Individual Websites




To think outside the box
you must first walk outside the box

Your web site becomes a barometer of activity in your marketing effort. The number of visits, e-mails and feedback on the street can help you assess the overall momentum of your promotion.

Thank you for your interest in developing a website.

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

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 use the most effective way.

A web site 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.

Define your organization and its mission.
Decide if you are you going to tackle one issue or several.
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 audience.
If it is a community, it will be diverse.
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.

Assign participation roles to members.
It will get you farther faster. Try not to overload anyone.
Just a simple honored commitment to do a few things from each person will make things run better.

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

• A mission statement clarifying the intention and direction of your efforts.
  The press will rely greatly on information that you provide so you have this opportunity to define your group and its goals. If you don't someone else will.
• Accurate, timely and related information, pertaining to your issue.
  Photos, maps, charts and details of your issue.
  Have plenty of these on hand and add to your collection often.
  The visual components often work best for your site.
• I stress that you make sure to stick to the facts in presenting your case before your neighbors and the public on your web site.
• Refrain from emotional or personal attacks.
  If you are right, the facts are most powerful.
• Media reports of your issue or reports of similar issues elsewhere.
• Include some positive elements
  Stories of successful implementation of your ideas highlighting local community members
  local news bits, photos of historic houses, gardens, local events etc.
• A way for others to join your efforts
  A 'contact' button on your web site directed to a member who will answer e-mails and follow up on them is critical.
  If there is a mailing address or a phone number to be used that should be published as well.
• Encourage readers by welcoming input and inviting suggestions.
• Links to other sites that reinforce your message

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.

The most important key to success is 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

• 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

Every website has its own needs and requirements, so there is no "out of the box" price list. With that in mind, a basic brochure site starts at $850-$1000. This includes a home page with links to 4-5 subpages.
A site with more pages or extensive graphics (ex. a portfolio site with an online gallery and a blow up of every thumbnail image) usually starts at $1500.
A "business card" site, which is a simple one or two page site with your business name and contact information, plus an e-mail link comes in at around $500.

These are guidelines, 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.

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 help you come 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.