In designing your website, a step-by-step
process is very important in order to create an effective and attractive
website. This Step-by-Step Website Planning Guide is to help you think
through the process, get the copy for your site together, and get it to
me in a form I can easily use. This written guide is meant to supplement
the instructions I will give you, that can be done by email or phone
call.
1. Determine What Your Theme Will Be.
A Theme-Based Content Site contains
information based on a main subject. Each page focuses upon a single
topic that is related to that theme.
2. Plan Your Site's
Content
3. Write Your Text
Start by writing
sharply focused paragraphs that describe your kennel or breed. This is
for the home page. Be clear and concise. Web surfers are looking for
information--not hype. Your first paragraph is very important. Make sure
it tells your reader the essence of what your site is all about and
contains your topic theme word (keyword) in the first sentence.
Develop a list of
"keywords." These are any and all words that a person might
use to do a search when looking for your website. I will help you narrow
down your list, but you should come up with the initial list as you know
your theme best.
Write all of your copy.
Be as clear and concise as possible while working in as many of your
important keywords as you can, and as often as you can. Keyword-rich
text will help your search engine ranking tremendously. However, be sure
the copy still reads well.
If search engine
traffic is not important to you, you can skip trying to work in the
keywords.
4. Select your graphics and
photographs
If you have a logo, provide a very
clear, crisp copy of it. Original artwork scans the best. I will return
it to you. It is better if you already have the logo as an image file. I
can work with almost any standard image type.
Select your photographs. If your
photographs are already digitized (ex. jpg, gif), send me the files
without sizing or compressing them. Let me do the sizing in order to
place it into your website. Regular color prints are fine. Make sure
your photographs are sharply focused, have good contrast, and are well
composed. Using only the best quality photographs is essential for
scanning.
5. Send me your materials
For mail, it is better to use either
Priority Mail, FedX or UPS so you can have tracking. I prefer that you
email your files as attachments.
6. Sit back and wait for your website
work to be done
When I have completed the design and
development of your site, I will upload your site files to the server
for your inspection, at which time you may request changes and
corrections. I will work with you until you are happy with every detail.
Please note that you are solely
responsible for the content of your site including typographical errors.
Proof read everything carefully!
7. Your website goes
public
I will register your website with
the major search engines and directories that accept unpaid submissions.
You should add your Web address to all your printed materials (business
cards, brochures, letterhead, invoice forms, etc.) and print
advertising.
8. Start benefiting from your new
Website!
How long will your website design
take? This all depends on the size of the site and the time involved in
deciding on a design that you like. Website design normally takes up to
1-2 weeks.
What About Promotion? Promoting your
website takes time and effort. We will submit your site to the top
search engines by hand. It is not unusual to take several months before
being listed in search engines. Paid submissions are time consuming and
can cost upwards of $1,000.
What About Maintenance? Your website
will be maintained according to the package selected. Once complete,
your only on-going costs should be for renewing your domain name,
hosting, and site updates.