<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
	<title type="html"><![CDATA[Killersites.com Web Design Forums]]></title>
	<link rel="self" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/feed/atom/forum/6/"/>
	<updated>2009-11-16T19:50:00Z</updated>
	<generator>PunBB</generator>
	<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/</id>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Wordpress or Static HTML Sites?]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2306/wordpress-or-static-html-sites/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Question for the pros out there:

Is it better as a web designer to create standard HTML sites or Wordpress sites for business clients? It looks like Wordpress is gaining momentum but I am also hearing that they need regular maintenance such as when plugins need constant updating.

Is this an issue for any Wordpress designers out there?

Looking for feedback

-Artie]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[falkencreative]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/7451/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-11-16T19:50:00Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2306/wordpress-or-static-html-sites/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Creating a formal contract for design work]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2428/creating-a-formal-contract-for-design-work/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[This is a really good start in creating a formal contract when doing design work for a client to ensure you don't get stung: [url]http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/standard-agreement[/url]]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[pipeten]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/9203/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-11-06T13:36:54Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2428/creating-a-formal-contract-for-design-work/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Floatbox no longer free]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2033/floatbox-no-longer-free/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Since v3.5 Floatbox is no longer free. It now requires a key to use without pop-ups apparently.
License info here: [url]http://randomous.com/floatbox/license[/url]

My question is does this mean my commercial site can no longer use the older version or is it okay to keep using a <3.5 copy?]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[falkencreative]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/1413/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-08-19T07:29:20Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2033/floatbox-no-longer-free/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[OsCommerce Web Design]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2025/oscommerce-web-design/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My name is Jake Kassan I own a online retail store and I currently use the software Oscommerce. I hired a web developer/designer to create and help maintain my website, unfortunately she didn't do a great job and I am not stuck with a dysfunctional product. I am in need of someone who knows how to use Oscommerce, install modules, install add ons, adding simple things like the Date to an invoice. I also have an Affiliate program installed which is not working correctly either. I need someone who knows how to use Oscommerce correctly and can get the job done in a timely manner.

If this is something you think you could help me with I would appreciate it. 


My website is [url=http://www.NiteLifeDesigns.com]www.NiteLifeDesigns.com[/url] 


Look forward to hearing from you

Best Regards,

Jake
NiteLife
661.755.1972

Jake@nitelifedesigns.com]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[nitelife]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/7298/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-08-18T07:17:42Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2025/oscommerce-web-design/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[New User Here]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2008/new-user-here/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hi I'm a new user here, looking foward to learning and creating some great contacts!]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[johnny_p]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/7177/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-08-18T01:56:12Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/2008/new-user-here/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Online Privacy Policy Creator]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/556/online-privacy-policy-creator/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I thought this little tool could be handy for those that need a quick privacy policy that allows you to fill in the blanks that caters to your site.

[url=http://www.dmaresponsibility.org/PPG/]Online Privacy Policy Creator[/url]]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[joomlavideos]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/8/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-07-31T03:45:10Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/556/online-privacy-policy-creator/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Website Pre Production]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1840/website-pre-production/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I have started to produce data driven websites as well as plain old websites. Where I have a problem is I get overwhelmed in the planning of them.

How do you plan your websites. Do you use flowcharts? I start and get completely confused after a while.

Does anyone have a checklist or a sheet that they give to there clients to help them to get to what they want from the site. If you could post something that would be great.

Any help would be much appreciated. Also I am a visual person. I need a visual approach to
planning them.

Thanks a bunch.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[joomlavideos]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/1602/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-07-31T03:36:04Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1840/website-pre-production/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Collaboration offering for designers.]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1853/collaboration-offering-for-designers/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Good day dear designers! Especially those, who deals with game’s creation!
We’re sure, that your fantasy combining with high level of qualification brings excellent results. Unfortunately, these are not the only requirements for successful promotion of the product; furthermore it is not infrequent that the best creations of designers’ minds remain unused and unneeded. 
Therefore, the team of specialists in the name of  “Sunphonia” company is glad to offer you working relationship and cooperation of our efforts.
Being a certified seller of iPhone games in Apple Store, possessing ample opportunities, dedication and experience in iPhone-games realization and promotion through the internet, we can afford ground for the entrance of your product on the world-wide web market and achieve high performance. We also can offer you cooperation with our programmers in term to create the best games together.
All provided projects are fulfilling by the large crew of professionals with wide experience in exactly this field.
Terms of payment defined individually according to the volume of needed works.
For more information contact us at:dev@sunphonia.com]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[sundown222]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/6263/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-07-14T05:33:42Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1853/collaboration-offering-for-designers/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Portfolio: Friend or Foe? What Consumers Should Know]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/5/portfolio-friend-or-foe-what-consumers-should-know/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Yesterday, I got an email requesting to join together with them in providing web development services. This particular company was not from within the U.S. I will call them East Web.

