What We Don't Do: To save you some time it might be more helpful to detail what WildIrisDigital.com does not do. Our webpage design concept is not for everyone; in fact, it may not be what you are looking for. No Bells and Whistles - Sorry, we do not provide e-commerce (shopping carts, credit card interface), audio/video, animations, splash pages, blinking, flashing, pop-ups, counters, java script, server side applications (MySql, etc), forms, bulletin boards, comments, etc; just a simple clean web presence.
Who we might be suitable for: small businesses, clubs, civic groups, public info, employer / employee info; training; technical or other reference sites - sites that do not require continual or time sensitive updates.
Our designs incorporate "liquid design" principles. This, too, is not for everyone; you will want to read the following section carefully to understand how liquid design will impact the appearance and behavior of your web pages: liquid design.
You or anyone you choose (with the appropriate xhtml knowledge) can make changes to your site content and FTP those changes to your host's server. Or you may place a request with WildIrisDigital.com for such services for a fee.
Yes, WildIrisDigital.com follows both the rule and the intent of the web standards established by W3C; the international body working to develop uniform World Wide Web standards. By "intent" we mean that we do not use cheats or hacks (including nesting or tables) to circumvent the numerous challenges to traditional visual design.
Your pages will display using liquid design - that is to say - the text in your pages will flow, automatically changing location, in accordance with the browser settings preferred by your site visitor. Images and text may appear in different parts of the web page depending on your visitor's browser window size, text size, screen setting resolution, brand and version of browser and operating system (in keeping with W3C recommendations for usability and accessibility).
We build our pages on a windows operating system with a screen resolution of 1024x768 and browsers: Internet Explorer and FireFox (we believe these are the most commonly used settings and systems). Again, our pages will work within pretty much any operating system, screen resolution and browser - but content placement and characteristics will vary from one user to the next.
Most of us are accustomed to seeing print media displaying content that has been laid out by a print shop with perfect placement and symmetry. If you receive a printed advertisement insert with your newspaper it will look exactly the same as your neighbor's printed circular. Most of us bring that same mind set to the internet - we assume that a given web page will be displayed identically when seen by every viewer around the world. Even when bending the rules of good webdesign this is seldom something that can be guaranteed.
We are laboring this point because we want you to understand that the pages we design will appear differently - from one viewer to the next. In some cases the content will not be displayed ideally. You can experiment with the page you are viewing now: resize this window, change your text size, try a different browser - even change your screen resolution setting if you feel adventurous. You will see the liquid design principal in practice. If you apply the same tests to a few other websites you may see less satisfactory results: unable to change text size, much more scrolling left-to-right, making less use of available screen size, etc.
We are hoping that you will "re-think" your concept of what constitutes good web design and choose a W3C standards compliant approach. We implement one of the highest current standards (xhtml 1.0 strict) ensuring that your web pages will be most compatible with future web applications.
If you are not comfortable with the modern, standards compliant, liquid design approach to web design and instead prefer a style that emulates the fixed positioning of content as with printed media then please do not request our services.
Old vs New - 20th Century vs 21st Century.
We are talking about the foundation of your website - the Hyper-text markup language; whether it be html or xhtml. How important is a foundation? Would you buy a home that sat on an old crumbling foundation? If you owned a home that sat on an old crumbling foundation - would you upgrade - repair or replace that foundation if you could?
Before we go any further I want to encourage you to do some research on your own - please don't take our opinion as the ultimate word on this subject. Although you may find conflicting views on this subject (especially from the older coders who feel they are being dragged, kicking and yelling, into this new standard; if you define your web search to more recent times - say the past 6 months - you may get a more civil and balanced discussion. Please, go ahead and search for: HTML vs XHTML
Did you do the search for
HTML vs XHTML ? If you did your homework you know
that many web designers downplay the importance of XHTML -
especially 1.0 Strict. But, what can we read - between the
lines?
(1) - "It is challenging to learn a
new process." (especially if you finally have a solid grip on
an old one).
(2) - And (this may be the greatest hurdle) -
"My clients don't like what they see!"
Regarding "(1)" above: Yes, it can be challenging to learn a new process after investing years of putting your heart and soul into developing your HTML skills. But, most of what has been learned will serve a web designer well, within the XHTML umbrella.
Regarding "(2)" above: XHTML holds promise of a "brave new world" for designers and their clients - those willing to "revision" how they think of web pages. Most clients seeking web design bring a print media mind-set to the web realm. Web design customers, as well as the rest of us, come from a "print media world"; newspapers, books, letters, documents, etc. When we get a printed circular inserted in our Sunday paper we know that print media will look identical to our neighbor's printed advertisement; fonts, size, color, layout; absolutely identical. Naturally, it would be nice to have someone design a website that will render its content identically across all systems on the web (all browsers, operating systems and computer monitors), but in reality - in our opinion - this is an unrealistic expectation. And, to attempt to force a webpage, via "cheats" and "hacks" to look the same across all systems can be ultimately defeating of good design practices.
Consider a new paradigm (a bit cliche, but ...); allow the web to work its own magic via the liquid design approach of XHTML.
