What is a domain name? Do I have to have one?

A domain name is your custom web address, for instance, www.beckys-place.com. You don't have to have your own domain name; some Internet providers will give you an address as part of your subscription package. Sometimes those addresses can be long and hard to remember. My original web address for my personal site was: http://www.midkan.net/users/torpedo/seahawks.html. I highly recommend a domain name. It increases visibility, it's easier to remember and besides, it's fun!

Once your web page is made, it needs to be stored on a server to make it accessible to the World Wide Web. Your hosting company does this for you. Some hosting companies give you a free domain name with their yearly hosting packages. Sweet! I recommend iPowerweb.com for all my websites. Click on the banner below if you'd like to know more.

You said you'll show me how to maintain my own pages. How does that work?

Text editing of web pages can be downright simple with some hosting company's services. You've heard me recommend Ipowerweb. With their control panel, you can make text changes to your web site simply by typing over old text or adding additional text to what you've already typed. You type in the changes and press "save changes". It's that simple, and it's so nice to be able to make changes to your own site!
OK, it's not that easy with all hosting companies but depending on your comfort level with computers, I can give you instructions that will enable you to make text changes to your site.

I tried editing my pages myself. I didn't like it at all! What now?!

Web design and maintenance isn't for everyone! I just happen to be a geek! You may e-mail revisions to me and I'll update your site for you. Updates will have a minimal fee. If it's a minor change and all I have to do is cut and paste, there may be no charge at all. Updates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

You said I'll have ownership of my site. Isn't that stating the obvious?

No! You would think so but that's not the case! It's important for each owner to have the rights to their domain name and the information to update their site! It's gives you the freedom to choose who you want to administer your site. Some hosting companies retain possession of your information, thus forcing you to use them rather than switch to a more competitive host! We want to avoid that if possible!

How do the payments work?

I require a flat, non-refundable $50 fee up-front for web design. The payment is your promise that I'm not making the site to give away! Additional payments are not due until the site is complete. In the case of large sites, progress payments may be necessary. All payments for Do It Yourself sites are payable in advance.

Will I be happy with the finished product?

I certainly hope so!! We will be working together from the start. I'll get ideas from you and put together a rough draft of your home page. We'll tweak the rough draft until the home page is just the way you want it. Once I receive approval of the rough draft, I'll create the linked pages. We'll be in communication throughout the planning process so by the time the site is complete, it will already have your full approval!

My page is up and running! I'm getting positive feedback. What now?

To keep visitors coming back to your site, you need to keep it fresh! Give them something new to see! Keep it current and keep it fun. You may not want to hear this, but I recommend a complete overhaul of your site every other year. Change the look, move the links around, shake it up! Your viewers will find new things as they look for the old, familiar links, and your site won't look outdated as new web technology is developed!