DesignbyLion

Here at Designbylion we are developing landing pages for financial sites esp. in the insurance and personal financial service sector. Usually it is a relatively easy task, but by watching the different landing pages (see guide at copyblogger) in several industries, we are not sure which direction to go.

We are currently looking esp. in the cash advance market:

ChecknGo’s landing page looks like one big image with a go button. Certainly doesn’t look bad and conversion is good, but the image of a hurt girl is something our client would not accept:

AdvanceAmerica.com:

AdvanceAmerica is well designed and a bit less aggressive about showing injured people. They’d rather show a flash slider, which includes jobs,that might be dangerous or are just  low paid gigs.  The right hand side of the landing page includes a zip code locator, which supposedly leads you an offer (didn’t work I got an error message). They also play it nicely by putting a scam alert on the page. A good tactic to establish seriousness and trust.  Last the FAQ section is something great. Engages the users to leave information. Overall nice experience. Downside is the broken locator.

Paydayloantoday.com is pretty interesting as well.

The site has a 3 step process, which is a great way to turn people in leaving information.  The lead generation form on the right hand side is also very well integrated. What we didn’t like is the happy family picture in the middle. We are not sure what the main clients for our client is, but if it’s not families we will not use a happy family sunshine gif. The Exit popup is however something I don’t want to get involved with.

Last…we’ve also looked into sites cash advances online sites like Paydaycheckworld, Paydayloanfacts or Checkintocash.com, but all didn’t give us any further ideas or influnced our decision.

Here’s what route we are going for and will appreciate any feedback from designer community or from readers here:

1. We’ll only add a button for the “Sign up process”. No Form field on the landing page

2.  Images will be less aggressive than other sites (no hurt people, not specific jobs). The idea is to keep the landing page very general in order to target everyone and not just certain job types.

3. Step by Step process: We’ll use the KISS strategy and keep it relatively simple. People want the information right away.

The different online printing companies, such as those of 123print.com, Vistaprint.com, Tinyprints.com and Cardsdirect.com, all offer industry standards, such as quality products, online order tracking and secure payment options. But how do they stack up in comparison?

In summary, the following online printer comparison offers better insight into all four:

123 Print: Specializes in photo Christmas cards, with a wide array of other printing services, including signs and magnets. This company also boasts outstanding customer service, resolution and shipping policies, with free shipping on ‘every item, every day.’ And a 30 day money back guarantee with the option to exchange or receive a full refund if customer satisfaction is not 100%, with no minimum purchase amount or product requirement strings attached. The upfront pricing is also an added bonus to include progressive discounts with incremental quantities purchased.

Vistaprint: Hails as the largest online business card printer, with a large selection of not only paper products, but other useful, relevant business services and merchandise, many on a free trial basis, or free altogether in conjunction with other products purchased. They also offer a full line of eco-friendly recycled business and post cards. International shipping is also an option with the added benefit of being able to interact online in over 25 languages, including English. A ‘lowest price guarantee’ is also offered, paying the difference if a lower price is found elsewhere. This offer is good for 3 days, but with conditions – It only applies to ‘premium business cards, brochures, postcards and presentation folders.’ Shipping costs are not included in this guarantee.

Tinyprints: Offers a wider selection of higher quality goods, to include fine edible gifts, special occasion supplies and exclusive designer party invitations and cards. This would be an excellent choice for corporate engagements and gifting. All major shipping is available; they ship internationally and offer a price matching guarantee as well. However, the terms of this guarantee aren’t clearly defined on the website; requires direct inquiry, and is conditional requiring an identical product, right down to design, which must be in stock with this company at time of inquiry to take advantage of this arrangement.

CardsDirect: Also offers premium quality at higher prices. Many of the products are corporate themed and are suitable for any occasion – seasonal, holiday or business – with a wide array of greeting cards. This company guarantees prompt reorder and delivery at their expense if the company is in error. However, no refunds are offered for custom printed items if the customer is at fault; although, the company will offer discounts and attempt to resolve the situation to mutual satisfaction. Shipping is ground delivery with promotional savings starting at $5, with minimum purchase requirements and no international shipping available at this time.

In comparison, the companies all stack up as excellent choices for product quality and overall service, with the variances largely affixed to shipping cost, delivery options and customer service resolution, should there be any discrepancies with order, delivery times or merchandise received.

When looking for a career in today’s job market, it is important to have many skills. This is even truer for those who choose to pursue a career in a design-based field. It is not only a great idea to exercise your creativity but essential to have the necessary tools for whatever job may come your way, so that you can be prepared to complete it with finesse. One of these important skills in the design world is the use of Photoshop. This is a program that helps designers create fantastic works of art with very little effort. But in order to do this, the designer must have the knowledge of the inner workings of the program. This is where Photoshop online courses come in. Photoshop online courses are designed to exercise creativity and give the taker the skills and knowledge to overcome any obstacles that they should encounter in any future jobs. Many of these Photoshop courses not only teach the students about the functions of the program, but also help them to get the fundamentals of design in the process. Many people can take these classes and learn a great deal because it holds many of the fundamental parts of design which are used in a great deal of professions, not simply graphic design. There are many parts to these courses and taking them involves effort from the student to get anything useful out of them. Some important lessons include color, line shape and placement and form which are all fundamental to creating any design piece.

Today’s job market is a very difficult place to find any sort of career, but having the necessary skills to tackle any problem that arises is a very smart plan. People who choose to take a career in a graphic-design related field must have the necessary skills if they are to excel at their chosen profession. One of these important parts of the graphic design field is Photoshop. Photoshop is a program that allows users to create stunning pieces with little effort. In order to do this, though, the user must have a great deal of knowledge concerning the inner workings of the program and the necessary skills to complete their chosen projects. This is where Photoshop online courses come in. They allow the taker to stay at home and learn in an environment that will teach them to exercise their creativity and give them the skills and knowledge to overcome obstacles. So if you find yourself wanting to know more about Photoshop or simply wish take a class that will help your creativity, Photoshop online courses may just be what you’re looking for.

We design custom websites based on your needs and constant feedback. The Web development process that our team leads you through can give you assurance that we’re following your cues along the entire way. As a client, you will work with our technical team to make sure that you get your intended message across in a beautiful format that will reinforce your brand. Here is the flow of our website design process:

Phase 1 – Information Gathering
Once we provide a design quote and you choose to move forward with us, our design team works with you to gather information and ideas relevant to your website’s design. Communication is essential in this phase and sets the foundation for a common understanding of your expectations realized in a professional looking design.

Phase 2 – First Design Draft Submission
Our design team works on executing your vision in a creative way that meets your needs and standards. This first draft is submitted for your approval and you give us feedback. Then, the Designbylion team moves ahead to make the necessary design adjustments.

Phase 3 – Design Draft Revisions
The Designbylion team revises the first draft based on your critiques. Don’t be afraid to hold back any reservations about the proposed design during this phase. Each revision improves upon the previous design, based on your opinions. It’s through these revisions that your website really begins to take shape into the final product and serve as the online beacon for your brand.

Phase 4 – Final Draft Approval
A final design draft is the outcome of design revisions based on your honest feedback. Only you, the client, gives final approval for your website design. Once you are satisfied with our team’s design format, you provide us with any graphics you wish to include in the planned website design.

Phase 5 – Website Completion And Delivery
All desired graphics are incorporated into the website design and the final product awaits your approval. Your signature on the final product allows us to upload your website to a hosting server. We can also e-mail your website files to you so you can upload and host them on your own.

Good luck with your new Designbylion developed website design!