Has business been slow for anyone out there? I know that the holidays are here, but I'm wondering if anyone is feeling the effects of this recession. What does the line up look like for 2009?

I have heard that a lot of people in our industry have been suffering. As most of us work for small businesses, with the way the economy is, most are cutting all expenses to a minimum. Because of this not many are looking to add new websites, update old websites, pay for seo services, etc. In the end though, I feel if we can reach out to them and explain that by having an online presence the cost to do so is well worth the return. Especially with younger people.

I always ask my older business clients to ask their kids, grand kids, when was the last time they looked in a phone book to find a business? I also ask where did they look instead. Almost all say that have no idea when the last time they had looked in a phone book or it has been so long. Then when they said where they did find the business they said online, so that really gets them thinking about an online presence. Even if it is just a simple one page site, it can mean a lot to their business. Because of this I feel that business will go up next year.

Joe

Monster said technology jobs have been on a major decline. However, the new president promises increased technological advances, but we'll go through a few years of more decline before it start looking up.

On a more personal reference, I work for an agency that offers services to the low income, homeless, and jobless. Our agency has seen a significant increase in clients. Also, we have been given triple the amount of money from the governements to help increase our services.

Keep your head up if you believe in the new promise of a better America from Obama.

The economy is tough, gas prices are high, medical costs are going up and because of this people have turned for to the Internet. Last year for the first time Internet sales topped in store sales because people are starting to realize that they can do all their shopping online even groceries. By the year 2013 69.2% of the US population will be on the Internet; it is the perfect time for web site providers to be selling websites. If a business is not online with in the next five years it will be out of business therefore it is ample time for us to provide websites to small and medium sized businesses.

I've seen alot of the effects of the economy on this industry, I myself own a sole proprietorship and it has been hard too find clients but the ones that I do find are mostly from word of mouth. It will start looking up it is just a matter of getting your name out there and getting those clients that you do get to ask their friends. The major problem is over saturation and the poor economy. About 50% of the people I talk to consider themselves website designers. It is a tough field to stand out in but if you can stand out above the rest and can stay up with technology then you will do well when the economy starts looking up