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Design/Process
Building effective conservation and environmental Websites involves more than just laying out Web pages. I work closely with clients to create a successful custom-crafted Web solution—from planning through production and launch. My strategy generally includes these phases:
Assessment
I learn about your organization, products or services, target audience, and most important, your site objectives. After we determine project scope and requirements, I'll give you an approximate cost range. My hourly rate (see below) usually ends up costing less than my job rate, but if you prefer, I'll provide a firm estimate.
I've yet to meet most of my world-wide clients in person, but I'm proud to say I've never lost a single dissatisfied one. That's because I offer a rare commodity in this wired age—exceptional service at an extremely attractive price. My close attention to their Website, practical and cost-saving advice, money-back guarantee, free periodic updates, and quick turn-around with knowledgeable answers to questions or problems places me head and shoulders above that "Web guy" down the street or across town. I limit my clientele to keep my high level of personal service, and the best proof of this claim is the satisfaction of my clients. Call or email me for a comprehensive list of client references. Or just give me a call to discuss your Web project—it won't cost you a penny.
Information Design
Upon agreement, you send me your content—images, logos, text, etc. This phase includes organizing your site's information for navigation and developing visual concepts—graphics, photographs, logo and other design elements. Your site's content may come from materials you assemble, or I'll write new content or edit existing materials. I offer this service for clients who don't have time, experience or desire to assemble the necessary content themselves—just tell me about your business or organization, send me your photos, and I'll do the rest. Should you require database functions, content management or online donations, I work with you to implement a cost-effective solution. [Sorry, I don't work on e-commerce—online credit card purchase—Websites.]
Production
This phase is the "nitty gritty" of building your site—writing code, creating graphics, laying out copy, and installing scripts and programs. To enable you to work closely with me as the project progresses, I provide you access to a test site to preview your pages and provide input. I test and debug on a wide variety of platforms and browsers to ensure that the site functions properly.
Launch
Following production and testing, your Website is ready for launch. Whether it's a new or existing site, I offer an excellent and economical Website hosting service featuring dedicated servers which contain only my clients' Websites and are not shared by others. My servers are carbon neutral, and have all the professional Web tools I need to create your site quickly and for minimal cost. My familiarity with these tools and methods saves you money and a dedicated server means better server performance and fewer disruptions. If your site is a redesign and you already have a hosting service, I'll transfer you to my server—it's usually quite easy. I can also register or transfer your domain name—true one stop service!
Managing the content of your own Web pages wasn’t widely possible until recently. Pages were so full of HTML markup code that they looked like something out of Where's Waldo. But with the advent of WC3 standards, CSS, and integrated databases, it’s now possible to separate most code tags from your content. This gives you the convenience and satisfaction of controlling those portions of your Website that keep it fresh and dynamic. For those who desire full control of their entire website, I offer a complete content management system (CMS). Learn more about content management.
Before uploading your pages, I optimize them with "meta tags" and other coding techniques so they rank higher in the results of the major search engines.
Once you're launched, I'll be available to monitor your site traffic, provide regular maintenance and updates, and help you activate email accounts for you and your employees. Subsequent periodic and minor changes that don't require page redesign are free. Content management—where you manage many or even all of your Web pages yourself—is also available.
Rates
My commercial design rate is $50 per hour ($40/hr for nonprofits). A small Website (5 or less pages) generally costs $700, an average-sized Website (10-15 pages) usually costs $1000 to $2000, depending on features and complexity. Because they are a good bit larger and contain numerous features, the more complex Websites featured in my portfolio cost double or more this amount. I'll also bid Web work by the job, but usually that ends up costing more.
Since much of my work involves nonprofit conservation groups, businesses and community services, I offer a 20% discounted rate for qualified clients. Visit my nonprofit page to learn more.
Your absolute satisfaction is my goal and I offer a money-back guarantee. You may also contact me for Web work references.