3 posts tagged “clients”

I have slept for 2-3 hours per night, each night, all week. Because of some persistent server problems, which I couldn’t be reassured that they would not keep happening as they had for the past few weeks, I moved all of my sites and clients to new servers.

All 34 of them.

All of them this week.

I’m tired, brain-mushy, and not just a little irritated that I couldn’t just leave them where they were. I had been with that hosting company for many years, and all they had to do was reassure me that the problem WAS fixed. But since they couldn’t, now I have to keep my fingers crossed that I made a good choice in the replacement company. Only time will tell that.

But, it is now early Friday afternoon, and the last of the sites is now live on the new server. Email seems to be working, I didn’t screw up any of my databases in the process (that was my biggest worry!), and my phone has not rung since 8 am this morning.

For those of you haven’t read any of my previous posts regarding telephones - I HATE PHONES.

So the silence is such a blessing after this week from hell, that I think I’ll go take a nap, then fire up the bike this evening. The Thumpin’ Puppies are playing the Shining Star Motorcycle Rally, and that’s where I plan to be for most of the night.

Thanks for bearing with me while the site was up-and-down  for the past 2 weeks. I hope it’ll be steady here on out….

The newest addition to the westXdesign portfolio is Darwin Harrison Photography . To showcase his stunning photographs, Mr. Harrison knew exactly what he wanted. With the design already planned and a very clear idea of how the site should interact with visitors, he was well prepared to get his business on the web. Having a clear idea of what you want, or at least what you do not want, is very helpful when you work with a web designer. Working to make Mr. Harrison’s idea a working web site was an easy process, because he provided continual feedback during the entire process, and had the site tested and reviewed by his acquaintances, as well as the testing we were doing on the design end. The end result was closer to his conceptual design than I could imagined. And in no way is that credit to me as a designer. The credit goes to Mr. Harrison for his communication with me during the process, already knowing what he wanted, and working closely with me to reach the desired final product. I’m proud to have this gorgeous site part of my portfolio.
The lesson here for you? Before you decide to hire a designer, think about what it is you want your web site to accomplish, what goals do you have in mind? If you envision your business web site before you begin, not only will the site have a more tailored appearance, but you’ll save money on the design. When a designer starts with a concept of their own, then presents it to the client, that’s often when the client finally begins to visualize their site for themselves. And then they’ll like this part of the design, but not that, and keep this element, but get rid of that, and hate the whole color scheme and want something…brighter. You can imagine that this process can go for quite a while before the client is happy with the site. And the whole time, they are paying for designs and programming that the end up throwing out the window. Don’t let that happen to you!

I thought it was about time I introduced to you some of the wonderful people and businesses we have had the opportunity to work for over the years. I can’t think of a better place to start than the Marathon Motel in Marathon, Texas, owned by Daniel Self.

He purchased the motel in August of 2000. During a Spring Break trip in 1999 to the Big Bend with his daughter, they spent a night at the Motel. Danny got up for a run the next morning and saw the “For Sale” sign in front of the office. Lured by the beauty of the Marathon Basin, the friendly people, and the history and natural charm of Marathon, he decided to purchase the motel. His vision was not only to maintain the comfortable, casual atmosphere, but to continue the efforts already begun to enhance the natural charm, beauty and guest comfort.

We have been working together on his web site, marathonmotel.com , for so long that I really can’t remember if it was in 2001 or 2002 that we set up the first design. And like the beautiful landscaping in the motel’s courtyard, the web site has developed and grown and changed it’s appearance many times. My skills and ideas about web design have changed a lot, as well. One of the most important factors any business needs to take into consideration when selecting a web designer isn’t the price of the end product, but the ability of the designer and client to work together to reach a common goal. And Mr. Self has been a great person to work for.

If you find yourself heading for the Big Bend, stop in and spend the night at the Marathon Motel…. enjoy 10 acres with ten newly decorated duplex cabins and relax in the adobe-walled courtyard with flowering native plants, fireplace, fountain, and spectacular views of the mountains and starry skies.