Posts in Business
How I changed my business by using the Pomodoro Technique
How I changed my business by using the Pomodoro Technique

I’ve never been someone who enjoys working long hours.

“Well DUH, Charlotte!”, you might be thinking. “Who does?”

Hear me out for a second, though. Off the top of your head can you name three people who are always working, clocking long hours at the office and never take a day off? I sure can!

There are plenty of people who bemoan/boast about their 80+ hour work weeks and all I can think is NOPE.

I fully admit that I am not someone who inherently enjoys working. Truth be told, I’d rather spend my time doing just about anything other than working.

Is it because I’m lazy? Perhaps, but I’d like to think that it’s because I want to get the most out of life and that means spending as little time in front of my laptop as possible.

The only problem is that those bills won’t pay themselves, yo!

Here's where the Pomodoro Technique comes in.

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BusinessCharlotte O'Haramy businessComment
How to choose a web designer
How to choose a web designer

Question for you: would you do business with a company that didn’t have a website?

For most people, the answer to this questions would be “It depends”, closely followed by “...but probably not”. As potential customers, we want to check out a business online before we buy from them or sign up for their services. Word of mouth might get the business on our radar but we want to confirm for ourselves that they are legitimate or a good fit before whipping out our Visa cards.

Any business, no matter the size or industry, should have a website that represents them online. A good website will attract and convert customers whereas a bad website will instantly repel prospective customers.

And do you know who plays one the biggest role in a website’s success? It’s not the business owner, the social media strategist or the copywriter. Nope, it’s the web designer.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing website or build a brand new site, a web designer will take your project from start to finish.

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Business, Web Design/DevelopmentCharlotte O'Haraweb design, online business, website auditComment
How and why having a strong purpose leads to significant website growth
How and why having a strong purpose leads to significant website growth

Websites are funny things, when you think about it.

They're a little slice of the internet than anyone can claim and there are literally a million and one topics covered out there. Whether your website is a personal blog or is intended to support your business, there's room for everyone online.

But, as the saying goes, not all websites are created equally.

I've written before about how it's not as easy as cranking out some text, slapping a few pictures up and calling it a day. A good website requires thoughtful content, intentional design, and a clear intention. That's what sets the winners apart : they aren't satisfied with simply being "there". Instead, their owners/managers are always pushing the sites to grow and expand their reach.

As a web designer/developer, I work on my own website(s) every day as well as those of my clients. I've honestly seen it all and can pinpoint from the start which websites will see significant growth - and which ones will not.

Luckily, my friends, a successful website is NOT rocket science! It does, however, take time and effort to execute correctly.

You could spend your time Googling every tip & trick out there, or throwing method after method at the wall hoping something sticks. Eventually, something will work but you'll be exhausted and will probably hate yourself.

Alternatively, I've shared what I know works for me and my clients, and you can apply my pointers on your own websites. Let's get started. 

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Business, Tech TipsCharlotte O'Haragrowth, strategy, audience, Web content, grow websiteComment
Five foolproof steps to getting projects you actually want to work on
Five foolproof steps to getting projects you actually want to work on

A few days ago I was flipping through my calendar and all of a sudden it hit me : I've officially been running my own web design/development business for over a year now. Wow, what a feat! 

It's a depressing fact that most businesses fail yet so far, I've been successful and I'm proud to say that I plan to keep it that way.

My business has been successful thanks to a combination of luck, hard work, perseverance and a willingness to approach my business strategically.

Here's the thing, though. A lot of it is replicable which means that YOU can start or grow your web design/development business too!

This article is going to walk you through the five foolproof steps that I use to get the web design/development projects I actually want to work on. By following these steps, I am confident that they can work for you too! It's not rocket science but it will take time and effort. But trust me, it's worth it.

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BusinessCharlotte O'Haramy business, online business, ideal client, client project, portfolioComment