I checked out the East Web site just out of curiousity and looked at their portfolio. They had over 50. Much of it was pretty good visually and some of them even validated.

I went one step further. I went to each and everyone of East Web clients' websites and found that serveral of them did not have the 'Site design by East Web' (or something similar). I found two that had it but it wasn't by East Web but instead by two other totally different web companies which was local in the U.S.

I emailed those two web companies asking them if these particular websites were developed by them and if so, did they know that they were listed on someone elses portfolio namely East Web?

What I found out was that these two other companies have no association with East Web and were thankful for this catch.

So in saying, I think it's vitally important for consumers to be aware that when they are looking for a web design service, they need to investigate each company's portfolio that they may possibly want to do business with.

So I like to add here some tips that will help consumers choose a web design company that is right for them. It's just off the top of my head.

First Impression:

1. Visually, did it impress you?
2. Was it easy to navigate?
3. Was it easy to read?
4. Check for misspelled words. Finding one or two for the entire site is not uncommon but if you find serveral, think twice before using them.

Portfolio:

1. Portfolio. If one exist, check to see if they are linked to the actual clients' sites.

2. Check each of the portfolio's sites. Is it the same design? If not, why not? 

3. Each of the portfolio's sites may have a link at the very bottom of the page indicating that the site was design by whomever. Check to make sure that each site was designed by the web design company. If one is not listed, you can contact that particular site via email or phone call to ask who developed their site. 

Contact Info:

1. Do they have a physical address? If not, how do you know where they are really located at? If one exist, verify it by check the address via local directory search (local for country's region).

2. Phone number. If one doesn't exist, move on. Phone number is important form of communications whether it be toll-free or not. Without a phone number contact, what is the point is doing business with them.

This is about all the time I have for now. Add your two-cents worth if you like.

Archive [url=http://www.killersites.com/mvnforum/mvnforum/viewthread?thread=10854]link to original post[/url].]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[russellharrower]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/8/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-07-11T05:48:02Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/5/portfolio-friend-or-foe-what-consumers-should-know/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Webdesign Payment]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1346/webdesign-payment/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Some day id love to get into web design as a profession but dont have the time with current scheduling and family to get any schooling done other than what ive researched on my own. But I was curious as to what some might charge for different sites? I just made a simple site with dreamwearver that ive posted in other posts and was given 200$ for making the site and the client paid the fee for putting it up on a server with a new domain. Was 200$ to much for that site? Any info is appreciated as always!]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Eric]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/3602/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-06-12T22:07:14Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1346/webdesign-payment/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Starting a Web Design Business?]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/44/starting-a-web-design-business/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[[b]This is a summary of the topic “Starting a web design business”, originally posted on July 23, 2008.[/b]

Original thread:
[url]http://killersites.com/mvnforum/mvnforum/viewthread?thread=11509[/url]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[quote=Josh22x]Hey all,

I am new to this forum.... looks like a good one

I am interested in starting my own web design business, but am unsure about exactly what I should do to get started, besides just design. I have one site, going on three, that are still under development.

So how do I start designing for people? Do I just do a couple free jobs to get started? Do I need a site, that displays my work, etc?

Thanks in advance!
Josh[/quote]
[quote=falkencreative]Josh,

Sounds like you are about where I was a couple years ago. I actually started in high school -- figured out I enjoyed graphic design and web design, and decided I wanted to do something with it. I currently run my business as a side project, usually accepting only one or two clients at a time since I have a regular job and take college classes full time as well.

