Loxley

Yoast is pretty good, but I'd recommend doing some reading on SEO first because Google changed its algorithms but the plugin never updated to reflect this... it seems to champion keyword cramming, which Google doesn't like. I just use it to change my title / description, etc to work how I want it to

There are two main methods.
1. A footer that sticks to the bottom all the time and page content scrolls behind it. This method doesn't work in IE6. See
http://www.wickham43.net/headerfooterfix.php
 
2. A footer that sticks to the bottom if there isn't much page content, but if there is a lot of page content the footer stays below the content and you scroll to see it as normal. This method does work in IE6. See
http://www.wickham43.net/footerfix.php

Hi, can anyone tell me the easiest way to add a footer to the bottom of an html page please?
 
I want a centered horizontal row of about 6 words each as a link to other pages within my website (including a contact page).
 
I know a bit of html and css.
 
Thanks so much!

Try this Robin
 
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/fauxcolumns/
 
If you Google Faux Columns you should find some other alternatives - hope that helps

Hi Everyone
 
I've decided to make my site available to view and hopefully get some feedback a bit more detailed than from a screenshot. Please note that the website is not finished - there are a load of "Test Projects" on there I added a moment ago to make sure the back-end was functioning as it should.
 
Please feel free to bookmark and share my website, and also subscribe to my RSS feed - that way you'll know when updates are made as I'll be trying to keep my blog up to date with the changes.
 
Feedback encouraged and please +1 me if you like it http://bit.ly/aY9IZ
 
BenTheDesigner

This post on Smashing Mag:
 
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/10/01/how-to-respond-effectively-to-design-criticism/
 
If you can respond well to criticism, then you will improve much more quickly as a designer
 
Thanks
 
Terydinho

I've never used ModX but it's a very flexible CMS, Scott S knows a lot about it so hopefully he will enlighten you soon
 
There's nothing wrong with free Open Source at all (don't forget commercial paid systems can be Open Source as well), but I always believe in giving my customers the best possible solution for their site and budget.
 
If a "free" solution fits then I'll use it, but early on in my 10+ years of building sites, I soon found that having direct developer support not only gives me confidence that if I have a serious problem then it will be fixed, but also my customers as well. Typically, with free OS software, if you have a problem there is no guarantee of support, and if a site stops working for some reason your client will want it fixed asap.
 
As sunwuking pointed out, £150 for an EE site licence is really small beer for something that's flexible, has full developer support, and most importantly an impressive security record. Plus the more EE licences you buy the bigger discount you get
 
EE's not a solution for everything but well worth having on your "arsenal" of web building tools.

EE's free Core version is free to download and use so install it and have a play
 
It is a limited compared to the full versions but all plugins, extensions and 3rd paty modules will work (with the exception of "member" related things, custom sql queries, moblog etc), but certainly nothing stopping you from building even a large complex site.

I generally stick to "We" for mass communications or writing about the company and then move to I once I've established a dialogue with a potential customer so it's clear that they're dealing with me (ie a real person) rather than just a random custom service team member!

Hi there
 
I'm self employed so can only answer questions relating to that really but...
 
- You register for self employment by ringing up HMRC and just letting them know you're going self employed. They will register you over the phone in minutes, and send you information and a UTR (unique tax reference) etc.
 
- I personally prefer self employed to LTD at the moment, but want to go LTD when business grows. Self employed = less paperwork and costs. But there are many benefits to LTD. I'm sure someone who runs a ltd company will explain
 
- Tax is same as if you were employed, except you save your receipts and expenses (equipment, travel, etc) all things that cost you money to run your business. You can claim that back in your tax. Class 2 contributions cost around £30 quarterly, so around £120 per year.
 
- For payment, you can use paypal, etc, or simply get paid via cheque / bank transfer and it doesn't cost you anything.
 
