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Matt has extensive web design experience, and can deliver a clean, simple and personalized site to you for a price that you can afford. Matt has worked on the Online Communications team of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for over two years, (Note: Matt did not design their current Web site) so he has worked on a wide variety of web site designs, as well as working with a wide variety of web firms. And the one thing that he has vowed never to do -- that he has seen done time and time again -- is to try and sell a client something they don't need.
So how does this process work? The answer takes a little explaining, but it is really a very simple process. First of all, you have to contact Matt, and let him know you are interested in building a web site. Once he knows you are ready to work on a project, he will start offering you the personalized service you deserve. Working with you, he will help you as much (or as little) as you need through the steps of creating a web site:
An example of good web architecture |
1. Architecture. This is without a doubt the most overlooked part of 99% of the web sites on the Internet today. They are built with no coherent plan, goal or navigational style. First and foremost, you have to determine what your site is going to provide for its visitors: what information it is going to impart; what features you are going to have; and how people are going to move from one section to the next. Most people run out and buy a domain name, throw up some pages that were composed in Front Page on the first service provider they come across. This "Ready, Fire, Aim" philosophy is the reason why so many sites out there are so bad. Matt will make sure you don't end up like this.
An example of bad (sadly, typical) web architecture |
-In this stage, Matt will consult with you, if you wish, to give you ideas of what you should do with your Web site. Also, Matt will help you figure out your navigation system through the site. Clean, simple and consistent, this is the most important part of the site. If people can't get from "A" to "B" quickly and easily, they will be gone in a hurry. Matt's job here is to provide you with advice that will prevent this from happening.
Matt will also do something here that he has never seen any other firm provide. If Matt doesn't think he is the right designer for you, he will TELL YOU THAT, instead of promising what he can't deliver. Furthermore, he will refer you to the right person for your job. As you can see, you have nothing to lose by contacting Matt.
Excessively flashy, illegible text
and barely a hint as to what you
are supposed to do.
Matt will never design a site
like this for you. |
2. Design. Now that you have your site architecture finalized, you have to determine what it will look like. This is where too many people put too much emphasis. While it is important to have a site that looks good, a large portion of today's Web sites are an amalgamation of tricks that people have learned in Photoshop. Web sites are not areas where you show people everything you know how to do for the sake of showing them (or charging the client more money!). This site you are on now, for example, was built using only a tiny portion of what Matt knows how to do, but its simple, consistent navigation and style speaks for itself. Also, since you have taken the time to go through the previous architecture step above, the design will be based on the foundations you have laid.
-In this stage, Matt will provide you with three design ideas. You pick which one you like best, or mix and match elements from the three if you desire. From there, Matt comes back with as many revisions as it takes until you are fully satisfied the way your new site will look.
<A HREF="demos.html"
ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('demos', 'images/demos-over.gif'); return true;"
ONMOUSEOUT="changeImages('demos', 'images/demos.gif'); return true;">
<IMG NAME="demos" SRC="images/demos.gif" WIDTH="175" HEIGHT="31" BORDER="0"></A><br>
<A HREF="design.html"
ONMOUSEOVER="changeImages('de...
An example of coding.
Looks fun, huh?... |
3. Coding. (Slicing.) This is the part where you don't have to do a thing. Your site looks nice, but technically it is not yet a site. It has to be coded into something that web browsers can understand. Basically, this step is the main reason you hire a site builder. You just have to sit back and enjoy the fact that you are not Matt.
-In this stage, Matt sits in front of his computer and turns your templates into a web site. The size of the site will determine how long this takes, but it will usually be a few days before Matt emerges with a complete site for you to look at. He will also make sure it works across platforms and in all current browsers. Once again, you get to work with him to make sure it is exactly the way you want it. Relax now, the hard parts are over.
Show the world your
beautiful new site!
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4. Posting. Now that you have a site, you have to put it somewhere. This is where you buy a domain name (if you haven't already) and purchase a hosting service. Then it is as simple as sending your site to this host, making the domain name corresponds with that site, and voila! Simple as that.
- Matt will help you as much or as little as you want through this stage as well. By this point, Matt is every bit as interested in seeing your site succeed as you are considering all the hours he has put into it. He will do whatever you need to help you get your site up and running to show to the world.
Keep your site up to date, or people will have no reason to come back. |
5. Maintenance. Just like it sounds. Information on your site becomes out-dated and therefore needs to be refreshed. You can hire Matt to do that for you or not. He will be happy to help you when, and for as long, as you need. Every site is different, so this plan must and will be custom-tailored to fit your needs.
-Matt will do what you tell him to here. Kind of like all the other steps really...
See, wasn't that easy? Isn't it time to contact Matt now?
"This all sounds good, but what has he done?" See Matt's samples.
"My God, you're right, it is time to contact Matt!" Do that here.
"Matt also does Voice Overs?" Tell me more about Matt's Voice.
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