Unlocking the secrets of an effective website: interview with Konstantinos Valsamakis and Nikos Meramveliotakis
hiremycode is a small web studio specialised in website building, design and hosting, based in Hermoupolis, Syros. We spoke with its owners and creators, Konstantinos Valsamakis and Nikos Meramveliotakis, about a website’s essential elements, what we should pay attention to when it comes to our online presence, but also the importance of well-written texts and of a professional translation.
Talk to us about your company. When and how did you decide to start your own business and what were the main opportunities and challenges in this trajectory?
hiremycode was founded in 2013, when we decided to leave Athens and return to Syros, longing for the quality of life and more relaxed pace of life it offers. During that time we received an offer by a Dutch advertising company to design their clients’ corporate websites. That offer paved the way for the establishment of our company. The biggest challenge was finding reliable collaborators with whose support we would be able to offer our clients a full range of services and be proud of the results.
We all know that having a website is essential today, not only for companies, but also for freelancers, artists, etc. In your opinion, what are the key elements a website should have in order to be able to attract the right audience?
Our philosophy regarding a website’s content is simple and can be summarised in one phrase: it should exude professionalism. This means that the website must be designed from scratch and that effort and time should be invested in the development of the right strategy. Our key priorities are original design, polished content, professional photography, compatibility with any and all devices, user-friendliness and speed!
How important is copywriting and translation when building a website?
A website’s content is vital, since it’s what will keep visitors engaged after they have formed a first impression. Therefore, it must be appealing, simple and clear and, naturally, easy to read. Visitors must be able to find the information they’re looking for immediately, without having to struggle to understand the texts or their translation.
A website’s content must be appealing, simple and clear and, naturally, easy to read.
Could you share any tips for individuals and companies that are considering creating a website or revamping their existing one? What should they be mindful of?
We would recommend them to start by performing good market research. After they identify a few teams that they consider suitable for their project, they should examine their portfolios carefully. They could check if the portfolio includes projects similar to theirs or projects of other companies in the same sector. This way, they can be sure that the team they’re considering has the necessary know-how to successfully design and build their website. It is also essential to agree with the team’s approach and philosophy, in order to avoid potential surprises…
How about tips or ideas regarding a company’s or individual’s online presence as a whole? How important is it for finding clients or building a reputation and how difficult is it to manage?
A company’s online presence must be consistent and tailor-made in order to create a professional impression, to beat the competition, to improve the company’s visibility and, ultimately, attract new clients. Therefore, our general advice is to assign the management of your online presence to specialists experienced in this field, who will be able to suggest the right solutions and to manage your online presence in a professional manner.