Getting Started

You've decided you want a website. Great! Now what? Below are a few basics to help you get started.

Choosing Your Domain Name

Considerations

Purpose - A new website to be designed? Or a face lift to your existing one? Is this a new business or existing one?

Site and Domain Names - What will you call your website? You supply or I can suggest a domain name.

Hosting - Have you purchased website hosting? I can work with your current host or help you sign up with a new host at a low cost.

Site Organization - Discuss how your site will be organized. I value your input, but no experience required.

Choose site layout & design features - You provide content, I'll create and format text, and place meta-tags and titles, complete HTML, JavaScript & all other features.

Uploading and Testing Your Pages - I upload & setup on your website host. Then test phase begins on all pages.

Review Website - You review all pages for any changes/additions/deletions.

Finishing Touches - Make any final touches that may be required.

CD Archive - A CD Archive of your entire website will be provided to you at no extra charge. Your files will be burned to a standard CD-ROM. The CD permits you to work with your own files, move your site to any location, and have an original backup in case of emergency or any other reason.

Website Maintenance - I will do website updates, including adding/changing text, links and adding pictures to existing pages, at an hourly rate.

A domain name is the first step in getting your site on the Internet. A domain name should identify your organization and be easy to remember. First get together a list of domain names that you feel would work for your website and write them down. Then go to www.register.com or www.networksolutions.com to find out if they are available. You can register your domain name through many different vendors now, including some hosting companies. The price is usually around $35 a year or less.

Hosting Your website

Once you have decided on a domain name, the next step is having a company host your website. This is a place where your html and graphic files reside. Hosting companies have internet servers that are connected to the internet 24/7. Hosting packages usually start around $15/mo. and can go up from there depending on the features that you need. You may choose to find your own hosting company, or work with one recommended by us. (Please note: "free" hosting services are for personal, rather than professional use).

Building a website

Once you've selected a host, the next step is to hire a designer to create your website. That's where I come in! A web designer will consult with you during a preliminary meeting to determine your needs, help you establish site architecture, and give you an individual quote. Next, the design stage begins. Photoshop Drafts will be presented to you during the design stage for your approval. Changes at this stage are common and encouraged. I will work with you to create an appropriate "look and feel" for your website, before production/coding begins.

Please note, changes after the design stage can be time-consuming and increase your cost, so it's best to take time during the planning phase to avoid delays.

Graphic integration will be completed in a way that allows for maximum efficiency and compatibility between your website and the people who visit. Depending on format, I can convert most of your existing graphics into web-compatible file formats, as well as optimize those files to enhance download times. All of this will be done without sacrificing the creativity and visual appeal exhibited through your website. Each element of design will have a visual purpose and place in your website. I will use digital methods to compress your graphics as needed to ensure minimum loading time for users with slower Internet connections.

I will perform for you all aspects of digital design, editing, and manipulation, including design, digital touch-ups, cropping, resizing, and converting between standards. I can provide scanning of your paper photos as well as including digital photography (at an extra cost), if desired. I process and adapt your materials for efficient and effective presentation on the web. Presentation involves not only how your site appears on the screen, but how long the pages take to load, how easily a user can find his or her way around your pages, and how it all fits together into something both visually appealing and comprehensible.

I do all I can to make your contents look as good as possible, within the constraints of current, widespread technology. We pay attention to things like bandwidth, screen resolution, platform disparities, established and emerging online conventions, contrast and usability, and many other details that come with long experience in producing professional websites.

When you're ready, give me a call at 312-282-4564, or email info@studio3550.com. I'll return your call promptly and answer any questions you may have.