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Thursday, 26 May 2011 07:59 |
When I first began my web development career in 2000, web design software for the 'average user' was limited. Over time, companies made it easier for the average person to design a webpage and our industry is saturated with competition.
Having design or development skills is not enough to land you freelance development jobs. You have to take measures to give yourself a competitive edge over everyone else.
Develop Your Skill Set
Having dual scripting and design skills is an asset. If you can learn both, you eliminate the need for clients to hire multiple people. However, if you are only good at one or the other, choose and do it well.
Offer Enough Variation
When designing logos, you will always end up with three different versions: what the client thinks he wants, how you believe it should be designed and how the logo will actually end up. Do a version of all three and you are bound to make the client happy. When pitching a development idea, always offer different options that fall under different budgets.
Lesson the Risk
Never be afraid to offer unlimited revisions to give yourself a competitive edge. On average, the client wears out long before you do. Eliminate the possibility of revision by asking the client the right questions beforehand about the project, their preferences, their ideas and so on.
Target a Niche
Give yourself a competitive edge by finding a niche market or skill that sets you apart in a saturated industry of providers. For instance: you can specialize in car racing website development or design logo stickers. Just be good at whatever you plan to do but do not try to be an expert on every level.
Find Yourself
Everyone has their own unique style of creativity. Find yours and incorporate it into your designs. PHP scripting even requires a level of creativity as you follow your own path to creative logic.
Expand Yourself
Learn the basics of sub-skills that relate to your craft. For instance; search engine optimization, color theory, social marketing, promotion. You don't have to master these sub-skills but you should have a general understanding of how they tie into web development.
Despite the crowded market, web developers and graphic designers are still in demand but it's not the same as ten years ago. You have to get creative with what you offer and who you are as a provider.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 26 May 2011 08:03 |
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Friday, 07 January 2011 14:43 |
Spotted this amusing typo while reading a tutorial on how to create my own side taskbar in Vista. I'm disappointed because I licked the icon with the left side of my tongue and nothing happened.
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Last Updated on Friday, 07 January 2011 14:46 |
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Friday, 03 December 2010 03:15 |
I guess blip.fm didn't get the word.
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Thursday, 02 December 2010 06:28 |
Hmmm. I'm no Doctor but I would recommend NOT micro-managing this part of your life...
Well...You have two options. Bury the stove or get the bitch to bake you cookies while she is in there.
Ok, now....Someone is going to have to give in!
They definitely test for the presence of fried food so don't munch on any McDonald's after you smoke that fatty.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 02 December 2010 06:43 |
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Tuesday, 30 November 2010 18:40 |
 A
$2,000 graphics tablet! LOL. But okay, okay....I will settle for a less
expensive one. The reason is because I want to do more freehand art work in site
development. I started off as a graphic designer and learned the scripting end
about four years ago so getting one of these would thrill me to no end! I feel
so limited designing with a mouse. :(
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 18:45 |
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