Website Design - No longer a "one man band" ...

It used to be the case that you hired a website designer, and they did everything. They designed the site, produced the graphics, did the coding, and that was it.

Life has changed. Today you just have to use specialists, graphic designers, website coders, search engine optimisers, website promotion specialists, and more.

That is the main reason that I no longer (or very rarely) offer "website design" as a service.

I know my strengths, and my strengths are in the "optimistation" and consultancy fields. (Click here for my SEO Services)

So what I've done here is to list some resources for you, so you can go about getting the best of the other areas done affordably and professionally.

 

Website Design ...

Starting from scratch and need a design for your new website? My preference these days is to NOT use a single designer. As great as that designer may be, they will still only have "their" vision.

I much prefer to have a wide selection of designers producing work to my brief.

For this I use two (though there are more) websites:

1. 99designs.com - Submit a brief for your logo/website design. Designers submit their designs, you give feedback, and after a set time announce a winner. This is a great site, though not the cheapest! I use it for high end sites.

2. DigitalPoint Contest Forum - Same idea, though on a forum. Post a brief along with the prize ($25 - $50 etc). Again designers compete. Much cheaper option, but remember the old saying "you pays your money, you makes your choice". Good for logos, and smaler sites.

With both of these sites (and all of them indeed), you are going to get the best design when you write up a comprehensive brief, AND give continuous feedback to the designers.

Here are some more that while I haven't used, are popular:

DesignContest.net
DesignCrowd.com
CrowdSpring.com

... and you'll find loads more by searching on the big G.

 

Website Coding ...

Okay, you have your design. Next you need to "code" it. Right click with your mouse and then click "view source". All that jumble is the code behind this site. That code makes the flat design you have work on the web.

Now, some designers will offer to do the coding for you, some won't as they just, well, specialise.

Need a coder? I personally go here:

DigitalPoint Forums Templates - and make a [WTB] (means Want to Buy) post, posting that I have a design that needs coding and looking for offers. If you look though that forum, you'll also likely find some coders promoting themselves also.

... and, as you've seen, there are people selling website templates. This is another way of getting your design. Visit the forum daily, looking for designs that come up that suit. Many designers will for a small fee make alterations to these templates, making it perfect for you.

There are also many other companies offering coding services. Here's a search on Google: Website Template Coder Service.

 

Website Promotion ...

This involves using press releases, articles, backlinks (other websites linking to yours), and more. This is a massive area, which if done incorrectly can do more harm than good.

Indeed many a website has been banned from Google for excessive and the wrong kind of promotion.

The safest, and for the long term most effective are press releases, and article marketing.

Press Releases ...

Press releases, well that should be self-explanatory. Write or have written a press release and submit it to one/more of the online press release services.

Here are a few that I use:

PRFree.com
PRLeap.com
PRWeb.com

Article Marketing ...

There are millions of websites out there. Many of them want content, fresh up to date content. In exchange for using this content, they will allow a link back to your site.

This serves two purposes:

1. A well written, helpful and informative article will start the process of building trust with you and your website/business.

2. Websites linking to your website tells the search engines that your website has some value, some importance, and works to increase your website's presence.

Can't write / won' write? There are plenty of writing services out there. What you want to make sure of is to get a native speaker, and someone who understands your business.

Once you have your articles (you want to make this a regular part of your week, at least 1 a week), submit them to article submission sites. You'll find loads here: Article Submission Sites.

 

Website Optimisation ...

Well I'm not going to give too much away here as it's one of the ways I earn my living ... BUT, I've put the important basics for you here: Search Engine Optimisation.

 

Good Luck! As ever, if you have any questions, contact me here.