Today’s Candy consists of free stuff I’ve seen on various blogs this week. Keep in mind these may have been posted before this week, but I came across it this week. Thanks!

Free Leaf Textures from Naldz Graphics

Free Icons Roundup from BlueBlots

Free Fonts Roundup from InstantShift

Free RSS Icons List from Crazy Leaf

15 Free Design EZines List from Design Reviver

7 Free Vector Wings from Sharebrain

20 Tips on How to Write for the Web from Design Depot – not really a freebie, but still great!

40 Dual Screen Wallpapers from 10 Steps – I have the Mario one!

List of Free Stuff on Creattica – great resource!

Free Rusty Textures on Designer Daily

15 Free Fonts on DZine Blog

17 Outstanding Sources of Advertising Inspiration from DesignM.ag – again, not really free stuff, but inspiration is a good thing to have!

Abstract Curve Brushes on BrushKing

45 WordPress People you need to follow from WooCamp – good stuff!

Photo Gallery WordPress theme list from Best Design Options

Free Flash Catalyst training on Lynda.com from FlashEnabled

Useful and free Adobe Air Apps on Dream Css

That’s it! Enjoy!

It can help you pick out various color schemes to show your designer. Remember, though, this is not for print colors – only web colors. Your designer will need to match the proper print color, and some blues and reds will not properly translate into print. Just keep in mind that you have to be flexible!

Have fun and happy coloring!

Here’s how to do it:

• Place your lower-priced products directly on the front page. Doing this will draw attention to the “thrifty” products you carry without cheapening your brand.
• Create and implement a marketing campaign featuring your lower-priced items or services. Spend a little money to do this if you need to. Show the public that you aren’t afraid to provide them with something they need and/or want for a price they can afford.
• Increase your “bang for the buck.” Instead of lowering prices, offer additional services or a more features with a product or service you already have. Then feature these new offerings on your product pages. If you’re a service business, develop packages that have true value for your budgeting clients. Blog and Twitter about your new packages, and feature them on your website.
• Offer something for free. How many times have you downloaded a free eBook or business checklist? Find out where your strengths lie and then give it to your potential customers! People love free stuff, and if the free item is good, they’ll come back for more.
• Put your contact information (or contact form) in an easily accessible place. Sounds simple, right? Think about how often you try to find a phone number for a company but have to click through 8 pages to find it. Not fun. Your potential clients will go elsewhere. Help them find you! Bonus if you include your phone number.
• Be focused. If you offer several different products or services, make sure your home page focuses on a theme. The easier it is to find things, the more sales you will make!
• Review your site. Keep this important fact in mind – your site is not built for YOU. It is built for your customers. Have several friends or even your current customers review your website. Then (mostly importantly) act on that feedback!
• Optimize! Make sure your keywords are relevant and working. Utilize Google Analytics to make the most of your SEO. The last thing you want right now is for Google to pass you by. Hire a pro to revamp your content or do some advanced SEO for your site. You won’t be disappointed.
• Be prepared to take a hit. Your sales might be down this year, so recognize that this is okay. Remember it could be far worse. Do what you can to draw customers in, but don’t feel like a failure if you’re not performing as well as you did last year.

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