Thank you for your interest in developing a website for your campaign.

Q: When should we consider building a web site?”
A: Before you need it!
The worst scenario for building a web site is under pressure and deadlines.

Here are some tips to get started

Get a domain name
If it is your name and you don't have one already, cross you fingers if you have a common name. For easiest memory I suggest your first consideration be .com names. Then consider.org, .net or .biz although there are currently over 30web address suffixes.
You can look up names by going to Godaddy.com

Start early.
This is the biggest problem with the easiest solution for most campaigns.
Unfortunately, in many campaigns, funding never makes itself available until the need is pressing.

There are many variables in campaigns that cannot be decided until closer to the election. It is less cost effective to run late as the lack of preparation and resulting in a rush that reduces the quality, raises costs and effectiveness. There are many constants such as developing the committee structure and laying out plans for advertising, signage and making preparations to introduce candidates and implementing campaign strategies. Securing prices and locking in services are worthwhile early investments.

Every effort should be made to lay out the foundation for your campaign early and a website is certainly one of them. I provide a private display site to work on the campaign out of the public eye until it is approved and ready to work.

Getting a good start will minimize the impact of the inevitable "campaign chaos" the closer the election is.
DON'T 'hit the ground running'.
Pick up some steam before the critical time.

Momentum is more attractive to funding.
If you have an organization in place and things moving along, donors are more likely to contribute.


Be open and flexible.
What you initially think will work is likely to change.
As you lay out your information, the needs and reaction to the site as it is built CAN change.
There can always be a better way to say or promote your point.
The key is to focus on the most effective way.

A website will evolve, and that's a good thing.
Unlike hard copy such as brochures and other printed matter, the website (with regular updating) has the capability to always be current. A good web site is always a work in progress. As a web designer, I regard change as a good. Regularly fine tuning the site can best reflect your mission.

Defining Your campaign

Define your candidate(s) and your campaign.
Name your issues and your position and course of action
Initially my suggestion is to keep things simple and well-thought out.
Each issue should be clearly stated in writing.
From that, make a bullet point list that will clearly state your purpose.
Unlike printed material, you can always change or add to it later.

Define your opposition
Know what they are all about, whether it is their positons and/or records. This will assist the way you present your campaign and information

Define the voters you want to reach.
The most common mistakes campaigns make is "preaching to the choir".
In general, there is a straight party vote that you will likely receive but the art of a campaign is to reach the fence sitter and optimally reach the vote of the independent or unenrolled voter which in most districts is around 1/3 of the voters. They are are likely to be the most resistent and make the highest demands of your campaign.

The main objective is to draw people to the issue from outside your group.
This is a major component in determining the look and tone of the web site.

A website can be a key economic partner to very costly print ads. With a website you can minimize size and costs of print ads. Taking out a smaller ad with your website listed for information is still a very effective combination. The average reader who has an interest in your project will more than likely make the web connection to further investigate your information.

Gathering information for your web site
preferably in digital form...

For starters...
A written bio including candidates pictures and family
Related press and accomplishments, education work etc.

Links to websites that are relevent to your issues and ideas and that you support.

Written stands on issues that you feel will be important in your campaign include accompanying information that support your position

The most important key to success:
Updating your web site with new information on a regular basis.
This is up to you.

The reader that arrives too many times with the same information is unlikely to return.
So just adding something, a picture a story or some other information will alert the viewer that this site is indeed “alive. This could be done weekly or bi-weekly, if it gets a good feed but past that you are working against its effectiveness. I encourage updates and work on 1/4 hour increments just to encourage clients to stay with it.

When all this is assembled you will have a better idea of where to start and I will have an idea of your direction and can guide you better.

What I will need

More is always better when it comes to gathering information for a web site.
Having choices of what to use gives more creative options.

• I would prefer all information coming to me in digital form e-mail or attached files.
  This will reduce the time and cost.
  I can transform information to digital format but it does take the time I would rather spend making your site more effective.
• Good pictures are key. If you have them, they can be scanned. If you need them I will come and photograph them for an additional fee.
  
  Most important !
  
  To know is that I take these websites very seriously.
  I know how important they are and make every effort to have my sites reflect that.
  My main limitation is the involvement of your group.
  The success of your website is in direct proportion to the effort you put in to it.

PRICING
A standard campaign website is $1500. This is very comprehensive and will include information that is provided to me at the time we begin the site. After a consultation to get your input and direction things you need will be made very clear.

This is a guideline, some sites require less work, some sites will require more.
Please feel free to call or email me and discuss your needs for an effective web site that will work within your budget.

NOTE: this does not include updating fees which are time related and can be budgeted for scheduled updates.

Each package includes:
1 hour consultation to develop web design
2 web page mock-ups viewable from your computer based on consultation to confirm the direction of your site

A dedicated and responsible web designer that will update quickly and efficiently and give you ideas and suggestions when you need them. Additionally, I also take photos for web artwork and coming up with great ideas! I can also transfer your web info or other promotion to a printer for cards or mailers and promotional items such as mugs and T-shirts.