Small front sizeMedium front sizeLarge front size
Clickingmad Ltd logo, full colour image
Contact Clickingmad Ltd on 01746 769612

Archive for March, 2010

More on Central Profiles & Laser Gifts

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Remember the one I talked about that I did the HD filming and the photography at? Well I am pleased to annouce that we are really cracking on with it now.

The following are the 2 concepts that the client has signed off and that we are now converting into websites using Joomla! and Virtuemart as the two main website content control systems.

lasergiftsandcentralprofile

The website design concepts signed off for Central Profiles and Laser Gifts

When they are ready I will let you know, so you can go wild getting all your metal cut and your hanging baskets er … hanging!

S

Getting “on the buses”

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Endeavour Coaches run School buses throughout the Birmingham area and coach trips to all sorts of attractions here and abroad throughout the year. They have done this for some considerable time and their specially altered buses allow them to take wheels chairs with a rather nifty lift on the side.

Today Darren and I went to see them to discuss their website requirements.

We are pleased to announce that they are happy to move forward with Clickingmad with a simple new style and content management system. They send out about 20000 printed leaflets once every three months with all their trips listed and there are some good bargains as well. 5 days on the coast, half board and the coach trip included; from £249.00 – not bad, I hear you say.

With their new website they will able to use the built in mass mail feature to save sending them all by “snail mail” and their customers will be able to download each new brochure as soon as it has been created. This will save Endeavour Coaches lots in time and postage. Good eh?
S

Turning website design business down

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Why would I advise a client not to have a new website?

Its pretty unusual to be honest but not unheard of.

Today I went to see a bicycle shop who wanted to sell online. Their website the moment is very small, done by a friend, and looks pretty drab to be honest. So, they called us in to give them some ideas.

The first thing I noticed was that their current website does not reflect the either the size or the level of skill these guys possess in their field. Frankly they have a great shop, an Aladdins’ cave of everything bike. From toddler bikes right through “normal” road and mountain bikes through to £4000 downhill specials and every accessory and spare part you could think of. I have never seen so many bicycle pedals on display!

So, the first thing they asked for was to have an ecommerce website. I told them how much they would need to spend to ensure that the design and functionality gave the right impression to a buyer, i.e. high quality design, smooth transaction, related items cross selling, special offers and I also advised them that they would need to update their website very often to ensure that buyers were encouraged to return. Together with regular email offers and incentives they would be sure of not only attracting buyers, but also keeping them flocking back.

They were somewhat surprised by the price tag.

Having an ecommerce website is not a cheap option, not if you want it to work. Why waste money on something that won’t work? Cheap and nasty ecommerce websites are a real turn off to a potential web customer.

I actually suggested that the best way they could sell immediately would be to use Ebay and get a shop going in there.

The main thing they needed to do was to sort out their existing website. So my best advice was, a nice new website with a Content Management System, updating regularly after the free training we provide and then this all wrapped up in a design that truly reflected the business they are successfully running.

Another happy customer. Even if I did say, don’t buy it! I thank you.
S

New Website Design for a world renowned photographer – Tom Mackie

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
a design concept for Tom Mackie the Internationally renowned photographer

a design concept for Tom Mackie the Internationally renowned photographer

If you have ever wondered who took the photos that retailers such as Ikea display in their framed picture areas, then it may well be this guy. Tom Mackie is a landscape photographer of international fame. We had discussions with Tom some months ago about building him a new website that would allow businesses to buy his prints directly from him and – if they pay the price – have him sign them as well.
After lengthy discussions with Tom it appears that most of his work involves lots and lots of boring travelling to get that one illusive shot, that we ALL want on our wall. (And I thought it was all glamour!) Watch this space for more announcements on this exciting new website from the master landscape photographer that is… Tom Mackie.
Shaun.

New Staff at Clickingmad – Darren and Mark say Hi!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Darren and Mark joined the Clickingmad crew in December 2009, their remit as newbie’s has been to learn as much as they can before we release them into the unsuspecting West Midlands Business market.

Since joining they have been telemarketing new clients to arrange appointments with companies for me (Shaun) to go and discuss their website requirements.

Here is what they had to say for themselves…

Mark Ainsworth, enjoying himself far too much talking about website design.

Mark Ainsworth, enjoying himself far too much talking about website design.

 

Hi my name is Mark and I have really enjoyed my time at Clickingmad so far. It really quite amazing how much I am learning in this fast moving and exciting environment. I make lots of calls to West Midlands, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire businesses encouraging them to see Clickingmad if they are considering redeveloping their website, or wish to promote it into Google for example. The training I have received from the team at Clickingmad has been great, but even with their years of experience they are keen to tell me that they are always learning as the web moves so fast.
I really hope to be out there in the business community very soon, so watch out for me at your next networking event pestering you silly to talk to me. Talk to you soon!

  

 

 

Darren looking particlularly smart and cool in his lovely yellow tie!

Darren looking particlularly smart and cool in his lovely yellow tie!

 

Hello, my name is Darren Mitchell and I joined along with Mark in December 2009. What a whirlwind this has been, not one day is the same and not one conversation has been repeated! Frankly I am amazed at what we have learned in such a short period of time. I am told (by he who knows) that you could spend 5 years learning about the web, but then you would be 5 years out of date. Never in my working life so far have I come across such a fast moving environment.

Of course I still try and make time for coffee and even really nice Lavazza filter coffee if our esteemed leader remembers to pick some up. (pretty please Shaun!) Seriously though, this is a great job and I can’t wait to get out there and meet the real businessmen and women for whom we can make a real difference in their business by utilising the web properly. I will be attending networking events and hopefully I will get the chance to talk to you about how we can help, till then… cheerio!

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I have to say that the lads have done really well so far in learning all about the web. I am very proud of them, even if they make me appointments with a 30 miles drive in between and don’t even allow me to stop and grab a sandwich! You wait till it’s their turn!
Welcome to the crew guys. Shaun.

Page footer, full colour image