Fast turnaround. Great rates. Friendly attitude.
See below for samples of my work, services offered and rates.
Here are some of the websites I have designed.
Hover mouse over picture for additional info about each site; click to visit site (opens in new tab).
• Either "Built from scratch", or maintenance / updates of existing sites. Can also install blog platforms such as Wordpress.
• I am a "real" web designer - I program sites from the ground up using HTML4 and CSS in a code editor; not just using pre-existing templates, and not using Dreamweaver (which has limitations).
• I'm used to working in "the real world" with real people, and keeping explanations simple and clear. I won't attempt to confuse you with tech-speak or complex options.
• I also have much experience purchasing domain names and hosting - and can help with this.
• I can do fancy Photoshop graphics, but am not a "frustrated artist"! In other words, I won't try to convince you that you need super-flash-mega-bling if you don't. It's a common misconception that a web site needs to look expensive to be successful / make money for the client. It depends what industry you are in - but remember that some of the simplest looking web sites have made the most money - such as Google! I won't "go heavy" on custom graphics unless you specifically want me to - or unless you are in an industry (i.e. entertainment) that may demand them.
• What's more important is how easy you make it for people to get what they want from your site. Did you know that studies have shown that on average, over 50% of web site visitors leave because they cannot find what they were looking for? I specialize in making sites that run smoothly, and that the visitor finds clear, comprehensible and easy-to-use.
• Note - I can create "animated gifs", and embed existing Flash, video or Javascript but do not do custom Flash, Javascript or PHP programming. If you don't know what these are, you likely don't need them.
• One of the concerns I often hear is that businesses / website owners very often need to make minor updates to a site "on the fly" - but can't find someone who is both affordable and who can turn around small pieces of work "via remote control" in a reliable, timely manner. I have created a solution for this - and offer to bill clients for minor updates by the minute without jacking up the rate. I can also accept payment via paypal - so for example a client can confirm via phone that I am available, email me the updates and make a payment when the work is done. It is my ability to turn around small changes easily "on a dime" that has kept my clients coming back to me, often for several years.
• If you are in business, your web site exists for one primary reason: To make money. Yet, I have heard many stories of people ordering expensive web sites that do not make money. Why is this? Often, it is because they think "If I build it, they will come."
On the internet, this isn't how it works. You need to promote and market a web site in order for it to reach its audience, just as you do with any form of business.
•These days many people with websites also have Facebook, Youtube and other "profile" pages. It's important for an "online presence" to integrate smoothly between all of these and this is something I do.
• I also have much experience in Search Engine Optimization (I have even written / published a book on it), and in traffic generation systems from Pay-Per-Click to banner advertising, link building and viral marketing. I can help you create a plan for how to best promote your web site - both online and offline - and can help you optimize the return on your advertising budget.
• I am experienced in setting up e-commerce systems such as Paypal shopping cart and Google Analytics. I also have much experience in helping web sites with existing traffic to achieve advertising revenue - I run my own e-commerce sites and can set up and maintain advertising solutions such as Adsense, Neverblue, Adbrite, Kontera, Widgetbucks, Bidvertiser, Amazon Affiliates and other forms of web advertising.
• Most web sites don't need audio - but if you do, I am a composer and record producer who has produced and co-written 9 albums - and can either compose music or offer non-exclusive licensing of existing material.
• Impeccable written English makes a good impression. I have worked as a professional researcher, writer and as a proofreader to a professional author. I have many years experience in this field - in addition to once being a top academic scholar from an elite English private school. In short: I can help either spot spelling and grammatical mistakes, including the ones your spell-checker will never find; or help draft new text if required.
General Rate: $40 / hour
Minor updates - charged per minute at the same rate (i.e. no minimum charge, if it is 10 minutes work I bill for 10 minutes work!)
• I prefer to work by the hour as I have found this works better all round. Before agreeing to commence a job, I will always give an estimate of how long I think the work will take: I am known for my ability to work fast. Depending on the complexity of the project, sites may cost as little as $200, or as much as thousands. Typical range for sites such as the ones seen in the portfolio is $500-$1000. Often a client will say "My budget is X, give me the best possible site you can without going over that limit." - and this is fine also.
• "No job too big or too small"! There is no minimum charge - if you want an update that is 10 minutes work, I will bill you for 10 minutes work - not an hour. I can receive payment either by check or Paypal (recommended for small orders).
• Graphics are the main thing that add to time and expense. We can always start with a simple design that fits a modest budget, and then "add fancy" - and more pages - later!
• I may require an initial deposit of $100 or more to commence work on a new website.
Please contact me by email for any further info or to discuss a project - alexalcyone [at] gmail [dot] com
Copyright notice - this page is © Alex Newman June 2013. All rights reserved.
• One thing I always suggest to new clients, which will save both time and money - is that they to start "preparing their materials" as soon as possible.
By doing this in advance you can help make it easier for any designer to create the site you want.
This may mean:
a) Gathering and organizing existing photos and graphics that you will want on the site.
b) Finding or writing up biographical text or other written content.
c) Start thinking about how many pages you think your site might want, and what they will be called (we can work on this together).
d) Start collecting examples of web sites that you love - and reasons why. The exact reasons don't matter - it might be the color scheme, the layout and presentation, anything. The more of an idea I can get for the styles that you like and the overall "flavor" you want the site to have, the faster I can make a website that you will be thrilled with.
e) Locating and making a note of login information the designer will need - such as the usernames and passwords of your domain provider and hosting account (if you have them).