Archive for the ‘Portfolio’ Category
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Michael Harrawood is the husband of a colleague of mine. They called me several months ago, asking for some help with Mike’s website. Mike had started a home repair and handyman type of business, and wanted a simple website to advertise his business online, and provide reference and legitimacy for those looking for more information about his business. He knew someone who had offered to create his website as part of a class he was taking, but this didn’t turn out well for Michael. The website was not attractive, had broken images and the layout was off on several pages. What they needed me to do was fix up the site and make it look and work how it was suppossed to.
As this was a simple site, and the layout had already been decided on, I created the site as a static HTML site using CSS and a template to control page layout across pages. Once this was done, loading the content and uploading everything to the server was simple and quick. I also incorporated a Wufoo form for Michael’s contact page, to give him more flexibility over future use.
Although most sites that I do these days are WordPress-based sites, it didn’t make sense to use WordPress for this website. This site needed only a few pages, and did not require a blog or the ability for the client to be able to maintain the site going forward. These needs combined with a limited budget made a static HTML/CSS site a perfect solution for his needs.
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
Problem
Chloe’s Adornments is an accessories boutique that’s run a little differently than most others, but her website didn’t reflect that. It was old, outdated and couldn’t be easily updated. Not to mention that the original web designer was hard to get a hold of when she did need something updated.
Solution
A WordPress website is the perfect solution for Chloe’s Adornments. This allows the owner to upload images of her new products herself, whenever she wants to, and to create great looking webspages to include in her email messages to her client list.
Part two of the solution is to integrate new product postings into social media outlets to give Chloe’s Adornments better exposure to current and potential new customers.
Results
Chloe’s owner tells me she is thrilled with her new website. She loves the colors and simplicity and, most of all, that she can manage it all herself.
“Terri has been helping me with my fashion accessories website and social media needs. She has created a website in a format that I can easily change myself while still maintaining an edgy, creative look. I love working with Terri, she is extremely patient, makes herself readily available to me and I always tell her that after each session, I feel so much smarter!”
- Marsha Murman, owner of Chloe’s Adornments
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Problem
Dana Fortier, a fellow VA and one of my best friends, was in need a new website to go with the new brand identity for her VA business. At the beginning, Dana wasn’t sure what she wanted in terms of design, colors, or functionality, but had some definite ideas of things she didn’t like.
Solution
Trying to come up with a website design without any direction from the client is kind of like trying to buy a car but not knowing what kind you want – sedan, coupe, SUV, station wagon, truck, etc. The possibilities are endless. Dana actually went to another web developer to try to get started, but was very disappointed with the time it was taking and the unsatisfactory customer service she was given. So, back she came, armed with a color palette, design ideas, and – most importantly – decisions about content and functionality.
Result
Dana is thrilled with her new website, and has been enthusiastically announcing it in her email signature and social media.
