Business websites we admire

[Gerry Monaghan]

I really think Vicki's site works well. It is clean and loads quickly, and I don't think there are too many samples. If anythinkg, they have the effect of becomming a graphic border. It shows alot of restoration experience.

Vicki, I noticed you don't list printing services. What kind of print products and archiving services do you offer? Gerry

[Vikki]

Thanks Gerry!
I originally had quite a bit more information on my site, but just this past year took it off. I'm still debating whether or not to put pricing back on the site. Interestingly, I've had more inquiries since I took the prices off!

Most of the traffic I receive is from people like ourselves - interested in doing the restoration themselves (and there are hundreds!) The site has never been a source of business. I like to think of it as a portfolio (part of the reason for taking prices down).

Another reason for removing prices - I think the quality of work should be the most important issue, then the price (that's how I would choose such a service). Regardless of whatever else they may offer, if a site can't initially show me some good examples of their work, I don't see why I would pursue any further inquiries. Of course this is only my shopping technique, many people put price first.

All prints are printed with online services (silver halide chemical process - Fujifilm Crystal Archive paper), so they are basically real photographs. I just don't care for inkjets compared to these.

If requested a CD is included at no charge. I keep backup CD's of all work.

Reprints are around $12, as this is double the cost one would pay if they went to their local Walmart, Kmart, etc. (My pricing is based on the fact that I am doing the footwork, and not the customer.)

Vikki

[Gerry Monaghan]

OK Doug,
I decided to take the direct approach and contact Maggie at "As You Like It Photo Restoration" with a "you don't know me but I want to do what you do" letter. I told her about my assignment from Doug to find out how things were going for them. I got a lovely reply letter in which she tells me about their business. With regards to their not offering any printing services, I gather that she/they have positioned themselves to service retailers doing a variety of applications which all use the photo on the CD. She seemed to be implying that they are having a good result working like this. She says her clients then use her work for t-shirts, mugs and prints (no indication of the quality of what is being produced.) I get the sense that they are busy and happy. Good for them! She would be delighted if any of you would stop in to say hello. Her link is http://www.originalink.com/photos/ )

[Doug Nelson]

Very cool, especially since rewarding these admired websites with our praise was half of the reason I started this thread.

Good work, and I'm pleased they were so nice about it (pleased, but not really surprised).

[OhThatGirl2001]

Here is one of my favorite restoration sites. I think Jean(ette) is the reason I decided to try my hand at restoring photos to begin with. I love the layout of her website. The gallery idea is wonderful... and the search engines always seem to find it!
http://www.aftereffect.addr.com/

[Doug Nelson]

How can you not admire a photo retouching and restoration company in Nepal? Not much up on the website, but still...

http://www.digitalphotoretouch.com.np

[Doug Nelson]

I saw this and had mixed emotions, but mostly I thought it was just cool.

You know those old convex portraits that are such a pain to restore due to how hard they are to scan? Well, these folk still make them!

http://www.convexartist.com

Their service is (to me) original an innovative, plus their site speaks both to the end customer and photographers that might want to offer their services.

[Doug Nelson]

I like this because I can't do any of this:

http://www.agpgraphix.com/kimptoncr/