Building Small Business Web Sites - A Chat with Gregory Pittman, Web Designer and Editor of IsaiahSix.org
July 10, 2008 :: Steve FisherGregory Pittman is a man of many talents. He graduated from University of South Carolina with a degree in Music Education. He then went in the Ministry and is currently the Associate Pastor of Worship at the First Baptist Church of Edgefield, South Carolina. He also is a great web/WordPress designer and has been the designer of IsaiahSix, Citadel Square Baptist Church, EmbracingTheJourney.org and Charleston Dog House.
We recently had a chance to catch up with him as he took time out of his busy schedule to talk about building web sites for small businesses and being a Network Solutions customer. Here is a transcript of that interview:Steve: You have a deep background in worship and music, how do you get into doing web design?
Gregory: Actually, I took a music technology class during my senior year of college and one of the projects we took on was designing a web page. I still don’t know what building web pages have to do with music, but I’m glad we covered the subject. That became my senior project and I designed the very first website for the Choral Department at the University of South Carolina. I was quite proud of it at the time, but they kept it up and active for eight years afterwards. By the time they replaced with a professionally designed site, my design was so dated it was embarrassing. But it was rewarding to know it had been helpful for so long.
Steve: What do you love about WordPress and why do you prefer that platform?
Gregory: I love to get under the hood and get my hands dirty with code. I want a lot of control over what happens with my websites and you don’t have that luxury with most of the hosted blogging platforms. And then from a client’s standpoint, I’ve found they like to know that they don’t have to pay me to make minor tweaks to the text on their website. I do the design, installation, and maintenance of the site, but they can log in and change text when and if they need to. That gives them the control they need without requiring very much technical knowledge.
Steve: How long have you been a Network Solutions customer?
Gregory: I actually registered a couple of domains several years ago with Network Solutions, but at the time, NS wasn’t in the hosting business. I’ve used several hosts over the years. Some were acceptable; others were downright terrible. When I began to research new hosting possibilities about a couple of years ago, Network Solutions had added hosting to its list of services. Remembering how solid their service was when I registered domains several years back, I decided to give them a try. I’m glad I did, and now I can’t see myself using anyone else. Literally in the last 24 hours, I have transferred a domain to NS and referred a very good friend to NS.
Steve: What is your favorite Network Solutions offering and why?
Gregory: My favorite Network Solutions offering actually isn’t a product; it’s the customer service they offer. Too many times I’ve called a company’s customer service department and had to explain to them how to do their job so I could do mine. I can honestly say that has never happened with Network Solutions. The customer service reps are always knowledgeable and courteous. Now, having said that, with very few exceptions, the only time I have to talk to a customer service rep is when I’m adding a new website. The few times I’ve had to call for technical support, the issues have been my fault and they were working to clean up my mess. I simply haven’t had to call for support for something Network Solutions has messed up.
Steve: When you work with a small business to design a web site, what is your approach and philosophy?
Gregory: My approach to designing a site for a client is to ask enough questions and get to know enough about their needs that they basically design the site. That way, I work with the code and build the design they described. When I deliver the product and they say, “That’s exactly what I was looking for,” that’s a rewarding conclusion to a project. Also, I have to keep in mind the website is the client’s online place of business. I can provide them with theories on how to design a website to provide their clients with an optimal experience, but they make the final call. I don’t get to dictate to them which design principles to adhere to and which ones to toss out. If there are too many differing opinions (there never have been), I would most likely offer to refer them to someone else. In the end, they’re the boss.
Steve: With all the things that Network Solutions offers small businesses, is there anything in particular that you recommend to clients that they must use?
Gregory: Well, I’m a big believer in Network Solutions. They can meet whatever web-related needs a client has, so my recommendation to clients is to determine their needs and then go to Network Solutions. There really isn’t a need to go anywhere else.
Steve: I sometimes like to close an interview with a “Do This List”. So for you, what are the top five things that a small business must have on their web site before launch?
Gregory: First, no matter how small your business, your website needs to have a solid design. Simply having a website isn’t good enough. It has to be designed well. It needs to match or exceed the professionalism of your brick-and-mortar location.
Secondly, your website must use proper grammar and spelling. This is a non-negotiable for me. If you’re the only business offering your product, and I need your product, but you use poor grammar and have misspelled words on your website, I will not buy your product because I can’t trust it.
Thirdly, give your customers a way to contact you. Make sure your contact forms are functioning properly.
Fourthly, if you collect personal data, make sure you have a privacy policy posted somewhere on your site. Internet users are rightly concerned with how their personal information will be used.
Finally, make sure all the links work and images load.
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