Category Archives: Blotter

There’s nothing easy about making a negative space logo like FedEx, but here are a few basic steps to launch the project. Working it out can take days if not weeks, but the concepts to create a good negative space logo only requires these 5 easy steps.

Negative space is that area around a graphic which helps to define the boundaries of the positive space while communicating a message or idea.

1. Start with the white space – White spaces are often ignored around logos, but if we take a closer look at the FedEx logo we will see how white space is captured in between the “E” and the “X” to create an arrow pointing rightward. Focus on the white space and decide where you have to build in the negative space icon (see below).

2. Download a font or icon to create the negative space – By building a simple font or icon into the “featured image”, you can create the negative space while having a symbol that is already representative of the message you want to communication. (DOWNLOAD SAMPLE ICON HERE)

Use a sample icon for creating negative space for a place to start.

3. Use basic design discipline to create the “featured image” where the negative space logo will play off – The results of making negative space logos can be brilliant, but they also risk being too clever for their own good. For this reason, you should start with a simple and effective “feature image”. For example, if you are a beer store, use a mug of beer and play off the handle’s negative space.

This is the “featured image” where we will take negative space. An open handle is perfect for a font or an icon.

4. View other examples – Where negative space in logos have been successful, including the famous FedEx example, you will find tips and trips for applying your own hand at creating a negative space logo. Design factors that lead to the success of a negative space logo remains basic understanding of graphics and design: symmetry, simplicity, color selection and communication apply to a negative space logo as do any logo. Google “Good Logo Design” or CLICK HERE for some ideas on what makes good design in logos.Examples of negative space logos:

There’s nothing easy about making a negative space logo like FedEx, but here are a few basic steps to launch the project.

5. Apply the icon into the designated negative space – The last step in creating a negative space logo is to drop the icon into the main logo image you are trying to set off. For the sake of this tutorial, see below concept with utilizing a font instead of an icon to create the negative space, with the same outcome.

How to make a logo like FedEx requires knowledge making negative space logos. There are only a few examples of well-designed negative space logos.

• Negative Space Oddity – A bloggers favorite negative space logos at LogoDesignLove.com
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• How to Use Negative Space  – Some more tips and trips at 1stWebDesigner.com
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• HP’s Logo Story – The bumpy road one negative space logo took at TheVerge.com
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You should tax-a-website-manager using an IRS Form-1099 when he or she was paid $600 or more for their services during a single calendar year, and he or she is not a full-time employee. A website manager can also be referred to as a webmaster, web developer, site author, web coordinator or web publisher. Whether contributing content, technology or a combination of services, the IRS doesn’t care and you may be held responsible for not issuing a Form-1099 for your website manager.

When to issue your website manager the Form-1099

Place website manager income in Box 7 within the Form 1099-MISC.

With the completed IRS Form W-9, you are now ready to use the information provided by the website manager to issue the IRS Form 1099 and send a copy of that IRS Form 1099-MISC to the website manager. A copy must be sent, according to the IRS, by January 31st of the following year, and you must file a copy with the IRS by February 28th of the following year. The IRS deadline for electronic filing of a Form 1099 for a website manager is March 31 of the following year.

Form-1099: DOWNLOAD

See website manager job descriptions: CLICK HERE

According to Salary.com the average yearly Website Manager compensation was $93,921 for 2016. The range of a website manager’s salary is generally between $70k – $110k.

USEFUL LINKS ABOUT SUBMITTING TAX FORMS FOR WEBSITE MANAGERS:

• SUBCONTRACTOR OR EMPLOYEE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT
• RED FLAGS THAT RAISES THE CHANCE OF AUDIT: CLICK HERE
• SIX COMMON MISTAKES MADE ON A 1099 FORM: CLICK HERE
• HOW THE IRS DECIDES NEGLIGENCE OR MISTAKES: CLICK HERE

You should issue the IRS Form 1099-MISC for your website manager when he or she was paid $600 or more for their services during a single calendar year.

A website held hostage by a website manager who can’t or won’t return control of it is bad news. Follow these five steps to regain control.

WHOIS sample

1. Secure Domain Name Registrar Access – The website held hostage will have a domain name, so ensure you are the designated “registrant” for the domain name (i.e., www.YourDomainName.com). The “registrar” (i.e., Network Solutions, Register.com, Godaddy.com) is the one who will dictate who has access to your domain name and can make changes to it. It is not enough to be the “domain administrator” and you should be sure you have secured ownership over all domain names and have updated access with a username and password to the registrar who controls it.
WHAT TO DO: If you are unsure of how to find who owns the domain name, query a WHOIS on the domain name and you will see the ownership information. Contact Internic to file a complaint and request action to have a domain name you legally own transferred back to your control. ICANN is a non-profit organization who the United States government gives governing control over domain names on the Internet. More information about ICANN can be found at http://www.icann.org.

