Why Should I Have a Web Site?

Maybe you don't have one at all, and maybe you don't think you need one. Many smaller companies feel they're doing fine with word of mouth and traditional advertising, but if you DO want more business, then having a web site is easily the best way to make information about your business more available to the public by providing a centrally accessible resource in the most popular media format used today.

Why Should I Have a BETTER Web Site?

Maybe you have a web site, and maybe you're even reasonably happy with it. But many businesses, particularly smaller local ones, often settle for less than they should when purchasing web design. Companies that could greatly benefit from interactivity and visually appealing presentation of information end up with text-heavy sets of content, awkward layouts and poor navigation schemes, and unfortunately, often their sites serve little or no real useful purpose other than to act as a static web flyer. Consider these hypothetical examples:

Example 1: A bed and breakfast might have a simple site with a general description of their house, some photos of the property, rate information and a page with contact information. The same bed and breakfast might have all of that information in a neatly organized page requiring less clicking around, along with extra tabs leading to maps of the local area, information about nearby attractions and special events, a breakfast menu, and an interactive list of room types with variable/seasonal rates and an online reservation form.

Example 2: A furniture store might have a basic home page text, a contact info page, and then a long list of types of furniture down the side that lead to long, disorganized pages of images of furniture, possibly with prices that aren't necessarily up to date. The same furniture store might have a multicategorized search interface that allows customers to find pieces by type, color, material, price and other criteria, and then browse sets of pictures for each item in a convenient pop-up window with magnifying effects for up-close views of each piece from multiple angles. Pieces could be reviewed by customers who have purchased them before and/or reviews could even be collected dynamically from online sources.

What are Your Qualifications?

I have been working as a freelance web developer for 8 years, and as a full-time developer at Indiana University for 6, followed by a move to North Carolina to work at UNC Chapel Hill as an Applications Analyst. I have developed a large number of web sites and applications from the ground up that have served as anything from simple portals to complex data management and analysis tools. I also completed a Master of Information Science in the IU School of Library and Information Science, and am currently enrolled part-time to earn a Specialist Degree. During this time, I have worked on a wide variety of fun and interesting web projects, focusing heavily on usable design, sensible information architecture, professional assessment and presentation of project needs and solutions, and efficient project management.

Why Might You Cost Less?

Take a look at the rates and 'packages' that other companies offer, and then look at the length of time it takes for less experienced coders to develop custom web sites without rehashing the same old templates again and again. If you meet with me for a free consultation, and certainly if you hire me to do any work after we meet, you'll soon realize that I am fast, efficient and thorough, without sacrificing quality, originality, accuracy and, most importantly, personal attention to your specific needs. This accuracy, speed and efficiency all result in faster, better service at a fairer price.

When Do I Pay?

You only pay after I start delivering satisfactory results. During a preliminary meeting, we will establish some landmark deliverables. At any point, you have the choice to back out, in which case you do not have to pay me for my most recent work.

How Do I Pay?

I can accept personal checks, cash or PayPal payments.

Do You Offer Refunds?

Because you only pay if you're happy with the deliverables, there is no refund for work completed. Accepted/paid designs are final, however if an application I create fails to perform as specified in our agreement, I may offer to make the necessary adjustments at no cost.

How is the Final Product Delivered?

Designs are typically previewed as PDFs, images or HTML mockups. Interactive applications will be posted to a demo server for you to preview before an official launch. In some cases, these files will be self-contained packages that can be transferred in ZIP files and easily plugged into an existing system. In others, there may be more configuration required.

How Will I Implement It?

Depending on the agreement, either I can help you implement the design or application upon completion or simply provide the finished files. In most cases you will probably grant me temporary access to your web host so that I can post and configure the product for you, however this is not necessarily required.