having website made on 99designs

[davidle]

I'm planning on launching a website contest on 99designs.com. Before I do, I have a few questions about the process.

1) Am I just getting a landing page design, essentially? Or, if these guys win the contest, are they going to do all the coding work for the website? If it's the former, do I just hand off the design to a programmer and he can make it functional and have it look exactly like the design?

2) Do I have to give them all of the sales copy I want to put on the website, or what exactly? I notice most businesses aren't putting their content in the contest, so what are these contestant dudes doing? Making stuff up? I know exactly how I want the design to look, I just need someone capable of making it, then someone that can code it for me. Or are these guys able to add in all of the sales copy after the win the contest?

3) Can I have them make multiple pages? Or just the mainpage? What is the best way to do this? I can see myself liking one dudes landing page, and another guys other pages....though maybe not since uniformity will be an issue.

4) Do you think it is more optimal to use the hidden design option, or does it really matter? Is there some benefit to having people copying off of each other? (Since you can point out what you like in certain designs.) I assume the benefit of doing the hidden option is that you get more attempts. But if I'm planning on offering a large cash prize, maybe it doesn't matter.

 

[msthmarketing]

Don`t put your content in the contest buddy.....You will see there lots of sites with the same content

 

[Wwalton]

4) Do you think it is more optimal to use the hidden design option, or does it really matter? Is there some benefit to having people copying off of each other? (Since you can point out what you like in certain designs.) I assume the benefit of doing the hidden option is that you get more attempts. But if I'm planning on offering a large cash prize, maybe it doesn't matter.[/QUOTE]

-Hidden design will allow the process to only be seen by yourself and contributing designers. This is most often used when a company is using a design contest site, but does not want their client to find out that they used a third party service for their web design. It will usually cost a few extra bucks, but ultimately is worth the expense to keep things more private.

I've used DesignCrowd for a few logos and have been very pleased with the level of creativity and fast turnaround time.

 

[SilentPen]

I'm planning on launching a website contest on 99designs.com. Before I do, I have a few questions about the process.

1) Am I just getting a landing page design, essentially? Or, if these guys win the contest, are they going to do all the coding work for the website? If it's the former, do I just hand off the design to a programmer and he can make it functional and have it look exactly like the design?

Generally speaking, it's frowned upon at 99Designs to expect your designer to also code. Also, keep in mind there are many talented designers who can't code, and many talented coders who can't design. Just ask for the design in .psd format, and hire a coder afterward.

2) Do I have to give them all of the sales copy I want to put on the website, or what exactly? I notice most businesses aren't putting their content in the contest, so what are these contestant dudes doing? Making stuff up? I know exactly how I want the design to look, I just need someone capable of making it, then someone that can code it for me. Or are these guys able to add in all of the sales copy after the win the contest?

Do NOT put your sales copy in the brief, unless you want it jacked. Tell them to use dummy text (Lorem Ipsum) to fill the spaces. A quality design will allow for expansion for your text.

3) Can I have them make multiple pages? Or just the mainpage? What is the best way to do this? I can see myself liking one dudes landing page, and another guys other pages....though maybe not since uniformity will be an issue.

To be honest, you'd have to offer a huge prize to get enough people interested on a multipage, and that could be a bitch to give feedback on. Like you said.. if you like one main page, and another inner page, you'll start confusing people when you rate them both high. Instead, offer a reasonable prize, and tell the designers in the brief that you're offering contract work on the subpages to the winning designer. That way you get a homepage that you love, and one on one attention from the designer afterward to have a solid flow between the home page and the subpages while still getting just what you're looking for.

4) Do you think it is more optimal to use the hidden design option, or does it really matter? Is there some benefit to having people copying off of each other? (Since you can point out what you like in certain designs.) I assume the benefit of doing the hidden option is that you get more attempts. But if I'm planning on offering a large cash prize, maybe it doesn't matter.

If you already know exactly what you're looking for, you'd be better off not running a hidden contest. Hidden is better for when you're really not sure what you want to see design-wise, so you want to make sure you get as many unique variations to choose from as possible. Since you claim to know exactly what you want, take the time to give a highly detailed brief, and let the designers all see the designs and related feedback. By doing so, you allow them to see what styles / changes score higher and therefore are more attuned to what you're looking for.

As a contest holder, the best thing you can do is invest time in feedback, detailed comments, and a detailed brief. Provide examples where possible, and be sure to check in often to give timely responses to those with questions.