Note: This page is for clients who have hired us to build their sites.  We need your domain name and hosting set up before we can begin, so we're asking you to complete a few simple steps: Every Web site needs an address (domain name like mywebsite.com) and a hosting account (a computer on the Internet where your site is stored and served to the public).  In the first two steps you must purchase a domain name and hosting account.  You pay for these by the year, and I feel it is important to use a credit card so they can be automatically renewed.  That helps insure you won't lose your Web site when they expire.

Typically the domain name and hosting together cost less than $ 100 per year.  The part I do is a one-time charge, although I am always available to make changes or add features if you want me to. I offer a special on simple sites, or will build other sites at a reasonable hourly rate.

The final steps are to determine the look and feel of your site.  Once I have all this information I can build your site, usually quite quickly.  I do my best to make it as easy for you as 1-2-3.

A domain name is the address people type to go to your site. I use both NameCheap.com and GoDaddy.com for our own domain names.  I like the complete control you get with GoDaddy, and am currently evaluating NameCheap because it comes recommended and because it is more economical than GoDaddy.  Please click on the one you choose and purchase your domain name for at least one year.  There may be a price advantage in purchasing multiple years if you choose to do so.  Once completed, please e-mail me your account number and password.  I will need this to attach the domain name to your Web site.

A hosting account is the computer your Web site is stored on. It is specially set up so that people can access your Web site when they type in your domain name.

I recommend Hostgator because I think it works well, is compatible with the systems I set up for my clients, and reliable.  Hostgator is the one I chose for my own Web sites.

If you choose Hostgator Click Here to purchase your account.  You get much better prices if you buy three years at a time, so decide what you want and make the purchase.

• After clicking the link above you will see the Hostgator main page.  Click the orange "View Web Hosting Plans button.  Then choose the plan you want:
• If you will only need one Web site choose the 'Hatchling' Plan
• If you will need more than one site choose the 'Baby' Plan
• I recommend that you purchase at least one year at a time.  You get discounts if you purchase more.
• After choosing a plan you will come to a screenwith two choices ("Register a New Domain" and I Currently Have a Domain Name").  Type your domain name into the second one ("I Currently Have A Domain Name") and click the "Continue to Step 2" button.  Then check out with your credit card.
• When your account is set up, usually within an hour or so, Hostgator will send you and email with your account information, log-in, etc.  Please forward that email to me so I can begin work on your site.

Important: You will want Linux hosting.  If you will only have one Web site ever pick a 'Hatchling' account on Hostgator.  If you plan to have more than one Web site choose a 'Baby' plan on Hostgator. Whichever hosting company you choose, you will recieve an email detailing a lot of technical information once you have signed up and paid.  Please forward this email to me.  I will need it to get your Web site onto the Web.

In our initial meeting we will discuss what you want your Web site to look like.  If you have logos or other art or photographs, please have them ready.  it is best to have them in digital form, but I can scan art that is 8 1/2 x 11 or smaller.  Based on this information I will create a template that defines the look and feel of your site.

Remember the template is just a start.  I will put your art into it and adjust the look of it to best suit your needs.  It is just a starting point.  Once we have something to look at I will make any changes you need.

Some Web sites have thousands of pages.  Some have only a few.  We will talk about the skeleton of your site -- what pages you need and what menus you want to present.  I may ask you to create an outline.  Most sites have the 'Front Page', an 'About Us' page, and a 'Contact Us' page.  You will probably have ideas about other pages you want on your site.

Think it through -- you want the front page to be sparky, to draw the visitor in and make him or her look at the rest of your site.  it is the one place where marketing is most important.  Don't try to put too much information on it -- focus on a succinct message.

Also, you will be able to have your own email addresses such as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Let me know what they should be (and a password for each).

I like to say that nothing on the Internet is ever written in stone.  So have fun thinking about what your site will look like.  If you don't like something we can change it.

Once I have the pieces I need I can usually get a site up and running within about a week.  If your site has more complicated requirements it may take longer.  I can let you know that once we have talked about exactly what you need.