Designed with valid, liquid XHTML - will your website look the same within all systems? Answer: No. Will your website always present itself with perfect alignment, layout and positioning? Answer: No.
Will your site visitor have greater flexibility in such areas as changing text size to meet their personal needs, resizing their browser window so they can work with more than one application without having to bounce back and forth between them and without having to scroll left and right so much within your site. Will all of the pages of your site be more search engine friendly? Will your website be more accessible and adaptable to new emerging technologies? Will it be easier to manage and change your site design? Answer: Yes to all.
Is relinquishing some control over the look of your website worth the other advantages of incorporating true XHTML 1.0 Strict? Answer: Sorry, only you can decide.
For many in the web industry, the jury is still out. But, here at WildirisDigital, we've decided to hitch our horse to XHTML. Should your webpages comply with modern XHTML standards? That is really something only you can decide. At this time (11/2007), it appears that the W3C is revisiting HTML and is starting a project to develop HTML5 while it simultaneously works on XHTML2 (you can read an in depth review here).
Web browsers, including Internet Explorer (and MS's future variations) and FireFox, after some coaxing and prodding, are building their latest browsers to more consistently display sites as universally intended by the W3C. It is reasonable to anticipate that, in just a few short years, websites will be viewed nearly identically across a variety of platforms when built with a modern standard such as XHTML 1.0 Strict. There are no guarantees as to what the future holds. In our modest opinion, web standards are continually evolving and collaborating with other technologies via the W3C and that the best way to keep up with this evolution is to design with modern, clean, "strict" code such as XHTML 1.0 Strict - a solid foundation for web design in the 21st Century.
If you are new to this process it can be quite confusing. If you have questions about these basic groundwork subjects, please send them to HelpDesk@WildIrisDigital.com
When your site content, in the form of an html document, has been successfully placed on your web host's server - you will see it on the World Wide Web (normally within a few minutes).
You may, if you choose and have the expertise, FTP your pages to your server yourself. We believe in the empowerment and independence of our website owners (We do not, however, offer training or support in this area; such info and assistance should be available from your hosting service).
Our obligation to you is complete - when we upload to your server a functioning website that we believe most closely meets your design request - based on your input and payment. If we encounter excessive difficulties or obstacles uploading to your server or if you prefer not to have us do so, our obligation will be considered complete once we upload your site to our archives area - from which you may download it.
$ 300(aprox) - If you plan with care you can have a website for under $300 (total cost for the first year and $75 annually after that - approximate, estimate; future site changes not included).
| Domain name registration | $ 25 |
| Hosting Service for one year | $ 50 |
| Five page website | $ 200 |
| First Year Total | $ 275 |
Your recurring annual cost: $75 (domain and hosting fees, approx - thru your choice of 3rd party providers - more info). Plus any fees for additional changes to site. (For our current list of fees please see our Fee Schedule.)
Payment must be made in advance of any work performed. Payment is only available online; either by credit card or a PayPal account. PayPal is the interface used regardless of the method you choose.
A PayPal account is not required if you pay by credit card.
As you initiate the transaction PayPal will prompt you for your PayPal account, but you should also see an option to pay by credit card - without a PayPal account.
If you pay via your credit card thru PayPal's interface you have the added security provided to you by your credit card company.
If you have any concerns, questions or other issues please contact us: helpdesk@WildIrisDigital.com
The World Wide Web has been moving toward standardized processes that will allow many contributors (not just a few powerful ones such as Micro Soft) to create and contribute on a level playing field - using the same systems languages.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the international body that has been bringing the designers, engineers, scientists and the "movers and shakers" to the same great table to develop uniform standards.
Current browser manufacturers ( Micro Soft, predominantly) are being slowly brought into conformity, but unfortunately it will be years before browsers get to the point to which they will display pages in a consistent manner - from one browser version and manufacturer to the next - from one operating system to the next (without hacks and cheats, including nesting and tables).
WildIrisDigital.com takes pride in the fact that we make every effort to follow a very high standard - XHTML 1.0 strict.
The main drawback to our approach to design is that our pages will not display the same from one browser version and manufacturer to the next. This means that content will not be displayed with perfect symmetry or placement; we place content - at times compromising - to achieve the best overall look across browsers and operating systems.
We also, in keeping with the spirit of modern web design, do not "fix" content to precise positions on our pages. Liquid design - instead of positioning content, we allow the content to flow naturally across the page depending on the size of the browser window (and the way the browser is configured) and the display settings of your monitor. Liquid design is in keeping with best practices as prescribed by the W3C.
If you do not want your website to incorporate "liquid design" then you should not contract with us to design your pages.
SEO, search engine optimization, is the process of making your website search engine friendly so that you will have a better chance of being found when people are searching for subjects relative to your site.
A few years back webmasters built false, erroneous data (such as misleading keywords) into their pages in order to trick search engines to their site - even if the site had nothing to do with what the person was searching for. This resulted in some very disappointing search results. Search engine companies were not meeting the needs of their customers (the searchers) and so revised the way in which search engines performed. Although "keywords" no longer play quite the role they were intended to, they still contribute to search results and should be included.
