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In order for small businesses to defend and educate themselves, I have compiled a list of questions that you should be asking web design companies during your interviews. They may even look a bit shocked to hear you ask these. The following answers will quickly get you up to speed and help you make the right choice when it comes to choosing the most qualified company.

*Note: Try not to show these answers while asking them. They could easily bullshit talk their way through most of these questions.

1) What budgets do you typically work with?

Many small to medium sized businesses do not like to give away their budgets. This is understandable. However to make the guessing game a bit easier for everyone, why not reverse the process and instead ask the web company what budgets they typically work with. This information will quickly tell you two things: (1) If you can afford them and (2) if you fall within their typical budget scope.

If you are nowhere near their budget range, then chances are they won’t be dedicating very much time to you.

2) Are the websites you develop cross-browser compatible?

(They should say Yes.)

Cross-browser compatibility refers to the ability for your website to display correctly on all browsers including both Mac and PC. Your website should look and function the same across multiple browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple’s Safari, Opera, and Google’s Chrome.

You can verify this yourself by opening some of the companies previously designed websites in different computers and browsers.  Make sure the layout of the site is not broken and looks similar in each browser. There may be small visual differences (in a good way) when using more advanced browsers such as Chrome and Safari.

3) Are the websites you develop using W3C validated standard-compliant code?

(They should say Yes.)

This is another very important question that will separate the men from the boys. Long ago the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) created a standards-based guideline for coding web sites in order to get web development on track. Complying with web standards gives your web pages greater loading speed, greater visibility in web searches (Google), increased accessibility to visually impaired individuals, and guaranteed long-term stability and compatibility with future web technologies. It is very important to ask any web company whether they strive for W3C Validation.

If you want to test this out yourself, grab a few of their latest websites and run it through the following online test: http://validator.w3.org/. The code should validate for some form of XHTML or HTML5.

Although validation is very important, every now and then even the best web developers may stumble and come up with a few errors. Anything more than a few though and you are asking for trouble.  This is often excusable if a web developer is trying out new technologies or there was a tiny slip in some dynamic code. This is why I recommend testing multiple websites from the web design company and not just one.

4) Do your websites use table-based layouts?

(They should definitely say No)

Tables based layout code

This is the quickest way to tell if the web developer really sucks. Using “tables” is a very outdated way of creating websites. They are slow loading, hard to modify, do not validate with the W3C, and prove troublesome for blind users using screen readers. A good web developer should say that they use XHTML and CSS Instead.

If you want to check for tables, view the source code on some of their websites. If you see a bunch of <td>, <table>, or <tr> tags all over the code, then that means your web developer has not evolved in the past 5 years.

5) Do you use WYSIWIG* editors to develop your websites? (*Pronounced “whiz-ee-whig”- stands for “What You See Is What You Get”)

(They should say No.)

It is important that a developer writes his own code in order to maximize the speed and effeciency of the website. If a web developer is relying on WYSIWIG Editors, then they are not as experienced as you may think. Using a WYSIWIG editor means that the web company is not coding themselves and is instead relying on 3^rd party programs to do it for them. This is bad for many reasons: (1) It produces bloated code that is outdated and slows down your website; (2) Every time modifications are made the code gets even more bloated; (3) By using WISYWIG, the developer is limited in how much of the design can be altered because they have to work within the constraints of the program.

These companies generally cannot code and rely on the ‘WYSIWIG mode’ of programs such as Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is not bad at all in itself, but using it the ‘WYSIWYG mode’ is a sure way to develop a poor, bloated, and slow website.

6) Will you be using pre-made templates on my website?

(They should say No or at least notify you if they are.)

You’d be surprised to find out how many web companies use pre-made templates without telling their clients.  This saves them time and money by conforming your business’s unique needs into a pre-packaged cookie cutter layout. There are online stores (such as www.themeforest.net) where web companies can purchase premade templates for $25 only to slightly modify them and resell them to you for thousands of dollars. This is completely unethical if not notified upfront.   There are even instances where design companies are using templates on their own website.  Why would you want a custom website developed by someone who didn’t even design theirs?

That’s not to say all templates are bad. If you are on a very limited budget, they can be a great way to get something up quickly. Just remember that by going with a template, your business’s goals may not be properly marketed and worst of all, your site may end up looking just like someone else’s.

A Creative Template

A Not-So-Creative Company

7) Do you conduct usability testing on your websites?

(They should probably say Yes, but it’s okay if they don’t.)

While usability testing is not a requirement and often adds to a project’s budget, it is important that a web development company be familiar with it.  This is not to be confused with ‘testing for bugs.’  This is literally test how people use the website.

