I had the opportunity to sit down with Leigh Rubin, co-founder of Rubin Creative, to discuss the company she founded with her husband Jeff Antanaitis. Rubin Creative is a design and development firm focused on helping clients leverage technology and multichannel marketing to build brands and grow their clients’ businesses. They use their experience, credentials and knowledge to create seamless and interesting solutions across all digital platforms and devices. This Philadelphia, PA based husband and wife team are absolutely leaders in their respective fields.
Leigh Rubin & Jeff Antanaitis
OR: How long has Rubin Creative been in business?
LR: I started the business when I moved to Philadelphia from NYC in 2009; I assume that means we’ll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year – WOW time flies!
OR: What sets you aside from your competitors?
LR: The landscape in today’s fast-paced digital world is much different than it was 10 years ago. There is bigger competition, everything is 100% traceable and folks want instant results. Companies no longer need to pay more to work with traditional advertising agencies that provide less than stellar service. Our small experienced staff guarantees that you’ll at all times work with the best and most senior talent at a reduced price.
OR: What were some of the challenges you faced when strategizing with clients on their website development?
LR: People are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday work. Often times, the biggest challenge is solely getting our clients to take a step back to see what really makes them special. Once we were able to agree on what set them apart, the actual development of the website went together rather quickly.
OR: Why in the “do it yourself” website development era are you finding your business booming?
LR: Great question and one I get all the time. When developing a website, it is extremely important to first understand a company’s overall digital strategy and then develop a foundation that can evolve over a period of time. There are big limitations to using an “off the shelf” website template or trying to “do it yourself”. When we develop websites, we analyze how people search for information or find your business on the web (Search Engine Optimization – ‘SEO’), how to make the content they’re trying to find easy to find once they get there (User Experience – ‘UX’) and how to structure your content and design to leverage research (using data-driven Google Analytics). Today, websites are the building blocks for corporate brands and digital blueprints. You need to work with digital experts who can position your business for take-off and growth.
OR: What are the website and mobile technology trends of 2018? Do you need a separate mobile website?
LR: It’s astonishing how quickly mobile has taken over as the primary device by which people view content on the web. Therefore, the most vital thing is to think “mobile first”. I at all times tell my clients that they do NOT need a separate mobile site. We use responsive design, where the content on each page is automatically resized according to the device. With responsive design, you do not need lots of code. A set of code, which accepts diverse specification parameters from the device getting used, will do the job.
OR: What’s the best way for a client to improve their Search Engine (SEO) skills?
LR: There is no set formula that can be applied across all industries. That is why it’s so important to use an SEO expert. They will determine the high volume of key words and phrases used in your industry and then create a cost effective plan to drive traffic to your site.
OR: What does a successful website look like and achieve?
LR: A successful website gets people doing what the company wants them to do, conversions. This could be picking up the phone and making calls, buying products online, accessing information, etc.
OR: How do you balance your work and home life?
LR: I have a 3 year old daughter named Mia, so it is at all times been a big challenge running my own company and being an active mom. My husband is the best and helps a lot.
OR: How do you like living in Philly?
LR: I love living in Philly. The culinary scene is great here and you can literally raise a family without moving to the suburbs. We are lifelong city dwellers!
OR: What advice would you give your 8 year old self?
LR: The most vital thing is to choose a career doing what you love. If you love what you do, you won’t ever work a day in your life!
OR: Thanks for your time and sharing your insights with us.
LR: With pleasure.
To find out more information about Rubin Creative, please visit: http://rubincreative.com and make sure to follow on: https://www.facebook.com/Rubin-Creative-177164895639089/
