Spectrum 8 Web Design

How to cope during the recession - depression!

2009-11-11T14:09:00.001-08:00

Howdy folks!

It's yours truly from Spectrum 8 Web Design. I'm back with another article about how to cope with the recession-depression of 2009 - 2010. It's not easy. I'm finding that it's best to "team up with" other freelancers or web design agencies in order to both get work and to network with potential clients and "connects". We're all sharing lots of ideas about how to stay competitive in this "free-fall economy" that we're in.

Let's face it - many consumers are reluctant to spend their hard-earned cash for products and services as "luxurious" as a custom-made business website with all the modern bells and whistles. It's a "tough sell" these days. It's probably always been that way. I know that I don't have the "personality" to really get out there and "sell stuff". I'm not good at that. That's why I've teamed up with some marketing specialists to find my clients for me. I'm learning as I go, but it's never been my desire to go out and sell anything. I'm just a computer geek, creating pretty graphics, coding some XHTML & CSS and maybe a little PHP along the way.

Pitching ideas and participating in the "capitalist" dog-eat-dog" world of sales is not something I like to do or even want to know how to do. I'd rather keep my nose in Photoshop, Dreamweaver or Flash and let someone else do that work for me.

So, being that I'm probably the only one who reads this article anyway, it's good to get this stuff off my chest and into cyberspace. If there's any one single person reading this, I wonder how you found the time or interest to read what I have to say. I'm not much for blogs or "the Blogosphere myself. I think bogs are basically websites that serve as a "personal diary" and maybe social networking application.

I feel a little better about the future...only because I know that I have nothing to lose in going out there and making a complete fool of myself by attempting to get new clients on board.

Really though, sometimes it's "enough" for people to just look at my work, whether they like it, pay me for it or not. Either way, creativity is all about expressing one's thoughts and ideas to others.

That's all for now....

-Shawn (Spectrum 8 Web Design)
http://www.spectrum8.net

Web Designer Becoming Web Developer

2009-10-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title caption is true! I am becoming a Web Developer.

I have been designing and managing websites in one form or another since 1997. However - I have been primarily a "Web Designer" - specializing in HTML, CSS and some occasional JavaScript. I have been intensely involved with mastering Adobe Photoshop and Flash. I know Dreamweaver like the back of my hand.

However - I've never really felt "satisfied" with my skills. I always knew there was something I could do better, learn more about and become knowledgeable in.

This began to change as soon as people were emphasizing the importance of "Web Standards" and definitely came into better focus once CSS became the standard for site layout.

Once "Ajax" popped up on the scene - I knew I had to master my JavaScript abilities and now-a-days, PHP & MySQL are all the rage.

I have recently started becoming more familiar with PHP. I've known for quite some time now that it was something those "other guys" (Web Developers) used to create more functionality in web pages and so on.

In the old days - I would design a website completely from scratch. Then, once I utilized EVERYTHING at my disposal - I would call in Web Developers to "take over" and perform other tasks that I couldn't perform - like making HTML forms "functional" and interactive. I was primarily focused on making web pages "look" a certain way. The developers were responsible for ensuring that the pages I created "behaved" a certain way and "did useful things".

I am learning more and more about what developers do that make sites come alive. I'm becoming a master at compiling various technologies to make my pages "do" more things and seem more life-like than before. I'm learning Ajax, enhancing my CSS skills and focusing on how I can learn PHP to create more sophisticated websites and "rich" internet applications.

For now though - I've got my nose stuck in every PHP book I can find. MySQL is next on my agenda. So - I guess in a way, you can say that I'm becoming more of a Web Developer. That's something I never thought would happen. But, slowly this is becoming reality.

My Web Design skills are pretty much top-notch.

Now it's time to call forth the Web Developer within and create fully-functional websites.

Once I achieve this goal, I'll have much more credibility.

Because - let's face it: the recession is forcing Web Designers and Developers to "cross-over" and become experts in both areas. Instead of hiring two people to create a website, many companies insist that the Web Developer do some Web Design and vice versa. Companies are scaling back - and that means fewer employees. It means that the employees who still have jobs are doing the jobs that other people used to do before times got rough.

I can no longer afford to sit back and allow "those guys" to do my work for me. On the contrary - I must learn to do most of (if not all of) the work myself. ESPECIALLY if I am trying to own and manage a Web Design business. My skills must come full-circle. It seems as if this is the only option I have.

I will admit, however - that I will always be more of a Web Designer than Developer. I will always prefer creating high-end graphics in Photoshop than sitting around hand-coding PHP all day.

Bottom line? If I can do both - I'll be able to stay competitive and in demand. That's the goal anyway - to stay one or two steps ahead of the competition. So, I'll shut up now and get my nose back where it belongs: studying and learning PHP.

Thanks for reading and visiting my blog. You can visit my business website here: http://www.spectrum8.net

Back from summer slumber....

2009-09-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

It's Fall - and that means (?) just another time of year! But hey, at least I can pretend that it means something for business. Since the weather will be a bit better, I might find it appropriate to launch a marketing campaign for my website to see if I can start attracting new customers.