To make your site "search engine friendly" we can add three things: Title, Keywords and Description.
At the very top of your browser, above the browser buttons is your title bar. The entry you probably see there is "WebPage design by WildIrisDigital.com". Notice we place what we do first, followed by our name - in the hopes that a search engine may see "webpage design". If you specify what you want in the title bar we will place it there (must be very short) - otherwise we will enter the name of your site.
What are keywords? Imagine someone who might be looking for a site such as yours; what search terms (keywords) do you imagine they will think of - what fits your site? If you provide us with about 10 - 15 keywords we will place them (invisibly) into the metadata of your website.
A "description" can also be helpful as another form of data that can be placed invisibly within your site. The description is what appears when your site is displayed in search engine results or what is shown when you bookmark a webpage. If you provide us with a short, concise sentence describing your site - we will add your "description" along with your "keywords" into your metadata.
Your site content is up to you. You may already know how you want to communicate the message of your website. You might search the internet for content similar to yours for inspiration (but, remember that plagiarism constitutes theft of intellectual property and will open you to a law suit). All content, the rights to that content, and its accuracy are your responsibility.
Before submitting your content for publication to your site, please proof it carefully for accuracy and errors such as spelling - to avoid site update / correction charges.
WildIrisDigital.com is available for technical writing services - provide us the nuts and bolts of your message and we will transform that information into driven content.
We can do our best to incorporate your graphics into your new site. However, there are many factors that go into working successfully with images for the web including: file type, size, image dimension & size, image quality and clashes with color and design. Keep in mind that the further we venture from the template approach - the more likely that we will run into additional edit fees.
When you submit your website order, look for instructions to attach your graphics or provide a site online from which to download them.
But, first make sure you are licensed to use those graphics on your website. You will be responsible for any complaints or litigation arising from miss-appropriation of the intellectual property of others.
WildIrisDigital.com reserves the right to refuse service to any party, without explanation.
We think of ourselves as a PG-13 rated provider of products and services. We do not wish to participate in supporting web sites that we feel degrade human beings. Note the subjective term "feel"; it really comes down to whether or not we feel your site will contribute to such negative agendas as: profanity, hate, pornography, get-rich-quick or other questionable scams; spam spewing; ... any online activity that seems less than reputable, honest and legal.
We may refuse service for other reasons, such as: not sharing the same creative vision; "a failure to communicate" - the task of tuning into each other's concepts turns out to be more work than worth - for both parties; personality conflicts? - we just plain can't seem to get along and treat each other with respect and common courtesy ... . As the expression goes, "life is too short"; there's no point in torturing each other. If we are unable to work together in a positive productive fashion - either party is free to go elsewhere.
We have no desire to mislead or hide any costs. You can find a list of typical charges in our Fee Schedule. We are making reasonable efforts throughout our site to inform you that there are various charges associated with design and maintenance of a website - beyond the initial fee for the site's design - and what those fees are. Every responsible consumer should do some comparison shopping. We encourage you to shop around for web-design services. We also encourage you to check for the total cost (corrections, updates, upgrades, etc).
Absolutely not. We design in a very clean code that anyone knowledgeable of XHTML should be able to work with (now if you ask us to work on your site after someone else alters the code, contrary to the standards we follow - we may either refuse to work further with that web page or charge you to bring it back into conformance with the standards we follow).
You will have registered your domain name independently of WildIrisDigital.com (not thru us - we are not a registration service, nor a hosting service).
You are in charge of (as well as responsible for) the ongoing registration of your domain name (the importance of this can not be over-stressed).
You are in charge of (as well as responsible for) the ongoing relationship with your web host (paying hosting fees on time, addressing site down time and e-mail issues).
You are not a captive customer of WildIrisDigital.com - your web site is not held hostage by us. You have the flexibility to have a third party change the site any time you want without contacting us. There is absolutely no reason why you should feel compelled to continue doing business with us. We only want customers that remain with us by choice not by coercion.
The stock answer is, "It depends." The length of time depends on any number of factors including: the length and complexity of your site, any special photo/graphics work, site corrections and reworks from 1st draft. At the outside, with your approval of the final draft, your site should be ready for posting to your web host's server within three to four weeks - but there is no way we can guarantee completion within a given time period. Ideally, we hope to deliver your completed website within two weeks.
It is important for you to examine our design styles carefully, read the description of our design philosophy (liquid design that follows strict W3C standards) and how that will impact your pages. In comparison: if you bought a jar of pickles when you really wanted a jar of olives; once you open that jar of pickles; there is no way to "return" or exchange that product. Once we provide you with a website - it is your opened jar of pickles.
We will make a reasonable effort to work with you to design the site to your satisfaction, within the design principles we have stated.
And you will be charged our standard fees for any site changes.
There are no refunds; all the more reason to ask questions after reviewing our products, services and policies.
WildIrisDigital.com is offering non-tangible irrevocable goods. We do not issue refunds after the product has been posted - even if still a "work in progress". You are responsible for understanding this policy upon purchasing any product or service at our site.
webpage design © WildIrisDigital.com