February 11th, 2008
Many people look for the domain name that they want and, finding it is taken, grab something that doesn't match their image. Here are some suggestions when getting a domain name. Most importantly, try to find a dot-com name. Yes, they are hard to find but dot-net, dot-biz, dot-anythingelse is going to leave some of your visitors trying to find you at dot-com. I am President of a local computer.....
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November 2nd, 2007
Included in being a full service web designer is selling domain names. Like offering hosting services (see my blog article on offering hosting services to your clients) you should include domain name sales to your toolbox. Unlike some other services, there is not much money to be made in domain name management. I sell mine for $25 per year. You probably won't get rich by selling domain names to your.....
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October 30th, 2007
Last week I discussed what a good gesture it is to rescue an abandoned and orphaned web site. Now most likely if you are reading this, you are a web designer who couldn't fathom anyone doing such a dastardly deed as abandoning a web site, right? Are you sure? What would happen to your clients if you should get very ill and couldn't care for them? Do you have another.....
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October 24th, 2007
I have a bias because I host most of my web design clients. I did it out of desperation. I used to suggest that my clients shop around and get a low price -- after all, it is just a place to put files to connect to the Internet, right? Many of my clients would come to me later bemoaning the poor service they were getting from their web host.....
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October 22nd, 2007
[photopress:ondeck.jpg,full,alignright]One organization I have a soft spot for is American Lab Rescue. They rescue orphaned Labrador Retrievers and find them good homes (we have welcomed two of the dogs into our home). I can't understand why anyone would abandon those wonderful dogs. My point? Some web designers and web hosts do the same thing... to their clients. It generally isn't intentional. And it isn't thought of as cruelty to defenseless.....
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October 16th, 2007
I had a fellow web designer ask me how to present a contract to a client during the initial meeting, "while the iron is hot". Here's how to do so and when it is appropriate. While it is true that some jobs need a lot of planning and thinking to come up with a price, others (at least for me), are somewhat standardized in that they want (for example) a.....
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September 19th, 2007
If you are a web designer for smaller businesses, you will frequently be asked, "Who do you recommend that I can use to host my web site?". Or more likely your client won't know to ask that but instead will say, "What else do I need to be on the Internet?". Because web design is primarily an artistic "ponytail" endeavor whereas hosting is mostly more techie than artistic, you may.....
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September 12th, 2007
I've been asked by other web designers what I recommend for their clients to edit their own web site. I use Dreamweaver and there is a program called "Contribute" that allows you to set up the template and the FTP info and the client can go in and change content without breaking the template. The advantage of Contribute is that the client buys their own license and they go through.....
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January 30th, 2007
Clients ask why they should spend their hard-earned money to update their web site when it looks satisfactory to them the way it is. There are at least three good reasons. First and most importantly, is to keep the attention of the search engines. Second is to keep the site updated with the newer technology that is always coming out. Third is to give repeat visitors a reason to return.....
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August 1st, 2006
If you are a web designer or in a related industry, you may be targeted for the latest Internet scam. When thought through, it seems obvious but if you are struggling to get your business going, this may be a tempting offer. Don't be fooled! Yesterday, I got two emails asking me to help an artist in England with "with my two kids, one dog and the love of my.....
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