Web development patterns and workflow

Minimizing Expenses

There are literally hundreds of web apps, online tools, and open source downloads that can assist you in time management, invoicing, document templates, process mapping, and all sorts of tasks that occur throughout the design and development process as well as overall finances. Pick a few of these, but not all of them, and work them into your business model.

Pen and paper, or sporadic spreadsheets and documents, can only take you so far before they begin wasting your time rather than saving it. I find web tools particularly useful for time tracking, project management, invoicing, and streamlining communications.

Avoiding Pitfalls

There are certainly some financial risks when it comes to freelancing that can leave you out in the cold. Some of these practices have helped keep me from getting burned, or have come about from experiencing some unfortunate situations in the past!

• Fixed quotes from subcontractors
This is something that I almost always demand, especially concerning a large project. Allowing sub-contractors to charge by the hour opens you up to serious risk, even if the individual in question is a trusted friend or associate. If he or she underestimates the tasks, unfortunately, that’s their problem, not yours. After all, you’re trying to run a business.

Risk and Liability Management

Whole seminars, courses, and consulting firms exist on the sole topic of risk and liability management at all corporate levels. From a definitional standpoint, risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks.

The concept is that simple every-day practices can be employed to manage your level of risk and to decrease the probability of a damaging scenario occurring. The web design industry is no different in this regard, and I’d encourage you to ponder what risks you face and how you can manage them.

Process Based Workflow

When you’re pumping out projects or products as part of a corporation consistency is key. Process-based workflows are used in every single step of the process from client interactions to development and launch.

Having documented process maps and workflows in place allows on-boarding of new employees to happen quickly and efficiently, employee turnover and lateral shift to be painless, and consistent delivery to take place. I can’t stress enough the importance of process and documentation, as bland as it may sound.

Understanding your Clients

If you work with medium to large corporate clients, professional experience can provide a window into their world and an understanding of their internal processes. Why does it take a month for an invoice to get paid?

What is the chain of decision-making and approvals? Many major business entities run similarly including finance departments, marketing and creative directors, and a host of other roles and responsibilities.

An understanding of how these work can aid in your interaction with business clients, you’ll see them as one fluid machine with separate working parts, rather than just an individual as the face of a company.