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[monica odenwald Contribution Level: 3]

Hi I went to a friend to get my professional business website off the ground. I am wondering if anyone has been through this process before? She said that we will start a collaboration process. Sounds good so far right? She took my rough sketches and the next day came up with her version of what she thought reflected my content. I like it but don't feel right about this process now.

I am at a standstill now because I don't know how to give her my finished version. While I have a few more ideas, she said that she is done moving graphics around the masthead for me. I am paying her two thousand dollars. She wouldn't even try a better font of the heading and asked me to submit the one I like. I need to tell her where to move things so I can try different ideas out.

I will give you the site address to see if maybe she nailed it for me. I liked her gold ball world. She said she would change the wording back to what mine because its all pretty mucvh what she invented, based on a few lines she actually used that I gave her. The collaborations seems basically over for me. She's done with the masthead.

Do I need to eat more humble pie? I ate a lot during our phone call...my stomach is still grumbling! I wanted the golf ball smaller so my photo would stand out. But she wont try this or anything else I suggest without a replica version from another source as a reference. Real creative hey!

In my first draft, the golf course image was originally very small, not the entire span of the page. When I asked her if she could find a clearer golf course scene she refused and asked me to find one on Google Search Engines that I liked. She did say to send her samples of the sites that I want my site to look like. WOW! That is hard to find and what is she charging hourly. She has spent about four - six hours tops on this so far

Is submitting all these details more my responsibility than hers? I know I am new at this and haven't developed the skillset that she has but at the same time, how can I know what I want when she introduced her own version of things so differently.

http://www.seatosea.ca/greenmillionaires/#

Please comment more on this process than on my website....it is like a painting only barely started.

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

Hi Monica...
Wow, that sucks. Sorry, no other way to say it.
I've run into designers like that more than once... and it sucks.

I hate to say it but for $2k you could get a LOT BETTER.
This may sound like a pitch, and it is, but if you're really over it, I'd be happy to pick up the slack and create a ultra professional site for you. Again, there's just no other way to say.

If you can get your money back I can build a site for you - AT A DISCOUNT.
It'll save you money and you'll get EXACTLY what you want.
I strive for perfection so none of this junk they are pulling asking you to be content with the product.

This is a site I just started for a non-profit: The Hearts Up Ranch
I literally only have like 20 minutes worth of work into it, but it will give you an idea of the quality you should be getting. And this site is being done for free. So as a paying client you'd be getting top quality.

Anyway... if you want my help I'd be happy to step in.
My email is "richard at bravomedia dot com"

~RB

[Jan Shimano Company: ASEA, LLC Contribution Level: 3]

Hi Monica:
Sorry to hear that the collaboration is not working out. I think that it's usually better not to do this type of business with a friend, unless they are fully experienced in developing websites for your particular field....even then it becomes difficult when there are conflicts.

I agree with Richard in that you should try to get your money back, if you have already paid her.

You could also try Elance or 99 Designs.com. With 99Designs.com you let people know what you want and how much you are willing to pay and they present their designs to you and you get to pick the one you like the best. Mike Dillard recommended this Company to me. You might want to check them out.

[Nathaniel Johnson Contribution Level: 6]

2k is a lot to spend on something like that. For $2,000 you should be getting personal care and the up most cooperation. But have you ever worked with Wordpress? With a self hosted Wordpress blog you can do pretty much everything and satisfy all your needs. It's isn't that hard to do and will cost you about $20 to get running and off the ground, not $2,000.

Also do not doubt yourself here, anyone can learn to do this! Just check out my quick tutorial on
How to Set Up Your Own Wordpress Blog

[Jeffrey Taylor Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Monica,

That is not a 2 thousand dollar website. Hopefully you can get your money back and scrap the whole website. I would take Richard up on his offer. I have seen his work and it is solid.

As a 15 year SEO consultant i have found that many website developers have no interest or knowledge in SEO and design websites with no regard to on page optimization. Many of them refer clients to me after they have built the website and it is a nightmare making changes.

