Overview

So you know you need a web site for your business or nonprofit organization. But beyond that, you don't know what to do. And you don't know where to start.

That's why you need me!

I can help you build a web site to represent your business or nonprofit in a way that makes you proud. It'll be clear. Simple. Effective.

I do this kind of work because it's fun! And if I'm having fun, it's likely that you will, too. For me, this work engages both the creative part of my brain and the techie part. For you, it'll be a little like working with an architect to design a new house ...and working with a contractor to build it ...and a little like working with a plumber sometimes, too. I get my hands dirty so you don't have to!

The Development Process

If this is the first time you've worked with anyone to build a web site, you're probably a little apprehensive. That's natural -- it's foreign territory. I've built this part of my web site to demystify the process for you. This page provides an overview, and the other pages of this section flesh out some of the details.

I develop web sites using a two-phase process which separates design from development. Each phase is accomplished with input from you and your organization, and review and refinement of the end product. Each phase ends with a review -- a "gate" -- at which we decide whether we're ready to begin the work of the next phase.

During the Design phase, we'll nail down three things:

• your objectives for the site
• the visual look and feel you want
• a site navigation plan that outlines the site's content

The decisions we make during the Design phase dictate the complexity of the Development phase. A review-and-approval "gate" marks the completion of the Design phase; at this point, the cost and schedule for the Development phase are determined, and documented with a written agreement. This phased approach reduces surprises and reduces the need to circle back and rework -- or even start over! -- that plagues development work of all kinds.

How much will I demand of you? Not that much. Some web developers expect you to write all the content of your site. But that places too much of the burden on you, and I've seen way too many projects stop dead waiting for a busy business owner or the Executive Director of a nonprofit to find the time to write page content. Instead, I act as reporter, editor, and photographer to synthesize bits and pieces of content you already have and other input I gather through interviews to create a great first draft. Editing a draft is always easier and quicker than starting from a blank page ...and you'll have way more fun telling me what to fix than you would writing it all yourself!

Show Me Some Examples!

Be sure to have a look at my Reference Sites. You'll quickly see what makes a web site Simply Effective.