Spring was great, Summer started off good - but then all activity halted and no body was in the "mood" for purchasing websites. At least - that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Really though, times have been "tough" for quite a few people on this planet - not just yours truly.

But hey, we're "innovators" and "visionaries", right? Well - I know I am. that means that I must keep on my toes and stay quite a few steps above and beyond the rest of humanity. After all, I am a Web Designer...and each day I'm becoming more and more of a Web Developer too. So, one day - you'll be able to call me a Web Artist! What do you think? Will that term "catch on" and become a "trend"? Who knows. One thing is for sure though: the Web is all about following trends and if you knew me personally - you'd know one thing:

I have disdain for trendy-types (people who "have to have" the latest consumer goods)
I think too many people are wasting their oxygen sitting before their computer monitors
Way too many people "tweet" than should be healthy for a society (I do NOT "tweet")
Technology is *possibly* contributing to some of our modern social problems
The Inter-Web (as I like to call it) can only be so entertaining useful, and when it becomes just another dull, menial task, it's time to get some psychological advice

So, what is one (like me or maybe you) to do when "the-They" want us to "conform" to their every social norm? At some point - even for computer geeks like me, the time will come when I will rage against this machine!

-Yours Truly
Shawn Gillick

Being flexible with clients...

2009-07-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

I find that when I'm dealing with clients, it's best to take a step back and, "listen" to what they have to say. After all, the work I do is "for them", and as such I must intervene when my thoughts run riot and go off into some other artistic or developmental direction regarding a project. I must tell myself that such and such project is not about "me", but, rather - about the client and what their needs are. I'm being paid to build a website and it does have to meet the client's criteria and requirements. I've learned through listening to clients that the end result usually meet their satisfaction and needs. And that feeling is incredible. When I'm told, "great job" or , "I love it", or "terrific", I end up elated and happy that I have done my job in a satisfactory manner.

So my advice to other web designers and developers out there is to be patient with and listen to your clients' needs. Be willing to be flexible with them and go a step or two out of your way to meet their needs, "in advance of their expectations". Doing this will ensure that they are happy with the results of your projects and so forth. As web designers, we're all too often the one's who're in control - and the client does want to know that he/she is in some kind of control of what's being done. So - that's really all I have for now. I hope that "the you", whoever you are that might read this enjoyed this diatribe of sorts.

The Importance of Good Communication

2009-06-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Having good communication skills is a must in the Web Design industry. Communicating with clients is essential when working on projects. I've had the experience of working with terrible clients who don't know what they want, do not regularly provide fresh content and who act like they're doing me a favor by doing so. Communication is a two-way street. That's why I'm writing this article. I think communication is the number one skill lacking in the Web Design industry.

My view is this: it is the web designer's job to ensure that the client is aware that communication is an integral part of the design process. Just telling someone you want to have a website about coffee is not enough. One must provide detailed information about what exactly is to be put on each page and the content needs to be specific. I can't tell you how many times I've dealt with clients who've come to me with very little in terms of content. They're like, "hey make me a website", and I'm like "oh, no!" Honestly, though - people need to have a detailed vision about what their website is going to be about. They need to know who their target audience is and they need to know exactly what their products and services are BEFORE going on-line!

Marketing & networking with other local businesses:

2009-05-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

As a website owner and designer - it's extremely important to market yourself and projects with other local business owners and other web designers and developers in the community. That's how potential clients will learn of your reputability and work history.

Even though I'm just starting out - I'm finding that business is starting to look pretty good. I'm working with quite a few people at the moment and I'm very pleased with the results so far.

The more you market yourself and your business, the better your skills will get. This may seem like common sense at first glance - and to a certain degree it is...but you'd be surprised at how many business owners are unaware of some of the most fundamental concepts in marketing, design and networking.

Website Costs

2009-05-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

Please visit my business website: http://www.spectrum8.net

I am a website designer seeking prospective clients. I understand that the economy is not doing well and have taken this into consideration. Please understand that web designers do not work for free. We cannot. If we did, we'd never be able to pay the bills. So - please, consider this whenever you're in the market and shopping around for a good website designer.

What bothers me about people is that when it comes to buying a website, they want to nickle and dime the web designer. Why? People are all too willing to pay for things like ipods, dogs and cars, but when it comes to products and services provided by web designers, they seem to want the thing for free? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Everything has to be paid for. That's my bottom line. I'm in the business of making websites for people in return for cash. I need to make a living too. Don't we all? I'm sick and tired of prospective clients pretending like they can't afford to have a website. NO! IF you want to have a website - pay for it. Show me the money! My time is just as important as yours. Sitting in front of a computer typing away isn't always the most fun.

Thus, - I deserve to be paid fairly. My point of view is this: If you can't afford it, don't fucking buy it! Pardon my french here. Be smart about things. People play games. I do too. But please, consider that you are making an investment in either your business or project or whatever. Whatever your reasons for having a website, please consider it an "investment". It WILL pay off in the end. That I can promise. Though the economy is rough and fragile, this is the time for innovation and triumph. Yes we can...and yes we will!

-Peace!