A day at the office...

Just thought i'd share an experience I had earlier today...

While researching link partners for a client, I came across a website (which I won't name), that was clearly in need of some help, both in design and optimising - they simply had a single, cluttered page with no real focus or real info about their business. Being an active searcher for new business, I contacted them via email with a short message, and offered my services to them if they were interested. Now I wasn't pushy about it or anything like that, just a simple offer of my time and expertise...

Ten minutes goes past, and I get an email response back from them (to which I was quite surprised), so I open it up, and start reading. The company, not only wasn't interested in my website design services, they occused me of spamming them, and reported my address as well. Nice isn't it... try and do something helpful for some people and what do you get for your troubles...

Now I personally hate spammers like anyone, but anyone in their right mind can tell the difference between a spam email, and a legitimate and honest email. If I get anyone legitimately offering their services to me (just like I did), then I simply send them a response back saying i'm not interested. Spammers however, just get blocked and deleted, not even acknowledged.

The thing that got me though...after they accused me of spamming, they actually responded to my message!

Err Hello...now if I was a spammer (which i'm not), that's not the smartest thing to do is it, as then i'd now have a legitimate address to actually spam as I knew it was actively checked. I wouldn't have minded getting no response at all, or even a message back saying 'no thanks', like I mentioned above, that's fine. I'd leave it at that and go on with more important things. The person at the other end clearly wasn't the sharpest knife in the draw... with a reaction like that i'm not surprised their site still looks the way it does...

Search Engine Optimisation for Barry's Antiques

I've just recently completed Barry's Antiques - An antique furniture dealer located in Berrima, New South Wales. When approached by the client to begin work, it was in dire need of a redesign, as the coding was cluttered and it did not display professionally at all, with much of the site out of alignment. Once the site was redesigned (in most cases simply a matter of making what was there work like it was originally intended, and adjusting some of the layout), it was to be optimised for a range of antique related keyword phrases, including 'Berrima Antique Furniture'. Their new site went online about a week ago and is already beginning to show promise in the big three.

Numero Uno

Welcome to the first ever blog by Shaken Designz!

Shaken Designz is a Ballarat website design business dedicated to providing quality website design & search engine optimisation services in the Ballarat area and beyond.

If it's a small business website you're after, I can offer you a complete website design, hosting and domain name registration service, at an affordable price, tailored to your businesses specific needs. I also provide a complete website management service, from start to finish so you don't have to worry about taking care of your website - I can do it all for you, leaving you more time to run your own business.

Most importantly - I build websites that work, are easy to navigate, and don't cost you thousands.

I also specialise in website redesigns and consultation - so if you have an existing website, but want it reworked and looking better, then I can assist you too. My work is tailored to businesses that need a helping hand to get started, or aren't sure where to go or what to do next. I can explain everything you need to know in simple, easy to understand language as well - not techno babble.

To find out what I can provide for you, please visit my website.

My business has recently had its 3rd birthday, and to celebrate, i've decided to get into the blogging arena finally (after putting it off for quite some time...). So hopefully, this will be the first of many new posts about my business and what it's been up to.