Beta testing the website and more designs

This week we are putting the final touches on the business's website at http://lonewolffoundation.com.au/haleandfun/index.php. Luckily, I have been able to draw upon family, friends and employees to help me get it just right. It is amazing some of the things that you can be blind to, for example despite living and breathing the website for the last couple of weeks (and probably adding to the suffering of our web-designer), it was only when someone else pointed it out that I realised the website didnt even have a section explaining how exactly we provided the services that we were extolling the virtues of. There has also been really good and constructive feedback from my employees, which is good because I really want them to feel that they are part of a team here and can say anything that is on their mind.  The team here are all keeping their fingers crossed that the website will be ready to go by the end of the week!

We have also hired a Brochure designer via Freelancer.com. to design our first mail out brochure. Although, creative99.com has had really good reviews and their website is far more user friendly, I think Hale & Fun will stick with Freelancer for the time being for its outsourcing. Creative99 just doesnt have the flexibility that Freelancer has. Not to mention, you get the feel that those bidding on your projects in Freelancer are more radical and flexible in their thinking. Of course this is the first big project that I have posted on their website so I will have to wait and see if the designer lives up to the hype.

One of the key aspect of running a small business I am learning (well having to learn, the learning curve is quite steep and I am a poor student) is the need to delegate. It is surprising how much even when your business is pretty much still at a sole trader level you still spend alot of your time not actually doing "business" stuff but managing other people who are doing "business" stuff and then forcing yourself to take your hands of the wheel while they do what has to be done. I tell you it can be nerve racking at times.