I want to get information on website designers. Can anybody recommend one? I looked into doing this myself and frankly,I don't have the time or inclination to learn. I just want to give someone the information and let them do what they are trained to do. Any thoughts?
Deb
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There are a lot of great suggestions here and some good designer referrals. The one thing I would not recommend id firms that outsource talent overseas. Bad move all the way around.
I am a website designer since 1995. Though I haven't done many artists websites, I have designed dozens of websites in a wide range of industries. Here is my advice no matter what you do, unless you are going to spend bukoo bucks on marketing, you need a search engine optimized (SEO) website. Which means count out a Flash based website—as cool and dynamic Flash sites are. You can use Flash elements in a site, but don't build a Flash infrastructure.
I recently got re-involved with an art guild and many of these artists don't have sites, or the ones that do don't sell work online. The costs can be prohibited to many of these artists and to do it right (SEO) is too expensive that can afford some site. But just a site is a waste of money if it doesn't serve more than just a site you can tell the limited of number of people you may com e in contact with. So what I am currently doing, is building an online, virtual gallery allowing artists a free gallery to sell their artwork. www.TheGalleryOfTheArts.com No upfront costs, just a commission when an original work or giclée print sells. These galleries offer the artist a bio page, a personal gallery and their work distributed along categorizes pertinent to their work. The website is still under construction—just began designing and building it in January, but I have a lot of interests and happy artists involved.
My point is, this is another way to go, become part of a collective effort if costs are an issue. But again, whatever you do, it's a waste of money if the site is not SEO.
Michelle Hildebrandt (michelle@studiofive13.com) she did our website, actually it's being updated now. Her group is very easy to work with and has great style. Her website is studio513.com.
Wendy Zumpano said:
I completely understand about not having the time or inclination to get into something that someone else could do easily... however, there is something to be said for having control over your website yourself vs relying on the expertise of someone else. I built my site www.pencilportraitcards.com using a template from www.godaddy.com. I registered my domain name and the template was very easy to use. Just type what you want and point to photos of your work. I've found it reliable and I like being able to quickly add information whenever I want. However, having a website and making sure people can FIND your website are two different issues. Your search engine positioning is key... if someone can't find you, the effort and money invested in the website won't go as far. You can enter your website information into many different registries that can help your fans find you faster. I also highly recommend marketing your work with a page on Facebook. I got an order within days of posting my info on Facebook. Good luck!!!
I completely understand about not having the time or inclination to get into something that someone else could do easily... however, there is something to be said for having control over your website yourself vs relying on the expertise of someone else. I built my site www.pencilportraitcards.com using a template from www.godaddy.com. I registered my domain name and the template was very easy to use. Just type what you want and point to photos of your work. I've found it reliable and I like being able to quickly add information whenever I want. However, having a website and making sure people can FIND your website are two different issues. Your search engine positioning is key... if someone can't find you, the effort and money invested in the website won't go as far. You can enter your website information into many different registries that can help your fans find you faster. I also highly recommend marketing your work with a page on Facebook. I got an order within days of posting my info on Facebook. Good luck!!!
Well, before you decide to pay someone to do the site for you. Think about what are you wanting to accomplish with your site. Is it solely going to be an online portfolio....or are you hoping to sell some prints on it??? I haven't checked to see what kind of art you produce yet so bare with me. But, if you just want to display your work on a site just look into these two sites before you pay someone. Website are soooooooooo easy to make these days its silly to pay someone to do it, in my opinion that is.
I use a company in Wyoming www.justspiffy.com. The owners name is Merideth. I have overall been happy with my site and communication over the past few years. Her prices are fair. You can check out her web site to see her work and you can look at my site www.jackandmaryhandbags.com.
I like elance.com too. A great site. You post the job. People apply listing all their qualifications as well as what their expectations are regarding payment and it works.
You can post your web design needs there in a proposal format and get bids from design teams all over the world overnight. These providers are publicly rated with stars (again like Ebay) based on their successful completion for previous clients.
You can also look at current requests from other folks who are looking for web design help to get an idea of expected budgets, time lines, etc.
I have successfully engaged contractors from Estonia, Puerto Rico, India, etc. to do any number of small projects over the years.
I hope that's helpful to you.
Scott Fox
Author of e-Riches 2.0: Next Generation Online Marketing Strategies http://www.ScottFox.com
I created my site and a few others using wordpress. It is an open source blogging software that can be used as a content Management system to create a wonderful magazine style website that can easily be updated without any programming skills. There are also hundreds of plugins for wordpress including a shopping cart (I haven't tried that one yet). I designed the website for our cooperative gallery using wordpress. All of the artists can sign on and update their own pages and add content and calendar items. I trained them in how to maintain there own page - and many of them have limited computer skills. The gallery's site is www.semva.com
Deb, you won't believe how easy this site (ArtFairInsiders.com) is to set up and manage. Really! It is click and point and WYSIWIG. Another option as Linda suggested.
There are some great suggestions in this thread. I am so pleased to see you helping one another. That was my mission when I started the site. Good job, guys!
Linda Anderson said:
Another thought.... perhaps Connie or Scott could add here, but it seems to me NING has a shopping cart etc. Since you are familiar with this website Deb, perhaps you could use NING for your site????
Another thought.... perhaps Connie or Scott could add here, but it seems to me NING has a shopping cart etc. Since you are familiar with this website Deb, perhaps you could use NING for your site????
Replies
There are a lot of great suggestions here and some good designer referrals. The one thing I would not recommend id firms that outsource talent overseas. Bad move all the way around.
I am a website designer since 1995. Though I haven't done many artists websites, I have designed dozens of websites in a wide range of industries. Here is my advice no matter what you do, unless you are going to spend bukoo bucks on marketing, you need a search engine optimized (SEO) website. Which means count out a Flash based website—as cool and dynamic Flash sites are. You can use Flash elements in a site, but don't build a Flash infrastructure.
I recently got re-involved with an art guild and many of these artists don't have sites, or the ones that do don't sell work online. The costs can be prohibited to many of these artists and to do it right (SEO) is too expensive that can afford some site. But just a site is a waste of money if it doesn't serve more than just a site you can tell the limited of number of people you may com e in contact with. So what I am currently doing, is building an online, virtual gallery allowing artists a free gallery to sell their artwork. www.TheGalleryOfTheArts.com No upfront costs, just a commission when an original work or giclée print sells. These galleries offer the artist a bio page, a personal gallery and their work distributed along categorizes pertinent to their work. The website is still under construction—just began designing and building it in January, but I have a lot of interests and happy artists involved.
My point is, this is another way to go, become part of a collective effort if costs are an issue. But again, whatever you do, it's a waste of money if the site is not SEO.
Peace,
John Gnotek
www.CyberAlley.com
Wendy Zumpano said:
Well, before you decide to pay someone to do the site for you. Think about what are you wanting to accomplish with your site. Is it solely going to be an online portfolio....or are you hoping to sell some prints on it??? I haven't checked to see what kind of art you produce yet so bare with me. But, if you just want to display your work on a site just look into these two sites before you pay someone. Website are soooooooooo easy to make these days its silly to pay someone to do it, in my opinion that is.
Try:
WIX
WEBS
Wix has really cool flash effects and the other one is just very easy and basic.
Wow, just noticed that you have had several responses to this question.
well good luck!!
Thanks,
Deb
Scott Fox said:
There are some great suggestions in this thread. I am so pleased to see you helping one another. That was my mission when I started the site. Good job, guys!
Linda Anderson said:
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