What to expect:
In order to get ready to build the website, you will need to think about how you would like it to be structured (how many pages, what will be on the navigation menu, the structure of the sitemap, etc).
If you have any specific requests for colors or themes they should be communicated to me before we begin. Sometimes it is best to send me links to several websites that you like with a blurb about what you like about them.
1 - You will need to register a domain name and buy webhosting. I will need access to your FTP login information
2 - I will need all the photos you would like included on the site and all of the text before I begin designing. Be sure to proof read the text before sending it to me because I do not proof read, I just drop the text onto the site as you have given it to me. Please send all of the materials to me in one cluster of emails on the same day, rather than in bits and pieces. In other words, please have everything ready at the same time.
3 - After I get all of your instructions and materials I will design a sample template in Photoshop. I will email it to you as an attachment. We will go back and forth a few times to revise the template.
4 - Once we have something that we both like, I will start building it online. I will send you links to the online work in progress. At this point I will be adding text, photo galleries, slide shows and video clips.
5 - Payment is due once the site is complete.
6 - We do not offer a regular maintenance package and prefer not to perform updates, though we can do so for a fee and on a case-by-case basis depending on availability. If you know that will need to make regular updates to your site you should considering purchasing software that will allow you to do so. Here is some user-friendly software for beginners.
**There will be an extra charge of $50 per hour if I have to redo work that is already completed due to the customer's disorganization. Examples of this include rewriting text that was not proof read, restructuring the navigation menu because the customer forgot to include a page in the instructions, or changing your mind about elements that have already been approved.
How long will it take?
The answer to this question largely depends on how long it takes you to get the materials together. Once I have everything it usually doesn't take more than 2 weeks to get the site up and running. If I am out of town or if I have several other sites in the cue it will take a little longer. I will let you know what my immediate schedule looks like and give you a specific time estimate when the materials are submitted.