Website design and SEO optimization should be done in conjunction with each other. It is a trade off where when done properly your website looks good, is usable, and is also set up with on page SEO optimization.

First thing you need to do is determine your target market and choose the right keywords (phrases) to target. Each page you add to your site should target a different set of keywords.

After your website is optimized and up and running you can focus on off page optimization.

Good luck!
jeff

[luckystar 09 Contribution Level: 1]

I was confused. Thanks for you information
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[monica odenwald Contribution Level: 3]

Once again the help here at BN is the perfect place for online support.
I am willing to pay for a professional website. In a year I will probably be educated and experienced enough to get well beyond copying and pasting on Wordpress.
Both me and GOOGLE want original work. I was hoping my 2k would pay for that extra magic or sparkle
from someone who knows my bottom line and my business enough.
What I am not clear on is what the difference is in your minds between a Wordpress Blog, otherwise known as a website, and a website that one would call their own.
Oh ya, just for an update, my friend asked politely if she could not do this site the next day.Something about being too busy and not liking golf courses because they cut too many trees to put them there.
Boy were we on a different wavelength.
I am just starting to do a BLOG-site through my Traffic Formula Course. But I still want the very best money can buy and don't want to wait a year. Honestly, I don't have the skills to do more than copy paste and scream when I am stuck...or come here and hassle all of you.
Thanks again and Richard is first on my list...that is if he is not too busy with his surveys!
Thanks for your insights into websites. I am not sure what the difference is in quality and therefore, price?
Monica

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

Hi Monica-
Sent you a direct message - did you get it?
I have time to help you - not a problem.
Sounds like this is all working out to your favor and your friendship won't suffer in the process.

I mentioned in the email I am a golfer - so I love the game and the courses!

I'm ready when you are!
~RB

[Adam Taha Company: Amway Contribution Level: 7]

Monica

Was there a contract with the programmer? And have you already paid as well?

I looked at the site, damn. That's all I can say but you'll be alright. There are reason for this to happen and it's a learning process.

I had one guy who got a web design done and he gave it to a programmer.

Pure shamble, so had to create the visuals for the client.

It's best Monica to not give any work to programmer who say they web designers, until you have full colour visuals. The stages are as follows which I hope they help for future..

1. The beginning and the end result of what you want the website to do. So a lot of talk here, your ideas, examples you've seen too.

2. The mock up visuals rough and then talks one to one, on what changes are needed. This is before any design happens. It's pencil on paper first.

3. Then the full colour visuals start from these sketches.

4. Amendments - one to one meeting or phone, or over a desktop share which I use.

5. Changes are made to another meeting.

6. Finalisation and if you need anything changed, e.g. optin form, swop navigation bar etc etc.

7. Final designs done. Now you can give to the programmer.

Designs given to the programmer - with full instructions to follow exactly as the design is and all they got to do is slice everything up cause I design on photoshop.

Then upload

Test and for you test the site for any bugs and technical amendments.

This process can also be done for wordpress due to powerful plugins now where you can easily make the theme to exactly how one wants it. And that's another story.

PS.. there also no optimisation for your list on your website e.g. optin form.

Anyway hope all works out fine for you mate.

Adam

[Darius Moore Contribution Level: 2]

First off...I would have to ask myself... "Is this person really my friend?" I don't have many friends... I mean real friends.. can count them on one hand, BUT I know that something just doesn't sound right there.
Secondly, you are a consumer..paying for a service!!! If you feel you aren't being treated fairly or are being over-charged for low-grade work.... you should know your rights!! If you don't know your rights..
YOU SIMPLY DON'T HAVE ANY!!!!!

I WILL SEND YOU A MESSAGE....GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION...THINK IT WILL HELP OUT!!!

ANYONE ELSE WITH A SITUATION LIKE THIS...SEND ME A MESSAGE AND I'LL GET YOU INFO TOO!!!

Misty