WebTech 101

Freelance Web Designers’ Guide to Tax Write-Offs

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re a web designed looking to go freelance you’ve probably tallied up how much everything’s going to cost. Don’t forget that a lot of work items can be written off when you pay your taxes, however, as this can mean big savings in the long run. Here are a few of the things you can write off if you use them for your graphic design business only
Internet – Whether you’ve got a standard cable connection or clear 4g, internet is essential for any graphic design business. You can write off your monthly plan as well as equipment.
Laptop – As necessary as the internet is your laptop so if you need a new one, now’s the time to consider offsetting the costs.
Travel – If you’re travelling for business, either down the street or across the country, you can write off expenses like airfare and even taxi rides.
Home office – There are strict laws about what counts and what doesn’t but if you have a designated home office you can write off the square footage and utilities of that area.

The Difference Between Viewing A Page And Designing One

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Whenever one is getting the key facts of using a computer and Internet, there will be a lot of questions that need to be answered and understood along the way. Such as: what is the difference between visiting a website and designing your own? This is fairly simple to understand. When you click on a link, you enter a domain address which has been assigned to a particular interest. Most often the page is unique in the text it entails as well as the formatting. When you enter and explore this page, you are viewing someone’s webpage that they have created. Now, when you wish to design your own webpage, you would not simply click a link. Rather, you would first search online for sites which enable you to register for your own web-space. Once this has been accomplished, you have the option of designing the webpage however you would like. Please remember that you can also hire someone who is experienced in this realm to help you with this process. Also note that many sites who make available web-space require you to purchase this at a nominal fee. All in all, the Internet is a vast arena which has many options for each individual.

The Top Ten Skills Of The Elite Web Designers

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Below are 10 skills that a fantastic, professional web designer will possess:

1) An Eye for Balance and Detail: A good web designer will know how to balance content, colors, and position all elements of the website perfectly to paint a perfect picture of balance.

2) Cross Browser Consistency: Often, website content will display differently, or incorrectly, in browsers other than the designer’s. A good designer will be sure that a site displays perfectly, no matter the browser type.

3) CSS Knowledge: CSS is an invaluable skill used for style sheets (color schemes) and positioning.

4) Graphic Design Skills: A designer that can use a good graphic design program is capable of making an exquisite site with stunning design.

5) HTML Knowledge: The best sites run off of strategic HTML codes.

6) Dynamic Development Skill: For website extras.

7) Audience Awareness: To make sure that the design, color scheme, and navigational system are easy for the audience to use.

Communication: With the client to make sure that the design meets all expectations.

9) Problem Solving: A good designer will be comfortable with trial and error to reach perfection.

10) Concentration: An elite designer will be time efficient and focused.

Web Designing: A Needed Market Now And Forever

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

People are most likely to try to find a job when those jobs are very slim. This means that when times get tough, more people start looking for work. This always makes the situation even worse. However, there are some types of jobs that just always seem to be in demand. One of those types of jobs are for anyone who can do some web designing.

It is important to remember how vital the internet is to business when you are thinking about this kind of job. It is not like a company can just decide to shun the internet and not do business there. Doing this would dry up their whole business and make them go bankrupt in all likelihood. This means that companies are going to need great web designers to be able to create the web pages that they really want to use to sell directly to their customers. If they are able to create pages like this, then they are going to see a nice increase in the amount of sells they are able to make.

You might want to consider getting some skills as a web designer so that you would know that you would have a job available to you now and forever in all likelihood.

Networking And The Web Designer: How To Increase Visibility

admin — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many times people create a website only to be disappointed because they are not receiving the traffic that they expected or hoped for. Their biggest mistakes are either they do not know how to network or the design of the website is not attractive enough. In order to bring traffic to a website it needs to look interesting. Would you explore a site that did not catch your eye? The answer is no, you wouldn’t. When designing a website think about the things that attract you to a website, and then think of new ways to apply it to your website. Don’t overload it, keep it simple. Try to find a good medium and then ask for opinions from people you know will tell you the honest truth. Just as important as the look of the site is how you network your website. Networking can also make or break a website. If you don’t get the word out about your site, then you get no traffic, at least not what you want. You want to create a good buzz about your site so that the people who visit are those who would truly be interested in your services or products.

You Can Create Business By Utilizing Your Web Designing Skills

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It is achievable to use web designing skills to create business. Web designers may feel that their skills only limit them to creating websites for their personal reasons but there are different ways that a website designer can utilize his or her skill to create business. A web designer can “flip websites”, meaning they can create websites and sell it to other people or companies. They can also create a website, bring traffic to the website and then sell the domain to a company for a higher price since the website already has some traffic. An upside to being an independent web designer is that you get paid pretty well by other companies to builder their website.
Web designers can also create business by actually working a company or organization. Instead of just creating numerous websites they can actually work for a company and build the website exactly how the company wants it build. There are benefits that comes with since you work for the company you will have job benefits just like any employee and job security. A downside is you may be paid less than if you were just an independent web designer that the company paid a onetime commission to, to build their website.

