I’ve had a couple of clients recently enquire about updating their own websites. These sites were not designed with a CMS integrated, they were pure HTML creations, so I thought I would investigate a few “free” options to allow non-programmers to add/change content. Surprisingly, there are a number of free WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors out there. Unsurprisingly, most of them are rubbish. After looking for recommendations, I downloaded and installed the “best” programs – Amaya, NVU and Trellien.

Now hats off to the legends who created these programs. I am full of admiration for those people who devote many hours into creating Open Source software. The fact that I don’t recommend these programs to my clients is not a reflection on these people.

I simply can’t ask my clients to use software that won’t perform to their exact needs. Why won’t these programs perform? Because the sites were never intended to be updated by these magnificent pieces of programming. If the sites were built using these programs, I doubt I’d have a problem.

Solutions?

1. Get me to do the updates (of course I’d say that – I want your business).
2. Invest in Dreamweaver for $800 a copy.
3. Spend a little extra at the beginning and have a CMS built into the site.
Obviously, #3 is the way to go. Businesses/Organisations need to realise that a site is not simply stuck on the web to remain the same forever. They need regular updates to keep visitors returning. Bottom line – invest a little more in the initial stages and reap the benefits later on.

The internet is getting full. A recent technology article I read claimed that the internet was fast running out of IP addresses and that the WWW would soon be full. Not really doom and gloom when you realise that the internet is an almost living and breathing thing and the “head boffins” have already found a solution for that particular problem.

My main problem with the WWW is that it is getting so damn hard to find what you are looking for. I’m currently searching for a plugin that will allow me access to the dates and titles on each of my blog entries. The Wordpress Codex is massive and you really need to be very particular with your search terms in order to find anything.

This is where good site architecture comes into play. Designers need to be very wary of future growth for their sites or they’ll end up like the Education Queensland site which practically impossible to search or navigate – you sometimes actually need to phone EQ in order to ask where something is.

Rusty Mango Design hasn’t created any bemammoth sites yet (looking forward to that day though) however when the day arrives, navigation will be right up there on the list of priorities.

I have joined a number of online forums for web designers over the past year and I have noticed a disturbing fact. Some of these “designers” have never physically spoken to their clients – they only “talk” via emails.

I love talking to my clients. True, there are a couple that I have never met face to face, purely for geographical reasons – they live at the other end of the state. But I make it a rule to talk to clients over the phone or face to face whilst developing their sites. I need to do this otherwise I cannot get a full picture of the ideas they have and the site that they want. We need to discuss target audiences, colour schemes, updates and all other manner of things. It can’t be done successfully via pure emails.

I also love talking to current clients about the success of their sites. I recently got a real buzz from the client who told me that his website was exceeding expectations and generating masses of business for them. Feedback about sites is great too allowing me to adapt what I do in the future to ensure that Rusty Mango’s clients are getting the best.

Rusty Mango Design prides itself on the direct link between designer and client – we have no middle man, secretaries or receptionists. The person you talk to is the person making your site.

It has long been a dream of mine to take my office on the road. I love caravaning – the notion of carrying around your own little house and visiting all the great sites of our beautiful country. Recently I’ve been testing out the travelling office – and I have found that running a web design business on the road is not as easy as it may seem.

I have the technology – my notebook is loaded with all the software that I usually use at home. I can create websites just as easily as I do sitting at my desk in Innisfail.

The problem with the travelling office is two-fold for me.

One – I travel with my wife and three young children. Anyone with kids knows that they are exhausting. After taking them to the sights of whatever region you may be in, playing on every damn playground beyond the black stump (actually have just been there) and then finally getting them to bed – you are mentally and physically stuffed. You need some downtime. The last thing you want to do is more work.

Two – I have a Telstra broadband “dongle” for my notebook, which is quite excellent – if you have coverage. Staying at remote sites like the two cattle stations that we have, internet access (and TV access) is just not available. So any work that you need to upload needs to wait until you return to civilisation. Emails are not recieved as some of my clients have found out nor are they replied to.

Its a great idea but until my kids get a little older and able to amuse themselves and internet access truly is Australia-wide, the travelling office will just have to remain my little dream.

I’ve been reading on a number of web designer forums that web design is under-going resurgence at the moment due to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Companies are finding it easier and more effective to utilise online solutions to promote themselves rather than expensive traditional print and television methods. A website has the potential to reach millions quickly and a company can control every aspect of the “pitch”.

I recently heard from a client who had found that a website can be quite beneficial. This client had originally asked me to design a site purely because he had purchased the domain name for his email address and wanted a site in case anyone checked further. Looking long term, he didn’t think a site would do anything for his business.

No sooner than the site was online and indexed by Google than he began to get enquiries from further afield. Some of these enquiries have proved to be very lucrative for him and have led to major projects. Our client now believes that his site is an integral part of his business and I’m currently expanding it further for him.

Some people say that the internet is corrupting our lives, encouraging us to live online rather than in real life. This might be true for some people (those people featured in the BCF advertisements for example – “That ‘aint living!!). But for the rest of us who can maintain a healthy balance between time on the internet and time spent “living”, the internet is an endless source of information of all types.

We’re currently researching a trip we intend to take out west. Via the internet, we can plot our journey, contact caravan parks along the way and peruse local attraction. All from the comfort of our computer.

For my business, I really love the online community that shares its knowledge throughout the internet. I’ve been doing a lot of work on Wordpress and OsCommerce and as you can expect problems have arisen. But I’m yet to have a problem that someone hasn’t solved and put a tutorial or fix online. I can usually solve my problems with a quick Google.

Case in point: I have a client who would like to add captions under the images on their website. I didn’t have a clue how to do this. Quick search and I found http://www.labnol.org/internet/design/add-text-captions-align-images-html-css/2309/. Problem solved.

The internet is an amazing source of information which will keep growing and growing. Watch this space.