Recently a client asked me if I could point her in the direction of a good site that could show her how to build up her website. I don’t really keep track of sites for beginners, but I remember a site I Stumbled Upon last week that really caught my eye.

The website I stumbled is Web Design From Scratch. The range of information on this site is wonderful, from the basics of a website to javascript and DHTML. He doesn’t just tell you how to code a website (HTML) but he also teaches you how to plan your website, how to create the graphics, and how to pull a design together.

I’ve been looking through the site myself to find ways to help me to improve my own websites. Looking at his ‘My Workstation‘ page I see he has some wonderful things I never thought of, namely the noise cancelling headphones and the crib sheets.

His basics section includes the information you need to understand before getting started. Some of this info is essential and not necessarily common sense. If you’re interested in starting your own website or blog for the first time, or taking over your own website from a designer/consultant, I definitely suggest reading this Basics page before doing anything. A lot of people will suggest to just sit down and jump into it, but that leaves gaps and will cause you issues later. Better yet, pay the 1GBP to download the page and print it off, review it on your own over coffee.

For my readers I also want to point out a section I’ve downloaded and begun reading, Business of Web Design. If you’re interested in making as much as you can from your blog or website you’ll be interested to read this section. He shares a lot of good information, again, some I that hadn’t even occurred to me. This is for web design, however, you can apply a lot of it to your own website no matter what the topic.

Please let me know your thoughts on this site, and make sure to Stumble it if you like it.

I’ve been doing some website work for some clients and I’ve had to keep track of the time I spent on the product on a piece of paper. The other day I cleaned off my desk and that paper went missing. This time, I remembered the amount of time, but next time I might not. Kinda risky since I need to break down my time spent.

Have you ever tried using timesheet software to keep track of your design time? I was so excited when I found this link that I had to rush in and try it. I think this script may just save me. I tried the free online demo, but you can also download it and install it for free, for up to 10 people. For just me, this works out fine. I’ve downloaded it, I’ll play with it and let you know how it goes.

I’ve been around to websites with high page ranks and I see some comments from people who obviously only want the link back. They’ll say something like “good idea!” or something short and just barely on topic. I never wanted to be one of those people who does that. I realize the value in the comment link, but I still think it’s important to read the entries and comment accordingly. That’s why I can’t do the 70 comments in 20 minutes like my friends do. At least, I hope that’s why.

But yesterday I admit I made a mistake. I went to a website and in an effort to relate to the post and comment (because she had no comments and I like to help people boost numbers) I commented on a personal relation and thought of her post. Basically her post had an IM conversation and then a long post by her. I read the IM convo and immediately went to the comments because I could relate so well to what she was saying.

I got an email today with her reply basically calling me stupid. In the entry below the conversation she had said quite a lot relating to the same conclusion I commented about. So a silly comment where I thought I could relate to the author turned me into an ass. Why? Because I didn’t read the entire 1005 word post (I put it in my word counter).

So it seems like the meaningless comments are working better for people, but I still refuse to do it that way. I’ll continue reading the posts and adding my 2 cents, but I think it’s time to stop commenting on entries I don’t have the patience to finish.

Anyway, my apologies to the person who thinks I only wanted to satisfy a link exchanging site (which I am not a member of) and I hope you had a little giggle at my expense. Because, what’s life without fun?

I signed up with Pay Per Post so I could test them out because the purpose of this blog is to help you make money on your blog and blog marketing is one of the big ways to do it. I’ve done a few paid posts for them and I have a bit of feedback.

There are a couple things I really like about PPP, most importantly being the way you accept a job. There are some sponsored review sites that require you to bid and then then wait for the advertiser to accept, decline, or counter your offer. This pretty much results in hundreds of offers out there for nothing. Another allows you 3-7 days to complete a job, in which time procrastinators like me could forget. I really like the way you reserve a job and do it right away.

I’m also extremely delighted with the higher amounts I see offered. They have some places offering $350+ for a blog review. My site isn’t nearly that calibre yet, but I hope to someday be doing well enough and to have enough readers to deserve these jobs.

I’ve only found a few things so far I feel uncomfortable with, but that may change over time. I don’t like that they don’t give you a link to visit the site before you reserve it. However, reserving doesn’t mean you have to do it. And there was one review where you had to make a video, I didn’t quite understand it but I don’t think I’d like to create a video for an advertiser (not for $15, anyway).

I’ve decided I will split any money earned two ways. 1/2 it will go back into the website and the other 1/2 will go into my boys’ savings accounts. Their savings accounts need the lift and I hope to have a great contest here on TBW within the next month or so!

Are you using PPP? Tell me your experiences.