43 things you can do right NOW to get more sales
Ok, it’s more like three variations of the same thing, but here goes: Continue Reading 3 things you can do right NOW to get more sales »
3Never ever search for a domain name at Network Solutions!
This week NSI openly admitted to “front running” domain names. Basically, whenever you search for a domain name at Network Solutions, they’ll register the domain in their name for four days thereby locking you from purchasing it anywhere else. Rumors have existed for years of front running by private individuals on a very small scale who hold the names for profit. Front running causing great pains to business owners and web developers who search for domain names and then find them taken the next day. In order to combat front running, NSI decided that they should get in the game too.
They implemented this “service” under the guise of protecting us from front running by register/locking the domain for us. But anyone can go back to NSI and purchase the domain, the only thing they’re preventing is the domain being registered by another registrar. This is simply an anti-competitive move and a very slippery slope for the domain industry. Other registrars will be forced to do the same thing if the practice is not stopped and pretty soon 4 days will turn into 30 days and the entire industry will become completely locked down.
Hopefully you don’t purchase your domains from NSI anyway, but if you do, please stop now and whatever you do, don’t search for domains at NSI. For the full scoop and additional updates, visit Domain Name News. If you’re looking for a good registrar, I highly recommend NameCheap. Note: I’m slightly bias as I designed the previous version of NameCheap’s website.
0The Least Valid Site Ever
Great job by Harry Roberts to find the least valid site ever (or atleast that he’s found so far).
1Free CSS Text Wrapper Tool
The CSS Text Wrapper is a really great tool for easily creating the complex CSS needed to make professional looking image wrapping. It’s something I’ve messed with a lot in the past and this will definitely make my job easier.
1SEED Conference January 2008 - Chicago
I’ll be attending the January 18th SEED Conference at the IIT Campus. I was really close to going to the first one, so I was glad they’re having a second. The SEED Conference is put on by Jason Fried, Carlos Segura and Jim Coudal. It’s about design and entrepreneurship - my two loves. For more info, see the site or Mike Rohde’s illustrated notes which are really fantastic. Leave a comment if you’re attending so I know to look for you. If you’re not attending, sign up now because I’m sure it’s almost full.
135 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume
If you’re a web designer, having a well-designed resume is extremely important. It’s important for all job-seekers to have great resumes, but for you, as a designer - this is your chance to strut your stuff and make a big impression. It’s also important because all the other designers competing against you should have great resumes, so yours is just average, you’re in trouble. I’ve hired designers before, it makes an impact. When I’m hiring, I want an employee who loves all facets of design and has an eye for detail.
I recently noticed Kevin Fox was leaving Google for an undisclosed startup. For those of you who don’t know, Kevin Fox was the Senior User Experience Design Lead at Google. He worked on Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Reader. His resume is published on his site so I thought I’d take a peak. It’s one of the best resumes I’ve ever seen (and I’m not even talking about his impressive work experience).
Below are five things I gleaned from Kevin’s resume that will lead you to creating your own perfect resume. For comparison, here’s my resume (it’s a little dated). They’re pretty similar, but Kevin’s is better.
Continue Reading 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume »
0Testimonials Requested
I’m creating a testimonials page for the directory. If you’ve received great traffic from Xemion, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thanks!
12What makes a bad web designer?
I’ve been struggling for some time with the dilemma of enforcing some sort of quality control on the directory listings. There are a number of web design companies currently listed in the directory that are of questionable skill and ability. Their graphic design sucks and their knowledge of rudimentary web design just seems to be lacking. It is important to me that Xemion be a directory of high-quality firms and that we don’t recommend bad web design companies. Continue Reading What makes a bad web designer? »
0Free Web Design Quotes
By popular request, Xemion now offers free web design quotes to all Sponsored Directory Listings (well, maybe that’s not exactly free - but you don’t have to pay extra for them). Sorry free directory listings, nothing for you. Quotes will automatically be assigned to companies in local areas (such as California) or specialty areas (such as e-commerce). Homepage and directory-wide banner advertisers will be eligible to receive quote requests as well.
I don’t know how many quotes we’ll get (only one so far), but hopefully it will be a useful service to you. Please contact us if you receive a great referral from Xemion, we’d love to know!
0Directory Listing Policy Changes
With the recent relaunch of the Web Designer Directory, we’ve made two significant policies changes that I want to make advertisers aware of:
- Links have been changed to out.php?id=XXXX instead of a straight link
I know this switch will probably make a number of our advertisers unhappy and I was very reluctant to make it but I feel it was needed. Recent events and comments from members of the Google team have made it clear that Google frowns upon the selling of text links in any form. The directory derives a great deal of traffic from Google (we’re currently ranked #2 for “web designers”) and I don’t want to do anything to endanger that status. On the upside, this change will allow us to finally implement click-tracking, a feature many advertisers have requested. - Listings are sorted randomly
Previously, listings were ordered by the purchase date. While this was great for the first guy, it really sucked for the last guy. From now on, all listings will be sorted randomly. Sponsored listings will still be shown above free listings and the Google/Yahoo ads. I believe this will be a fairer policy.
Is this a wise decision or should I have told Google stick it?
NOTE: An e-mail notification of these policy changes was sent to all advertisers who agreed to receive the Xemion newsletter. If you did not receive or missed the newsletter, it can be viewed here. If you’re not on the list and would like to receive the next newsletter, be sure to login to your account and check the “Receive e-mail from Administrators” checkbox.
0Web Designer Directory Expansion
My long planned expansion of the Xemion Web Designer Directory is finally complete. The directory now includes web design companies by Industry (such as Real Estate, Law Firms, Church and Non-Profits) and by Type (such as E-Commerce, Flash and Small Business). I’ve also created directory pages for graphic design, online marketing and hosting firms.
Even more exciting to me is the expansion of the directory into more of a community-focused site with the launch of this blog and the merger with my DevLobby forum. I’ve got a great deal more planned so stay stunned (subscribe to the RSS feed)!
0Blogger wanted!
I’m looking for experienced bloggers who are skilled web designers and developers to assist me in blogging on this site!
Compensation, if any, would be low and primarily limited to revenue sharing (of which there is currently none). The benefits would be a mix of free marketing and SEO links. Xemion is ranked #2 for “web designers” and a myriad of other terms and is one of the most-visited internet resources for people looking for web design firms. This would be a perfect opportunity for a web design company owner or freelance designer.
The blog would focus on web design industry trends, resources and news with very in-depth content. I want the blog to be an extremely high-quality resource for web developers. The ideal blogger would post at least 4-7 times a week. I’d be willing to accept posts from guest bloggers from time to time, but only posts of the utmost quality. Very in-depth and interesting, not generic “how-to”s, etc.
If you’re interested, please contact me and be sure to include links to your portfolio and existing blog as well as three titles of posts you would right.
