Below is a list of items you will need to do before you contact me for your project. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Step 1: View my Portfolio
Be sure to view My Portfolio Pages and make sure you like my style.
Step 2: Important Policies
Please read my policy pages below as they are important for you to understand prior to contacting me for your project:
- Frequently Asked Questions ~ Lots of great information
- Terms and Conditions ~ My Terms of Use and Conditions
- Privacy Policy ~ Your privacy is important
Step 3: Select your Project Package
Browse over the Services page to find the perfect service you need.
Step 4: For a Blog
Decide which blogging platform you want to use. I currently work with both Blogger and WordPress (self-hosted).
Blogger Platform
Blogger is a completely free blog platform. You will have NO monthly hosting fees and no yearly domain fees. Going completely through Blogger your blog address would be www.yourblogname.blogspot.com.
While having Blogger host your blog is free, you do have the option to use your own domain name. You would have your own domain name, www.yourblogname.com, and Blogger will continue to host all your content as before (free), but at your new address. If you choose to have your own domain name, please signup for a Blogger account THEN purchase and register your domain name via either GoDaddy.com or NameCheap.com. Follow the instructions in your Blogger dashboard under Settings/Publishing to add your domain name before contacting me for your project.
Please have the following setup and in place before you contact me for your project:
- A FREE Blogger.com account
- Purchase A Domain Name via GoDaddy.com or NameCheap.com (Optional)
WordPress Platform
I am only working with WordPress.org, which are blogs that are self-hosted. You will have to get a domain name and web hosting. Some web hosts will offer you a one year free domain at the time of purchasing hosting services. No matter how tempting, PLEASE DO NOT pick this option because there are potential security risks. You DO NOT want to have all your eggs in one basket, it’s best to purchase these two items separately.
Please have the following setup and in place before you contact me for your project:
Purchase Your Domain: This is the first item that should be done. Please purchase your domain from one of these reputable companies: DomainsPricedRight.com or NameCheap.com. The domain can cost you from $10 – $15 per year without Domain Privacy Protection. HOWEVER, please add Domain Privacy Protection, it will only cost you about $5 extra per year to keep your personal information out of the public eye.
Please contact me if you need more information about the Domain Privacy Protection, I will be happy to explain it to you.
Purchase Your Hosting Services: I highly recommend and prefer to work with Twenty70 Hosting. Twenty70Hosting offers great package pricing and one-step WordPress installation. Twenty70Hosting’s current pricing is very competitive, their basic package is $7 per month which is a great start. If you need more resources later, you can always upgrade the package.
Step 5: For a Website
For a website you will need a domain name and a web host. Some web hosts will offer you a one year free domain at the time of purchasing hosting services. No matter how tempting, PLEASE DO NOT pick this option because there are potential security risks. You DO NOT want to have all your eggs in one basket, it’s best to purchase these two items separately.
Please have the following setup and in place before you contact me for your project:
Purchase Your Domain: This is the first item that should be done. Please purchase your domain from one of these reputable companies: DomainsPricedRight.com or NameCheap.com. The domain can cost you from $10 – $15 per year without Domain Privacy Protection. HOWEVER, please add Domain Privacy Protection, it will only cost you about $5 extra per year to keep your personal information out of the public eye.
Please contact me if you need more information about the Domain Privacy Protection, I will be happy to explain it to you.
Purchase Your Hosting Services: I highly recommend and prefer to work with Twenty70 Hosting. Twenty70Hosting offers great package pricing and one-step WordPress installation. Twenty70Hosting’s current pricing is very competitive, their basic package is $7 per month which is a great start. If you need more resources later, you can always upgrade the package.
Step 6: Your Site Idea
Before you contact me for services, you must have a clear idea of how you want your site to look, the design feel, images needed, colors, how many columns, right, left or top navigation, pages needed, etc. If you need inspiration or ideas, I suggest you browse the internet for websites or blogs in your genre and make a note of the items that you like, colors, etc. I will never “copy” a site, but I will at least get a feel of your likes and dislikes. (These two questions are on the “Design Questionnaire”, so you might as well get surfin!)
Need graphic inspiration? I would be happy to create your custom design featuring the artwork of any one of the Graphic Artists listed on the Resources page. If you want a character for your site, I do have a large amount of characters on hand that will have no extra fee to use. Browse through the very cute Bloggettes. You can read all about these adorable characters here.
Step 7: Project Request
Once you have all of the above steps in order, please use the Project Request Form to contact me about your project.
What’s Next?
What happens after I receive your project request? Check out the The Design Process.
