 |
||
| 411: On this page you’ll find out about web site hosting, like GoDaddy.com and you can also read sample contracts/estimates as well as see what kind of information can be gathered when you site is properly optimized and coded.
|
WEB sites The World Wide Web. Home of unscrupulous business’s that promise everything from top site listings, to magical templates that you can update yourself to just about every claim from any ailment or pain you may be suffering from. Web sites are becoming a convoluted mystery that many people find daunting to undertake. There are some fundamental facts. The first two are often the most misunderstood. One, you need to have a domain name. In order to have that, you have to purchase it. You can go to godaddy.com (which I am preferential to) and do a simple search. The second is to have hosting. It is smart to house your hosting where your domain name resides. It is also even wiser to write the information down. From your customer number, order number, anything in relation to your site and file it away. Don’t type it up and save it to your hard drive. You can back it up to your back up drive, but write it out and put it away. You never know when you may need it. Some things I hear on a consistent basis are, “1. I finally got my site done and now no one can update it.” The people, who build your site, will move, close down, or change careers completely. Life marches on. But the last time your site was updated doesn’t. It’s not a good idea either to put something up that’s poorly constructed or half completed. It’s more difficult to make a great second impression than a great first impression. Another thing I hear is, “Can I update the site myself?” Usually, the answer to that is “no.” Unless you learn how to code and construct your own site, this is an empty promise made to seal a deal. In reality, the best thing or addition you can add to your site (which also increases your site ranking) is to add a blog. That is something you can edit and manipulate on your own. If it’s confusing or daunting, I have taught several people how to do this. It’s not that difficult. Anyone of any age can learn. If you have a specific question, inquiry, or just want to know what’s going on with the construct of your site, feel free to call me. I don’t charge people who want someone to examine their code, tell them if they have meta tags (if you don’t know what that is, read on) and why their site may not be getting the kind of hits or response they desire.
WEB sites: the breakdown
Websites are quoted on an individual basis. Print out and fill out the planning a website page so I can estimate a bid for you. On the average a web site can cost between several hundred (that would be a two page with links site) and upwards of $4,500.00. That all depends on how many pages, links, and features are desired. Such as flash, a photo album, movies and so on. If you are looking for a site to be created, it requires a 50% deposit (depending on the complexity of the job it may not require 50 percent) on the total estimate and a signed contract.
Click for web site contract: Web Contract
The balance due (see the contract for the terms) upon completion. Content and the structure or core of the site is required to do a scope of work. Without a scope, there is not way to guide when the project will or would be completed. A web site generally takes three to four weeks to develop. Upon that time the client will review the project and make edit notes.
There is no such thing as a “client friendly” site. Where in an individual can make edits to their own site. This is often where web sites, in general, falter. Creating a site is usually a long term commitment and updates are just part of the on going relationship.
If you or a client are in need of a new website send an e-mail or send your questions.
Click for web site planning: Web Planning|Outline
Print Work
If you are looking for a graphic or layout to be created, it requires a 50% deposit (depending on the complexity of the job it may not require 50 percent) on the total estimate and a signed contract (a contract is required to move forward however). Examples of my work are contained on this site, no partial layout or proof will be sent without a signed contract.
From Business Cards to presentations. Both the Macintosh and PC platforms are available. You dictate the program. Your project, upon completion, can be downloaded from my site directly to the printer or I can FTP up your project to any printer you desire. I will also get quotes for you if you don’t already have a printer. No mark up on print work. I have done full page, full color advertisements in magazines, newsprint and promotional poster work for entertainment venues.
Click for graphic contract: Graphic Contract
E-Flyers | E-Newsletters
Customized e-mail flyers and newsletters are not much different than a website with links and coding. Hourly charges apply for these types of applications.
My hourly rate
My flat hourly rate is $85.00 an hour with a 2 hour minimum. If you go to your local Kinko’s you will find that you will pay $80.00 an hour for type setting. My hourly rate encompasses everything from graphic design, web coding and updates, photography and layouts and type setting. I do not charge for the initial one hour consultation.
Click for web site planning: Web Planning|Outline
Some additional tips for saving time on a project.
1. Draft out what you want in word. Type out your text. Diagram how you might want something laid out. This saves me time when we sit down to go over whatever it is you are looking to have done for you.
2. Check your facts. Make sure the information you want for your site, advertisement or e-mail blast is current and up to date. You may be in a rush to type your information out, a phone number, fax number or e-mail was entered wrong or omitted. Double check the typed information before focusing on graphics or a particular layout you’d like to see.
3. If you are wanting a web site created, draw out a schematic or family tree of the site. Include every link, every page and, basically, outline the entire site. This will give you and I an exact idea of what it is you want. Try to stay within the scope of your draft, or keep it as close to possible. Especially if you have a particularly large web site. Web sites are made up of many layers. The more pages and links you have, the more layers there are. If you change one of the links, maybe a title, then every page that is connected to it has to be updated and changed. This means: more time and more cost to you.
4. Make a CD of all the photos or logos that you wanted included on your project. Label them clearly. Check to see what the D.P.I. of the images are. Usually, for print work, it is required that any image be a minimum of 300 D.P.I. (dots per inch) and when something is less than 300 it appears pixilated. Meaning it looks blurry or appears to have large dots that comprise the entire image. I would rather have a CD packed full of huge images than little tiny pictures that were originally 72 D.P.I. I can always make something smaller but making something bigger just doesn’t work. You can go one step further here and complete your web site draft, if that is what we are working on, by putting exact names of the photos on those particular links.
5. When putting together the text for your site, do it as you would an outline for an English paper or report. Type your header then put your body text below. It makes it easier and very exact. There is no guess work or a series of chain e-mails trying to clarify something that could be very clear from the get go.
Website Optimization or what I do while I code and create a site:
Benefits of a Search Engine Friendly Website Include:
Website Optimization Summary:
I optimize and promote your site, helping your internet business grow!
Website Design for Top Ranking High Performance Results
Hosting and Domain Name
Domain name registration is usually around $9.99 cents a year via GoDaddy.com.
Economy Hosting: 5,000 MB Disk Space, 250,000 MB Data Transfer, 500 Email Accounts, 50 forwarding accounts, 10 MySql Databases.
I also embed a counter (not visible) at your request. Daily, weekly and monthly reports from that includes:
Following are some examples of the reports I can run with the embedded counter. 1. Map of People Visiting, this can be broken down to city and state as well.
2. Screen Resolution (size of display for those viewing the site)
3. Traffic for a given week, day or month.
I hope this helps you get a bigger overall picture of some of the things you might want to consider before contacting a graphic artist or web designer. Every project is different and challenging in its own way. Remember if you are considering a web site to factor in the hosting of it and the domain name registration costs. Many people who have contracted me for work don’t realize that they have those two factors to establish before the site is developed. Thank you for visiting this area of my web site. If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me via e-mail or telephone.
| |
