhorsecreative.net/archives.php


Sincerely,
Caroline Harrington
Workhorse Creative

caroline@workhorsecreative.net
864-238-2857
Greenville, SC