Cathy, I like your point you posted before about copywriters.

If you are building a site don't assume your Web or Graphics person is trained in writing and positioning. You will be angry with them when they do a bad job.

Basically, that is not their job. Build a team. Even Branding and positioning companies gather up writers, SEO specialist, programmers etc... to help with jobs.

Follow their lead.

David

Web Designers, Graphic Designers - - vrs- - Branding, Marketing and Strategy. Oh don't forget PR.

I read most of the comments and wanted to add something in, my company www.livingblueprint.com is a branding agency. One of the main things we fix for companies is fragmented and schizophrenic work done by Web and Graphic designers. They mean no harm and some are immensely talented, but do not mistake them for branding specialists because most are not.

Branding agencies like Cossette.com in Vancouver or Tribal DDB hire these people to carry out what the strategists/marketers and PR people envision for the brand to be and how to make it effective and give an ROI.

Web designers make it work, graphic designers make it look great.

Of course you didn't post your contract so we can't see what they promised and we don't know who they are but it sounds from they way you wrote that you hired a website specialist.

Next time hire a strategy firm and check their track record. Do they make money for their clients or just pretty websites and graphics.

One more important note Search Engine Optimization - Hire a dedicated firm to do this. Good ones (really good ones) will require your site to have already been on-line for while, some will charge $10k + per month. Trust me (or better yet dig and research for your self) SEO is reaches far beyond Meta Data and key words.

Good luck

PS: yes branding costs more than a 'website' but the odds of getting what you want are really high as the chosen firm will work with you, look for holes in your company and fix them, guide you with deep discussions and debates as to what has worked in the industry and how that could relate to you, your company and of course the market.