Web Design Blog

Kevin Potts recently did a review/critique of wundersite www.99designs.com - which appears to be a simplified spin of other such sites like Elance and what Kevin calls it’s “malignant brethren”. The site, which uses less than ideal techniques to get designers to connect with businesses, requires spec work and encourages horribly low prices. In his article, Kevin removes the usual sales pitch and business jargon and brings out the underlying truth:

Hmm. Yes, by all means, we want to avoid the time and consideration professional designers offer and go right to the lowest common denominator of grade-school dropouts whose portfolio’s crown jewel is a logo for their dad’s wholesale llama manure clearing house. We definitely do not want any in-depth communication. We do not want any understanding of the company, the brand, or the direction and aspirations of the organization.

In a nutshell, this is what you’re asking for if you work with these guys:

• You’re doing the work whether you like it or not. Payment is irrelevant. You only get that if you actually “win” the “contest”.
• Even if you do win, you don’t win much. (They seem to encourage low prices, as stated on their how it works page.)
• You lose your copyright privileges and you apparently can’t even take a public stand if your designs are stolen. Read their copyright page for more on that.
• You’re also asking for a royal slap in the face from folks like me and other real designers.

Freelancers: if you really care about your work and the design industry, do NOT use 99designs or others like it to gain clients. You’re hurting yourself and the rest of us too.

Business owners: if you really want someone who will take the time to get to know your company and present an informed and well-rounded design, might I suggest someone from the Xemion Web Designer Directory?

Here’s Kevin’s article (warning: contains some strong language)

I’m creating a testimonials page for the directory.  If you’ve received great traffic from Xemion, please let me know by leaving a comment below.  Thanks!

I’ve been struggling for some time with the dilemma of enforcing some sort of quality control on the directory listings. There are a number of web design companies currently listed in the directory that are of questionable skill and ability. Their graphic design sucks and their knowledge of rudimentary web design just seems to be lacking. It is important to me that Xemion be a directory of high-quality firms and that we don’t recommend bad web design companies. (Read more…)

By popular request, Xemion now offers free web design quotes to all Sponsored Directory Listings (well, maybe that’s not exactly free - but you don’t have to pay extra for them).  Sorry free directory listings, nothing for you.  Quotes will automatically be assigned to companies in local areas (such as California) or specialty areas (such as e-commerce).  Homepage and directory-wide banner advertisers will be eligible to receive quote requests as well.

I don’t know how many quotes we’ll get (only one so far), but hopefully it will be a useful service to you.  Please contact us if you receive a great referral from Xemion, we’d love to know!

With the recent relaunch of the Web Designer Directory, we’ve made two significant policies changes that I want to make advertisers aware of:

1. Links have been changed to out.php?id=XXXX instead of a straight link
   I know this switch will probably make a number of our advertisers unhappy and I was very reluctant to make it but I feel it was needed. Recent events and comments from members of the Google team have made it clear that Google frowns upon the selling of text links in any form. The directory derives a great deal of traffic from Google (we’re currently ranked #2 for “web designers”) and I don’t want to do anything to endanger that status. On the upside, this change will allow us to finally implement click-tracking, a feature many advertisers have requested.
2. Listings are sorted randomly
   Previously, listings were ordered by the purchase date. While this was great for the first guy, it really sucked for the last guy. From now on, all listings will be sorted randomly. Sponsored listings will still be shown above free listings and the Google/Yahoo ads. I believe this will be a fairer policy.

Is this a wise decision or should I have told Google stick it?

NOTE: An e-mail notification of these policy changes was sent to all advertisers who agreed to receive the Xemion newsletter.  If you did not receive or missed the newsletter, it can be viewed here.  If you’re not on the list and would like to receive the next newsletter, be sure to login to your account and check the “Receive e-mail from Administrators” checkbox.

My long planned expansion of the Xemion Web Designer Directory is finally complete. The directory now includes web design companies by Industry (such as Real Estate, Law Firms, Church and Non-Profits) and by Type (such as E-Commerce, Flash and Small Business).  I’ve also created directory pages for graphic design, online marketing and hosting firms.

Even more exciting to me is the expansion of the directory into more of a community-focused site with the launch of this blog and the merger with my DevLobby forum. I’ve got a great deal more planned so stay stunned (subscribe to the RSS feed)!

I’m looking for experienced bloggers who are skilled web designers and developers to assist me in blogging on this site!

Compensation, if any, would be low and primarily limited to revenue sharing (of which there is currently none). The benefits would be a mix of free marketing and SEO links. Xemion is ranked #2 for “web designers” and a myriad of other terms and is one of the most-visited internet resources for people looking for web design firms. This would be a perfect opportunity for a web design company owner or freelance designer.

The blog would focus on web design industry trends, resources and news with very in-depth content. I want the blog to be an extremely high-quality resource for web developers. The ideal blogger would post at least 4-7 times a week. I’d be willing to accept posts from guest bloggers from time to time, but only posts of the utmost quality. Very in-depth and interesting, not generic “how-to”s, etc.

If you’re interested, please contact me and be sure to include links to your portfolio and existing blog as well as three titles of posts you would right.

Ok, I’m finally rolling this sucker out. It’s still a work in progress. More to come soon!