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Web Development Overview

 

Website Development Overview

Website Development is our primary service and specialty. It can be very complicated and there is a great learning curve as you begin to discover the web from the Webmaster's side. We're here to help you every step of the way and take the burden off wherever we can, while empowering you with as much control over your website as you would like to have.

Our web development centers on the structuring of a website that fits your company and branding, fits your marketing goals, and fits your budget while addressing your target audience in terms they can quickly understand and digest to make an honest appraisal of you and connect to further your communication.

 

Essentially, to have a website you need:

  1. A Domain Name. This is the address of your website that appears in the address bar of the browser. Ours is TheDesignsmith.com as you can see in the address bar above. In effect, you rent the name from a Domain Registrar like Network Solutions or GoDaddy. There are many registrars and there is no considerable difference between them as far as acquiring a name, but their costs vary widely. GoDaddy charges roughly $15 for a .com name per year while Network Solutions charges around $45 for the same thing. We suggest you order your name from GoDaddy.
  2. A Hosting System. This is essentially the computer where the files of your website are stored. This computer must be able to read and execute your programmed files, and it should be solidly connected to a main artery of the internet. The system farm should have backups and redundencies as well as other creative protection to make sure that your website is always available to web surfers. Naturally, we offer a wonderful hosting system equipped to handle all your website needs.
  3. Hyper-Text Markup files. These files describe the look and content of your website to the browser which downloads and displays it to the surfers. HTM files can be built without programming, mixed with programming, or created by programming; but in the end it is the html that your visitors see drawn into their browser. Creating these files is what we do best by integrating beautiful graphics, cascading sytles and smart programming!

In order for us to build your website we need to know what it is going to say and do. We've found the easiest way for you to tell us is by creating a flowchart or outline that names each page and describes the content. We're good at presuming the details, so a general description is good enough for us to give you a reasonable estimate. We also realize that this task is a show-stopper for many, so we offer services to work with you to put it together - contact us or look here to find out more.

 

Primary Elements of a Website:

  1. The Template. We build websites for ease of updating and expansion by using templates that are broken up and inserted into each page of the site to assure consistency across the project. The template gives you the 'look and feel' of your website, the navigation, the head and foot, and much more that is a necessary part of each page.  We often design these templates ourselves but to save money for some clients we can also pick from the many pre-designed templates available around the web and integrate our programming and content into one of them.
  2. The Public Area. When someone types your website name into their browser address bar they see your homepage of your public area. The public area is simply not the private area and includes any part of the site that the public can reach through navigation from another public page or by clicking through from the results of a search engine like Google or Bing.
  3. The Administrative Area. Most websites are programmed to interact with a database and to administer the page content a site owner uses an interface . This interface is a set of pages referred to as the administraion area and it is not connected to the public area. For example, if your website has a shopping cart with lists of items the public can browse, the administrative area would be used to keep those items updated with the correct image, price, etc. Not all websites will have an administrative area.

See Also these Website Design & Development Pages:

 

Website Cost Estimator

We have provided a Free Website Cost Estimator which allows you to select from a list of common pages of a website to give us a clear idea of what you are looking for so you can get a quick idea what your website might cost. Keep in mind that we have a variety of ways to cut down costs by talking to you about what your real requirements are so this calculator is only a ballpark model and will probably estimate higher than your actual cost.

Paul was reccomended to me by another satisfied client of his and I can honestly say that he has earned another! Our company chose The Designsmith for the design of our first company website. He patiently guided me through the process and was a pleasure to work with. His patience and creativity developed a perfect image of who we are and what we are about. I would highly reccomend The Designsmith for anyone looking for professional website design services.

David Nelson, General Manager - Castle Rock Pavers, LLC

As the author of the book "Smell The Popcorn: 12 Life-changing Secrets to Pop to the Top," I wanted an updated logo that would really 'POP!' Not only did Paul create a logo for my speaking business but also designed a brand for 'Pop to the Top' concept. I keep getting lots of praise for the new look logos. Paul understood what my business needed more than I did myself. Thanks Paul.