Where do you get started? Probably after you finish up with the sites you are currently working on, you should settle on a name for your business (unless you are simply going to use your own name) and design/build a simple portfolio site to showcase your work. Ultimately, that will become your best selling tool for explaining who you are and what you do. If you can, do this while you have the time and aren't busy with client projects. As I have learned, the longer you wait to do it, the better chance that you won't. It's hard to spend time on personal projects when you have paying projects to think about. smile

Depending on your skills, it may be a good idea to come up with a logo and some basic templates for your business, (letterhead, business cards, a design proposal template and an invoice template). You are about my age, and I have found that having some of these items has boosted my credibility and made people take me a bit more seriously as a designer and entrepreneur. If you can't do this yourself, perhaps see if you can find another professional or student who you can trade services with -- they'll do some identity work for you in exchange for a website.

As far as getting started and getting more clients, the best way I have learned is through word of mouth, and also through online. If you offer good service and reasonable prices and keep your client's happy, they'll refer you to others. Also, it helps if you take some time to create a quality website that is optimized for search engines. My latest client is someone who found me via my website (how the did that, I really have no idea, since I don't rank highly for anything at the moment...) and they have quickly become my highest paying client.

Should you do free work? It depends on the skills you have and your situation. Unless it is for a non-profit organization or a cause you feel deeply about, I wouldn't suggest it. However, you may offer clients that since you are just getting started and need the experience, you would be able to offer them a deal. That way, there is a clear understanding that you won't always be cheap, and they won't undervalue your services.

Setting up a business does take a bit of legal understanding... Where are you based? If you're in the USA, I'll go into that a bit more. Otherwise, you'll have to do that research on your own.[/quote]
[quote=falkencreative]Just ran across a series of articles on Freelance Folder that might be helpful... especially the one on branding.

[url]http://freelancefolder.com/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-freelancing-part-1/[/url][/quote]
[quote=josh22x]Yes, i am in USA. Currently, I have a site that I was going to use to showcase some of my sites that I have created. So yes, any of the legal/business advice would be a great help?

Also, right now what my skills lack is image creation, since I am not very good with either gimp or photo-shop, most of my sites lack very many images. Any suggestions/help in this regard? Also, how do I know what to charge clients?

Thanks so much for you help![/quote]
[quote=falkencreative]OK... some legal details... As a disclaimer, I really don't claim to be an expert on this subject, but I'll pass on whatever I have picked up in the last few years of doing this.

OK, this applies primarily to California, where I live, so you may have to check on your state's rules if you live in a different state...

If you live in California and operate a business that does not include your name, you need to register your business name with your County and set up a DBA (Doing Business As). Basically, this registers your business name and your contact information with the state, and allows you to legally operate. In addition, once your DBA is approved, you have to place an ad in a local paper stating that you have started a new business. Usually, after you register your DBA, a couple local papers will contact you with ways that you can post your ad in their paper -- it's pretty easy. If I remember correctly, registering the DBA costs about $20, and the newspaper ad costs somewhere between $30 and $50.

Also, if you are using a business name that does not include your own name, you may want to double check that it is not in use with some major corporation. While the chances of you getting sued over a business name is probably pretty low, you could be pressured into changing the name to avoid legal hassles.

There are tax rules that you will need to research more, especially if your business will be your sole means of income. I need to go back and refresh myself on those rules, so I really can't cover it in much detail. However, if you are self employed, the government will take out about 25 to 35 % in taxes, and if you are earning a significant amount per year, you are expected to file estimated payments with the IRS four times a year to cover the tax bill that will come due in April. However, (as in my case) if you have another job where the employer is paying part of your taxes for you, and you aren't making a great deal of money working freelance, it is much less of an issue.

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post... It really helps to have a standard contract that you use and ask clients to sign before you start work with them. The contract would cover what services you are offering the client, what the cost of the project is, and which parties have which responsibilities. This document should also protect you in case the project falls apart and either side decides to cancel the project and other legaleze if things don't work out. When I was first starting out, I didn't use a contract, but I have found that it is very useful to have a document that lays out the exact agreement between me and my client. I simply won't do a project without a signed contract.

As for your lack of image creation skills, that is definitely something you will want to improve in. There are many sources of online tutorials out there online that may help you, or you may consider taking some classes at your college or a local junior college -- that is what I have done. Knowledge of photoshop or a similar program is very useful, since that is the part of the website that most people will see directly and understand. Most clients don't want or necessarily need to understand the coding that is involved.

