7 Pantomime Questions to Ask a Web Designer

Up to last Christmas we used to go the to the Pantomime every year without fail.  Often our son was actually acting in it which was an added bonus but additionally it is a good old fashioned comedy with great singing for all the family.  It prompted me for some questions you should ask your website designer before you hire him.  Yes perfect to the middle of the summer!

1. Are You Only Here for Christmas?

The pantomime only lasts till mid January and then is gone leaving popcorn and torn programmes on the ground. Check how long your designer has been around and their track record.  At least understand their bona fides in this market and their technological knowledge.  You don’t want to be there in late January when their show closes and they become a waiter again and you are left with an incomplete site.

2. Behind You Behind You!!!

All the Kids scream this regularly at the pantomime.  I confess that I do too and often am the last person screaming it and get funny stares from parents and kids.

Check what work the company has done before (get it behind you… ).  A simple glance at a few sites in their portfolio will help you out.  Ask them to explain their methodology.  Scream behind you at them just to test their reactions for fun!

3.  Those Twirly Things With Lights

In recent years there has been more and more twirly things and flashing light things that the theatres sell to the kids.  These cost money are  overpriced and break approximately 5 minutes into the drive home – its a design feature.

For parents it  can inflate the price of the trip to the theatre.

Make sure that you have in writing what you are getting for your site (ditto any self respecting designer will document what they are going to deliver to you.)  Nobody wants to have to pay more for those shiny extras that are broken by the time you get to the car.

4. What Time Will Aunty Mary Pick Us Up and When is The Show Over

We often bring an unsuspecting niece or nephew tothe show and their parents of course want to know when they are to be picked up and when the show ends (I suspect it is so they can kick back have a nice bit of food and a glass of wine and..).

You should get an estimate of how long the design will take.  Word of warning if they say a week it is a lie as typically with interactions, edits, updates it can at a minimum take 4-5 weeks to get even the simplest site up and running to your satisfaction.

5.  Who’s Buying the Ice Creams?

My kids often have more money in their pockets and wallets than I do, due to me giving them pocket money and generous relations.  Often they produce 20 Euros proudly from their pockets crowing “I have money” when I am scratching through coins to buy them something.

Make sure you understand who is delivering the content and graphics for your site.  Content writing can take time and correspondingly money for a site owner.  I can create content for someone’s site and I often do but it adds time and increases the end cost to you.

6. Good Seats

Digging deep into the analogy bucket here I love to get seats ground floor about 10 aisles back.  You have a good view plus you are not looking at the flaws in the actors makeup and can really enjoy the show.  I have gotten seats in the upper tiers where it is OK but the sound isn’t as good and you can miss a lot of detail.

Your website will be way back in the back of the upper tier of search engines if you don’t get some level of SEO done.  I am not an SEO but I could show you analytics of sites that I have done that look pretty good (I would say that of course) but get little if any traffic.  If your niche is anyway competitive (and all are these days or you would be out of business) then at least speak with an SEO as to what he or she can do for you.  Next show you will be front and centre.

7. My Tummy Hurts

If you eat a tub of ice cream,a bag of Jelly babies, two cans of coke you will feel pretty bad.  I won’t ever do it again I’m telling you!

You need to get the good quality material on your website.  Keep good interesting content that is up to date, relevant and interesting.

People surf at high speed these days.  They can spot the Jelly baby crap.  Put steaks and and interesting menu on your page for people to stay eat, drink and come back again another time with friends (they will pass on the link hopefully).  Reward repeat diners.  OK Kieran cut the analogy.

On a Serious Note

I do really go to the pantomime every year.  I haven’t missed one in over 22 years.  So even though I may not be an expert in websites I know my pantomimes!  Oh Yes I Am!

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