How to Start

PLANNING YOUR WEBSITE

1. Site structure - this is the most critical part of any website, the outline or flow of information. Do you want a HOME page? (This page is kind of an introduction to your organization and has a picture or two with a menu and maybe a paragraph explaining the site’s purpose)

Example 1: Home page and three main pages (www.birmanbreeders.com)

Example 2: No home page, six main pages (www.wacobasketballchapter.com)

(4 pages included in quoted price - each additional page is $100)

2. Do you have a preference in the type of site navigation used? (ie: top bar buttons – like on www.unicornerweb.com or buttons down the left side – see www.canaan-baptist.com)

3. Site Outline - To most efficiently create a website, all of the information that you want to include on the website must be accumulated before doing anything else. This information is then separated logically into sections, or ‘pages’, which will then be named. Once this basic outline is established, a draft of the site will be developed before the text/pictures/graphic is added. It is at this point that pages and titles may be rearranged.

List page titles & content below. If using a site with a Home page (see question 1), page 1 will be Home. Titles are important for searchers so be concise but definitive.

Page 1:

Page 2:

Page 3:

Page 4:

Attach additional pages if site is longer.

4. Are there any sites on the web that you particularly like the design of? Please send me their addresses and a quick description of what you like about them.

5. Do you have a color scheme in mind? What type fonts do you prefer? (ie: times, arial, etc.) We prefer to project a professional image, so please don't ask for hard to read text, black backgrounds, large colorful print, trailing cursors, or irrelevant animation. The site that we develop together should be clear in its presentation of information, have photos that are large enough to be effective. All sites must be easy to navigate and have the shortest possible load times.

6. Once we get all this information together it will be put into the html format. You will have several opportunities to view and approve your new site on our test area. When the final adjustments have been made the site will be posted to the internet on the host company you choose. You will need to decide who will "host" it. A host server is where the files are uploaded and made available to the worldwide web. Host companies charge as low as $3.99 a month (usually on a yearly contract).

Unicorner Web Design uses www.ixhosting.com or www.gate.com a lot for web hosting because of their affordable prices and quality tech support. We can help you find a service or we can sell you space on ours for an additional $50 per year.

You might have free web space from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) where you can place the website. Check with your ISP to see if you have this feature. Keep in mind that if you use the free space provided by your ISP your website address may be quite long (Ex: members.aol.com/yourname/yourwebname/index.htm), making it difficult to use your web address in any advertising or business cards.

7. Do you own a domain name (ie: www.yourname.com) or are you going to acquire one? If you are going to pay for hosting this site, we suggest that you look into the modest expense of securing a domain name as well. A domain name is your webpage’s “vanity” address. If you want an address that is easier to remember, registering a domain name is recommended. This service costs about $20 per year or less if purchased in multiple year increments. With your own domain name, your webpage address will look more like this: www.MyPersonalPage.com. We can also help you register a domain name and many host companies offer domain name registration at no charge with their sign ups.

8. Promoting your site: We will also work with you to define the appropriate “meta tags” for your site which will enable the search engines to find your site. These are relative terms that we will try to match to what the searchers are looking for.

9. Listing your site in an online directory may also increase traffic to your site. Many of these directories are free, while others are not. Examples of free directories are animal breed association or business organization member directories. Paid directories can include www.yellowpages.com and others.

10. Updates: Most pages need to be updated from time to time, such as when a phone number changes or if you add a new service to your business. Others may require more frequent updating, such as including pictures of products or a list of competition achievements. We can tailor a plan for you.

I understand and agree to the above rates and conditions:

Name:

Client signature: Date:

Mailing address:

Phone: Email:

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