I finally took the plunge and decided to set up a page on Facebook for my services. My plans are to post interesting articles and get feedback from the community along with anything else that I think will be great!

Check it out and become a fan!

I haven't been posting in a while because I have been very busy with a few personal projects and revamping some areas of my freelancing. And I'm sorry to leave my blog hanging. Thus I thought I would post a little blog here.

URL ABC is a way to share with others your most common URLs that you visit. I have read lists of URL ABC from sites like Chris Wallace and Web Standardistas. You simply type in the alphabet, one letter at a time, and right down the first URL that begins with the letter you typed. Unfortunately, I had no URLs that started with some of these letters, so my list is a little incomplete.

So without further adieu, here is my list:

a. athlonsports.com
b. blogger.com
c. citicards.com
d. digwp.com
e. elearn.apsu.edu
f. forum.freelanceswitch.com
g. google.com
h. hotmail.com
i. ixwebhosting.com
j. zip
k. zelch
l. localhost
m. myspace.com
n. newschannel5.com
o. outright.com
p. paramoreredd.com
q. nadda
r. reviewmydesign.net
s. studentsthatfreelance.com
t. themeforest.net
u. zero
v. verizonwireless.com
w. webss.apsu.edu
x. nope
y. youtube.com
z. none

I hope you learned about me a little bit through my URL ABC! What does yours look like?

Ok, so before the hate mail starts, let me throw in my two cents:

As a designer offering a service, I can relate to the situations in this video, as I am sure other business owners can as well. This video was brilliantly produced to help put the perspective of designers (well, it probably wasn't made just for designers, but really for any other industry with similar relationships) and their clients and the different conversations that take place. In particular, this video covers the pricing issue, where a handful of prospects like to try to get alot for a little, get stuff for free, or find out how they can do it so they don't have to pay for it next time. It helps the client understand where we (as in vendors of services or products) come from when we explain that we can't give stuff at a discounted rate, for free, or show them how to do it.

On the other side, it never hurts to ask for a discount or other things, because you might get a 'yes', but understand where the business owner comes from when they say 'no'.

For most clients hiring a designer for the first time is quite an adventure, with plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns. During the adventure, clients are typically unsure of how they should work with the designer, causing them to make some mistakes unintentionally along the way. Here is a short list of the top four mistakes clients make when they hire and work with a designer:

1. Hire a designer only on budget alone.

Having a budget is extremely important for any investment you plan to make, however your budget shouldn't be behind the decision to choose one designer over the other. The reason you may ask? Designers are worth their weight in gold, and they know it. Designers are not cocky and pompous, but confident and skillful. They have the experience and skills to take your project head on and complete it on time and with a smile on your face. Because of this, designers charge what they are worth. Consider it the price of their gold. In most cases (emphases on most) a designer charging $10-25+ more an hour than another designer typically means that they are better at their craft. Again, in most cases this applies. Thus, clients that hire based on their budgets could end up getting their project completed, but it not be the best that it could have been.

Now I am not saying to throw your budget to the wind and hire the most expensive designer you can find. Other deciding factors that should go into hiring a designer should be their portfolio (which will show you their skill), their ability to solve the issue at hand, and who can deliver your project completely and to your satisfaction. Thus when considering your budget, be flexible and do not allow your budget to run the show.

2. Not providing all of the information up front.

At the start of the project (and so that they can provide an estimate), designers will ask many questions, and it is important for clients to answer these questions completely. Most of the time clients do, however sometimes clients don't give all of the information, especially if it wasn't asked for. If there is important information that should be used in working on a project, that information should be given to the designer as soon as possible. Reasons being are that the designer can correctly and accurately estimate your project and details of your project (keeping you from paying more) and it helps the designer to complete the project at your satisfaction. If a designer doesn't know all of the details on what you expect from your website, for example, then they may design the site without that detail in place, and when they become aware of that detail, it will cause them to do extra work, sometimes having to start all over.

Thus it is important for clients to express all of their needs and wants to the designer up front, no matter if they are getting an estimate or have hired that designer to do the project. It is like putting together furniture: if you don't have all the parts and know what you are putting together, then you will end up having a non-functional piece of wood at the end, and you will have to start all over.

3. Not having a clear and concise direction for the project.

Which is ok. It is ok for a client not to know all of the details of the project upon first contacting a designer. Designers are ok in counseling their clients to help them make decisions. However, this is only ok when only a few details are not worked out, either because the client is unaware of technology or how certain details play into design work. When a client has very little idea on what they want in their project, the designer can't read their mind. It is important for clients to sit down and figure out as much as they can about their project before hiring a designer.

Designers also understand that clients might not be aware of certain technology or other factors that could impact their project, and need direction and are more than happy to help their clients in figuring out how to successfully lauch their design. So falling back on #2, be sure to express all of your needs and details to the designer up front so that they can help.

4. Restricting creativity.

Designers love to design. That is what they do best. Sometimes clients after they have hired a designer tend to want to start controling the design of their project. Designers like input from their clients, but they also know what looks best and what will help reach your target market and the purpose of the design. When clients start restricting the creative design process, then their project suffers.

Designers have the responisbility to do a justice to their client and inform them when a decision that they make could impact the design. For instance, putting yellow type on an orange background not only looks horrible, but is hard to read, thus turning away viewers from the design, costing the client valuable customers and leads, and in the end hurting the client's reputation and brand. Same goes for putting too small or too much type in a design, and many other design don'ts. Be sure to express your opinions to your designer, but in the end listen to the designer in his/her reasoning behind the decisions she has made before making the final decision on the design.

