What are you responsible for?
Building a website isn't as nearly as complex as people think - at least not for the people who want the site built, anyway. The biggest thing that you should understand is that you are the "content provider." On the back portion, my portion, of web-building (coding/designing) there IS a lot of work! Because of this, I DO NOT, (as most designers) write content. This is the only thing you will be responsible for. Content is considered all information on the website that has nothing to do with design.

Depending on your level of involvement in this process, you may be required to also purchase your domain (the name or your website) and web space. There are several low cost companies that have a relatively easy setup like http://www.godaddy.com and http://www.justhost.com.

If you have already purchased your domain name, I can place a personalized “Under construction” page on the site with a launch date for additional costs.

How do you let me know what you want on the website?
Now that the first part is defined, lets talk about HOW you handle/create/transfer your content. Everyone manages his or her information differently, but I always suggest the simplicity of Microsoft Word.

First you will want to decide which pages the site will have. For example: on my website. I have 5 pages: Home, About Me, Portfolio, Contact, and a page linked from the home page called Archive (for old news). These page names typically translate to the navigation of the website.

Once you have decided the page names (navigation), you can put these titles at the tops of MS Word pages and put all your content on the applicable page. Don't worry about the layout part, like where the content will be placed on the page - just the actual verbiage that you want in that section. You can even go so far as to make notes like: "I have a picture for this page", or "I would like each paragraph on this page to have a corresponding picture". 

How do I design your website? How do you tell me what you “think” you want? What if you don’t know?>
This is a list of questions that typically help me create a starting point for your site:

1. What "type" of site do you want? Something artsy and urban, or perhaps more classic?
2. Are there any particular colors that you need represented?
3. Is there are logo created already that I could design "around"?
4. Is your website representing a market-specific company/service that needs to displayed graphically (i.e. wind energy site = wind turbine pictures)?
5. There are three categories of websites – which do you think you prefer?:
1. 100% animated Flash site (www.hugosivad.com for example)
2. Partial animation/Partial HTML/Javascript (see www.graphicallychallenged.org for example) – this usually means there is an animated intro, animated navigation, and maybe one other component.
3. No animated/Flash – 100%HTML/Javascript (see www.mirant.com for example)
6. Is there a specific vision that you see for the design?
7. Do you need e-commerce?
8. Are there any websites that you like that you would like your site to be similar to?

All of these questions are important because they will help me create up to 3 personalized layouts for you. I will send them to you in a .jpeg/.pdf format for you to see what the layouts would look like. Based on the number or layout options we have decided on, you can take aspects from any, all, or none of the options to create your final template. Once we have incorporated all of your requests visually, I will make a functioning dummy web page on my website's server for you to view what the website will look like live. At this juncture you will be able to see how the pages will act and function online. Once this has been approved, the content is inserted, the actual website is created, and the inevitable rounds of editing will begin! 

How long does building a website take?
The timeline of everything completely depends on you, the client. I am known to work too quickly sometimes. The sooner you approve proofs that are sent and supply content, the sooner I can have everything finished. Proofing usually takes the longest and is the most tedious – you will be asked to proof your content after the website is completely finished and I send the links to you for approval. These links will most likely reside on my server until the balance is paid, and then I will transfer all work onto your existing domain.

The pay schedule, listed below, can also effect the finishing of your site. Please try to adhere to the schedule, and I will always let you know where we are in the process.

If you have a launch date in mind, please let this be known immediately so that the deadline is known up front. I ask for a 48 hour turn-around time on all requests, often more depending on what stage we are on in the design process.

How much will this cost me? Do I have to pay you before its done?
Once we have decided on which website you would like to tackle first, and you have selected the details of the service you want, I will send you an estimate (or a contract, which some clients prefer) so that work can begin. Your total will depend on exactly what you are looking to have done. I have packages available for you to look at if needed, or an a la carte’ option as well.

I ask for a 50% deposit before work begins, and 50% at the completion of the project.