Backpage.com vs Craigslist.org

I found this site today called Backpage.com - basically it looks and operates like Craigslist.org.

But, it did allow me to upload up to 4 images per listing and it had nice GUI interface buttons for bolding, underlining or italicizing my text; with Craigslist.org you have to know HTML to do that and type it in manually.

Also, it has a nice 'Manage Ad' button which allows you to easily edit and delete, yes I said DELETE your listing. Craigslist does not let you delete old postings for some reason which annoys the heck out of me.

Link: Backpage.com

Link: My web design ad

Link: My programming ad for Raleigh

Local web designer/programmer for hire

Why hire local? 

1. They probably speak English.

2. You are supporting your local businesses and economy.

3. You are dealing with someone who understands what your clients are looking for and expect.

4. Less problems with communication barriers because time zones are the same and you can meet in person.

5. You can ask around and find out about a company's reputation and references.

6. You pay for what you get.

7. Buy cheap you pay twice.

My 2 cents.

Freelance Camp

Freelance Camp is a place to discuss and explore the different approaches to running a successful freelance business / small service company. The event will take place in Santa Cruz, CA to promote local business and technology.

August 16, 2008, from 8am - 6pm

Museum of Art & History, downtown Santa Cruz, California

FREE! (and we even feed you). Oh and shirts and stickers too.

Sign up for the event at http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/710228

Space is limited to 150 people and we will close signup at that point so don't lag, you might miss out.

Be part of the chatter up to the event, and keep in touch with people after: Freelancecamp Facebook Group

Participants

You own a service business or you want to. Maybe you are a graphic designer, a mechanical engineer, a lawyer, a real estate agent, a landscaper, a web developer, a bookkeeper, a writer ... if you sell your expertise to people, then you will fit right in!

1. Come with an answer and some questions to help make the agenda in the morning
2. Hang out with cool people and compare notes with other business owners in similar industries. Meet some folks who could help your business and / or others whom you can help.
3. Find potential clients, contractors and partners.
4. Work together to figure out how we can all get more time and money out of our companies.

Sponsors

Santa Cruz Design + Innovation Center
Lighthouse Bank
Freelanceswitch
Fresh Books
Cruzio
NextSpace, Coworking + Innovation
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corp. 
Baskin & Grant Law Firm 
Lulu Carpenters
Kristina Kuprina, Wealth Management
Paul Cuccia, Realtor
Studio Holladay
Quiddities
ProductOps
Shane & Peter Inc.

Interested in being a sponsor or a volunteer? You participate on the wiki athttp://barcamp.org/Freelance+Camp

Raleigh NC Freelance PHP Programmer

Impulse is broadening its PHP programming services to include areas such as Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC. 

If you are looking for a freelance PHP programmer, whether for a short term or long term commitment, please contact me today at 1.910.234.0969 or use my contact form: http://www.impulsewebdesigns.com/website+quote+form.php

I have been developing PHP applications for over 2 years using MySQL as a primary database. I can program anything from registration forms, contact forms, custom admin control panels, user login forms, custom CMS applications and much more. My rates are competitive and my turn around time is reasonable.

Link: PHP Programming 

Uses of websites Part 2

Continuing my articles on good uses of websites, here's Part 2.

A second use of websites is for multi-media presentations such as Flash, video, Visio presentations, photo galleries, Word and Excel documents, Power Point presentations, Adobe Breeze and much more.

You can easily embed these multi-media rich applications right into your website with minimal code. Some of them even have special export functions that allow you to export the presentation and then all you have to do is copy and paste right into your HTML. Take YouTube for example - if you find a video you like, they provide you with the HTML code necessary to embed that video right into your blog or web  page.

Another big advantage of this ability is accessibility - since the web is on 24 hours a day available all over the world, your clients don't have to be at your office to make a presentation. Software packages such as WebEx now allow you to have a virtual meetings over the next using web cams and microphones.  

Uses of websites Part 1

So what good is a website anyway? Why is it so important? 

A good website will increase your presence on the web and drive traffic to your business, eventually increasing your exposure to the world and hopefully giving you more opportunities to make money. More and more people are using the internet these days to find work, services, goods and products. A website is on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can provide your end users with a wealth of information about you and your business. Plus, you can reach an audience outside your city limits - a website is visible anywhere there is internet, meaning you can live in Wilmington and have clients in Costa Rica! 

More good uses of a website coming soon....

Impulse Web Solutions on AboutUs.org

I added a wiki page on AboutUs.org 

check it out:

http://www.aboutus.org/Impulse_Web_Solutions

What is web design?

I have added a new page to the website that contains some of the most common terms used in the web design and development industry.

Some of these terms include web design, SEO, HTML, CSS, etc.

Check out the new page: Common web terms and their definitions

Impulse launches Five Stars Painting LLC

I hooked up a friend of mine and did a website for his painting business located here in Wilmington NC. If you need a painter, interior or exterior, call Five Stars and ask for Fernando.

Link: Five Stars Painting

10 RULES FOR WRITING HOME PAGE COPY AND TEXT

Here is a great article from Susan Greene on writing home page copy.

Because the home page is the first page most of your visitors will see, it’s also the most important page. Its purpose is to grab the readers’ attention and help them find information quickly and easily. If your home page lacks facts or is confusing, your visitors will click off before they ever gets a chance to know you. Here are some tips for ensuring your home page is effective:

Read the entire article here: http://www.susangreenecopywriter.com/articles/10_rules.asp