Especially with the current pandemic shutdown, businesses are having trouble making ends meet and you may be among them! As a web design firm owner, I’ve been looking at ways to keep our work queue full, so that we can make it through this recession without too much trouble. The answer is simple: offer what our clients need. While we always try to do exactly that, it’s especially...
A Survival Guide to Working from Home
Recently due to the coronavirus pandemic, many workers are transitioning to working from home. Many web designers have already been working remotely for years, so it’s nothing new for them. Although I prefer to work out of my office, I’ve done my fair share of telecommuting. We also have several members of our team work remotely on a regular basis. I’d like to share a few of my tools and tricks...
How to Help Nonprofits
As a small business owner, there are many ways that you can help nonprofit organizations including offering your services, hosting a volunteer day, encouraging your employees to donate or attend events, donating equipment, increasing awareness, and direct donations. As a web designer, you have additional ways to give back that are unique to your industry. Some ideas include offering your design...
Most Recommended Business Books for Small Businesses in 2020
From compiling the top business books from 35 different sources, the top recommended books for small businesses for 2020 are: “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Dr. Robert Cialdini...
Web Design Process
Last night, I presented to the Boise Graphic Design Group on the web design process last night. This was actually our first full meetup – all 40 spots were taken. That’s a great first but I’m always a bit nervous when I speak in front of groups. As always though, I came out of the presentation more knowledgeable than going in. That’s what I love about this group –...
Starting a Web Design Business: Part 2
Wow, here it is week 4 after starting my business and I finally have a bit of time to sit down and write! And that’s after a 60+ hour week…so that’s something to be ready for too: long hours at first! Setting Up Your Business – All That Paperwork I have my business set up as an LLC, filing taxes as an S-corp. I went this route because it’s pretty easy to set up, has...
Starting a Web Design Business: Part 1
The Big Picture: Is It Doable? The first step should always be planning: what are your goals and is it feasible? And beyond that, what’s the risks and rewards? What income and expenses will you have? For me, I’ve been itching to start my own company again for probably the last 2 years but it wasn’t until lately that it all started to really come together. The opportunities look...
Starting a Web Design Business: Intro
Wow, I’ve worked at Peak Systems now for 5 years! Although I’ve enjoyed working at Peak, it’s time to move on and start my own business again. This will be my 4th web design business, and each time I’ve started up a web design business, it’s been more successful and more rewarding. My last business, ABD Insights, was acquired by Peak Systems in 2007, and I brought...