The Pine Academy

www.thepineacademy.com

This site includes a header slideshow, details about the academy’s programs, and downloadable registration forms. But the most important part of the site is the secure online registration feature. Users can sign their children up for multiple classes at a time and check out using their credit card, all without leaving the website. And again, it’s all built in WordPress so the client has easy access to manage the content on their site.

Superior Contractors

www.pasuperiorcontractors.com

The client needed an easy way to update their website about completed projects, so I built a custom site in WordPress that includes five separate galleries that feature photos from their latest projects. The site design is simple, but it highlights the project photos nicely.

BEAR of Pennsylvania

www.bearofpa.com

BEAR of PA needed a complete overhaul of their current website, specifically a way to feature their vast product line of customizable playsets, trampolines, and sporting equipment. I created a fun and clean design and then built a WordPress theme around that. The client has full management over all of their site content, which will allow them to keep customers up-to-date on product changes, promotions, and clearance specials.

Now I need a nap! :)

And it’s always easier than they think it will be! Usually when I ask a client if they want to have the ability to update their website, they panic and say OH NO! mostly out of fear. They’re afraid of breaking the site or not understanding how it works because they don’t know HTML code. But with a simple content management system (or CMS, as we call it in the web geek world) it really becomes just as easy as composing an email or updating a Word document.

WordPress as a CMS

I’ve recently started using WordPress as a way of managing ‘regular’ websites. For several years, I’ve used WordPress for blogging, which was its original purpose. But it is a very powerful tool once you understand how everything is built, and just about any website can be converted to a WordPress site without an issue. In fact, at the end of 2011, I redesigned and rebuilt my own website and it runs largely on WordPress (the only exception is my portfolio, and that’s just because it was already built and running outside of WordPress, so I left it as-is)

A great perk of using WordPress for content management is that the tool itself is amazingly simple to use. This helps with the nervous client who is afraid of touching his or her website- they just open it up and type, no need for understanding HTML or CSS or any other big fancy language :)

Custom CMS

However, even with WordPress and all of its benefits and plugins and capabilities, there are times when a custom-built content management system is a better option. Some clients prefer something built just for them, which is completely fine. And some web projects- online stores with a complicated product catalog, for example- may have some specific requirements that just don’t quite fit into WordPress, or don’t fit into it well. So I have plenty of websites where I’ve built a simple CMS that is tailored to the client’s needs. It is just as easy to use as WordPress, but it functions a little differently for that particular project.

Many times, the tool itself is a matter of personal preference. But the ultimate goal, in my mind, is to give my clients the confidence and tools to manage their website in a way that helps their businesses grow.

Back in November, I helped Jill launch First Comes Health, her new blog focusing on her holistic health coaching services. The design is simple, focused on keeping the content center-stage for the readers.

Just after the new year, I finished up a new blog design for my dear friend Janet. We’ve been online friends for several years and met once in person (Girls’ Weekend/Road Trip!) so being able to do something creative for her blog was a lot of fun.

And just last week, I published a new blog design for Virginia of That’s Church! I’ve been a long-time reader of Ginny’s blog and I have found myself snort-laughing numerous times at her posts, so it was very exciting for me to be a part of her blog redesign.

So… anyone else need a blog? :) I’m on a roll!

… and a very happy and healthy New Year!

1. Domain name. You’ll want to brand your website with an easy-to-remember web address. Before you settle on a domain name for your site, consider these guidelines when choosing the right domain name. Domains are not expensive and can be purchased from any number of domain registrars.

2. Website hosting. Website hosting is where the files for your website will ‘live’. It’s basically a computer hard drive that is connected to the internet. When your site is published and launched, the domain name you’ve selected will point to this computer, serving up the pages and images that make up your website to the visitor. This can be purchased together with your domain name or from a separate website host. Some web designers (like me!) offer website hosting bundled together with their design contracts, which is helpful if you’d like to simplify things and keep it all in one place.

