Setting up your web site with WDG Web Design.
WDG Web Design has designed this guide to help walk you through the process of getting your website up and running in the most efficient way possible. Below is a list of 7 simple steps that cover all topics for launching your new (or altered) web site. WDG Web Design is committed to helping you along the way with any questions you may have but we hope this guide will cover most, if not all scenarios you will encounter.
Getting your domain name (if you already own a domain name, go to next step)
A domain name is a unique name used by your company / you so people can use that name to locate you on the www (world wide web). (example) www.WDGwebdesign.com You will need to get your domain name from a Domain Name Register, such as Go Daddy. www.godaddy.com There are many domain register sites but we have used Go Daddy many times and they work well and have great customer service. Once on their site you can search for the domain name that you would like to own. You will need to check if that domain name is already taken. If it is not taken, you can buy the right to the name, on-line right then, for about $8.00 to $10.00 per year. You will own your domain name rights with Go Daddy, not WDG Web Design. WDG Web Design will configure your domain name to your new web site, for you.
Getting a hosting company
This will be pretty seamless for you, if we are building your site. WDG Web Design will get the hosting company to set up your account under your domain name as well as give us a “mock” site to design and build your new web site. WDG Web Design uses PowerDNN for the creation of the site and hosting tasks for a few reasons. The tools they provide, the hosting speed and price, and convenience to you as the customer once the web site is designed and running. WDG Web Design, designs your site using Dot Net Nuke platform (.ASP) in order to create a complete CMS (content management system) for you. Your monthly hosting cost is $20.00 a month payable to PowerDNN. You will own your hosting rights with PowerDNN not WDG Web Design. If you have a hosting company already, we will prefer moving your web site to Power DNN for hosting but this is not required.
Choosing layout and colors
Once WDG Web Design and PowerDNN set up your account, our designers will start creating some “basic” layouts. This will include meeting with you for color choices, layout, and content. A basic rule of thumb here is more you want in the website the more hours it will take to build. A good idea is to look around at some “like” business web sites and get some good basics and don’t try too hard for a “wow” factor, it is usually passed over.
Providing content and images
WDG Web Design will need electronic copies of your content that you want to use for your site. This may include write ups about your company, company history, staff, contact numbers, events, store front info, or images especially logos. This will need to be in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, or Visio. Images can be in almost any popular format. You can e-mail this content to our company or provide it on a CD or flash memory stick.
Setting up your site
We will start setting up your web site as soon as practical and generally a basic 4 page web site will take about a week.
Review session
This is where you will review your site for content and work with us to determine what you like and what you want changed. If all is well your “mock” web site can be transferred into your official web site for all to see. This process generally takes less than 1 day. During this review session you will also be shown how to make simple changes to your web site if you so choose so you will not need to call us for simple things like changing the company’s phone number on the web site. If you do not want to learn these steps, we are always available to make changes for you at any time on a job based format.
Posting your web site
YEAH ! You made it. As mentioned, we will launch your web site with Power DNN for www access for anyone to find your company and you and to start generating business and profits for you and your company. Welcome to the World Wide Web!