Do you ever wonder why it is that you can identify some corporate symbols almost instantaneously, even without any accompanying text? Think about the Nike “swoosh” or the Apple “fruit” symbols. They don’t even have to use the name of their company in the logo, and yet consumers like you and me understand exactly what they stand for. You may think to yourself, “Those are some great logos that probably cost a lot of money and were created by expensive design agencies.” But do you know that Nike’s logo originally cost $35 and was created by a student fresh out of design school? It goes to show that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on an elaborately designed logo in order to create a successful brand. The real secret is consistency.

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Anyone who has played around with Google AdWords and Analytics knows that search engine optimization can be frustrating. We could all use more organic search results, and we can. It’s like I mention elsewhere on this website, where following just a few simple rules can help improve your rankings. The whole basic philosophy is:

Relevant information, strategically placed, updated frequently, and gaining in popularity.

What does that all mean? (more…)

We here at Winans Creative have been doing websites for a while now, but we still run into clients who are wary of them. It can be an intimidating prospect, especially when it’s a considerable investment on their part. There’s a lot of confusing lingo and foreign concepts that can make one’s head spin. A good designer and programmer will sit down, discuss a client’s needs and recommend a solution that solves their problems and anticipates future ones. How do you know if you’re getting a good deal? Hopefully these quick tips will make the process a little less nerve-wracking. (more…)

Okay, well, perhaps not so dramatically as THAT, but maybe they have just revolutionized the way I work. I know that some people like to accuse Mac users of being “elitist” because the hardware is basically the equivalent of “eye-candy” while PCs are the “hard-working” users’ choice, but part of me just doesn’t understand how people who are happy about their computers can be labeled “elitist.” I owned several Dells back in the day, and every single one has been relegated to the environmentally-friendly-recycled-trash-heap. I’ve also owned several Macs, and while I currently run 3 of them in my house the older ones have all found homes at friends’ and relatives’ houses, and they all still work like the day I opened the box. (more…)

One of the things that I’ve found toughest to deal with since Winans Creative got started is maintaining a work/life balance. With clients able to access me at all times of the day via cell/email/etc. it’s tough not to answer the call or do a quick check of your inbox even when you’ve left the office for the day. As my wife can attest to, I’ve become addicted to my mobile PDA and constantly hog the family laptop after-hours. It’s what happens when those of us who are dedicated to our businesses want to make sure that we are one step ahead in this lightning fast world. It’s a struggle to resist the temptation to check my email… one… last… time… before I go to bed… (more…)