Finding the Right Fit

Choosing a partner to create interactive marketing materials takes some extra considerations. Here’s a checklist that will help you determine whether a prospective partner can deliver what you need.

Make sure the vendor...

• Has the experience needed to ensure a good outcome.
• Is a stable, proven company that will ensure support down the road.
• Offers a flexible Content Management System (CMS*) that will allow my site to grow with my business and meet my customers’ expectations.
• Offers training so my staff can confidently use the CMS*.
• Understands how site architecture and navigation affects the user experience and adds value to the site.
• Works with you to organize your information and materials in order to streamline the website production process and get the best outcome from the project.
• Uses technologies that are not dependent on a single software vendor or a specific hosting environment.
• Understands the changing needs of companies and how to apply the latest technological innovations to those needs.
• Can provide additional services like e-commerce, real-time credit card authorization, secure certificates and merchant accounts.
• Offers value-added services like search engine optimization, visitor tracking and tools that help me see how effective my promotions are.
• Is experienced in site security, and offers ongoing support services.

*Content Management System

A CMS is software that helps you maintain your site without the need to know HTML coding. As Kleenex is to Facial Tissue, so WordPress has become synonymous with CMS. However, IdeaBank uses a CMS that was ahead of it's time when WordPress was just figuring out how to become more than blogging software. Learn more about IdeaBank's GearsCMS.