Usability Comic by Steve Krug

The testing methods can vary but generally they will involve having a target user sit down at a computer while being recorded as they navigate the web site. Recordings will include the individual’s video and audio, as well as the entire screen and mouse clicks.  During the sessions, the individual will be asked a series of questions about what they are thinking in regards to the website’s purpose and value. The user will also be given tasks to see if they can complete them. These studies and videos save time and money by highlighting any problems visitors may be having early in the development cycle.

8) Will you be using Flash on my website?

(They should probably say No, but there are exceptions.)

Flash is a web technology that allows developers to create interactive websites with sound and animation. While these website are fun to play with, they are generally not the best solution for business starting out on the web. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing cannot properly index Flash content as well as HTML content. They also generally cost more, take time to load, take longer to develop, and cannot be as easily updated as an HTML website.  And finally because many mobile devices do not support Flash, your website will not be viewable on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or Android phones (it shows, just not very well).

The good news is that other technologies such as Javascript and HTML5 have advanced in terms of animation; web developers are now able to include basic animations without having to rely on Flash. Check out Apple’s latest online demos of HTML5 in action. (Must use Safari.)

9) Which Content Management System do you use and can I try it out?

(They may have their own system that was developed in house or a 3^rd party system such as ‘WordPress, ‘Expression Engine, ‘Joomla,’ or ‘Drupal’.)

A content management system is a back-end administrative system that attaches to your website so you can easily add, edit, or delete any of your content or images.

Screenshot from Expression Engine

There are many 3^rd party CMS systems available that are used for websites. Each has strengths and weakness. Some can be very straight forward, but others can be very confusing with too many options. There are also in-house developed systems that can vary greatly in terms of quality. This will be dependent on the quality of the developer.

The important thing to remember is to find out which CMS the company uses and whether you can test it for yourself.  Most companies should have a demo online that you can access. This will give you a good idea of how easy or difficult it will be to update your future website.

10) Can I see some of your latest website designs?

Only after all of the above questions have been appropriately addressed can you move on to critiquing a company’s design portfolio. If they have failed miserably on answering the above questions, then you probably shouldn’t even be looking at their designs.

With that said, it is very important to make a decision based on the company’s previous work.  After all, these are the people who will be designing your company’s image on the web. If the company’s past five websites are ugly, there’s a good chance yours will be too.  It is up to you to decide which company will best market your businesses’ objectives and unique personality.

In Line for KICK-ASS

First up, I lined up for the opening night film KICK-ASS with my girlfriend Sandy Salinas and good friend Le-An Tran on Friday at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX.  KICK-ASS is Matthew Vaughn’s new film which will be hitting theaters April 16, 2010. The film is based on the comic-book series written by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.  All I can say is that KICK-ASS was KICK-ASS.  Chloe Grace Moretz stole the show as HIT-GIRL Check out the trailer below.

After KICK-ASS, Sandy and I ran over to the Alamo Draft House Ritz on 6th St. to try and catch a sneak peek of the upcoming PREDATORS movie by Austin based filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.  They really needed a bigger venue for something like this.  Only about 170 got into the event out the 400 or so people that waited in line with us.  I’ll leave you guys with the teaser trailer for now.

Ti West, Matt Reeves, Robert Rodriguez, & Ruben Fletcher

The next day I went to several film panels which included: KICK ASS Panel with director Matthew Vaugn, Chloe Mortiz, Aaron Johnson, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  I also attended Distribution Deals with Deena Kalai PLLC and Directing the Dead with Ti West, Matt Reeves, Robert Rodriguez, & Ruben Fletcher.  Unfortunately, both Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino were both no shows at the panel.  Oh well, maybe next time they will come to SXSW and talk about their new upcoming projects.

Later that day, Sandy and I attended the Texas Film Commission party at the Iron Cactus on 6th St.  There, we met with several old friends and even made some new ones.  We met up with Alfred Cervantes of the Houston Film Commission, the lovely and talented El Paso filmmaker Maru Buendia-Senties (Entre Linas), my old University Film Alliance buddy Jack McWilliams, and documentary filmmaker & old UT professor Ben Steinbauer, whose award winning documentary Winnebago Man premiered at SXSW last year.  We also got to meet Drew Mayer-Oakes and Janet Vasquez of the San Antonio Film Commission. Good Times!

Jack McWilliams & Myself

Sandy Salinas & Maru Buendia-Senties

Ben Steinbauer "Winnebago Man"

Later that night we went watch Michel Gondry’s documentary Thorn in my Heart, met with Phillip Bloom at Maggie Mae’s, and finished the night with Cannibal Girls. What was Cannibal Girls? It was directed by Ivan Reitman in 1973 and starred Eugene Levy. Wow this was a bad horror film but great in so many ways. Oscar nominated director Jason Reitman was at SXSW and introduced his father’s old horror film before a sold out crowd at the Alamo Draft House Ritz.