- Yes you can do you own paperwork, it doesn't need to be complicated. I had an accountant friend give me a few pointers when I first started out and that proved very helpful, but any self employed person could give you a few tips if you ask

I have registered self employed but HMRC know my 'business name' of my site, but its not a registered company name. So in answer to your question, I run a website with it's own name, but trade under my own name, if that makes sense.
 
And yep, class 2 contributions are National Insurance payments.

Hmmmm good question Loxley
 
We makes it sound like you have more people working with you - and also sounds more professional in my opinion. I seems a bit too 'one man band' for me.
 
Both will have their benefits and drawbacks - for instance, using WE will make some people who want a freelancer to build their site overlook you as they will think you will charge too much if you are paying out wages. Using 'I' will make some people feel you don't have the resources available to do the job.
 
It is a fine balance. I would say that you should use 'We', but make it clear that 'We' refers to a group of freelances who are not on a salary and work per project; so they will only be used if their skills are absolutely necessary to the project etc...
 
Good luck

I've thought about this in the past, but always settled on the fact that even though I sometimes outsource work to fellow professionals, I should always use "I", as my company's name is Russell Bishop, not "Bishop Designs".

Personally, I always put "We" regardless of who you are, or how many people you have working for you. Mainly because I'm in an LLP so, as an incorporated body, surely, a "We" is the right use.
 
Freelancers though, I'd say "We" aswell - more professional.

#container { position: relative; width: 400px; height: 300px; }
#image { width: 200px; height: 100px; position: absolute; top: 50%; margin-top: -50px; left: 50%; margin-left: -100px; }
 
<div id="container">
<img id="image" src="image.jpg" alt="description">
</div>
 
The widths and heights are whatever you want but the position: relative, position: absolute, left: 50%; top: 50% and margins are critical; negative margins are always half the width and height of the image.

If you want to show them to me cinnamondm I can let you know if they look like a pony or a horse

Think I need to hire me a Manny to do my tax for me... it's why I do mine online, there's enough paper flying around the office during tax return without trying to hunt down the form underneath the carnage.

Hahahaha that was the first thing I thought of when I opened your post.

Actually I quite like the idea, though maybe focusing more on water (you know, cause of the "starboard" bit) and less (but just a little) on the tropical palms

How I resisted moving this to the copywriting section I'll never know!
 
Just wanted to give a quick, but vital piece of advice... when people tackle these things they often think that a 'brochure' has to be this dry corporate monologue describing in the minutest detail every service they offer, their 'passion' for whatever, plus the usual 'founded in 1218 by Benedictine monks...' etc.
 
Don't think 'brochure' think 'sales bomb' - it's job is to sell what you do, to get folks to respond (to visit your site, to call...) - it's not to 'inform'. So don't try to get everything in there, use active and compelling sales copy, not passively drone on and create some strong call-to-action (preferably time-limited) to get more response.
 
Good luck!
 

It is definitely worth trying the brochure method. As you say, if you get one or two jobs out of it then the brochures are paid for.
 
I would include some case studies, some testimonials, a special offer and as Wizely said, a big ol' call to action would help a lot.
 
You need to basically convince people that they are getting a fantastic deal but only for a limited time because if the offer is always on the table then there is no rush and the brochure ends up being 'filed' away in a draw...
 
Good luck - maybe post up some of your design ideas and people can give you some feedback on that side of things too, as Charlotte said, it needs to look pretty

It's very.... blue? Maybe mix in a few more colours?
If its for quad biking or something maybe try out a few earthy colours? Like browns and greens?
 
As for the content area, maybe have a box saying "Welcome to .... specialising in.... " etc? then going on to the actual content?

Looks really nice! Works perfectly if it's for a watersports company, otherwise I would have agreed with chriswhite.
 
I'm not 100% on the way you've cut out the top and bottom of the main content area, looks a bit strange to me. Other than that it's a great design, good job!

I dont like the white one. Overall design is very nice though. I agree that it feels aquatic, and if it is a land based activity I would seriosuly consider browns or greens.

in the past I have layered them using divs. 1 tiled filler and then stick clouds or whatever on there, or whatever.