I just wanted to drop in and see if you were interested in receiving a monthly email from me that I plan to start come August. In the newsletter I plan to feature articles that are very useful to business owners and other articles that tie into marketing, promotions or new services that I might be offering, and a glance at my recent work. I hope to use this newsletter to help inform past, present, and future clients of ways that I can help them with their business, along with giving advice when it comes to marketing their business.

Now I know many of people don't like receiving spam or unsolicited emails, thus is the reason why I am emailing you personally to ask if you would like to receive this newsletter. If you would like to receive this newsletter, simply reply to this email, or go here to sign up (if that link is broken, you can copy and paste the link at the end of this email to be redirected). I highly encourage you to give it a try, and of course if you decide you would no longer like to receive the newsletter, there will be an option at the end of every newsletter where you will be able to opt-out of receiving any future emails.

I will be sending the first newsletter out a week from today, Tuesday, August 4, and the first week of every month. Sign up any time!

To subscribe: http://amberturner.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=88aa7a32b3dbf18a33b8aaf68&id=6c8d2a231f

I hope to see your name on the list!

Amber Leigh Turner
Freelance Graphic and Web Designer

amber@amberturner.com
www.amberturner.com

I see it all the time: sites that haven't been updated in years. Unfortunately, having a site that looks like it should stay in the 90's isn't good for business. Just like hairstyles, music, clothes, and other trends, websites also become dated over time. And even worse news, websites date faster than the aforementioned trends because the web is evolving at a much faster rate than fashion and pop culture. Here are five quick reasons why you should review your website and see if it might be time for a makeover.

1. Increase visitors, keep visitors longer, and boost sales efforts.

Have you ever been to a site and get the feeling that the site has not been touched since it was launched? Just like leftovers that have been left in the fridge for too long, websites that haven't been updated in quite some time often turn-off your potential customers and stink with unprofessionalism. When a site hasn't been updated in ages, potential customers feel the need to find a different company to handle their needs. Unless the visitor came to your site due to some other stronger means than a Google search, i.e. a referral from a close friend or another form of advertisement, the visitor won't say on your site for long, thus causing you to lose out on a sale. Multiply this scenario a couple of times and you can see how this could hurt your bottom line. My rule of thumb is that if your website hasn't been updated in a year, it is time to look into making that happen.

2. Your website is partying like it is 1999, instead of 2009.

Looking around at other sites on the web, do you see ones that seem to have a better flow, cleaner design, and a more updated feel? Chances are that these are the sites that your customers will gravitate toward as well. If your site is still grooving to an old design that is no longer seen on the web, it is time to get it updated. Could you take a fashion designer seriously if he/she was dressed as if they were smack dab in the middle of the disco years? Same with your website. How can your customers take you seriously if you don't take your business appearance seriously? Website styles and trends change yearly, so it is important in today's online marketing world that your site changes with these trends.

3. Your business has changed in the last two years.

Most business owners can see that their business has changed from two years ago. Maybe they are offering a new service or product, their target market has changed, or they have changed locations. Whenever you make major changes to your business, all aspects of your business should be examined as well, including your marketing. Your website is your 24/7/365 salesman, billboard, and megaphone for your business; having your site do the same old song and dance, especially when that song and dance includes a new tune and move, isn't good for business. For instance, maybe you have decided to target a younger market. Does your site look like it is still targeting those that are middle-aged? If so, it is time for a makeover.

4. Be at the top of your game (and competition).

Businesses must always work to make sure they are different from their competitors in the eyes of their target market. Have a look-see at your competitors' websites. How do they compared to yours? Do you like your competitors' sites more than your own? This is a sign that your competitors have been working on differentiating themselves from you, and if you think their site is better, then they are doing something right. Don't let your competition get the better hand when it comes to online marketing through your website. If you feel like your website isn't up to par, it doesn't produce the Google ranking you were hoping for, or if you feel like the amount of interest from your site has decreased while your competitors prosper, then it is time to look at not only reviewing your website, but other marketing materials as well. Clients want to work with the best, so show them you are the best.

5. Don't be afraid of the cost or know-how about online marketing.

So this might be a shameful plug, but often business owners are under a misconception that having a site redesigned to be better than their competition or to refocus their vision will cost a fortune. Most freelancers (like myself, eh hum) should take the time to look at your business from different angles, look at your needs from different angles, and provide the solution to your problem that is unique to you. A web designer/developer is worth their weight in gold. If you find a good one, they will not only produce a site that you can't wait to show your friends and your dog, but they will also advise and provide consultation on how to update the site yourself, inform you of exactly what you need without trying to sell you stuff you don't, and will overall make sure your business is not behind when it comes to your website and online marketing. Don't think that a web designer will just produce a site and be done, or will try to take you for everything you are worht; they often provide many more services that will help you become more informed and help your business grow.

So, maybe as a new year's resolution, or a weekend project, you should take the time to review your website and ask yourself, "Is it time for a makeover?" Not sure? Then contact a web designer who has the skills and knowledge to make your website shine for you. Oh, and by the way, my email is amber@amberturner.com. :D

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Not only do I enjoy working on my own designs and customizing designs for my clients, I also like to help other designers to become better at what they do too! So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the new site ReviewMyDesign.net. After a few days on the site, I was asked to become a moderator of the site! I accepted ecstatically and now help designers every day improve their designs. Not only do I get to help people, I also can get advise on how to improve my own designs as well.

I hope you take a few minutes to check out the site!