What do you charge clients? I don't think anyone has an answer for that one. =P It depends on your skills and confidence level, and often where you live as well. If I remember correctly, I started at around a $20 an hour figure, and worked my way up from there. It does vary greatly though, depending on who you ask. I've found the average figure for design work (at least in my area) seems to be around $50 or $60 an hour. It'll often depend on the client too, and what they are willing to pay. Obviously, you would charge a large corporation that will get a lot of publicity more than a tiny one person business.

Two books to recommend... One is "How to start a home based web design business" by Jim Smith. (Amazon Link It doesn't go into things in great depth, but I found it useful for some general business knowledge, and it has a useful contract template that should get you started. Also you may want to look at the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines (Amazon Link) which contains some useful legal/pricing information.

Any other questions?[/quote]
[quote=josh22x]Thanks, how do you go about getting someone to sign a contract if they are from a different state? Do you ever do work for clients in different countries?

As far as the images on your sites are concerned, do create these or get free images from the internet?

As far as coding it concerned, I am very familiar with CSS and HTML, but just starting with PHP. Do you find it necessary to know scripting languages for your work such as JavaScript, PHP, or APS.net? If so, do you know of any good source for learning these languages?

Thanks so much!
Josh[/quote]
[quote=falkencreative][i]"Thanks, how do you go about getting someone to sign a contract if they are from a different state? Do you ever do work for clients in different countries?"[/i]

Depends... You could always accept a signature by fax. I don't always ask that my clients physically sign the contract. Often, I'll simply accept a written acceptance via email (though I'm not quite sure if that would hold up in a court of law).

Recently, however, I have been developing a client backend to my website in PHP, which allows my clients to login and view project details. In that area, it includes the contract, and the client can electronically sign it, which sends an email to both parties saying that the client has signed the contract and stores the agreement in a database.

Images on the sites I develop are a combination of free stock photography (sxc.hu, specifically) and paid stock photography (istockphoto.com or dreamstime.com). If the site will require a significant amount of stock photos, I usually ask the client to agree to cover the costs of the photos.

"Do you find it necessary to know scripting languages for your work such as JavaScript, PHP, or APS.net?"

Originally, I started out with HTML and CSS, and have been slowly adding to my skills. A bit of knowledge of PHP or another dynamic programming language is quite useful, and I'd definitely encourage you to continue learning. It'll help set you apart from all of the rest of the coders out there that only know HTML and CSS. Most of my PHP knowledge either comes from personal experimentation, PHP books or tutorials on killerphp.com or phpvideotutorials.com.[/quote]
[quote=josh22x]Ok, well I really appreciate you time. A few more questions:

If a client asks you to do something for their site that you do not know how to do or can't do, do tell the "I can't do that" or do you hire a third party to do it for you?

Secondly: This is a issue I have been very perplexed about. Once you design a site for someone, how do you handle updating it? Do you allow them to update it via a CMS or are most of your sites pretty stationary?

Thirdly, do most of your clients already have hosting and a domain, or do you include that in the price as well?

Lastly, if this a area that is going to be profitable for me once I get started, so that maybe I could do it full time, or is it more of a "chunk-change every-once in a while" hobby?

Thanks for your experience and input!
Josh[/quote]
[quote=falkencreative]OK...

If a client asks me for something I can't do... it depends. If it is something that I could do, and just may need a bit of experimentation, I usually tell them it isn't something I have experience with, but I will get back to them in a day or two and let them know if it is possible. If it isn't something I could learn quickly enough to do it yourself, I may check if a friend or contact can/would be willing to do it (though that may cut into your profit.) If you can't do it and you can't find a friend to do it, I usually would pass on that project, and perhaps suggest another company in my area that might be able to help.

How do I handle updating sites? Depends on the site. Up to this point, most of the sites I have designed are static sites that I take care of updating for a monthly fee. However, as I have found this to be sometimes stressful and timeconsuming, I have been moving towards using a CMS. It's just a matter of finding the necessary time to learn. Especially with larger clients, they tend to assume that they will have the power to edit content, so it is important to either know a CMS or be working in that direction.

As for hosting, I usually offer hosting services via a resellers account at hostgator.com. Most of my clients want hosting, but don't want to deal with the hassle of setting it up. I usually include that in the contract as a quarterly fee that they pay me.

