Mockingbird Website Wireframes Review
April 2, 2012 Leave a Comment

Mockingbird Website Wireframes Review

I have a confession. As a web designer, I have not done many wireframes over the course of my career. I realize the importance of website wireframes and the value of mapping out exactly how a website should work, but I’ve usually gathered enough intel to create my designs without using them. I considered it another step that reduced the efficiency of making a profit because of the time involved with doing it. This is wrong thinking!

As I’ve taken on bigger, more complex projects, I have discovered that starting off with wireframes actually reduces my time spent on design and helps me  outline the most important features a client will need for a better website. I’ve also found a wireframing tool that makes the process extremely easy – Mockingbird.

Mockingbird is an online, cloud based software that allows web designers and web developers to easily build and share mock ups of their websites or apps. You can sign up for a free account quickly and be on your way to creating the wireframes in a matter of minutes. I’ve used other apps available, but I love the simplicity of Mockingbird. One of the best features is that you can send a website link to your client or team and let them edit items as needed, avoiding back and forth emails to get the project completed.

Check out Mockingbird today to see how easy it is to use and how it can benefit your bottom line.

Filed Under: Resources, Reviews Tagged: , ,
Getting Through the Tough Times in Business
March 29, 2012 Leave a Comment

Getting Through the Tough Times in Business

Being in business for yourself is filled with challenges and you will experience tough times.

Many people understand this, and they say they know it, but living through them is not as easy as our words may be spoken at times.  Some days you just feel like giving up. Days when you don’t see immediate results or you have people who can’t find any happiness unless they criticize you.  There are times where you feel completely alone or like no one gives a damn about your vision.  We may know these things will happen and the experience can be exhausting and even painful emotionally.

How do you and I get through these business challenges and tough times?

 

  • KEEP FOCUSED. If we truly believe that we have been called to start our business, then we must focus on doing all that we can in our control to keep pushing forward. Screw the stupid critics or external things we can’t control.  Let the bad things go.
  • STAY POSITIVE. There are always things that will suck the life out of us if we let them.  It doesn’t help you or your business to dwell on negative situations or circumstances.  Learn to look beyond them and know that “this too, shall pass.”
  • SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS. Find a few trusted people you know you can vent to or share your struggles (and even victories) with.  Be transparent and open up on blogs or forums you feel safe in.  If we are being honest, we all need help at times.
  • GET AWAY. Go for a walk, play Call to Duty Black Ops, beat up a punching bag, read an uplifting book, or take the weekend off – do whatever it takes to separate yourself from your business for just a little while.  Surprisingly you will find that you feel recharged and ready to tackle the problem after getting away.
  • DON’T QUIT! Realistically there may be a time where you have to evaluate throwing in the towel, but most people give up way too early in the fight.  Stick to your guns until you know without a shadow of a doubt that you need to give in … and even then, throw one more punch!

Starting and running your business will always be filled battles.  You will win some and you will lose some.  You’re gonna take blows that make you feel like you just can’t get back up BUT YOU CAN. Keep swinging until its really over!  Fight the good fight my friends!

Filed Under: Business Tagged: ,
Five Tips for Building Your Web Design Business
March 8, 2012 Leave a Comment

Five Tips for Building Your Web Design Business

Building a successful web design business is not as difficult as you might think. Yes, it takes hard work and dedication, but every entrepreneurial venture requires that! And while there are definitely no short cuts in launching a profitable, sustainable business, there are five short tips that will help you get there much more quickly.

1. FOCUS ON ONE AREA

Diversification has been a corporate mantra for years. We are led to believe that all our eggs shouldn’t be in one basket because it could kill our business if the basket breaks. While diversifying your services can be beneficial in some cases, placing too many eggs in lots of baskets has it own dangers as well.

Focus on being the best at one or two things. You will develop a great reputation for your work and will become the “go to” person. Plus, companies who focus on dominating in few categories will thrive even in a crappy economy as we have now. Limit your options today.

2. FIND A NICHE

Your opportunities for success will become greater the more you drill down on a niche. There are web design companies that cater to a particular audience who do very well in their market. It may seem counter productive to focus on a targeted group, but you can build a very lucrative business by doing so. Besides, you cannot be all things to all people, so why shotgun your approach and try to hit everything? Become an archer and hit one bulls-eye consistently!

3. DO GREAT WORK

Let me put this bluntly — if you suck at what you offer, you’re not gonna build a profitable or sustainable web design business. You need to be better than the rest, and this means more than just great design! Take care of your clients and put their best interest first and I promise you that your business will grow by word of mouth. I have only advertised my services one time in 20+ years and I have always been blessed with work. Take pride in what you do and do all you can to make every project awesome.

4. BE CONFIDENT

Having a lack of confidence in your abilities or knowledge will kill the sale every time. I have witnessed horrible web designers close deals just because they exuded confidence. Your client wants to know that their decision to hire you will be a wise one. If you show any doubt, this will send negative signals to the buyer. And this doesn’t mean you should lie about topics you don’t know about. Even the best designers don’t know ALL the answers. Just show your potential clients they can count on you to do the job right, even if you have to do research or hire contractors.

5. GET PAID (AND GET PAID WHAT YOU’RE WORTH)

This sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be amazed at how many web designers are struggling just because they don’t get paid or get paid what they should. NEVER, EVER begin work on a project without getting any money upfront. And NEVER, EVER turn your work or logins over until you have been paid in FULL. Finally, do not undervalue what you are doing or selling. Know what you need to charge to make a profit and do not compromise on that.

A FINAL WORD

Now is a great time to launch or build your own web design business. There are clients looking for what you are offering and you can make a great living. If you take these five tips for building your web design business to heart, you will increase your chances of success. They have worked for me (and still do) and they will work for you!

Filed Under: Business, Web Design Tagged: ,
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