Neil from Numbers one has given us a lovely testimonila for the corproate ID and web design project we're doing in partnership with Creatio.

A big thank you to Hamida and the rest of the designers at zfweb.

Numbers1.com approached zfweb about providing us with a simple, stylish design for the front end of our new website, to compliment the major redevelopment being undertaken by Creatio to make our website customer interactive.

They were brilliant in communication and providing changes to designs that were requested, and with working in with Creatio to achieve a stylish user friendly website.

We are extremely happy with the finished design and pleasantly surprised at the service they provided.

Stay tuned as this website will be going live in the new year.

	zfweb has launched UNIFEM Australia's brand new website. Check it out at www.unifem.org.au Stay tuned for two more UNIFEM sites from us - International Women's Day and Gender Equality Online

 
Design Industry came to zfweb wanting to update their website and the result is now live! www.design-industry.com.au








 

One of our biggest client's has seen me wee in a bucket.

Well, I presume he politely looked the other way, but we met a few years ago racing 24 foot boats that didn’t have a “head” (or toilet) on board. It means that the girls have to hide behind the sails, squat over a bucket and hope to the heavens that it doesn’t get knocked over.

But it was through sailing that I met Ron, and now he and the consultancy where he is a partner.

I used to be pretty skeptical about networking, but essentially sailing on Sydney Harbour is just that. If I’d not had a chance to prove myself as a decent person and businesswoman, I would not have had the opportunity to quote for the recurring project that we undertake with his firm. I was just lucky enough to be getting some fresh air at the same time.

Networking has enabled me to grow my business and is now officially part of our marketing plan. It's not my first love. But I have some rules that mean I get a lot out of it. For starters, I only go to seminars and events where I feel I would personally get something out of it even if I were to not meet another person there. It means that meeting people is a bonus not the aim, and I’m more relaxed.

On the other hand, there's plenty of reasons for Social Networking and how it’s good for business. Although I’d argue it should be called virtual networking.

We use Facebook to create pages for our clients, so that their raving fans can become their Facebook fans.

I use Linked In to get up-to-date contact details of contacts and I'm a big fan of the events and groups now.

My favourite tweeters provide short and sweet tips that relate to their area of expertise. Free pearls of wisdom from those I can’t afford to pay, but hopefully one day will.

I picked up my first lead via twitter recently. I was pretty excited as it felt like the time and energy was starting to pay off. The tweeter was discussing a product we sell with a friend I know, so I messaged her to let her know we were a provider of that product and would happily provide a proposal if she’d like. However it wasn’t until I went along to a networking event and met her in person that it turned into the opportunity to meet and put together an estimate for her. She’s now a prospect rather than a lead.

I believe that if you did just one or the other, you would be a lot worse off than if you did a little of both. The hard part is getting the balance.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that drive more sales.

I clicked a banner ad and arrived at this cute boutique website. But the original website was an American one and usually this results in falling in love with something online that you can't have shipped to Australia.

But this site has the simplest little icon on the top left of the site that reads "We ship worldwide". They've taken me to the top of the mountain and showed me what I CAN have.

Nothing technically difficult required. Just good design and a little thoughtfulness for those of us across the seas.

We have a lot of questions about Twitter and how it can be good for business. Twitter has obviously been getting the same questions and have launched this site to help.

Robert Gerrish of Flying Solo interview me on Cloud Computing recently - one of my many web pet topics. We're big fans of web-based software here at zfweb and we've found some great business solutions for our clients over the years too.

When I started my business, one of my first mentors said to me “Make sure the business isn’t about you.” He advised getting a good team together, creating systems and growing a brand that wasn’t about Zoe Freeman Web Design. Michael Gerber of E-myth fame would agree with him.

I’ve spent a lot of time and energy over the years getting to this point but now can’t help but observe that Social Networking is making it tougher for me to market my business without marketing myself. The nature of social media in the business realm is such that it requires a face to which others can relate. The anonimity of a nameless, faceless logo doesn't utlilise the full impact that be created by these mediums.  People want to see who is writing a tweat or blog posting in  for it to take on greater meaning.

This realisation recently culmintated in the very real need to have a corporate photo taken. It wasn’t taken for a glossy brochure. I needed something decent for my corporate Facebook, Linked-in and Twitter accounts, not to mention the business groups of which I’m a member. That photo is now part of our marketing collateral and brand.

It’s tough for us card-carrying web geeks. Working at home and having clients come through my house doesn’t bother me at all, but an intrusion on my personal web time is harder to bear.

As a result I set-up a “corporate” Facebook profile. It allows me to be friends with clients if they request it. I keep ex-colleagues on this profile in case I’m looking for staff or advice. I use it to promote events and post links. It allows me to keep the line between my personal and private life as separate as possible. Party pics and clients are just not a good mix.

Twitter I keep solely professional. I use it to promote our client’s press, blog posts and competitions. I try to ask salient questions or at least provide a tip occasionally that might help others.

We also now have a kitchen computer. It’s got a generic login and no email set-up on it. It’s there to look up recipes, find out What’s on the TV and to settle arguments with my partner over who was in what movie.

Of course the reality is that technology is not to blame for the blurring. Even without the web, I still work at home, have friends and family on my client list and most of all, take my business very personally. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My article in the Australian Business Women's Network was published yesterday:

Click here to read it now!

zfweb client Style4Hire was featured on Girl with a Satchel's Blog:

Click here to view!