John Pierson & Michel Gondry

Phillip Bloom & Myself

1st in line for Cannibal Girls

Jason Reitman @ SXSW

We ended the night with Electra Luxx starring Carla Gugino but unfortunately the projector died 2/3 way into the film. They weren’t able to repair the projector but Sebastian Gutierrez gave a great comedy stand up to make up for the last part of the film. He really knew how to work the crowd so major kudos to for keeping his cool under so much pressure. I hope to finish watching Electra Luxx in the future if it ever comes to DVD or Netflix.

Marcel Rodriguez & Myself

Sandy, Elizabeth, and I

On Monday, Sandy and I met up with our buddy Marcel Rodriguez at the World Premiere of Dance with the One. Marcel was the DP on the production. The film was produced by the UTFI program at the University of Texas at Austin. Several of our old friends worked on the production that began in 2008. We also ran into Elizabeth Avellan while at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar inline for the Texas Shorts Program. Check out the Dance with the One trailer below:

We ended the night by watching the UK film TONY at the Alamo Ritz downtown. Talk about a disturbing film! The story is quite unique considering that the serial killer…well I won’t spoil the ending for you because it really is different than most serial killer films. A must see for everyone! Check out the trailer below:

On the final day of SXSW Film, Sandy, Le-An, and I watched what I believe were two of the best films of the SXSW film festival. They included The People VS George Lucas and Harry Brown. The People VS George Lucas was probably the best documentary film of the festival and it was awesome the director Alexandre Phillipe chose to have to the World Premiere at SXSW 2010. We were first to see it before anyone else! This film touched on everything and anything that is and “was” the Star Wars universe. I say “was” since George Lucas created and ruined Star Wars for a lot of us. Check out the trailer below:

Next came Harry Brown starring Michael Caine. Harry Brown was the best film of SXSW! Set in modern day Britain, Harry Brown follows a man’s journey through a chaotic world where teenage violence runs rampant. As a modest, law abiding citizen, Brown lives alone. His only companion is his best friend Leonard. When Leonard is killed, Brown reaches his breaking point. Clint Eastwood ain’t got nothing on Michael Caine! I’ll be looking for this film on Blu-Ray when it hits stores for sure. Check out the trailer below:

We ended the festival with a sneak peek of the new film The Runaways starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. Both Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart were present to introduce the film as was the film’s director Floria Sigismondi and last but not least, the legend herself Ms. Cherie Currie. Check out some of the photos below as well as the trailer:

The Runaways @ SXSW 2010

Sandy & Runaways Poster

All in all, it was a great week of films and panels at South by Southwest 2010. Can’t wait to check it out again next year. Thanks for reading!

26th Chicago Latino Film Festival

MindWarp Entertainment, in association with Paloma Films, presents the World Premiere of the feature film Hands of God by The Brothers Corral. Hands of God will be screened on Saturday April 17th at 6:00pm & Monday April 19th at 8:30pm during the 26^th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival.

Roasted Films & Paloma Films, in association with MindWarp Entertainment, present a screening of the documentary film Breaking Borders: Cross Dressers & Drag Queens of El Paso, TX by Diana Cordova. Breaking Borders will be screening on Sunday, April 25^th at 6:15 p.m. & on Tuesday April 27th at 6:00pm during the 26^th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival.

(Ticket Information)

Tickets can be purchased at The International Latino Cultural Center in Chicago IL, or by calling The International Latino Cultural Center at (312) 431-1330.  Log on to http://www.latinoculturalcenter.org for more information.

(Hands of God)

Dr. Michael Vidal is in his final year of residency and has just been named senior chief resident of the heart surgery program at his hospital.  After his father’s death, he slowly begins to lose touch with reality and resorts to drinking while on call. When Dr. Michel Vidal begins to question his profession, Ramon Salazar, a patient with no friends or family, befriends him.  While providing Dr. Michael Vidal with a second chance at understanding his father, Mr. Salazar reminds him that a man is only as strong as the memories that define him.

El Paso’s local talent includes: Manny Rubio, Jim Daross, Marco Naylor, Karen Moore, Frank Laverpool, Alyssa Sherman, Armando Beltran, Angel Herrera, and Nomar Rizo. Hands of God is the result of the hard work and creative talents of El Paso’s growing filmmaking community.

Follow us on our Facebook Fan Page (Hands of God) and Twitter (MindWarpLLC).

(Breaking Borders)

Every Thursday night at a local Taco Cabana in El Paso Texas, Manuel Nunez and friends put on a cross dressing drag queen show titled “Samantha’s Travesti Show.” Through the use of comedy and entertainment, Samantha, Viviana, & Zayda break the borders of transsexual identity and acceptance.