Maximize Your Potential: Become a Graphic Web Designer

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many Website designers are excellent with the code to create a functional site, but lack the ability to add the layer of creativity to make that website shine. As such, they will oftentimes seek out a graphic web designer to help create the finished product. With some artistic talent and knowledge of an editing program, you can partner with a coder to make beautiful and functional sites for high-paying clients.If you’ve already mastered the art of creating web graphics, find a way to showcase your work. An excellent way to do this is to start a blog with an image gallery. Simply find a good blog platform, http://djdesignerlab.com/2011/01/26/20-awesome-web-blog-design-for-inspiration/ and go from there. When you’ve done that it’s simple to just point a potential partner/client to that site. In your gallery you should have available some images of basic website images, such as header graphics and post icons. Put a personal touch on everything you do and go above what is normally expected. Your potential partner/client will see that they won’t have to give you step-by-step instructions on what they need, making your talents even that much more appealing. Unfortunately, until you’ve made a name for yourself it could be difficult getting your foot into the virtual door.You may have to begin by taking assignments that don’t pay as well as you’d like. However, you’ll be able to add those assignments to your portfolio and then increase your own value. If you prove that you’re able to do projects on time, on budget and with superior skill, you’ll soon be a sought after commodity. Starting out can be a slow process, but with some talent, patience and personal marketing, you can become a highly paid web graphic designer.

Choosing Between Wireless Internet and Satellite Internet What’s Best For Your Needs?

mrice — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:02:57 +0000

Choosing the right internet provider isn’t quite as simple as just comparing prices. Instead, you must carefully consider what you’ll be getting for the money you pay. There are a lot of options out there, but we’re going to be focusing on wireless and satellite internet. Both of these options are typically chosen because they offer the ultimate in convenience. But which is best for you?

First, find out what’s available to you in your area. Wireless is increasingly popular but it tends to only be offered in larger metropolitan areas. If you happen to live in such an area, you can enjoy the freedom it brings. One of the best things about it is that as long as you stay in your coverage area, you’ll have instant access to the internet. This means that even if you move, or are visiting a friend, you can simply log into the network and access the internet.

Satellite internet is typically an option for those who live where there aren’t options of DSL, wireless, cable or others. It also offers a lot of freedom, as the internet is run through a satellite and will provide coverage virtually anywhere in the world. It’s also common for those who travel by RV to select this option.

Would You Visit Your Site?

www.webtech101.com — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:45:40 +0000

When anyone visits your website, the first consideration is likely, “what’s in it for me?” Aside from perhaps a few close friends and family members, no one is going to visit your site simply to help you out on a personal level. Internet communication is impersonal by nature, so unless you are a bona fide celebrity launching a site, don’t expect a line for admission to your newly opened web space. Web traffic is earned through value and there is no better way to build value for your site than offering tangible incentives to visitors.For example, if you run a restaurant and are trying to boost internet orders on your new site, consider offering coupons or discounts that are only available online. In the event you don’t have a product or service with which you can alter prices to tempt visitors, say you are instead trying to promote a talent or cause driven page, perhaps you know someone or can lure in some similarly minded partners to help provide some sort of small financial or time saving consideration to induce more clicks. Selling yourself and your ideas to others before establishing your online presence can not only build anticipation for your site but help to bring about important business relationships to provide support across multiple endeavors.You aren’t in Iowa (well there’s a 49 in 50 chance you aren’t) and this isn’t the Field of Dreams, simply building a site, no matter how great it is, doesn’t mean people will automatically come. In order to generate traffic and interest you must in some way improve your visitors quality of life, even if seemingly small in significance.

Invite New Ideas

www.webtech101.com — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:31:47 +0000

Reeling in new visitors is a challenge in and of itself, but how can an upstart website keep visitors coming back? Though the overall quality of your page is certainly a heavily contributing factor whether it will be dismissed or bookmarked, the degree to which a visitor can interact with your site can greatly override other shortcomings. In short, people like to be heard and like to feel like they are a part of something. While a speech or lecture can be poignant and well-timed, a conversation is on-going, informative and directly pertinent.In order for this to be possible, your website should strive to engage in a constant dialogue between you or your company and the online community. Whether this means allowing comments on posts or alloting space to upload user generated content, people are more likely to respond well to a site by which their own views can be seen by others. This will also allow you to get feedback on your ideas, product or service, and perhaps tailor it further to encompass a wider range of followers or potential customers. Even those who may disagree with your opinion on issues or not find your product/service agreeable will certainly appreciate the ability to express their reasoning. In turn, you will then have a chance to defend yourself in a controlled environment and present a rational argument to expose holes in their logic or otherwise rectify concerns. Of course, if you truly standby your talent or company mission, you should have nothing to fear regarding opening your website to a public forum for critique.Furthermore, allowing for user generated content could help to bring about creative insights you may have never thought of left to your own devices. The internet provides an endless supply of original thinkers, clever wordsmiths and innovative strategists, all of which may allow for opportunities and branding initiatives you would have perhaps never arrived at working independently. If you earnestly believe in what you are doing with your online space, there are few if any drawbacks to using public contribution to your advantage.