5 Tips on Working with Your Graphic Designer

So you’ve decided to redo your website, logo and/or print material. Your business is your baby, so of course you want to make sure it is in the best hands. Just how it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to run a successful business, and one of those components is your graphic designer. Once you’ve taken the time to pick the right designer for you, you want to make sure you set them up for success. Check out these tips to make sure the design process goes as smoothly as possible, and your design comes out the best it can be!

“Good design goes to heaven; bad design goes everywhere” — Mieke Gerritzen – Click to Tweet

1. Do Your Homework

Before you meet with your designer, you should have an idea on what you want your design to look like. What colors resonate with you? Do you know what kind of font represents your message? How much copy do you want on your website? What’s the main message you want to convey to your audience? These are just a handful of questions you should be thinking of prior to meeting with your designer.

2. Happy with a Past Designer? Work with them Again

If you previously have worked with a designer on a project and enjoyed working with them, call them up first! This will work in your favor because they already have an idea on what you like and don’t like. Also, they are very familiar with your business and know what your main message is, and the audience you are targeting.

3. Don’t Expect the 1st Draft to be Perfect

Remember, it’s a first draft for a reason. If it is not perfect, that is okay! Graphic designers love to collaborate and want to hear your input. It might take a couple times to finally reach your final product, so be patient and also speak clearly about what exactly you are looking for.

4. Hold Up Your End

While the designer is in charge of making your logo or website visually appealing, you will likely be in charge of providing the copy. If you don’t get this done in time, it can delay the project’s deadline (which will make no one happy). If you are not the best writer, we recommend that you hire a professional copywriter or freelance writer (we have a list of proven writers we can recommend!)

5. Share Your Love with Friends and Colleagues

If you had an overall positive experience of working with your designer, than make sure to share your work with your friends, family and colleagues. Some of the best reviews are from the people we know personally, so your positive words will help out your designer immensely.

 

Are you in the market for a designer for either a new logo, website or print work? Check out Fingerprint Marketing’s online portfolio and make sure to connect with us on Facebook!

Addressing the Most Frequent Review Objections

Q: But I do have the most reviews overall! Why should I work to get 2 reviews a week when I have 300 more than my next closest competitor?

A: Because those 300 extra reviews likely happened over 5 years. Google doesn’t care. Google cares about which business is actively engaging now. Think of it this way: In a town with two bakeries, would you trust the one that was popular in 2018 or the one that has fresh 4.8-star reviews from yesterday?

Q: How can I automation reviews without looking “spammy” or robotic?

A: The key is timing and personalization. An email sent 4 days later is spam. An email triggered 24 hours later by their POS interaction, referencing their specific visit, and saying, “We love seeing you!” feels like a personalized follow-up. Keep your request language human and humble: “We’re a local business that thrives on honest feedback…” rather than “GIVE US 5 STARS!”

Q: Will getting a 4.1-star review on my 90-day rolling average hurt me more than helpful old 5-star reviews?

A: This is nuanced. A single, recent 4.1 review won’t “tank” you, as your overall (though less-weighted) average is still high. However, if your last 10 reviews in the 90-day window average to a 3.5, you will almost certainly drop in rankings, as Google sees you as a business that is currently underperforming, despite past success. This is why automation that triggers happy customers is critical.

Q: Is it true that Google filters “glowing” 5-star reviews as fake more than “authentic” average reviews?

A: No, that’s a myth. However, Google (and users) do look at patterns. Fifty identical, one-word “GREAT!” reviews left in two days will get flagged. A steady stream of slightly detailed (e.g., mentioning a specific employee or dish), varied (e.g., some detailed 4-star, some simple 5-star) reviews left consistently over weeks is the goal. Authenticity (a mix of opinions) does increase user trust, which improves conversion rate, but Google won’t penalize a legitimate string of recent 5-star acclaim.

Q: If the 90-day window is so critical, what happens if I go on vacation and get 0 reviews for two weeks?

A: This will absolutely create a “dip” in your ranking signals. While you won’t drop from #1 to #20 overnight, your competitors who continued to receive consistent feedback during those two weeks will gain algorithmic ground. This is the ultimate argument for automation. Your automation triggers reviews while you sleep, making your presence constant.

Q: My customers are mostly older/not tech-savvy. How can I possibly automate this or get them to leave a digital review?

A: This is a real challenge, but not insurmountable. Automation can adapt. Instead of automated SMS, use simplified technology: A physical table tablet at checkout that asks for email/phone, or a single-click “feedback” kiosk that opens a form (though this must be used carefully so it’s not a “captive review”). The most effective way is to pair automation (like the email) with a human script: Have staff hand them an appointment card with a QR code and say: “We love serving you! If you get an email from us tomorrow asking for feedback, we would truly value your perspective.”

Conclusion

The old playbook of gathering as many reviews as possible is dead. In 2026, dominance on Google Maps belongs to the businesses that have integrated review generation into their operational DNA.

Success in local SEO now requires prioritizing Review Velocity over total quantity. It demands recognizing the overwhelming influence of the current 90-Day Window. By naturally automating your review acquisition—from post-appointment emails to SMS triggers at point-of-sale—you are ensuring a sustainable, steady stream of feedback that proves to Google and customers alike that your business is vibrant, reliable, and relevant today.

Stop focusing on the count. Start focusing on the flow.

Want us to help you grow your reviews consistently? Let’s Chat!

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