3. A site plan. This is a whole other post all on its own, but you should start brainstorming about what you’d like to include on your website. What goals would you like your site to help you achieve? Do you want to sell products through your site? Do you need a photo gallery of recent projects? Would you like a blog? What is your budget? Are there sites you’ve found that you’d like to use as inspiration? I have a project questionnaire I provide to my prospective clients that really helps with the planning stages.

4. A website designer. Don’t go it alone. TRUST ME. There are dozens of free website builder tools out there, and they are fine if you’d like to get something up quickly. But if you are looking to have a website built that will make a difference in your business and become an asset to you, hire a professional designer to help you bring your ideas to life. A professional designer or design team will assist you with brainstorming and planning, making sure that your new site is technically sound and functions as it should for all of your visitors. An experienced, reliable website designer can make a world of difference in your website project.

When I first started my freelance career, I put together a price list. I attempted to create a menu of sorts, one that listed different line items that clients could choose from for their website. It didn’t take me long to realize that a ‘combo meal’ approach to web design quotes wasn’t going to work. Almost immediately I ran into projects that I couldn’t fit into a box or into any sort of pre-packaged, templated pricing system.

So I regrouped, and since then, I create a new quote for every new client who contacts me. I start with the same basic elements- design, front-end coding, content management system- but it’s a lot more complicated than just picking from a menu. I brainstorm based on input from and conversations with potential clients, as well as their responses on my project questionnaire. So when I’m asked ‘How much will this cost?’ I’m only able to answer accurately after I receive the right information.

While you are researching and interviewing potential website designers and comparing estimates, consider these points:

1. Size of the project. This is the biggest thing that will effect the bottom line price of a website. A three- or five-page informational website will certainly cost less than a 50 page site with a custom content management system and e-commerce solution. So be prepared to provide a rough estimate of how many pages you’ll need, as well as any special features you’re looking to have on your site- photo galleries, an integrated newsletter, a blog, or an online store.

2. Who is quoting the project? If you’ve already started your search for a website designer, you may have noticed: there are all types of designers. Freelancers who work part time, one-man (or woman!) design shops, small agencies, large design agencies… and they will all quote the same job differently, sometimes thousands of dollars differently! It can be confusing, and a bit frustrating. But it’s for good reason- larger agencies have a lot more resources that they can provide to you, but you may not receive the personal attention that you’d find with an independent contractor or freelancer. Each project has a ‘best fit’, and the key is finding that. It may not be the least expensive designer or the most- it will be the designer who you feel will work well with your team or your goals.

3. Timeline. If you need a project done quickly, you will pay more money. That’s just a fact. If your deadline is flexible, then that will usually be reflected in the quotes you receive. This is mostly true with smaller agencies and freelancers as opposed to larger agencies, because larger agencies can absorb more demands on their man-hours. As a freelancer myself, if I’m asked to give priority to a new project, I have to consider the time that is being taken away from other potential jobs and plan accordingly.

4. Quality of the final product. This is tied into #2 a little bit- the designer or agency who is quoting the job for you will be effecting the final product. It’s not always true that paying more gets you a better website, but in general, you do get what you pay for. The best way to evaluate or imagine how your website will turn out is to take a look at the designer’s recent work. If they don’t have it displayed on their website somewhere, ask to see some examples. If the price you are quoted doesn’t seem to match up with the work you are seeing, you may want to ask more questions, or move onto someone else.

How much does a website cost? Custom websites are just that- customized and unique, so getting a concrete price list up front isn’t always possible. Communicate your needs and requirements to any potential designer, and they should be able to provide you with at least a rough estimate pretty quickly.

I have a whole slew of topics I’d love to cover here. General website how-tos, fun tools I’ve discovered over the years, advice about content writing, and maybe I’ll even delve into some nitty-gritty code stuff at some point. And if there is a topic you’d like to see discussed here, please ask!

Here’s to keeping up with the blogging :)