6 things I can't live without as a web designer/developer

I'm a sucker for seeing how people work and what goes on behind the scenes. I can't help it that I'm curious about the tools people use, the products they swear by, and the things they can't live without. If that makes me nosy, then so be it! ;)

Some of my favourite content that other designers/developers create is the more personal posts where I get to see how they run their businesses and get their work done. There are a million and one ways to get to the same final result and I'm always fascinated to compare my own processes with my peers'. It's cool when there's overlap but it's equally interesting to see our differences, you know?

Today I'm giving you a look at 6 of my "must haves" to do my work as a web designer/developer. Some of them are going to be pretty standard for web designer/developers everywhere but others are a little more personal. Either way, they help me to get the job done right every time!

Alrighty, let's jump right in.

BusinessCharlotte O'HaraMarch 13, 2018it's personal, my business, online business, tools, resources, google drive, squarespace, google docsComment

How and why I include a Client Questionnaire in my Web Design & Development process

Let’s rewind to the early days of my business when I was starting out as a web designer/developer. I was honing my technical skills and getting better every day but one area that I knew I could improve on was organization. I realized that if I was going to take my business seriously and actually make a “go” at it, I would need to set up (and stick to) processes, systems, templates and project plans.

As part of my early journey to get my business organized, I created the first version of what is now my Client Questionnaire. It has been refined and tweaked over time but the core has stayed the same.

Client Questionnaires are something that I include in EVERY web design/development project and it’s a step that I wouldn't dare leave out. It helps me to do my best work for the client because both parties are ready to plan and prepared to execute the best website - right from the start. The Client Questionnaire is a way to gather a huge amount of information ahead of time and make sure that the client is clear, focused and intentional on the process as we move forward with the website. I use the document to guide our discussion, ask the necessary questions, and flush out the main points to consider when we begin the actual website build.

Let's take a look

Did you know Squarespace has an Analytics App?

My friends! It has come to my attention that no everyone is as obsessed with Squarespace as I am and as such, they aren’t fully aware of all the features available! The horror.

Jokes aside, I use and love the Squarespace analytics app all the time and want to make sure it’s on your radar too.

As a web designer/developer, I work with Squarespace literally every day which means I know the platform inside out, like the label of my favourite green juice. That’s great because it makes things super easy, speedy and straightforward for me but I sometimes forget that not everyone has the same deep understanding of Squarespace that I do!

I was recently wrapping up a website project training session with a client and in an offhand comment mentioned the Squarespace analytics app. It was clear that this was the first she was hearing of my (beloved) app and I was happy to spread the love and encourage her to use it! Now i’m doing the same here, with you :)

Depending on how much of a Squarespace junkie you are, today’s post might be an intro to the app or a friendly reminder to actually log in and check your stats. Either way, I hope you learn something new and get more out of your Squarespace account!

Let's take a look at the mobile app, shall we?

6 foolproof ways that a professional website will grow your business

Serious question : if you don’t have a website, do you even exist?

You might think I’m being a little dramatic here but trust me, you NEED to have a website if you have a business that you want to grow. And not just any old website either. You need a professional website!

It’s not enough to have an online presence on social media either because as we’ve seen in the past, platforms go in and out of popularity all the time (MySpace, Vine and Snapchat, I’m looking at you). You might build up an audience on one platform only to have all those people jump ship and leave you without a way to stay in touch with them.

That’s why it’s SO important to have a website. It’s your “home” on the internet that you own and it can’t be taken away from you. Websites are a way to share information with your audience, capture their contact info so that you can stay in touch with them (hello, email lists!), sell products or service, and generally build up your brand visibility.

All of this is well and good, and once you have a website up and running, it’s time to make sure that it’s working FOR you - not against you!

This is where the professional website comes into play. We aren’t talking about casual, personal blogs here. Those hold a special place on the internet but they aren’t the focus of this post. Instead, our attention is on professional websites that support a business, no matter the industry.

In my experience as web designer/developer who works with small, professional business, I’ve noticed that there are 6 foolproof ways that a professional website will grow a business, and I’m going to share those with you today. I’ve seen my clients grow their businesses many times over after they’ve redesigned or launched a new website, and almost all of them agree that there’s enormous ROI on our projects.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at how a professional website will grow your business!

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