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10 Signs of a Website Redesign
Here are 10 signs that your website needs a redesign. If you have more than 2 of these, please contact me immediately; your website is in a state of emergency.
10. If you site hasn't been updated in over 6 months. Visitors need new and interesting content to bring them back to your site. If the content hasn't changed since the creation of your website, it might be causing people to avoid your website like the plague.
9. If your site is so cluttered that it takes a detective to find out what your selling. You have less than 3 seconds to convince your visitor to stay on your site. If they are confused as soon as the page loads, then you have lost them and they will leave. Always KEEP IT SIMPLE. You may think simple is boring, but simple will help turn that visitor into a customer. Click here to see the next 8 signs.
May 7, 2009
Can Newspapers Survive?
Just finish reading an article about Warren Buffet's take on survival of newspapers. "Twenty, thirty years ago, they were a product that had pricing power that was essential," said Buffett. "They have lost that essential nature." I agree that times have changed, but like most businesses, you must change with the times. Many newspapers put too much emphasis on selling newspapers. Of course, they want to sell newspapers, but they want more subscribers and more advertisers. Since advertising is where their money is at. Can't have both and still want a couple of coins for the physical piece of paper, not in today's market.
May 2, 2009
Balancing Act.
Being a freelancer, an entrepreneur, husband, and father is very difficult. You have to give each 100% at the moment or it seems to go poorly. So little time and so much to do. Sometimes finding help doesn't help at all. You have explain, teach, and end up helping them more than yourself. This isn't all the time, but seems to be case lately. I have four major web ventures in the works and thats on top of several freelance projects. Each one of them are solid and having a great chance of being successful. So its hard for me to put them to the side and focus on one of them. Which is funny, because in the long run, it will take me longer to launch them. What to do?
April 28, 2009
Whatever it takes.
What will you sacrifice in order to succeed? Will you have a social life or a career? Both? You have to give somewhere. It's a give-take relationship for success. I'm finding out more and more, that life only punishes you more for pursuing your dreams. Negative? Nah, reality! But if life didn't come at you with all she's got, then everyone would be successful. How many people out there are actually doing what they love? ME! I'm not rich and considered by the government, a low income earner aka in the 1% of the population. Lets just say that I'm not driving a Mercedes. Hopefully, one of my ventures will take off and get me into the higher tax bracket. I hear they have all the cool parties.
April 26, 2009
From 2am to 9am.
Lately I have been burning the late night oil. I have so much stuff on my plate that I NEED TO COMPLETE. It's mostly my fault, but when the creative wave comes through, you ride that baby to the shore. But ultimately all this work is towards a better life. Tired of working for the man (corporate jobs). Here lately the word "corporate" has turn into an evil one. So flying solo has become even more attractive. This entry is very random and very unorganized. Lets just say that if you are tired, don't attempt to write anything intelligent.
April 1, 2009
Another road taken.
If you didn't know, Wordpress is a powerful CMS that is completely free. It is simple to use and has a strong following of 3rd party applications. Several web designers are using Wordpress to develop their websites and are using Wordpress templates as well. However, many people are slightly modifying the supplied templates and claiming its their own creation. I think modifying a template is a short cut and ultimately hurting your skills as a web designer. It's basically taking a house someone else built and by adding new paint on the exterior to claim you built the house. Templates in general are the industry equivalent to cheap plastic products that cost 10¢ to create. All of my jobs are created from scratch. I create the navigation, the layout, the code, the graphics, etc. Say no to templates.
March 28, 2009
Failure to Launch.
My wife has been attempting to obtain a job at Amazon.com. Several weeks and several interviews (5 to be precise) has resulted into an unpleasant ending. "Decided to move forward on another candidate." said the Amazon recruiter to my wife. Did I mention 5 interviews?!! You would think by the 3rd or even 4th interview you would have a good idea on what your getting. I would like to apologize to Amazon, that I have decided to move forward with another retail outlet. Sorry for being a loyal customer for the last 4 years. Just kidding, I will continue to shop with amazon and hopefully they will call back and claim they made a mistake for not hiring my wife.
March 27, 2009
A stay at home father trying to make a buck with a little graphic and web design skill.
The very first "THE WALK" blog entry. I'm sure your asking, "Why does he call this blog, The Walk.". I'm sure you have heard of the phrase, "Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk."? I'm in the phase of my life in which I need to "Walk the Walk". This blog will help give you a snapshot into my pursuit of being a successful web/graphic designer and business owner. I have been on this mission for majority of my life. Sometimes it's hard to stop thinking of ways to improve or completely redevelop an idea into a profitable venture. But in all honestly, I have yet reach that level in my business life that I would consider successful.
March 26, 2009
