Creating Takes Time

After sitting at my computer since 8:00 am this morning, I realized something that probably a ton of web designers have thought of before. Creating something really nice take a lot of time. It’s certainly not that I didn’t already know that but as a freelance web designer that specializes in SEO and WordPress as a CMS, those two items alone can be time-consuming and tedious— And I love it. I didn’t even notice the day had passed until I had gotten a new site I’m working on to where I wanted it, and where it needed to be to meet my time estimate to my client.

Sure I got up and let the dog out— I had some of my wife’s delicious chili. I listened to music as is my habit while working, but it’s now dark, and what am I doing? I’m still marketing.

It’s truly a non-stop process to maintain a web presence with any value. Creating takes time, especially if what you’re creating is designed to help a business or individual succeed in the Internet marketplace.

Let’s analyze:

Social media activity today? (Check)
Blog post today? (Check)
Link building today? (For client not self – check)
Proof reading on all prepared material today? (Check)
Cross-browser compatibility on all pages worked on today? (Check)

In actuality the above list is just a fraction of what a good, and more importantly experienced web designer does in a day. Many time, a web developer has to be a specialist in all areas, SEO, link building, social media, graphics design, hard coder, beta tester, color psychologist, etc— If you aren’t enjoying it, then you’re in the wrong field! If you aren’t focused, or are easily distracted, you can easily drop the ball, and the clients that depend on you can suffer.

I’m not saying I’m perfect. And I’m certainly not plugged into my desk chair 24/7! In fact I was at the beach yesterday enjoying a near perfect day with my spouse and a cold drink— However, what I am saying is that because being good at what I do is important to me, I believe that I’m always trying to make everything perfect, and it’s nearly impossible.

Most clients aren’t going to notice something that’s one pixel off because of some uncooperative plug in. I do though! You simply have to balance life and career, and don’t let either consume you too much. I’m extremely fortunate to be meeting with success online in my chosen field. If I didn’t continue to work hard, and slacked off— people notice, clients notice, Google notices! I suppose the moral to this article is that if you aren’t willing to work hard, learn your craft, and do what you say, please don’t label yourself a, "Specialist"

Whoops— I think I already referred to myself as that! Back to work then, because truly, creating takes time.