WordPress Theme Development Guidelines
The vast majority of my work is creating custom WordPress themes for others based upon the design they have created for their client. They then send me the Photoshop or Fireworks file(s) and then I create the theme with the functionality they need. None of these themes are meant or intended for more than a one time usage.
I also customize existing WordPress themes as some designers/developers just don’t have time to learn WordPress, but need something done and it’s not a problem.
However, if you would like a …
When to Fire a Client or When to Decide Not To Work with One
It happens. And I hope to never have to do it again. The bad ones make you really appreciate the good clients.
My first client was let go after one of those I need it done or something done by X date. So you work on fixing the small (make that tiny) list of items he sent…then you get an email from him stating he never approved the go ahead of work when you send the invoice. My response was to tell him that working together would not be a …
Don’t Blame the Market
In a previous post I discussed clueless businesses. The “people will call us” to order…yeah right! Well they might get a few callers, but all I can think about is how many they are losing. At the moment it’s Monday night (9:11PM) and say I want to order a few items at the last moment. I can’t call you as you aren’t open, but if I could order from your website I’d do it in a heartbeat.
But the heart of the matter is that you need to stop thinking …
Intuit Websites
Recently I was contacted by a gentleman requesting a quote for search engine optimization for his website. He used Intuit’s Website to create his website. So being curious, especially after seeing TV commercials, I went and checked it out.
Their package details can be found here. And quite frankly I cannot recommend them even for someone starting out. And for $14.99 extra a month you can be listed in their WebListings and get found. You would be further ahead listing yourself in Google’s business listings and manually submitting your …
Cheap and/or Clueless
I think all web developers have come across the following type of potential clients, and we are just absolutely floored. So here goes:
Business #1: They did their own site. It shows. They constantly refer to “contact us” on each page, but their email address is only on the home page and there is no link not even a “mailto”. They sell products and you cannot order them unless you call them. They think that’s just fine. But in this economy you cannot afford to do that. Oh heck, that’s …
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…Oh my!
The following video provides an interesting overview of social media and its impact on how businesses will have to begin embracing it if they are not already doing so.
However, I don’t believe email will ever go away as a method of communication between a customer/client and a business. Typically there are too many details that simply cannot be provided within 140 characters. However, it can be a great tool to have a web page discussing the problem and how to resolve and then Twitter about it. Or add it …
Copyright Violation
Well I found another company (LPH Internet Services) located in Laguna Beach, CA taking my content, and actually linking directly to it using my bandwidth. I am so not amused. And yes, I have sent them a Cease and Desist.
If you go to any of the following pages and either select “View Source” or “Source” (depending on your browser) you will see the direct link.
http://www.lphinternetservices.com/colors/warm.html
http://www.lphinternetservices.com/colors/site.html
http://www.lphinternetservices.com/colors/green.html
http://www.lphinternetservices.com/colors/red.html
http://www.lphinternetservices.com/colors/blue.html
I also believe they may have downloaded my Worksheet, and were interested in a design I did for one …
Website Design and Subcontracting
I do a good amount of subcontracting for other about 6 other website design and development companies, and another one that I troubleshoot for. That is why you might not see a lot of new work being displayed on my home page (which is a great spot to promote new websites).
The two things that are important is to pay subcontractors on time when you have been invoiced, and provide clear instructions on any functionality that is required (sometimes all I get is a Photoshop file).
And definitely work with …
Email address on your site
If you have an email address listed on your website or use a contact form, and you receive an email, please respond to it. If you do not respond to a customer’s inquiry they will most likely look elsewhere.
And check the email at least once every single day.…
Treat them like gold
Yes, you need to treat them like gold. There is the old adage that for every one bad experience it will reach ten people faster than one good one.
And businesses need to treat their webmaster or web designer like gold.…
