Inksplash Designs, LLC.

The end of 2011 and so far, the first few weeks of 2012 have been very busy for me! I have a few larger projects on my plate, but a lot of my time recently has been spent on designing and building WordPress blogs. As much as I enjoy other ‘regular’ websites, I have a soft spot for blogs because I’ve been a blogger myself for over 10 years. The fact that I can make a living doing something that’s been a hobby of mine for so long is just fabulous.

Back in November, I helped Jill launch First Comes Health, her new blog focusing on her holistic health coaching services. The design is simple, focused on keeping the content center-stage for the readers.

Just after the new year, I finished up a new blog design for my dear friend Janet. We’ve been online friends for several years and met once in person (Girls’ Weekend/Road Trip!) so being able to do something creative for her blog was a lot of fun.

And just last week, I published a new blog design for Virginia of That’s Church! I’ve been a long-time reader of Ginny’s blog and I have found myself snort-laughing numerous times at her posts, so it was very exciting for me to be a part of her blog redesign.

So… anyone else need a blog? :) I’m on a roll!

… and a very happy and healthy New Year!

I hear this question a lot: How do I get a website? If you’re not familiar with how things work on the internet, it can be confusing to know where to start and what you need to get your website online.

1. Domain name. You’ll want to brand your website with an easy-to-remember web address. Before you settle on a domain name for your site, consider these guidelines when choosing the right domain name. Domains are not expensive and can be purchased from any number of domain registrars.

2. Website hosting. Website hosting is where the files for your website will ‘live’. It’s basically a computer hard drive that is connected to the internet. When your site is published and launched, the domain name you’ve selected will point to this computer, serving up the pages and images that make up your website to the visitor. This can be purchased together with your domain name or from a separate website host. Some web designers (like me!) offer website hosting bundled together with their design contracts, which is helpful if you’d like to simplify things and keep it all in one place.

3. A site plan. This is a whole other post all on its own, but you should start brainstorming about what you’d like to include on your website. What goals would you like your site to help you achieve? Do you want to sell products through your site? Do you need a photo gallery of recent projects? Would you like a blog? What is your budget? Are there sites you’ve found that you’d like to use as inspiration? I have a project questionnaire I provide to my prospective clients that really helps with the planning stages.

4. A website designer. Don’t go it alone. TRUST ME. There are dozens of free website builder tools out there, and they are fine if you’d like to get something up quickly. But if you are looking to have a website built that will make a difference in your business and become an asset to you, hire a professional designer to help you bring your ideas to life. A professional designer or design team will assist you with brainstorming and planning, making sure that your new site is technically sound and functions as it should for all of your visitors. An experienced, reliable website designer can make a world of difference in your website project.

In my seven-plus years of building websites for clients, it is probably the most asked question- and the most difficult to answer. How much will my new website cost?

When I first started my freelance career, I put together a price list. I attempted to create a menu of sorts, one that listed different line items that clients could choose from for their website. It didn’t take me long to realize that a ‘combo meal’ approach to web design quotes wasn’t going to work. Almost immediately I ran into projects that I couldn’t fit into a box or into any sort of pre-packaged, templated pricing system.

So I regrouped, and since then, I create a new quote for every new client who contacts me. I start with the same basic elements- design, front-end coding, content management system- but it’s a lot more complicated than just picking from a menu. I brainstorm based on input from and conversations with potential clients, as well as their responses on my project questionnaire. So when I’m asked ‘How much will this cost?’ I’m only able to answer accurately after I receive the right information.

While you are researching and interviewing potential website designers and comparing estimates, consider these points:

1. Size of the project. This is the biggest thing that will effect the bottom line price of a website. A three- or five-page informational website will certainly cost less than a 50 page site with a custom content management system and e-commerce solution. So be prepared to provide a rough estimate of how many pages you’ll need, as well as any special features you’re looking to have on your site- photo galleries, an integrated newsletter, a blog, or an online store.

2. Who is quoting the project? If you’ve already started your search for a website designer, you may have noticed: there are all types of designers. Freelancers who work part time, one-man (or woman!) design shops, small agencies, large design agencies… and they will all quote the same job differently, sometimes thousands of dollars differently! It can be confusing, and a bit frustrating. But it’s for good reason- larger agencies have a lot more resources that they can provide to you, but you may not receive the personal attention that you’d find with an independent contractor or freelancer. Each project has a ‘best fit’, and the key is finding that. It may not be the least expensive designer or the most- it will be the designer who you feel will work well with your team or your goals.

3. Timeline. If you need a project done quickly, you will pay more money. That’s just a fact. If your deadline is flexible, then that will usually be reflected in the quotes you receive. This is mostly true with smaller agencies and freelancers as opposed to larger agencies, because larger agencies can absorb more demands on their man-hours. As a freelancer myself, if I’m asked to give priority to a new project, I have to consider the time that is being taken away from other potential jobs and plan accordingly.

4. Quality of the final product. This is tied into #2 a little bit- the designer or agency who is quoting the job for you will be effecting the final product. It’s not always true that paying more gets you a better website, but in general, you do get what you pay for. The best way to evaluate or imagine how your website will turn out is to take a look at the designer’s recent work. If they don’t have it displayed on their website somewhere, ask to see some examples. If the price you are quoted doesn’t seem to match up with the work you are seeing, you may want to ask more questions, or move onto someone else.

How much does a website cost? Custom websites are just that- customized and unique, so getting a concrete price list up front isn’t always possible. Communicate your needs and requirements to any potential designer, and they should be able to provide you with at least a rough estimate pretty quickly.

I’ve been a blogger for over 10 years, but it’s always been more of a personal, journal-type thing. For a long time now, I’ve entertained the idea of starting a web design-related blog, but I never got up the courage to do it. I love web geek stuff and I love blogging so theoretically, it should be a no-brainer, right?

I have a whole slew of topics I’d love to cover here. General website how-tos, fun tools I’ve discovered over the years, advice about content writing, and maybe I’ll even delve into some nitty-gritty code stuff at some point. And if there is a topic you’d like to see discussed here, please ask!

Here’s to keeping up with the blogging :)