Web Design Forums

Thatcham Mike · 20-06-2007, 16:15

Hi I am a non technical IT literate person. I got asked to help our local church to build a website that would be informative, cheap to build and host, simple and low cost to maintain. I looked at a lot of template based HTML solutions and finally in the end built the site with something called wisenav. I noticed that people ask not to push products on this forum so I won't. What I will say is have a look at the site clerewoodlands.org.uk and make up your own mind. But it took me a couple of hours to build once I got the content. and it takes a me a few minutes a week to keep the info updated. My wife then nagged me to build the charity she works for a site now I was cooking on gas that took a lot less time, mind you there is less content in it. homestart-nwhampshire.org.uk. Now my accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant all want my help - do you think I should start charging them or tell them that it's so easy they could really do it themselves. Anyway any feedback on my poor design efforts would be appreciated.
Mike

longisland6 · 20-06-2007, 16:55

first i would tell them, you will get what you pay for. web design is a skill involving many aspects... information architecture, coding, page layout, usability, search engine optimization, adhering to web standards, etc. it's possible for almost anyone to make and publish a web page. what should be considered is the need.

soho · 20-06-2007, 18:25

It also greatly depends on the needs of your (future) client: do they want a simple portfolio page with images and some description, would a content management system fit his need better? There is no single perfect answer, it all depends on the situation - as always

Snowshiro · 20-06-2007, 20:07

As far as the sites you've built so far, as an amateur effort, I've seen a lot worse. If you were a professional designer, I'd probably suggest you look for a different career - but there's often a gulf of difference between the two.

With regard to charging for your work, presumably your accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant have seen what you've done so far and if they're happy with what they're going to get, why not get something back from them? Try suggesting that they should give free accounting services, financial advice, or wine to you and if they choke on their cigars, ask them why they think you should work for free when they're unwilling to.

Mind you, if you need an accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant to support your lifestyle, one wonders whether you need the money anyway

20-06-2007, 16:15	#1 (permalink)
Thatcham Mike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Hi from Thatcham Mike - share my experiences comment on my sites Hi I am a non technical IT literate person. I got asked to help our local church to build a website that would be informative, cheap to build and host, simple and low cost to maintain. I looked at a lot of template based HTML solutions and finally in the end built the site with something called wisenav. I noticed that people ask not to push products on this forum so I won't. What I will say is have a look at the site clerewoodlands.org.uk and make up your own mind. But it took me a couple of hours to build once I got the content. and it takes a me a few minutes a week to keep the info updated. My wife then nagged me to build the charity she works for a site now I was cooking on gas that took a lot less time, mind you there is less content in it. homestart-nwhampshire.org.uk. Now my accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant all want my help - do you think I should start charging them or tell them that it's so easy they could really do it themselves. Anyway any feedback on my poor design efforts would be appreciated. Mike

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20-06-2007, 16:55	#2 (permalink)
longisland6 stephen eighmey Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: earth Posts: 152	first i would tell them, you will get what you pay for. web design is a skill involving many aspects... information architecture, coding, page layout, usability, search engine optimization, adhering to web standards, etc. it's possible for almost anyone to make and publish a web page. what should be considered is the need.

20-06-2007, 18:25	#3 (permalink)
soho Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Austria Posts: 19	It also greatly depends on the needs of your (future) client: do they want a simple portfolio page with images and some description, would a content management system fit his need better? There is no single perfect answer, it all depends on the situation - as always

20-06-2007, 20:07	#4 (permalink)
Snowshiro Will work for Marmite Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sapporo, Japan Posts: 573	As far as the sites you've built so far, as an amateur effort, I've seen a lot worse. If you were a professional designer, I'd probably suggest you look for a different career - but there's often a gulf of difference between the two. With regard to charging for your work, presumably your accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant have seen what you've done so far and if they're happy with what they're going to get, why not get something back from them? Try suggesting that they should give free accounting services, financial advice, or wine to you and if they choke on their cigars, ask them why they think you should work for free when they're unwilling to. Mind you, if you need an accountant, financial advisor and wine merchant to support your lifestyle, one wonders whether you need the money anyway

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