Website Development Overview

Affordable Website Development is our primary service, our specialty! Website design and development can be very complicated and there is a considerable learning curve as you begin to discover the web from the webmaster's side. We're here to help you with consultation and guidance every step of the way, and to take the burden off wherever we can while empowering you with as much control over your website as you would like to have. To be sure, one of the wonderful advantages of working with The Designsmith is our propensity to provide consultation and guidance at no extra cost! Our package prices are all focused on the real work of designing and building your website.

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 and create a business engagement, ie $$$.

Essentially, to have a website you need:

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 $20 for a .com name per year while Network Solutions charges around $45 for the same thing. We tend to use GoDaddy more often.
A Hosting System. This is essentially the computer where the files of your website are stored. This special 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.
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:

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.
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.
The Content Management System. 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 content management system (CMS) 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 CMS would be used to keep those items updated with the correct image, price, etc.

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.

We have worked with Paul for over 10 years for our webhosting and graphic design needs for our marketing campaigns. Paul is not only professional, but he is consistently patient and responds to every need we have quickly. If you are looking for a webhost or graphic designer that truly cares about delivering excellent service, choose Paul. I recommend Paul to anyone looking for webhosting or graphic design support because I am confident that anyone who uses Paul will be 100% satisfied!

Melanie Robertson, Chief Operating Officer - Home360, Inc.

In today's world a website is such an important marketing tool for a company. I highly recommend The Designsmith to anyone who needs a professional, top quality website. Paul is a pleasure to work with and very knowledgeable. He offers creative ideas to ensure that your site is the most effective it can be.

Carter Hill, Owner - Carter Hill Construction

I got a little nervous when tasked with putting up a complex website for Louisiana's 200th year anniversary and only a week to do it. At the end of the week, the site was to be unveiled at a travel summit. There was no wiggle, just 168 hours and counting down fast. My web team was locked up with projects and did not have the design skill to do the project quickly. I remembered that we had worked quickly and smoothly with Paul at the Designsmith on a website for CISD a few years past. I gave Paul a call and enlisted his assistance. He did the impossible and whipped the site into shape with 24 hours to spare. The Department and the Bicentennial Commission are delighted with the site. Several mentioned how much they enjoyed working with Paul. They were also pleased with his reasonable rates and willingness to work nights and weekends to complete the project. Several of my colleagues have approach me with requests their sites, maintenance, facelifts and hosting be transferred from other web design firms to Paul. They were all impressed with his professionalism, dedication and most of all, the final product: louisianabicentennial2012.com.

Doug Bryant, IT Director - OLG/DCRT

Paul is knowledgeable and very timely on the projects we have requested. Asks detailed questions and make sure we are taking advantage of what is available.

Andy McGinty, EVP/COO - LIPCA Insurance

We consider ourselves very lucky to have hired Designsmith for our web project. Paul's work is excellent, fast and affordable. I am always impressed by the quick response time and the high quality work. We never approach a web or design project without thinking of Paul. Every project is done right, done quickly and on budget. What else is there?

David Schenck, Information Technology Director - District Attorney's Office, Baton Rouge Louisiana

The Designsmith created our site about three years ago. As a group of IT professionals, some with large web development staffs, we could have done the work ourselves. But for a number of reasons, we sought a firm that could do the work for us. That was a good decision. The quality has been great as has been the timely response. As with most websites, ours has evolved to meet our changing needs. Paul and his staff have repeatedly enhanced the site and the administrative "backend" to allow us to make much of the information dynamic and within our control. I've already said that their response is timely, but now we can do more on our timeline without waiting at all. Some recent updates to our conference registration portal have allowed us to offer more to our participants, making our conference more attractive to potential exhibitors and attendees. Includes some pretty sophisticated programming for the "shopping cart" functions we needed. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but their fees are reasonable too. Great work Paul...and guys behind the curtain.

Mike Carl, President - The Louisiana Council of Information Services Directors

Paul has built both of my websites. Being a designer myself I appreciate Paul's attention to detail.I will use him for years to come.

Jeb Barber, Owner - Makaira Landscape and Pools

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional work The Designsmith has done for LIPCA Insurance Agency during the past year. Based on that work, I enthusiastically recommend The Designsmith as an effective partner in the ever critical area of website design and development. Ultimately the look and feel of a website is the measure of a website designer, and the results speak for themselves! The Designsmith has performed exceptionally well and based on these results, LIPCA will continue to be a key partner in the future. Again, thank you for the results!

Allen Herring, IT Manager - LIPCA Insurance Angency

Paul did a great job of taking our information and transforming into a professional and attractive website. We were very pleased with his work and timely manner in handling all our needs.

