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.