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CHAPTER ONE FUTUREPROOF SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
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Also, you must consider the increased time it could take to build such a scalable site. If a
site was originally built with exibility in mind, updating it with newer variables probably
will not take as much time as it would to bring an older, less exible site up to modern
standards. Be sure to account for how long you’ll assign to the test phase, which types of
tests you’ll run, and if you want to consider only a baseline set of commonplace variables
in your package, providing less common ones as “billable extras.”
Tip
If you’re like me, you probably fi nd checking o your progress helpful. By
determining a set range of variables you’re willing to test against and estimating
how long you believe each test will take, you can plan a release cycle fairly
accurately.
Furthermore, part of the process of running a business relates to how well you under-
stand your client’s niche, users, and community. Considering variables that will not a ect
a site’s audience could be deemed wasteful. However, forgetting about or not adding sup-
port as it’s needed could just as easily be deemed neglectful! It’s a tightrope that you’ll
need to walk, so know who you’ll be coding for—a exible site is more important than
ever in accurate designing!
Finally, there is the educational side of things, which could potentially create a few issues.
As a designer, you know that it’s good to remain vigilant and keep up with the ever-chang-
ing environment. Factoring in the e ort it takes to retrain yourself (if needed) to a par-
ticular technique and making sure you have the tools required to test against variables is
critical. Ideally, you’ll spend as much time learning as you do coding.
Here are some ways to stay up-to-date:
> Read books, magazines, and blogs on what interests you.
> Attend web-design conferences and network with others.
> Listen to podcasts and do training via video tutorials.
> Examine the design code of others, and gain inspiration!
Running a business has all sorts of practical considerations, and it’s only natural that you
evaluate the need or your ability to consider everything in this book. Focusing your atten-
tion on what matters to your visitors is part of what makes a great designer. It takes a
good amount of common sense and experimentation to organize your work ow in a way
that bene ts those who’ll be a ected by it.
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