Many website managers specialize in helping individuals with a website held hostage

2. Backup website files and database – In the event you have a hostile situation with the website manager, make sure you have a copy of the website held hostage. Because you should assume he or she might delete all the information in vengence, it’s important to retain a copy. Most hosting companies provide for backups already, so you might contact the server hosting company and ask.
WHAT TO DO: If the website manager is unaware that you intend to move services to a new provider, contact him or her to ask for a backup of the website “for contingency purposes.” Ask for a copy of the website including all database files, images, etc. You may also go the route of asking the old website manager to set up a “mirror website” that you will host on your own. In worst case scenarios, there is an archive of most websites dating back more than a decade at the public Internet Archive: Wayback Machine.

3. Get New Website Hosting Service – The website manager accesses remote hardware to publish, update and manage the databases, text and graphics on a website. Website hosting companies are contracted by the website manager to host the website. Contact the hosting company to ask for FTP control and to block the website manager. Website hosting companies include Amazon, Hostgator, Westhost, GetFlyWheel or other commercial services.
WHAT TO DO: If you cannot get control of the existing website on the existing website server, you may contact a new server hosting company and ask them to help you transfer the files to a new server. They may also have suggestions on moving databases and ecommerce features.

4. Utilize an Emergency Website Restoration Budget – The investment company Vanguard recommends a minimum 3-6 months cash savings when planning for personal life emergencies. If you’re a web-based business, a similar budget would be appropriate to cover worst-case scenarios. We’re talking about an emergency resulting from a website manager blocking access to the website, the website getting hacked, or your customers’ data released and defending lawsuits or a website held hostage. Yeah, it can be that bad. But don’t despair. Website transfers are fairly inexpensive, and hosting companies like GetFlyWheel.com will move websites for free so you can get started again.
WHAT TO DO: Allocate a monthly budget to a savings account where you can dip into when things go wrong. It will happen. You may also consider whether to buy insurance for my website.

5. Make yourself the website manager next time – Take control of your website and make sure your new hosting company or contracted website manager gives you FTP access, Content Management System access and domain name registrar login credentials. Blotter is similar to many companies who specialize in restoring new versions of websites based on crashed websites or websites that have been compromised by malware or rogue webmasters. A website held hostage should not lead to money extorted by the website manager, so call someone who specializes in helping you get back your website.
WHAT TO DO: Call (917) 524-7077 and request a free consultation on how to get your website restored.

ARTICLE: What to do when your website crashes

If you don’t have the financial security and the contingency plan to deal with a website crash, theft or website held hostage, then you might as well admit that your plan is to file for bankruptcy.

We analyzed 50 website manager job descriptions on LinkedIn and Indeed with variations including “Web Manager” “Digital Manager,” and “Web Specialist” to create a list of top website manager job descriptions.

The results were surprising. 

You’re more likely to get hired for good project management skills than for great graphic design or technical coding, for instance. In today’s aggressive business sector, most website manager job descriptions point to project management as the most important skill.

What does a website manager do?
CLICK HERE

Most popular Website Manager job descriptions on LinkedIn and Indeed:

• 1. Must possess strong project management skills.
• 2. Must be able to manage SEO.
• 3. Must have good communication skills
• 4. Must direct the architecture, content management and user experience.
• 5. Must have experience using a CMS (i.e., WordPress)
  
• 6. Must create and manage newsletter builds.
• 7. Must be fluent in software PHP, HTML and Photoshop.
• 8. Must support social media initiatives.
• 9. Must manage Document Management Systems.
• 10. Must manage Customer Relationship Management systems.
• 11. Must have good analytical skills.
• 12. Must work directly with the marketing and technology teams.
• 13. Must manage all digital advertising including banner and text ads.

Web management has become a catch-all phrase for a great many skills.

LinkedIn Website Manager Job Listing

Indeed Website Manager Job Listing

A request for overall website improvement was present in nearly all the listings we analyzed. The data revealed companies are looking for website managers to promote better engagement with customers and back-office operations.

The implication points to a need for employees who are good writers as well as good communicators. Surprisingly, the raw technology skills companies asked for in potential employees’ CVs in years past (e.g., HTML, PHP, PERL, etc.) have slipped down the list of importance. Our research indicates a priority for project management skills in new hires. And while most of the listings did not necessarily use the term Search Engine Optimization (SEO), nearly all of them spoke to the point of driving traffic to the website using white hat search engine optimization techniques.

A rising emphasis on User Experience in website manager job descriptions

The data indicated a greater emphasis on improving the interface on websites as a whole. Of course, the requirement begs for relevance and quality in content and functionality, and good user experience is the ultimate aim for companies looking to increase their websites’ trustworthiness.

Also notable is the lack of emphasis these job descriptions placed on social media coordination and management.

Facebook, indeed, is a lesser skill set.

Another explanation may also be that companies are focusing on quality content first, understanding that SEO and social media benefits come from content and functionality rather than technical magic tricks. There’s little doubt social media fluency is a requirement, but employers assume everyone already has a core understanding of social media.

Finally, it is noteworthy to mention there were no jobs using the term “backlinking” but plenty with the term “coordination”. Marketing seems to have taken over the role of web manager for most of the listings we found, but we’re not at all confident today’s webmasters don’t need HTML experience with a dash of PHP if using the WordPress platform, especially.

Nonetheless, the employer web manager job listings all asked for someone who is both technical and creative in the way they implement web solutions. You no longer can be a programmer only. Employers are writing their website manager job descriptions to attract both technical and creative prospects.