Suzanne Kimball, owner - Louisiana Praline Company

Paul Miller is easy to work with and shows a true interest in his clients' businesses. I have received many compliments on the website he designed for me. It is also easy to maintain and update.

John Maginnis, Principal - Louisiana Political Review

Paul Miller was wonderful to work with on the redesign of our website. He was easy to work with, professional and completed our job in no time at all. Above all, he had the patience to slowly walk us through steps we didn't understand. He's great to work with, and we'll be repeat customers! Thanks again Paul!

Betsy Alexander, Owner / Broker - Coldwell Banker Betsy Alexander Realty

Our company chose The Designsmith for the design of our company website. Paul was phenominal to work with. He created a website design that worked perfect with the image of our company and our profession. I have, and will continue to recommend them to anyone looking for professional design services.

Aaron Honore', Project Manager - Harvey Honore' Enterprises

Paul, Just wanted to thank you for providing us a reliable hosting service. Since moving from our previous provider we have experienced nothing but superb up time and responsive customer service. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Bob Nelson, President - NSP Inc.

I'm a visual artist who learned to type on a typewriter rather than a computer keyboard and I m not savvy with computer programs. While I wanted to create a website for my artwork, the idea was intimidating. With Paul's encouragement, I took the plunge and am glad I did. Paul designed my website and logo and created complementary business cards as well. Throughout the design process, Paul was readily available to answer questions and make suggestions. He also suggested my website name which is perfect for a visual artist working in graphite and drawing (excuse the pun) inspiration from my garden. Thanks to Paul's experience and expertise my website is easy for me to administer and for patrons to navigate. In addition to designing the site, he also gives me ideas for improving my Google ranking. I highly recommend The Designsmith. Throughout the process, Paul was very patient and professional while continually amazing me with the wealth of knowledge he brings to the process.

Marge Campane, Visual Artist/Owner - Graphite Garden

Our company has worked with The Designsmith now for almost one year. When we began we had an idea of the look and feel we wanted for the website. There was very little knowledge on our part of what getting to that point involved. Paul made this process very simple. After a couple of brief meetings he began design and we were able to actually see what the site looked like as it was developed. We launched the site in July of 2008 and since that time we have had absolutley no problems of any kind with our website. We have recieved many positive comments from our customers about the new appearance and ease of use of the new website. There have been a couple of changes that we have made from the company side and i have to add that in these cases, Paul was immediately available and the changes happened in a 24-hour period. This was very important to us. In all, we have had a very positive experience working with The Designsmith on our website from beginning to end.

Curtis Ainsworth, Director of Operations - Multiple Teaching Systems, Inc.

After interviewing several companies, we chose to work with The Designsmith's-Paul Miller for our website re-design. Mr. Miller looked at what we had and listened to what we wanted, which was a "custom design". He created and delivered a website that actually worked for us and our customers. Paul always responded quickly to any concern with a "Can Do" attitude which we appreciated. We would highly recommend his company and continue to work with him today.

Damon Levy, Owner - Cyclone Laundry & Internet Cafe

Paul Miller was easy to work with because he listened to our needs and respected our ideas. His created an ideal website for my business. It is exactly what I wanted and Paul made it come to life. Our business has increased and our customers say that it was easy to gather the information from our site. I will continue to work with Paul Miller. I love how he is patient and continues to perfect and tweak the website when needed. I am extremely pleased with the professionalism and high level of service.

Maggie Hebert, Owner / Manager - Executive Suites of Baton Rouge

I searched through 27 pages of Google images for pet urns and yours caught my eye first and after looking through hundreds of other websites, yours has the nicest pictures, was the easiest to navigate through, and your style was exactly what I had in mind. I look forward to receiving it. It will be a beautiful way to hold my memories.

Sarah, Pet Owner - Anonymous

Paul Miller designed the first website for my company. Over the years, we lost touch and my company moved to another vendor. However, once when it was time to revamp our site, I came right back to where I was most satisfied. Paul has great insight on web design, customer and quality of service is great, and his prices cannot be beat for what is received in return. He is straight forward with his suggestions and/or recommendations, and definitely knows his stuff. I love working with him....he makes this part of my job much easier. Thank you Paul!

Shawana Rucker, IT Director - SSCBR

Paul Miller is a master craftsman, a skilled artisan in the field of web design. My professional colleagues/competitors have very nice websites, but they all look as though they were designed from the same template. My website, thanks to Paul, is totally different and unique. Paul's creativity made my website far more impressive and eye-catching than others in my field thus drawing more curiosity and interest of clients. Paul is innovative and imaginative. He is responsive to your needs, gets the work done timely at a competitive price. I recommend Paul without reservation.

Frank Panepinto, CFDE, CFE, CPP, SCLA - Forgery & Fraud Forensic Research Center