Jerry LePre, Principal - Inspirational Speaker

Working with Paul to develop our new website was a great experience. Working with other designers is not always easy, but Paul listened to our preferences, made suggestions to improve them, and then implemented the ideas beautifully. He was always available to answer questions and was extremely responsive to phone calls and emails. Overall, the experience could not have been better! I would highly recommend Paul to anyone looking to create a website!

Zach Broussard, Project Manager - Jeffrey Carbo Landscape Architects

It is always tough to pull together a group of people who need to agree to one idea for a website to accurately represent their business. I found that Paul really understood our vision and continued to give us ideas until we were satisfied. Once we were ready to pull the trigger on the project, Paul consistently followed up to make sure we completed it! We are very pleased and highly recommend his company.

Valerie Bargas, Partner - Kinchen, Walker, Bienvenu, Bargas & Reed

Paul did a terrific job developing and implementing our new firm website. We are all very pleased with the process and would recommend him highly for those in need of similar services.

Michael Robinson, Shareholder - Kantrow Spaht Weaver & Blitzer (APLC)

Working with you to develop my website was so easy and pain free. You were very patient with my lack of computer knowledge. I think the finished product is better than my expectation. Thanks so much for your patience and professionalism.

Lynn Tucker,M.D., Owner - Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic

The Designsmith handled a comprehensive redesign of our firm's site and we are extremely pleased with how it turned out. Paul demonstrated a clear understanding of our needs, coming up with a design that is eye-catching and unique, but still appropriate for a law firm. He was easy to work with and responsive, listening to our feedback but still providing us with his own take. We recommend him without reservation.

Brian Juban, Partner - Keegan DeNicola

I can't believe some of the things that Paul creates for me. I send him a serverely rough draft of a vision I have and he turns it into magic marketing material! Thanks!

Lindsey Shehane, Wellness Program Coordinator - Healthy Lives

Miller Studios web, ad layout and logo designs have given MK Promotions the boost it needed to compete on a national level. We have enjoyed excellent initial results and continued support. It's been great to have Paul on our team!

Mark Kuehn, Owner - Newspaper Kiosk Sales

Paul Miller, The Designsmith, is an outstanding web site designer who has built two excellent sites that have been very good for my business. Lapolitics.com, launched in 2002, has stood the test of time by continuing to look and work very well. Howtogetelected.com, in 2011, achieves the very professional look that befits the national audience it aims to attract.. Paul works quickly to offer and modify design ideas, collaborating with me at every step. He has a strong sense not only of what looks good but what sells. He is also very patient with his more technically challenged clients like myself. In all, Paul Miller is a consummate professional and creative talent. I would recommend The Designsmith for any web design project.

John Maginnis, Publisher - LaPolitics Weekly / How to Get Elected

I was referred to Paul through a business associate and I'm happy that connection was made. Paul did a fantastic job of creating the look & feel of what I wanted for my website - along with an intuitive interface/navigation. Additionally, my project was on-time and on-budget. Highly recommend working with Paul.

Alan Colby, Owner - Colby Constructors

The Designsmith has proven to be one of our most valued resources and sales tools at No Fault Sport Group. Paul continues to impress me with timely reponses to our many requests and his overall knowledge of the hidden "nuances" of the internet. In the ever changing world of the internet, it is comforting knowing that the Designsmith is a part of our team!

David Brantley, Owner / President - No Fault Sport Group, LLC

Paul was very helpful with creating a brand for my company. He has a great approach of taking what a company does a portraying that in logo and website graphics. He listened to what our company offers as well as what we wanted it to look like in a logo and website. Being a designer myself I really appreciated the way Paul took care of the client(me) throughout the entire design process. I would highly recommend using Paul for any of the services he offers. You get what you want when it is all over. That's true customer service.

Jeb Barber, Managing Partner - Makaira Design + Build

We were ready to add some new features to our website and Paul once again came through. He has helped us create a website that we are proud of and one that will grow with our business. Thanks Paul!

George Clark, President - Taylor Clark Gallery

The Designsmith created exactly what we wanted for our website. It is now polished and projects the image we want our company to convey. The designer that assisted us was extremely patient with our requests, contacted us with answers, and revisions promptly, and most of all, created an excellent design... all this within our budget. We highly recommend anyone interested in a design for their site to contact The Designsmith.

John K. Davis, Treasurer - Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc.