Web Design Services
In addition to offering small business web design and search engine optimization, I help you coordinate all of the different elements of the web building process — from defining the goals and scope of your website, all the way through publishing the site and making it live on the web.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Getting your website listed with the search engines, such as Google and Bing, requires an in-depth knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that not all website designers possess.
Since starting my website design business in Seattle in 1997, I've had the opportunity to learn SEO from the start and offer standard search engine optimization for every website design project.
Search Engine optimization can be quite complex. At its most basic level, it involves a properly coded website, well-written Meta tags (hidden html code), and keyword-rich text on the visible page. For many sites, this "standard" SEO that I provide for all of my website clients is sufficient.
However, for some websites the goal may require much more advanced optimization. Or an existing website created by another firm may need improvement with its search engine ranking. For these situations, please see the Search Engine Optimization page for details about advanced SEO services.
You can also find out about how search engines work by visiting the FAQ page.
Copy Writing for Websites
One of the more challenging aspects of creating a small business website can be formulating your message and writing the website copy. Many people simply don't feel they have the writing skills or the ability to organize the information into a logical flow for their website. A website copy writer may be helpful.
In addition, it's important that the written content be created in such a way to be "search engine friendly" so the search engines can properly categorize your website.
If needed, I can put you in touch with an affordable website copy writer that can help you formulate your message and prepare your written material so your business is presented in a professional manner.
Website Hosting
Website hosts are companies that provide space on a server that has a dedicated connection to the internet. This is where your website files reside in order to be accessible by the public.
While I do not offer website hosting, I can arrange this service for you with reliable Seattle or national website hosts. Website hosting fees for a normal small business website are $10 - $20 a month.
Please note: I strongly suggest avoiding the "free" or reduced fee services, since these are often unreliable and may include irritating pop-up ads that distract your visitors from your own website.
Custom Web Design and Construction
With a custom designed website, we have the flexibility to make the website look and function the way you want it, even matching the style of your existing print materials. You are guaranteed a choice from up to three custom designed concepts, created specifically for your project.
Rough outline of the process:
- First we meet and/or talk by phone to discuss the goals and scope of your project. We discuss ideas you may have about the visual look of the website, as well as what content you foresee having on the site.
- I give you a firm quote. A 50% deposit is standard and you get a detailed contract so you know what to expect.
- I present rough web design concepts, designed specifically for your website.
- You choose a design and then we work together to modify that into exactly what you're after (perhaps changing the color, slight layout modifications, etc.). You're given many opportunities to provide feedback, so we can be assured that you're getting the website that you want.
- Once the general website look and functionality is established, I then code the site and create all of the pages, adding functionality such as drop-down menus, slideshows, and the written materials that you have provided.
Every website I design and build includes basic search engine optimization (SEO) to help boost your ranking in the search engines such as Google.
More advanced SEO is available for an additional fee. Please see the Search Engine Optimization section below for more details.
Domain Name Registration
The website's domain name is what is often referred to as the "website address". Website domain names are registered through separate companies known as domain registrars.
I can assist you in registering a domain name with the proper organization, and also help you choose a name that will help customers find your website more easily.
I strongly suggest using a reputable registrar such as Network Solutions, rather than one of the "discount" companies.
Domain name fees range are $35 a year or lower.
Website Visitor Statistics
In order to find out how well your website is working for you, there are a variety of website tracking service that record the number of visitors, what pages they read and for how long, as well as many other useful statistics.
Although optional, I highly recommend using one of these tracking services to gauge just how well your website is performing.
You can find out, for instance, if your visitors tend to just glance at a particular page of your site rather than really studying the information. Perhaps the conclusion would be that the material is not written in a way that interests your visitors, allowing you to determine whether you need to rewrite that particular section of material.
Good tracking services cost $5-$10 a month. Free services are also available, although with less thorough information.
Website maintenance
Any website I design is owned by you, the client. You are welcome to perform updates and modifications as you wish. However, doing so may require a knowledge of website coding that many people are not willing to learn.
If you foresee that your routine updates will be minimal and sporadic, every few months or so, then it may make more sense for you to simply pay to have your website updates done, rather than going through the learning curve required to maintain the site yourself. Website updates are billed at an hourly rate, with a minimum charge of 1/4 hour.
Depending on the amount of work involved, we can arrange billing on a monthly or quarterly basis. For most websites, routine updates do not amount to more than a couple hours each quarter. If you think that your website will need updates on a frequent basis, you may opt to enter into a quarterly maintenance contract.
