Logo Redesign In A Tough Economy

When the financial screws are being tightened, companies often look to where they can cut costs. On the other hand, some companies remember the saying, "you've got to spend money to make money" and look to where smart investments can be made.

Several large corporations have recently revamped their corporate image through a logo redesign to achieve different objectives. For instance, Kraft and Jack In The Box have moved away from logos that use capital letters to ones that use lower case, which convey a friendlier, less domineering feeling in the hopes that it will be more welcoming.

Pepsi and Walmart have also revisited their logos and given them a more casual, contemporary feel. Even though the brands are still easily recognized, they bring a fresh feeling of being connected to their target audience, which keeps them appealing, even in an economic slump.

Investing in your logo, especially if it's established and well-recognized, is the type of move not many companies would consider. However, if the new look is conceived in strategic thinking and designed with the customer in mind, a fresh logo can call attention to the brand and drive sales even in a struggling economy.

At Urban Geko, we approach each logo design project with the same sound strategy and attention to the target audience, every time. Whether your business is brand new or is looking for a facelift, the brilliant design team at Urban Geko will skillfully craft a logo that looks sharp and gets results.

4 Tips For E-Commerce Success

Many, if not the majority of retailers have a strong, online e-commerce presence. Whether you're an established retailer with a recognizable storefront, or a start-up without the brick and mortar, here are some e-commerce tips that may help boost your sales.

1. Have complete and comprehensive information for your products

A great looking photo gallery of your products with detailed descriptions of each will make it simple for your customers to get the vital information they want at a glance. One of the biggest mistakes an e-commerce site can make is not making the details that the customer wants easily accessible. If your customer can't find out what they want to know, they'll move on to somewhere else; probably a competitor.

2. Offer online-only specials

Besides an appealing and easy to use interface, special offers can encourage visitors to buy online even if you have a "brick and mortar" establishment. E-commerce is more than just selling a product on the web; it's an opportunity to reach out to customers and help build a brand. By offering special deals to online users, an entirely new customer base can be established and catered to.

3. Ship large orders for free

Similar to online-only specials, free shipping is a huge reason for visitors to buy from your e-commerce store. Many times, it can make or break an online sale. A customer might have been ready to check out with plenty of items in their cart, then seen the shipping cost only to promptly cancel the transaction. If you have a policy that, say, any order over $50 ships for free, then there's an added incentive for the customer to use you as well as hit the dollar requirement for free shipping.

4. Provide outstanding customer service

Arguably more important than even your products or services, first-class customer service can make all the difference in the world. In fact, some shoppers base their decision to use or not use an online retailer simply on previous customer service experiences or customer service reputations. Shoppers are more prone to look past slightly higher prices or a mild discrepancy as long as the service was friendly, prompt, and resolved any issues without excessive effort on their part.

Although we can't tell you what promotions to run, the team at Urban Geko can design and build an e-commerce site that will meet your every need and impress your online visitors. Whether you need a new e-commerce site, or your existing site could use a tune-up, we can ensure your site will be appealing, intuitive, functional and customizable. Email us today to see how we can help your e-commerce business grow!

Urban Geko Launches OnQueStyle's New Site

Urban Geko has just finished and launched the new website for OnQueStyle, the premier, high-fashion boutique studio located in Corona Del Mar, in Orange County.

Designed to reflect the sophistication and class that OnQueStyle represents, the site gives visitors all the information they would need, and integrates smoothly with OnQueStyle's online eBay store. Modern and contemporary, the site functions as a portal to access the latest in fashion trends and keeps visitors current on the events that OnQueStyle often hosts.

Urban Geko's clean and inviting design accomplished exactly what OnQueStyle was looking for in a new website. Check back to the site often to stay up-to-date or join their email list for the latest news on special events and promotions.

Honesty Is The Best Policy

Why do your clients use your company? What keeps them coming back?

Because an industry leader? Because you offer your service at the lowest price? What keeps them from taking business elsewhwere? These are all questions that should be very important to any business-minded individual interested in staying afloat in trying times.

Hopefully, one of the answers was, “because we do business with the integrity of our company in mind”. Today, more than ever, people want to do business with companies they trust. Regardless of industry standing, price, and especially geographic location, companies take their business to those who they feel will treat them honestly and truthfully.

Most analysts will say that one of the major components that lead to the current state of the economy was an overall lack of confidence. A few dishonest corporations that spent government bailout funds unethically betrayed the trust of the American public. Many people now feel that businesses employ old tricks, smoke, and mirrors to get what they want; not necessarily business, but money. Right now, being able to offer clients piece of mind that you will conduct yourself and your business ethically, and hold the company to high standard of integrity is just as important as providing the best price.

Not sold on the idea of giving clients the “warm, fuzzy feeling”? Besides making your clients comfortable knowing you’re trustworthy, showing that you have integrity creates accountability. With employees, leading by example and setting the moral bar high is important. If a company prides itself on having high ethical standards, employees know that they will have to answer for their actions, likely dissuading any immoral behavior that could hurt business.

Although a company’s reputation does not rest entirely on integrity, it’s an important character trait that’s difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, integrity is not something that can be picked up and thrown into the mix overnight if it’s lacking. It’s the sort of virtue that should be ingrained in the very fiber of the business and its employees. A company must do everything in its power to gain and keep the trust of its customers, honor its commitments, and meet its obligations. Show your clients that you remember the Golden Rule, and you’ll reap its benefits. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value”.

At Urban Geko, we agree and believe that along with value, comes success. We strive to let our level of integrity, honesty, and good ethics be reflected in the caliber of work we provide to our customers and clients.

3 Factors for Website Success

Simplicity- This simply cannot be overstated. Far too many websites loose visitors because the content is too cluttered and difficult to follow. The user's experience should be easy and informative. Boil down what you want to say to it's core and give the visitor exactly what they need to know.

Use White Space- Along the lines of keeping the site simple, white space keeps the design modern and easy to follow. Without a lot of clutter, the important information that you're trying to convey will get noticed and serve its purpose.

Keep the User's Attention- Plain and simple, people have short attention spans and a website that's too wordy and complicated will loose the visitor's attention quickly. It's important to keep the content relevant and interesting to the people you're trying to reach.

At Urban Geko, we know that these, among other principles, need to remain at the foundation of any website that is going to be successful. We understand that effective website design is much more than a fantastic design; without flawless functionality, a site will struggle to meet its goals. Urban Geko has a proven track record of producing stylish, modern sites that rely on sound reasoning and tactics, and achieve results for our clients.