This is a 13-minute documentary film that chronicles the one night performance of three cross dressers in El Paso, Texas as they inform the audience about why they chose their part-time profession. As individuals, these performers break numerous “borders” which range from societal to literal, as they cross over from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to perform for their fans. “There are people who don’t applaud and others who are apathetic to our show,” states Manuel “Samantha” Nunez.  “We want people to laugh and have fun with us.  It’s for people who want to forget ordinary life.”

Follow us on Facebook (Breaking Borders) and Twitter (MindWarpLLC).

2010 Addy Award

This past weekend, MindWarp LLC won an ADDY award for the website Paloma Films at the 2010 ADDY Awards in El Paso, TX.  You can check out the winning website at www.palomafilms.com. The website displays the cinematography talents of Benny Ontiveros and his work.

Thank you  friends and family for all your support!

Best Little Website on the Border 2009 Award

MindWarp Entertainment wins 1st Place for the ‘Best Little Website on the Border’ Contest at BizTech 2009! Our winning website was for the Texas Gynecology and Laser Surgery Center. You can view the winning website here:  http://www.farnammd.com

The website won first place from among 68 submissions. Winning websites were judged based on usability, aesthetics, and effectiveness.

BizTech 2009 is the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce premier technology expo and is now in its eleventh year. It is the Southwest Region’s largest meeting place for thousands of information technology professionals, community and business leaders, telecommunications providers, fellow entrepreneurs, and others looking for the best in technology solutions from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border.

If you have questions regarding information about BizTech, please contact: Rebeca Rodriguez at rrodriguez@ephcc.org or at 566-4066.

If you like the web site’s design, comment below and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Click on the image to view the web site.

Paloma Films

The Brothers Corral

After graduating from Cathedral High School, the Corral brothers had their futures down pat. Carlos was studying computer science, his brother Octavio in biology. However, there was no disputing their true interests. “There were stacks upon stacks of VHS tapes we made when we were little,” said Octavio. After the dreaded call home to inform the lifeline about the permanent change in their future careers into a notoriously unpredictable field, both University of Texas at Austin students changed their majors to Radio-Television-Film.

Just two short years after graduating, the enterprising siblings are deep into their business venture MindWarp Entertainment LLC, a production company specializing in web design and video production. Although they run their own company with two locations in the state (Carlos, 26, is in Austin, while Octavio, 24, is in El Paso), they were still able to nurture their pet project, a feature film about an alcoholic doctor called Hands of God….

Continue reading the article at www.epmediagroup.com

Hands of God Poster

We will be having a special sneak peek screening of our new feature film Hands of God on Thursday Aug. 13th at 9pm and Saturday Aug. 15th at 10pm at the 2009 Plaza Classic Film Festival right here in our hometown of El Paso TX. The first sneak peek screening has already SOLD OUT and tickets are going fast for our 2nd screening on Aug. 15th.

If you would still like to purchase tickets for the second screening, you can drop by the main box office at the Plaza Theatre during regular business hours or purchase them online at Ticketmaster here.

We’ve also received some great press from the El Paso Times and What’s Up El Paso about our sold out screening. Below are some of the highlights from the news articles we have been gathering:

By Doug Pullen / El Paso Times
Posted: 08/01/2009 05:20:46 PM MDT
And they’ve added a second showing of “Hands of God,” a new drama by El Paso filmmaker Carlos Corral. The first one at 9 p.m. Aug. 13 has already sold out the 200-seat Philanthropy Theatre. The encore will be at 10 p.m. Aug. 15.

By Doug Pullen / El Paso Times
Posted: 08/06/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT
One locally made movie, writer-director Carlos Corral’s “Hands of God,” about a resident surgeon coming to terms with his father, has sold out an Aug. 13 show at the Philanthropy Theatre. A second show was added for Aug. 15. Corral, 26, is a graduate of Cathedral High School in El Paso and the University of Texas at Austin’s film school. He said the festival was a great way to showcase a film community that has existed largely under the radar.

By Leonard Martinez / What’s Up El Paso Volume 10, No. 44
Posted: 08/06/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT
A screening of local film “Hands of God” has already sold out and a second screening has been added. Gilbert Chavarria, who runs the local film Web site EPFilm.org, said the selling out of the first “Hands of God” screening is important to the local filmmaking community. “It is incredibly important,” Chavarria said. “It shows that there is a strong local filmmaking community that has been waiting for an opportunity like this. By supporting all the local screenings, the local filmmaking community is investing in themselves by ensuring the success of the Plaza Classic this year as well as in years to come.”

UPDATE:
Hands of God Thursday Aug. 13th at 9pm SOLD OUT!
Hands of God Saturday Aug. 15th at 10pm SOLD OUT!