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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Any recommendations for a good html web designer?
Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 2:29 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> There's a thread going about flash websites and I think the better question is "Where can I find a good html designer" that can offer easy and intuitive navigation, large image displays, easy backend, etc. etc. We all know Photoshelter (which is excellent), so save that recommendation, but where are the "off the radar" designers?
I'm ready to change; not because I don't like my site's functionality, but only because of Google incompatibility. |
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Allen Murabayashi, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 2:41 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> in non-answer to your question...
a designer can help with:
- creating a visually unique, stunning layout
- usability
- stuff you don't know about (SEO, sitemaps, browser compatibility, etc)
the best designers also, in my opinion, use existing tools rather than building from scratch for the simple reason that they can never match the features and functionality of a service offering like squarespace, wordpress, photoshelter (disclosure: i'm the ceo), etc. if you don't build your own camera, why would you build your own website?
the selection of technology should really be a secondary concern to functionality, maintainability, and value.
and in answer to your question:
deb pang davis (cococello.com) is awesome (and married to photo editor mike davis). she builds with open standards-compliant services and selects technology based on your needs. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington/Normal | IL | United States | Posted: 4:35 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> "the selection of technology should really be a secondary concern to functionality, maintainability, and value."
Allen, normally I'd agree with you but there are still corporations out there that have mega firewalls and incoming and outbound rules that limit what technology gets through. When you run into that, the technology makes or breaks the website.
Streaming video for instance is very easy to disable at a firewall and therefore may not be a real good choice depending on the audience you may be targetting. Social networks are also a target of corporations and are often disabled. Flash in the past was also a target of denial.
If your audience is to be a corporate bunch, it may make sense to edge back towards the lowest common denominator for the coding even if it has less sparkle. |
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Mike Doran, Photographer
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Petaluma | CA | U.S.A. | Posted: 5:27 PM on 11.10.10 |
| ->> You might go look at this site as they have something for everybody. Hre is the link www.squarespace.com |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 5:36 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> Phil-
Are you looking for a simple portfolio site, or something that you can show portfolio, sell prints, blog, etc? What would be your ideal setup? |
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Mike Janes, Photographer
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Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 6:00 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> Can always write your own html, I wrote mine at...
www.mikejanesimages.com
Though before even completing it realized I'll probably go to a wordpress page that can work with both my Exposure Manager (print sales) and PhotoShelter (editorial) accounts. I used to have it set up that way but separated it. Now keeping up with it all is a PITA so going back to one site do believe. All the template sites I found out there just did not like, not for a photography site at least. WordPress is good, though shall see. |
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James Brosher, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Peoria | IL | United States | Posted: 9:42 PM on 11.11.10 |
->> I do freelance web work on the side to pay bills. If you're looking for something functional that is coded in HTML, I can probably help you out.
I code my sites to use Wordpress, which is extremely easy to use and flexible to the point that it can do almost anything you need it to do. If you can send an email, you can update a Wordpress site.
Here's a few examples of sites I've coded that use Wordpress:
– http://www.brosher.com (my personal photo portfolio)
– http://www.crowncitycruisers.com/
– http://www.bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org/ |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:15 AM on 11.12.10 |
->> Phil,
Have you looked at local talent? There has to be some web design businesses around you I would think. Keep your money local :) |
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John Germ, Photographer
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Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 9:08 AM on 11.12.10 |
| ->> I agree with Matthew. If photographers here are going to rail against customers hiring Guys With Cameras at undercut rates or rail against said Guys With Cameras for doing it - how is using the cheap Guy With Computer any different? You want people to support the local professional photographer? Don't be hypocritical - support the local professional web designer. |
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Brandon McKenney, Photographer
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Portland | ME | United States | Posted: 3:42 PM on 11.12.10 |
->> John, I don't see how Phil is being hypocritical. It sounds like he's just asking for known html design services out there. It's no different than someone coming on and asking about flash design companies other than LiveBooks. I just don't see how this situation equates to the reality that photojournalists face in fighting "Guys With Cameras". It's not like he came on and asked "I want a new website, but I am unwilling to pay for it because I think anyone can code html if they have a computer."
Just my 2 cents. |
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John Germ, Photographer
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Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 5:40 PM on 11.12.10 |
->> Brandon - I'm not accusing Phil of anything. But, let's say the "going rate" for a professional web design with the specs Phil wants is $2500 (just making that number up completely). If he or someone else instead uses someone doing web design on the side (who is just trying to gain experience doing web design and only charges him $150) - then yes, it's pretty much the same thing.
So I don't blame Phil for asking at all. All I am saying is if people on this site want to talk about GWCs undercutting the industry they should support other industries in the same way.
Just because technology makes it easier for a guy with computer to design a site, is it OK that he charges 10% of the "going rate" a professional web designer would pay?
So all I'm saying is if Phil or anyone finds out what the "going rate" is that selecting someone who severely undercuts that "going rate" is no different than the guy with camera scenario.
If it's OK to go the cheap route in one instance because the GWC produces work that's "good enough" at the much lower price point then it's OK in the other instance as well. If it's not ok in one instance it shouldn't be OK in the other.
This is all hypothetical. My point is I suspect a number of people that might be concerned about the photographer being harmed by undercuts "ruining the industry" might not have a problem taking advantage of a similar scenario that just happens to benefit them. I have no member in mind and I have nothing but respect for Phil. My comment was directed at members in general and no one in specific. |
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Guy Rhodes, Photographer
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East Chicago | IN | USA | Posted: 3:04 AM on 11.13.10 |
->> Flash web site designer Laia Prats also does HTML sites as well.
http://www.laiaprats.com |
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Konstandinos Goumenidis, Photographer
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Bay Area | CA | USA | Posted: 12:49 PM on 11.13.10 |
->> I am actually going to school full time to do web work. I would be interested in finding out what everyone would want from a website. There is so much technology and so much a user does not know! At the moment I am learning all about web optimization and search engine optimization. Why do I bring that up? I found out a lot of people in general have been lied to by companies. Though some one can optimize your website they can not put you as #1 or on the first page of a search engine, its a lie. So if you are looking for some one to do work, be careful.
To Mike Janes
As nice as your site is there is a lot of errors in the back end of your site. For example, your description should not have key words in it. That may have search engines black list you. There are a few more but not as important as that.
As far as web designer costs go. They range all over the place but remember...you get what you pay for. The more you pay the better your site SHOULD be...at least as code and optimization goes. There are some talented "designers" but not so talented in the back end. Hope this helps. I can make basic HTML sites with some extras put in there but your site would be well structured and easy for search engines to find and read as well as any other screen reader and program goes. |
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PJ Heller, Photographer
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Christchurch | NZ | | Posted: 10:39 PM on 11.13.10 |
| ->> I think another issue for Phil to consider is how easily, if at all, will he be able to update his site. When I looked into having someone do a site for me, the biggest issue was the inability for me to add/delete images or make any text changes. I eventually went with aphotofolio.com (was a previous sitewelder user). |
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Shaun Sartin, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Glenview | IL | | Posted: 11:39 PM on 11.13.10 |
->> +1 on Allen's comments, Deb is working my site. Can't wait!
www.cococello.com |
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Ray Anderson, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 12:40 PM on 11.15.10 |
->> My son has a lot of design experience and easy to work with.
http//dribble.com/conwayanderson
http//conwayanderson.com |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:38 PM on 11.15.10 |
->> Shaun,
Great website, clean and easy to navigate. |
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