One of the best ways many small businesses can increase sales is
through the Internet. Yet numerous small businesses don’t have the
staff or knowledge to tap into this amazing tool.
One of the best ways many small businesses can increase sales is through the Internet. Yet numerous small businesses don’t have the staff or knowledge to tap into this amazing tool. Mark Fields, owner of Dragon Paw Designs, is ready to help.
“If you’re doing business, computers are almost a necessity,” Fields said. “Any business, especially a small business or even a large corporation that’s just starting up, needs to put their business out there. One of the best ways to do this is on the Internet. Their business can advertise all over the world and it’s so inexpensive it’s almost like free advertising. The Internet is accessible to the entire world if they have a computer.”
Dragon Paw Designs is geared to help new businesses get started and help established businesses increase their exposure and customer base. Fields offer everything from logo designs to creating a complete Web site.
“We offer Web sites that are regular informational Web sites,” said Fields. “This is up to 10 pages of information plus graphics. This service includes domain registration, Web hosting and managing the site for up to one hour of updates a month.”
Also available are e-commerce sites, the kind from which purchases are made. For these, Dragon Paw Designs offer unlimited text pages, helps set up the “shopping cart,” bank accounts and the pay portal service. An hour per month of site maintenance is included.
Designing Web sites and logos takes creative skill, which is one of the reasons Fields – who originally majored in music – first became interested in it.
“Both my parents are musicians and teachers. I’ve always been into music and am artistically inclined,” he said. “I first got into computer graphics at Gavilan College. When I got out of Gavilan I was working full-time. I decided to go to an accelerated learning college.”
Fields checked around and decided on Silicon Valley College, where he earned a degree as a computer graphic specialist.
“We learned everything from photo retouch to graphic creation, logo design, Web design and more,” he said. “After checking around in San Jose and seeing what jobs were open and what the market was like, I decided to open my own business down here in Hollister. I got my business license only a month after I graduated. I already had most of the equipment and software I needed.
“This type of business allows me to still be creative. Plus, I like the thought of working for myself. If you have a job working for others, you can lose it. If I have my own business, it’s my responsibility to keep it going.”
Blending an artistic ability with good listening skills, Fields works hard at creating logos and Web sites that will best reflect the customers’ business.
“I don’t charge anything for the initial consultation,” he said. “I start off by talking with my clients, finding out what they’re doing and what they want to do with their company. Logos and Web sites need to be designed for functionality. It also should reflect what their business is all about, and what they hope to accomplish. My goal is to help show what my clients want to portray to their customers.”
When creating his own business name and logo, Fields drew from personal choices and interests.
“I’ve always been interested in dragons,” he said. “They represent wisdom, knowledge and the keepers of knowledge. The paw represents hands used to create.”
For more information or to set up a free consultation, call (831) 801-3772 or go to www.dragonpawdesigns.com.
