Great CRM gets even better

I have been a fan of 37 signals for quite some time. First they brought me my favorite project management software. Then they brought out the best darn Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool that I have ever used. And now, they have upped the anti by adding 'deals' tracking to the CRM!

Basically, you can track proposals, bids, RFPs, and project sales inside Highrise, along with the great customer relationship management that I have always loved. If you haven't tried Highrise to track your sales and customer communications, I highly recommend that you do.

Now all I can ask for is for deals from Highrise to be imported into Basecamp for cost tracking. That would rock.

Design vs. Development - What is the difference between a website designer and a website developer?

...and which do you need?

Website design and website development are very different, in spite of surface similarities.

What is a website designer?

A website designer is a person who can create a visual representation of what your website could look like. A good designer will have an understanding of your technical requirements, as well the the technical limitations that you may face, and be able to adapt the design to suit your needs. Although some website designers do in fact build websites, most really good designers just do design. (In home building it is much the same: architects are designers; they design the house, but the general contractor developer builds it.)

In my opinion, website designers are new media artists, and the most impressive artists can make the worst organizational choices.

A word of warning: a website designer is not the same as a graphic artist. There are many website designers out there who are graphic artists as well, but remember: if someone can create great print images, advertisement, and logos, it doesn't mean that they know how to design a website. Make sure you have an intense look at their portfolio of designs, along with the finished products.

What is a website developer?

Web developers are technical people who write the code that makes your website work. Many web developers have good design sensibilities, but the primary purpose of a web developer is to make the technology they are working with work for you on your site. They take the designs and create a website out of it, applying the technical skills that they have to make the drawing become the reality.

Which do I need?

If you are starting from scratch, I recommend engaging both a website designer and a website developer. Most designers can refer you to a developer that they like to work with, and vice versa.

If you plan on changing the appearance of your site only, what you need is a designer. If you plan on changing functional aspects of your site, you will need a developer.

Be sure that the developer that you are working with is familiar with the language and platform that your existing site is built on.

So you wanted to know what I do...

I received an email today from fr33d0m asking me about my credentials for writing this blog, and wanted to know if I am an SEO 'specialist'.

Let me clarify what I do: I am a technical process developer. I find solutions and technologies to meet technical and business needs and develop processes to increase operational efficiency. My primary focuses are:

1) Asset management and delivery systems for an online fitness video website
2) Tool integration and process development for our family business, on online store selling wool bedding

SEO interests me, and so long as my primary focus is the internet, all areas and tools that support online marketing are of interest to me. I am merely passing along my information, experience, and opinions. :-)