Today I asked a simple question on twitter and got more responses than I expected. Some of the answers also caught me off guard so I thought I'd extend the question to the blog so we had more room to chat and discuss. The question was regarding how many people/firms add their credits to the footer of the websites they build. At Ideal Design Firm we've been doing that since I can remember but lately I've questioned the purpose it serves. I can't recall a single instance where a client has asked us to remove our name or logo but I also can't recall an instance where we've received business from it. I'd discuss my suspicions as to why those have been our results but that's another topic.
So here's the question verbatim:
“Web biz owners: Do you require your projects have a “credit” to you on their site? (logo or name in footer, etc)”
So, let's chat!
What has your practice been? What has led you to your decisions and what results have you seen from said decisions?
Here are a few responses I've already received on twitter:
“ yes we do ”
@blivengood
“ we usually add a link in the footer by default, but no big deal if we don't... Doesn't suit every design and/or customer ”
@emagine_media
“ Usually, yes. Unless of course I'm being subcontracted. In which case I request that *NO* credit is used. ”
@onebrightlight
“ no--I hate that. Doesn't accomplish goals for your customers customers. ”
@boyink
“ I ask, usually really small text in the footer. Not required ”
@CS_sean
“ I place it in there during the design phase. Most of the time they don't say anything, but if they ask I'll remove it. ”
@DrewStauffer
“ My theory is - I put one on, until someone questions it being there. I'm sure there are sites where its not appropriate however. ”
@angstmann
“ Yes, typically. ”
@monooso
“ No. Maybe in the code but generally not public-facing. ”
@mrw
“ I've received dozens of quality inquiries and a number of great jobs from simple credit links. Unobtrusive, effective marketing.
Consider, EE devs love to put "powered by ExpressionEngine" in the footer. Why the hell wouldn't you include your studio link? ”
@16toads, part 2
“ I just add it; no requirement. If a client wants it removed I do (that's only happened once or twice). ”
@angieherrera
“ Nope ”
@TomJaeger
“ I don't, personally, but we do at work. Sometimes personal clients ask me to add a link back to my stuff though. ”
@jaemie
“ I think most high end companies don't. Your work and reputation speak for you. People interested will contact the business. ”
@bruce
Comments
I always put my credit in the footer of sites I design and build. Only once in seven years has a client asked me not to. I do get traffic from some of the sites too, though I can’t say with certainty that the link alone has led directly to business.
@Sean
Thanks for pointing that out. I missed 6 other replies on twitter because I didn’t scroll down enough on my “at” replies. I’ve amended the blog entry and added the other replies.
That’s pretty awesome that a client gave you free banner ad placement!
@Bud
We have received traffic from the footer links. That I can’t deny. I suppose I could better state it this way: We are not aware of any business being generated from those links. Perhaps we have had a few folks come on board by clicking over but as far as we’ve learned (from asking “how did you hear about us”) the footer links don’t seem to have an impact. Again, I have some suspicions that are specific to our company as to why.
“I think most high end companies don’t. Your work and reputation speak for you.”
No offense, but this statement is pure crap ... in addition to being mildly offensive.
The issue of including a credit link (marketing link) is another in a very long line of stupid, purely subjective controversies creatives love to revel in in their attempts to set themselves apart from competitors they perceive as being lesser professionals or, perhaps, put more aptly, less enlightened professionals. It’s an opinion. Period.
Including a marketing link on a site you create is, in my humble opinion, smart business. It’s simple, and in fifteen years, I’ve only ever had one client ask me if it was mandatory. Credit links can be removed as easily as “No problem”.
“People interested will contact the business.”
This is a statement with which I absolutely agree. But, I’ll one up the thought by stating that “potential clients who see a design they like while surfing the web and have the wherewithal to click on my credit link to find me” are usually excellent clients. Why? Because, with that simple gesture, they’ve already proven they did their homework before contacting me.
Like I mentioned, I’ve gotten many many inquiries over the years as a result of my credit links. Case in point, my biggest current job is just such an example ... I was one of three companies they contacted. I won the job despite the fact that I had the highest rates. It’s a great project, they’re great clients, and the budget is, well, great.
Sorry to prove the naysayers wrong, but credit links work.
@Paul
“Because, with that simple gesture, they’ve already proven they did their homework before contacting me.”
That’s a great point that I had not considered. Thanks for sharing more thoughts!
I always do and have never been asked to remove it yet. Another reason why you might want to include it there (and I’ve had this situation relayed back to me in the past) is if a client you’ve done a site for is having a conversation with someone about their site and wants to recommend you and they aren’t in front of a computer or have a pen & paper handy, they can say “The link’s at the bottom of every page of my site.”
Generally I ask and if they say yes I might give them a small discount, or knock off a month of hosting. Generally they don’t mind at all, especially when we both get something beneficial from it.
An older company I worked for made it a priority that their name was on every single site they did, however, clients did ask them to remove it on several occasions and they never got any busines from it. I was against it then, and now in working for myself I never put my company’s name on a site. As a designer it seems odd. Would you put your name on a brochure you designed? How about a business card? If you do good work your clients will give you the credit you deserve for the project instead of advertising on their space.
Your Words of Wisdom
Erik,
I think you missed my tweet on this
To expand on that, My first couple of sites, I required it, but then I figured the client was already paying me to do their site so I didn’t feel right requiring advertising. What I do now is ask and usually set it in the footer as a small unobtrusive text link.
One client was so happy he insisted that I place a 250x250 banner on his site, which actually led to another job about 9 months later.
Sean on Mar 30th at 8:58 pm