Website set-up/design takes time and coordination. Even if I wanted to do everything for you, I couldn’t, because some things can only be done or facilitated by you. (I’ll explain this in further detail below.)
Even though your part is not very demanding (mine is), it nonetheless requires diligence and some key information and participation in a few matters. Here’s the quick list of things you will need to provide me:
A Domain Name
Every website has an Internet address (called the URL with the standard extensions such as .com, .org, .net, etc.) If you already have a domain name, great! All we will have to do is connect it with your new site (see Access Issues in the “Re-Designing an Existing Website” document):
- If you don’t have a domain name, we’ll have to get one from a company that provides them (a domain registrar), and we can brainstorm about what might be the best name for your site.
- This doesn’t mean the domain name you want is actually available! Someone else may have already taken that particular name. We’ll have to determine the best name you can get and stick with it.
- A single domain name may cost you between $15 and $35/yr. depending on whether you want your ownership of the domain hidden from public view (usually a good idea because, if not, you will get tons of spam.
- Don’t fall for the “free domain name” trap because nothing is ever free in the tech world.
- NOTE: Do not search for a domain name before we speak. I’ve found that if the dreaded algorithm sees that you’re searching for certain names, the prices for related domains may surge when you go back a second time. It’s better to decide on at least 3 possible web addresses before do your search, and then buy your domain(s) all at once.
A Photo and Bio
A good website will always have an “about” page with short bio and current photo of the person (and/or staff) behind the work.
- As a public figure, this should be a professional standard anyway.
- If you’re like me and have a good face for radio, you can substitute your photo for a stylized picture or a line drawing as long as it fits the overall theme and feel of the site.
- In the event you really, really don’t want your picture up on the website, a simple bio should suffice.
A Logo
This is the graphic identifier for your site, your organization, your ministry, even your professional persona.
- It usually appears at the top left hand corner of the site (more rarely in the center of the top bar).
- A logo can be an image; a stylized name, word, or phrase; some initials, or a combination of these. It can be rectangular (but not too long), round or square (but not too bulky).
- I’ve seen sites without a logo, but I don’t recommend going without this element. Logos are important. They’re part of the way you “brand” your image and mission in people’s minds:
- Amazon has a smile,
- McDonald’s has golden arches,
- Fed Ex has two colorful words with an empty space between the E and the X that forms an arrow,
- Geico has a gecko, etc.
If you don’t have a logo, we can work together to create one, or you can hire a designer to make one for you. There is no extra charge for my design: it’s part of the package.
Content
Since I don’t generally have access to the items you will want to put up on the site (for example, your sermons, parish forms, PDFs, photos, etc.), I’ll need you to provide these.
- If you are re-designing a website, I can get a good number of these from the existing site and adapt them in the new format, but the new site will also need fresh, creative, and new content, particularly as you learn to use your site for future mission needs.
- But if we’re starting from scratch, I’ll need to get most of the materials from you except some generic pictures that I can get from the internet.
- “Content is king” is always true for website creation and use.
OPTIONAL
Social Media
Chances are you have several social media accounts, but if not, I can set them up for you as part of the deal.
- These too will need bio information/photos depending on how much you wish to personalize them.
- Facebook and LinkedIn are the two primary but you can use any number you wish. (If you want to publish a lot of pictures and videos, Instagram is the best forum; if you are reaching out for business or looking to boost your professional reputation, LinkedIn is best.)
- Twitter may or may not have relevance to your mission, but we can speak about the best way to manage that if you wish to set up an account.
- Ongoing posting and attention to these sites will be your responsibility mostly because they are highly personal forums where you develop and interact with an audience.