Will this be profitable? It really depends on your experience, your energy and your networking skills. Doing it yourself is tough work, and I have had a few friends burn themselves out trying to do it. At this point, even after a couple years experience, I don't feel ready to try and do it myself -- it'll stay part time for me, at least while I am busy with school. The longer you do web design, the more there seems to be to learn. At least while you get started, I'd suggest doing it as a hobby or part time job, and thus don't expect to get paid a lot. Don't make it your primary source of income -- that's just asking for trouble. However, as you build up experience and improve your skills, yes, I do think it has the potential to be profitable.

You may also want to consider, after you have more experience, trying to get hired by a web design firm in your local area and working for them for a while. You'll get a lot of good experience, and will be able to build some of the skills needed to do it full time.[/quote]]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[sharelayout08]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/3/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-28T02:19:17Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/44/starting-a-web-design-business/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Areas of web design]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1457/areas-of-web-design/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I am curious about the current state or trend of web design. I've been working with web design for more than 10 years now and I've noticed a huge revolution of what is considered web design nowadays. I've talked about this with a few people and noticed how much things are changing. 

Do you still get those jobs as web designer in spite of more and more people using Wordpress or similar apps to do their work themselves by using a theme or modify a theme? What areas of web design do people still need hiring for? The simplicity of just using raw html code is sort of fading into background and more focused on web apps (Wordpress, Blogger, etc.) or web services such as social networking (Twitter, etc.) or free web hosts that provide variety of layouts that people can choose from (website in a box). I'm not including web programming or web development because they're not considered "design" work. I'm also aware of the popularity of web templates and interface design which are still in use today for those who cannot come up with elegant designs using complicated CSS. 

I'd love to hear from you because I'm wondering if web design will continue into the future and evolve into what? :)]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[shelfimage]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/4298/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-25T15:26:34Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1457/areas-of-web-design/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Landing a Web Design Job]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/572/landing-a-web-design-job/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hi,

I've just wrote about how to land a web design job. I figured given the current economic downturn, that a lot of people may be looking to jump into the game. The blog post:

[url]http://www.killersites.com/blog/2009/landing-that-web-design-job/[/url]

-

I also created a short podcast on the subject as well .. for those who prefer to listen:

[url]http://www.killersites.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/landing-web-design-job-soft.mp3[/url]

Let me know what you think regarding the content, sound quality etc ...

Stefan]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[mindsmack]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/2/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-14T20:58:32Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/572/landing-a-web-design-job/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Scheduling new & current clients]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1338/scheduling-new-current-clients/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I am really a little frazzled here.  How do you guys handle client scheduling?  I have several current clients who are waiting for major updates/changes to their site plus I have two new clients waiting for me to begin their sites.  I feel like I've maybe bitten off more than I can chew, but a couple months ago I was fine and running on schedule.  What's happening is that some of my clients ask to be added to my schedule but then when it's their turn, they aren't ready.  When they finally are ready, I've already moved on and really don't have time for their stuff.

I feel like I'm going slightly crazy while trying to create a couple new designs plus all the maintenance work that my current clients need.  Add on top of that needing to spend time with my kids, shuttle them back and forth to school and then cooking dinner, laundry, etc. and you have the recipe for someone who feels totally overwhelmed.

I ran across the website of another designer who publishes her schedule in two week increments.  So, she shows something like this:

May 4 - Client Name
May 18 - Client Name
June 1 - Client Name
June 15- Client Name
and so on....

She states on her site that if the client isn't ready when it's their turn, their project will need to be rescheduled.  

Maybe I should include something like this on my new site.  I have to do SOMETHING.

So, how do you guys deal with this?]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Susie]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/4/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-06T23:23:18Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1338/scheduling-new-current-clients/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Hourly rate?]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1212/hourly-rate/new/posts/"/>
			<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hello, 

A client wants to use my services on an "as needed basis", so she just wants me to charge her at an hourly rate (verses by the job). So I'm taking a pole! What do you guys charge? I live in the San Diego area, so I will of course take that into account. I personally am not trying to get rich from my hourly charge. Just looking for a conservative/fair number. Thanks!

Opps, just googled the topic, well thats stupid! OK, so what I meant to ask was, what do you guys charge to mow someones lawn? Personally I like charging by the hour when I mow lawns.]]></summary>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Eric]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.killersites.com/forums/user/7/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-04-19T02:56:01Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.killersites.com/forums/topic/1212/hourly-rate/new/posts/</id>
		</entry>
</feed>
