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Stories VII
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stevetuba.co.uk
Website Design Currently, I only design websites. That is, the pages...the look-and-feel of the website etc. I do not provide domain names, nor web hosting. My Philosophy Regarding Business Websites The purpose of the website, hence the pages, should be to convey information. This information should be as transparent as possible to the end user, that is, easily accessible by means of intelligent layout. It should not take rocket science to locate the information your client is looking for, nor should it be impossible to read. More on this later. Remember, your clients' time is money! The pages should load quickly. This means, in my opinion, that the pages should not be cluttered with anything that is not directly related to getting your message to your client. There are a few exceptions i.e. counters, time/temperature etc. The use of music is possible but should be deliberated at great length. The pages should be readable, that is, there should be "good" contrast between text and background. The font and text size should be large enough to read comfortably. No one will say..."It's amazing just how small that type is..." or "...isn't THAT a pretty colour..." or "...I don't believe it...that's Franklin Gothic Demi Italic...!" The use of colour is important, but should not be over done. So, some colours or colour combinations are totally inappropriate and ineffective. Worse, the client is put off. First impressions do matter! The various pages should be navigable in a user-friendly sequence, hence the website should be broken into logical pages. It must be remembered that your client arrived at your website never having seen it. The last thing you want, once your first page is loaded, is for the client not to find quickly the information they need. The information the client is looking for should not be buried! Potential clients are coming to your website to use "it", the information content, not to look at it. Your client should admire your information. If forms are to be used, they should be designed in such a way as to make the filling out process as unambiguous, fast and logical as possible. The form design should help the client "get through it", not hinder. I hope you agree. Technical stuff There are a number of additional issues to consider regarding websites. Your website has to be "hosted". For most people this will mean finding a suitable webhosting company. Your website will reside on their computers. They will provide the disk space and software to control access to the site along with a varying number of desirable features. Form handling and Email being just two. The costs vary according to storage space and features provided. Most web hosting companies are independent of other services. That is, your website will not have their logo, advertising or any other graphics on "your" pages. The companies that do, charge less, but are, in effect, advertising on "your" website! I will provide information regarding the size of your website and features required. Once your web pages are completed and approved, they will be collectively up- loaded to your host. Once there, you will have a worldwide presence. In a perfect world, there will not be any changes required. But it is not uncommon to make minor to major changes over time. These changes could be anything from correcting "typos" to adding pages, updating fees, adding a few more items to forms etc. Some of these changes will require immediate attention. As the web designer, I may, or may not necessarily be your webmaster. The webmaster is the one that performs the task of maintaining your site and this is negotiated as a separate issue from design. Please refer to Terms and Conditions and Fees.
Steve Tuba stevetuba.co.uk I can be contacted at: Copyright © stevetuba.co.uk 2003,2004 All rights reserved. |