Powers By Design LLC

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Christopher Powers, Owner & Web Designer

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Creative Graphic and Web Design.

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Powers By Design, LLC was founded on the principle that small and mid-size companies can grow with the proper marketing campaign. It doesn't take a multi-million dollar ad agency to create effective advertising that could make even the smallest companies millions.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Casual but professional, easy going but intent on perfecting our craft and our client's graphic and web design work.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We're dedicated to our craft, always looking to improve what we've done. We've even gone back months later to update a client's website when we get a newer app or plugin they might enjoy--often just to make sure the clients website is top notch and never outdated.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: Honestly we're as much into our work for the enjoyment of making great designs, strong application and web integration as much as we are making money for ourselves. Our philosophy is the better we make our clients websites, the more money they make and the longer we keep them as returning clients.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: We do a lot of networking in chamber of commerce's, local networking events and business expos. We also do some advertising on the Internet and get a few out of state clients a month that provide interesting and exciting challenges. Helps broaden our appeal to more than "the local design firm".

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: We discuss timelines, and set project goals and deadlines. We keep the client on track for what we need from them to complete our work yet giving them the flexibility to adapt to their schedule while coming in on time.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Trusting you want their brand speak to their core audience and its the most important part of what we do. We're brand managers, graphics are fine but without understanding the messaging the client wants to convey--you cannot proceed.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: All our clients are demanding, they demand good work at a good price, and we like them to be as committed to the process. We've actually turned away clients who haven't had a real clear desire to work to improving their brand.

Q: If a client was trying to decide between a shortlist of web design companies, how would you recommend they go about selecting the right one for them?
A: While pricing and experience are important, dedication and follow through are the most important parts of what our people try to express to our clients. We're dedicated in the mission of improving our craft--and the happy side effect of that is creating great works for our clients...

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: We'll have larger offices, and an onsite digital press that freelance designers can rent out when needed. Before I started my own firm--I longed for a place where you can rent space & use when needed and hire them as needed.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: More CMS, more WYSWYG More relying on design than programming. More apps that are easier to integrate into CMSs without the overhead of programmers. Designers love to design but we'd rather not program as it takes time away from designing.

Q: What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
A: Mac

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: I added "By Design" after my name because I have a mission and all that I do is...by design.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Know clearly your objectives and follow through with what designers ask of you, as demanding as clients are--we also demand them to be committed to the process of improving their brand.