Digital Guava
amy@digitalguava.com
As she looks back on her teenage years in New Jersey of dabbling with computers in the late 1990s, Amy Chan said she never considered those interests would lead to a fulfilling and successful career — in Sequim.
“I always hung out at the library and it had a new computer lab — it was the beginning of the Internet,” the 36-year-old Chan said. “From the Geocities.com site, I started learning about creating websites from tutorials — then there was no job called web designer.”
At Rutgers University, Chan eventually majored in a new program called Information Technology and Informatics, learning web design and coding languages such as HTML (for structure) and CSS (styling). After graduation in 2003, almost by default, she became the website designer for NYCE Corporation and KPMG LLP in New York City and gained a decade of experience. In Hawaii in 2013, she created her own web design studio and has gathered clients from there, California, the New York City area and South Korea — and sunny Sequim. Her focus is on websites for professionals, small businesses, start-ups and agencies.
With a thirst for knowledge, Chan keeps expanding her skills, although she admits she has her limits.
“I think there are so many skills to learn — and you can’t learn them all and be good at all of them — so you really have to choose what interests you and focus on those skills first and go from there,” Chan explained. “You can go down a rabbit hole learning about all this stuff.”
The design process
Chan compares designing a customized website to building a house with all its myriad choices.
“Whether the client wants a new design or a new website, what I’ll do is take them through a paid discovery process, a series of meetings, phone calls or video conferences, and ask a lot of questions about their business so I get a better understanding of what their needs and goals are,” Chan explained.
“I come up with a plan for a website that will support their goals and I find that a crucial part of the process. If we don’t do that, we’re missing opportunities to leverage their website.”
Next, Chan draws up a proposed outline of the work to be done and an estimate for the cost of her services. She said the hours and costs spent in the process vary, depending on the client regarding functionality and features, and importantly, the client’s budget.
The old saying, champagne on a beer budget, may apply and some concessions may have to be made.
“The wish list affects the time and effort and the cost. We go through the whole thing with their vision and their budget and how to make them work together,” Chan said.
Projects from beginning to end tend to range from 30-70 hours, which includes discovery meetings, design work, website training, setting up social media, etc., but Chan said she’s had some that have been double that because of the scope of the project.
“It’s surprising how many little things I learn about the client and their business and every business is different,” Chan said. “I think that’s why I’m enjoying this because I’m learning about different businesses, not just one.”
Her style, your style
Although Chan likes getting to know her clients, her favorite part of the process is the actual design phase.
“The look and feel of my particular style is clear and functional,” Chan said. “I like to use photography to add color to the web page because a head shot or photo of the store gives you (visitors) a good feeling for that business; photography adds atmosphere to website so when people see the photos and then come to the business, they’re in sync.”
Chan rejects cookie cutter designs and strives for individuality to set the client’s website apart from a plethora of others.
Chan is no digital diva — friendly, bright and articulate, she avoids computerese and explains complicated technical concepts in laymen’s terms to put her clients at ease.
Best and worst
“I very much enjoy the discovery process because I get to talk directly to the client,” Chan said, “and when I start working on the project, I get into a flow — oh, I love flow! — being in that zone, getting things done and coming together. Another fun part is when I get to show the client the complete website and hand over the keys (log-in). They now own their website, they control it, it’s their home base.”
Chan paused long and hard, thinking about a downside to her job.
“The challenging aspect is the sales and business aspect. I didn’t learn how to run a business, so I’m learning as I go — that’s one of the more frustrating parts.”
Sharing the wealth
On her website at www.digitalguava.com, Chan has put together a toolbox with tools she’s personally used herself which have saved her time and frustration. Some are fee-based, others are free.
As for the distinctive name, Chan explained, “As a child I briefly lived in Taiwan, a subtropical island known for its abundant and delicious fruit. There you will find fresh fruit sold by street vendors and eateries serving a variety of fruit beverages. Many years later, I spotted guava juice at my local Asian grocery store. I had forgotten this was a favorite of mine and bought some that day. It brought me back to a happy time in my childhood. Soon after that, I decided to start my web design studio and Digital Guava was born.”
