The Shoe String Budget Client
So , I was working on my blog the other day, and I came across a blog post that brought a smile to my face. It was actually one of the first blog posts that I wrote for this blog ( you can view it here) and it talked about some of the different type of clients that I have worked with. It was not an all inclusive list , just a primer of sorts.
In any case, I realized that there is another breed of client. I like to refer to them as the "Shoe String Budget " client. This breed of client wants a super high speed , flash website , with all fixings' , but is not willing to pay the price. In other words , they want to low -ball you. They want this .jpg)
, but only have a budget for this .jpg)
.
Still Don't get it … Check this video out , so that you can understand what I mean "Shoe String Budget Client"
When you work as a freelancer, you are your own boss. you set the rates for your projects. Shoe String Budget Clients ( aka Cheapskates)
will constantly try to talk you down from your price . Just as you can't walk into Best Buy or RadioShack and tell them what you are willing to pay, expecting them to accept your offer, clients shouldn't be able to come in and undercut your rates.
There is nothing wrong with negotiating, because in the end everyone wants to feel like they are getting there money \ times worth.The issues arise when you allow a client to dictate how much your time is worth. So , you let it happen just one time right , no harm in that is there ? If you let one client do it , more are sure to follow.
(Keep in mind , that this logic does not just apply to web designers , but to anyone that does freelance work)
Different Types of "Shoe String Budget Clients"
- Constantly try to talk you down from your rate
- Offer you less than you charge
- Offer you cute anecdotes or sob stories in hopes of you lowering your rates ( I love these lol)
I have even had clients act rude, and question my professional rates because " Someone they know on craigslist" is willing to do your 1,000 dollar project for a mere 150. Some will even try the whole passive \ aggressive tactic in hopes of getting you to lower your rate.
Some will even justify there rates y offering to allow you to place a link on the bottom of there website because of all of the "potential traffic" that they will receive. ( I am not even going to touch this one lol)
How To Deal With "Shoe String Budget Clients"
- Justify your rates – You didn't spend hours learning HTML and Flash for nothing did you ? Show your clients samples fo your work and explain the work that goes into each project.
- Offer Alternatives- Maybe the client really can't afford your rates. Try offering them other options that will fit there budget.
-
Remind Them : If someone is cheaper , it doesnt always mean its a better value. ( do you think that you can get quality like this
.jpg)
, when you only are willing to pay for this .jpg)
?
- Refer The Client Elsewhere- Since they can't afford your rate ( or just won't pay it ) you can always refer them to a student that would be more than happy to take the project on.
- Keep It Moving – Its ok to turn down a client. If after showing and proving to your potential client your work and resume , thy still insist on a lower rate , just keep it moving. its clear that they cannot afford a professional , and have no idea of what they actually want. You should never fee like you have to take a project on.
Figure out what your demographic is- Who are you targeting ? What do you offer ? Knowing these things will help you streamline the way you do business , and avoid dealing with these types of clients. Do not be afraid to stand y our ground. Only you know what you are worth 
What is a Sitemap , and Why Is It Important ?
A site map (or sitemap) is a list of pages of a web site accessible to crawlers or users. It can be either a document in any form used as a planning tool for web design, or a web page that lists the pages on a web site, typically organized in hierarchical fashion. This helps visitors and search engine bots find pages on the site.
Here is a sample of what a sitemap should look like :
While some developers argue that site index is a more appropriately used term to relay page function, web visitors are used to seeing each term and generally associate both as one and the same. However, a site index is often used to mean an A-Z index that provides access to particular content, while a site map provides a general top-down view of the overall site contents.Contents [hide]
Benefits of sitemaps
Site maps can improve search engine optimization of a site by making sure that all the pages can be found. This is especially important if a site uses a dynamic access to content such as Adobe Flash or JavaScript menus that do not include HTML links.
They also act as a navigation aid [1] by providing an overview of a site's content at a single glance.
Most search engines will only follow a finite number of links from a page, so if the number of links is very large, the site map may be required so that search engines and visitors can access all content on the site.
XML Sitemaps
Google introduced Google Sitemaps so web developers can publish lists of links from across their sites. The basic premise is that some sites have a large number of dynamic pages that are only available through the use of forms and user entries. The Sitemap files can then be used to indicate to a web crawler how such pages can be found. Google, Bing, Yahoo and Ask now jointly support the Sitemaps protocol.
Since Bing, Yahoo, Ask, and Google use the same protocol[2], having a Sitemap lets the four biggest search engines have the updated page information. Sitemaps do not guarantee all links will be crawled, and being crawled does not guarantee indexing. However, a Sitemap is still the best insurance for getting a search engine to learn about your entire site.
XML Sitemaps have replaced the older method of "submitting to search engines" by filling out a form on the search engine's submission page. Now web developers submit a Sitemap directly, or wait for search engines to find it.
XML (extensible markup language) is much more precise than HTML coding. Errors are not tolerated, and so syntax must be exact. It is advised to use an XML syntax validator such as the free one found at: http://validator.w3.org
There are automated XML site map generators available (both as software and web applications) for more complex sites.
Basic Tools For Web Design Part 1 ( Html Editors)
If you are looking at getting started to webdesign , or if you just want to tinker around with your own pages , then you are going to need some tools to do that . I have compiled a list of some free software that will help you on your journey to "Dreaming in Code" ( it's what we code slingers do , lol ) Anyways , to start you will need an html editor . 
First up we have SoThink Html Editor . I first started usign this back in the day when it was known as Cute Html , or something like that . anyways , this editor is a WYSIWYG ( what you see is what you get ) editor. It has alot of great features for a free program . In fact , it has some features that you wont find in software that you pay for. You can import your own javascript , or even create your own via the user friendly interface . It can be a little intimidating at first , but once you get the hang of it , then you will even steven . The only downside to this , is since it's free , you can only edit one document at a time . The next Editor is Kompozer . This editor is built off of some of the same framework that is used in the Mozilla and Firefox web brower. It is a very robust editor . Very , very intuitive .And as an added bonus , alot of the addons that you use on Mozilla Firefox browser , can also be installed to even add more usability. Of Course , if you don't want to commit downloading software onto your computer , then another alternative ais to use an online html editor. Some of them are very robust , and some are for people well versed in html coding . Here is a small list that I have compiled .
- Real-time HTML Editor
- Online-HTML Editor ( my personal fav)
- Online HTML Editor 2
Luv Jawn by Ackryte
I am a Senior Web \ Mobile Developer residing in sunny Orlando Fl. I love developing awesome mobile apps, fresh web designs, playing my bass guitar and watching Robot Chicken ( Adult Swim rocks lol) .Uber Twitter addict, and leopard gecko owner.
-Christian Martell
