Need a Web Site?
You’ve come to the right place. I can get you set up quickly with a web site tailored to meet your specific needs.
A Home for Your Website
In addition to building the site for you, I provide web hosting services and support to my customers. This is recommended so I can take proper care of updates, email configurations and other hosting considerations as required.
Domain Name Registration and Management
Despite its low price tag (about $12 per year), your domain name is the single most important component of your online presentation. Having access to your domain name over the many years you are likely to have your website is essential to maintaining control of your website. You may purchase your domain name yourself or I can do it for you.
Either way, domain names must be maintained and renewed by set dates or your website may just stop working. This includes keeping contact and credit card information up to date.
All of the domain names under my care are set for automatic renewal so there is never an interruption in service. Should you ever need to transfer your domain for any reason at some point in the future, you can count on me to make sure the transfer goes smoothly and with my full support. Your domain name belongs to you even if I purchase it for you.
What About On-going Maintenance?
Good question – and a very important aspect of any good web site. I do that too and I understand that reaching me when you need changes is critical to your success. Not only will I make you a great web site, I’ll help you manage it as well.
How maintenance is performed depends on the type of website I create for you. A WordPress site for instance is easy to update yourself but you can still turn to me for assistance should you require it. Many of my clients perform simple updates themselves and turn to me to add additional functionality or technically advanced updates to their sites. Others have me do nothing and still more have me do everything. The choice is yours and this flexibility allows you to save time or money according to your needs.
To request a site update, all you need to do is send me an email outlining the changes you want made. I turn these requests into organized web content. Most changes can be turned around the same or next business day. Following the initial site set-up (see below), on-going maintenance is charged at $30 per hour and billed at the end of any month requiring service. Updates taking half an hour or less (very common) are only $10.
Can You Help Me with Graphics?
No problem. I can reproduce any hard copy documents you may have and I will optimize your graphics so your pages look good and open quickly. Of course, digital files are best as they can be sent by email and most times, used immediately.
Proper use of web graphics is essential. For instance, wherever possible, words should be used instead of pictures of words. Making the right decisions about web graphics is one of the most critical elements in successful web site design.
Poorly designed graphics can and will turn your customers away from your site. Slow loading pages are intolerable and animated graphics and unnecessary flash elements should be banished altogether. Every element placed on your web site should be chosen judiciously to insure the best user experience possible.
Graphics may also be purchased for an additional fee from any of the stock image banks available via the web. I can help guide you with this.
Note: Clients assume full responsibility for the graphics they forward to me for use on their websites. You must own publishing rights for the images you use on your site if they do not belong to you or are not part of the public domain. If you are unsure if an image is copyrighted by someone else or not, assume that it is and don’t use it.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cost of creating a new web site will depend on the size of the site and who provides the hosting. Dynamic, self-editable sites I provide the hosting for cost $800 for up to 10 pages with additional pages available for $30 per page. Domain name registration costs $12 per year and web hosting is provided for $100 per year.
The total for a 10 page dynamic self-editable website I host and manage the domain name registration for is $800 + $100 + $12 = $912 + HST during the first year, excluding applicable maintenance fees.
The second and subsequent years of your website will cost $112 + HST (price subject to change) excluding applicable maintenance fees. Additional services I provide but which are not included in the standard set-up charge include logo development, and product or stock photography.
Note: It is possible in some cases for you to provide your own web hosting, however I cannot provide support for third party hosting solutions. In other words, if you provide the hosting, you will be responsible for the management and upkeep of that hosting.
How Long Does it Take?
How long it takes to get a site up and running often depends on how quickly your can get content to me. Draft sites can often become active within a day or two of the initial consultation. Typically, most setups can be finished in a couple of weeks if content is ready for me at the beginning of a project.
Where Do I Start?
Good web design starts with knowing what you want to say and who your audience will be. Sites should be content driven and address any usability issues faced by your intended audience.
Knowing what you want from the outset will greatly assist the design process and move your project quickly and smoothly from concept to reality. To facilitate this, please fill out Web Project Work Sheet on my Getting Started page. Fill out as much or as little of this sheet as you want or if you prefer, email me by clicking the email icon below.
Your initial consultation is FREE with no obligation to proceed if you don’t want to.
