SEO Specialist
I’m currently learning what I can about search engine optimization. A client of mine would like to offer a three-month full time design work which includes improving his search engine rankings. We’re also thinking of signing up with this Austin SEO company called Apogee Search which is why I need to research so I’d know what we’ll need exactly. According to their website, your site can achieve all the items below:
Dramatic increases in qualified visitors to your site
Increased conversions for more sales
Accelerated ROI
Stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships
Improved sales in target markets
Strong growth in market share
Most importantly, your site will get better placement in top search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.
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On Research
One thing that my clients like about me is my ability to research quickly. From best web hosting to great domain names, cheap furniture shops to discount concert tickets, high yield investments to ecommerce softwares. My clients usually hire me to just design their websites but sometimes, I also help them with research, market study and content development. I make sure that I do this for long time clients only and most often than not, they send something extra to my paypal account. 
Anyway, the latest request that I receive was to read on construction business. My client is planning on putting up a small construction biz in Los Angeles and hired me (yes, I will be paid) to help him gather any info that I can find from the Internet. I’ve read and saved articles like “skills that you need to start a construction business”, “why some people don’t succeed”,” important numbers you need to know in construction” plus some very important info on California construction law. At first, I wasn’t sure if these were something he should’ve known by now if he’s really intent on making his construction business. Still, I sent all of them hoping some of them might help him at least on getting started. And he is very happy especially on the part about collecting receivables and liquidating damages. I’ve read about contractors having problems securing overdue payments so I’ve decided to add some legal information to prepare himself for future conflicts.
Quick surveys for your site
I hate programming. On every design project that I take, I usually partner with another programmer or offer pre-built applications for cheaper packages. I also search the web for free scripts and just customize it according to my needs. Take this site www.easy-poll.com for instance. It’s free and you don’t need database or learn any codes to run a poll/survey on your site or blog. You can put up a yes or no poll or a multiple-choice poll in a matter of minutes. The selection of colors and patterns are huge to help you find the best theme that will complement your site. Now, isn’t that just a great way to make your site more interactive?
New Look. Again.
Just finished customizing my wordpress skin. I really love this Homeschool skin by Gazelle Creative because it’s easy to change the headers, title tags, sidebars, etc.
Here’s a print screen.
You may be asking yourself why I need to post a screenshot when the changes are glaringly obvious. Well, you see, I still have two designs remaining. Who knows, I might change the look again tomorrow depending on my mood. I might also try changing the skin every refresh if I’m crazy enough to waste working hours.
Custom Tshirt Designs
I used to design t-shirts a couple of years ago and one of the problems I encountered was finding a good Tshirt printing company. There are just too many process involved like going back and forth to the shop to compare swatches and print outs. That was eons ago, though. Now, Tshirt printing is so much easier with the help of online sites like I-printForyou.com. This site in particular has an online design tool that lets you choose t-shirt styles, colors, sizes and upload your own artwork or choose from the available designs on their website. When you’re done with the t-shirt design, you can save it for future use, share with friends or get a quote for the Tshirt printing and order. Everything can be done online so it’s hassle free.
Designer’s Block
Need to submit two website mockups for a new project this week but I can’t seem to come up with something nice. I don’t know if I’m tired or just simply lazy to think of something. I usually start by researching photos to help me with the look and feel. The problem is it’s hard to find any good royalty free photo for Dodge Charger accessories. Most of the nice ones are expensive and I don’t think the client would be willing to pay for it. I’m in a bind here.
Photo Op
I’ve spent my entire afternoon browsing for royalty free photos for a client of mine. This is the part that I hate because I tend to waste hours looking for the perfect photo. A photo can make or break a website’s design so it’s very important for me. I wish I had an account at Gettyimages so I can download to my heart’s content. My photos.com membership is alright, but when I looked for steel buildings at Getty, the selections are just incredible. I can’t just download them though because of copyright laws. So I guess I’ll have to make do with what I have. Such a waste of time.
Tables to CSS
I’ve been studying CSS for four hours and thought I’d just rest my brain a bit. There’s so much stuff to learn that I’m finding it hard to keep up. CSS is such a better world though, design-wise. I’ve even managed to convince my friend Teresa to say goodbye to her nested tables and welcome the not-so-new div layering. Our latest “past time” is to check how many errors we can eliminate using the w3c compliant checker. We’re soo geeky (just in this area) but I get so high whenever my codes pass the validation.
What’s the purpose of this post? Well, every web designer needs to take this design journey and I’m just so glad I’m halfway there!
OSX
I need to design a web site and a logo for our new hosting web site.
This is the theme.
Sweet!
Check and Balance
It’s taking me forever to decide whether to try to get more design projects or not. The major factor is actually the most important one: how to receive payments. Paypal still doesn’t offer its services here in the country, and the fees collected for wire transfers are obscenely high.
I came across electronic check processing the other day, and am planning to do more research on it. I’m fairly sure that it won’t be available here for some time, but I’m really hoping it will be soon. I found a company that claims processing takes only 3 days and that fees are possibly less than those for wire transfer services. I don’t mind the wait so long as I don’t lose a lot in service fees.
But like I said, I need to find out lots more about it. I have time, though; I hear electronic check processing has been available state-side since 2002 (or earlier), so by my estimate it’ll be offered here in the good ole RP in around 2010.
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About Joy
I am Dzoi, a 28 year old Filipina who currently works as a web designer. I am a loving wife to my equally loving husband Sherwin and a mommy cow to my 2-year-old daughter, Sandy.
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