For most people, developing a website is a haphazard affair with no definable method or process. This usually ends up in long development times, under pricing, client dissatisfaction and whole host of other issues. Thats why, it's important for all web developers to have a clear and precise process to manage web development. This article breaks it down very nicely for us all into the following steps.

1. Content
2. Wireframing/ Information Architecture
3. Design
4. Development
5. Testing
6. Hosting/ Launch
7. Ongoing Support 

Blogging is one of the hottest phenomena on the web today. There is a blog for every imaginable topic. It is now considered norm for professionals in any field to have a blog of their own. This helps to market and perpetuate their brands but more importantly, it helps the professional stay sharp and informed about their industry. The following article shows us why we designers need to have our own blogs. Some of the reasons are:

1. Learn More about our industry

2. Improve Time Management

3. Build up a library of learnings

4. Improve our writing and communication skills

5. Marketing

6. Networking

7. Maintaining a site and

8. Working for our selves 

Clients. You love them cause they pay for your shiny new iphone. You hate them cause they can't seem to understand even the most basic principles of design and they impale you with comments like "Can the scrollbars be in the middle of the page?" or "can't you just save the flyer as a gift bag" The reality is that all designers need to deal with clients. And generally speaking, clients will not ever be truly understanding of the design world or what we do. But then again, if they did, they wouldn't be coming to you now would they? So the point is, we need to learn how to deal effectively with our clients so they be can be happy, and we can be happy.

This article has some nice simple guidelines to help you deal with your next client. Enjoy.

Get an estimate of their computing/technological expertise.

So that you know how in-depth you have to explain certain concepts or ideas, you should first try to determine the individual’s computing/technology knowledge. This can be accomplished indirectly with, what I’d like to call, fishing questions (similar to “fishing for compliments“).

For example, you can ask in passing, “Hey, what operating system do you have on your home computer?” or “What’s your preferred web browser?”. What you’re really trying to learn is: (1) if they know the basic terminologies like operating systems and web browsers, (2) if they have any experience with computers and the internet, (3) their tech savvy-ness, (4) how and why they use IT. A person using Linux probably knows a thing or two about computers and Mac’s are generally appealing to artists, designers, and musicians.

Search engines are a primary way that many users will find your site, so ensuring that your pages will appear as high as possible in the results is a key factor in increasing the number of site visitors. So how exactly do you go about getting the highest visibility for your site? Well this article gives you a simple breakdown of what Search Engine Optimization is all about.

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In over a decade of being in the design game I can tell you one of the biggest issues every designer faces is that of pricing their work. It's a maddening maze of confusion and conflicting views. Do you charge per piece or per hour? How do charge for a logo for a kafunda joint as compared to a multinational conglomerate? These are tough questions to answer and to be fair, there is no single correct way to price. That being said though, this excellent article offers a few precious guidelines to us all. 

I’m about to make a bold statement. The quality of a design and the monetary cost of producing or procuring that design have absolutely no relationship whatsoever. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, I know. Many of you are crying foul at this very moment, but hear me out. I’ll explain my radical position – and hopefully give you a few pointers about how to more effectively price and position your design business in this brave new, and uncorrelated, world.

Quality-Price-Ratio (or QPR as it’s commonly referred to) is a concept that is used extensively in the wine trade. In it’s essence it’s nothing more than a measure of perceived value, of the enjoyment you receive weighed against the price you have to pay. Do you feel that the benefit your gained was worth the price you paid? If you don’t, then the product or service has a low QPR. On the other hand, if you feel like you got away with highway robbery then the product or service has a very high QPR. I’ll spare you the metaphysical comparisons between wine and design beyond this one important point: There is no correlation between price and quality when discussing wine or design. 

Less Is (Often) More

Although some designers have difficulty embellishing a page enough to make it interesting, most have the opposite problem: They try to cram too much on a page. If you fall into this second category, review your designs for elements that can be eliminated or streamlined. For instance, rarely does a page look good with 15 different typefaces on it; it instead begins to look like a ransom note.
Keep in mind that simple isn’t always boring—often it’s modern and elegant instead.

Aaaaah, freelancing. A word that conjures up images of lots of money, time and freedom to many a designer. A few years ago someone convinced me that I could live a lavish lifestyle if i went freelance. No one to answer to, no taxes, no regular hours. It seemed like a dream. That is until i started doing it and I realised that there's actually so much more involved. In fact it felt like I had to do so much more than when I was employed. The point is, if your serious about becoming a freelance artist, it takes a lot of savvy, commitment, agressiveness and perseverance. This article should shed some light on this mystery called Freelancing. Salute!

"Becoming a freelance web designer is a common dream among many designers, although it takes quite a bit of talent, business savvy, committment, and time. With all there is to consider when becoming self-employed, one can become overwhelmed — enough to deter themselves from trying at all.
Realizing many Smashing readers probably already have a head-start into the world of professional and freelance web design, this post is meant to act as not only a step-by-step guide, but also as achecklist for those who have already started their career. Hopefully this guide can cover all aspects of becoming a professional and freelance web designer, from business aspect and working with clients, to creating an effective portfolio and advertising one’s work."