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JemperLynn
Posts: 173
Joined: 1/11/2002
From: Texas
Status: offline
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New at this Web Management thing - 10/28/2002 13:09:18
Okay, I just want to clarify first.. that I am NOT a new user of FP. In fact I " manage" a site with over 150 pages, have direct usage of my server and am the only one who works on this site.
However, it was fully God that this job turned into what it is.
Now my question, recently a company contacted me and wants me to become their webmaster as well. They have a site but they want it TOTALLY revamped. How should I approach this?
Should I present them more than one design?
Should I be responsible for actually getting the information or should I just input the information given to me by a PR or something?
Should I make them sign a contract of some kind, if yes what should it say?
Any advice you have for me would help you guys.
Thanks in advance,
JemperLynn
P.S. Here is the sit I manage now
[link=Http://www.silsbee.k12.tx.us]Click Here[/link]
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Seventh
Posts: 1235
Joined: 8/4/2002
From: The Motor City
Status: offline
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RE: New at this Web Management thing - 10/28/2002 15:24:54
quote:
Now my question, recently a company contacted me and wants me to become their webmaster as well. They have a site but they want it TOTALLY revamped. How should I approach this?
As a business opportunity. It is a chance for you to show how capable you really are being that you ' manage' a 150 page site.
quote:
Should I present them more than one design?
Depends on your skill as a Web Designer. Though you maintain (in my opinion) a somewhat small site, what others have you done? If several, then you should already know that sitting down with the client and getting their POV can greatly reduce the need for several designs. But your claim to fame is the site you have been maintaining, you may have to do several mockups.
quote:
Should I be responsible for actually getting the information or should I just input the information given to me by a PR or something?
Again, it depends. Sitting down with the client will also provide you with their perspective of what a webmaster is. You can always limit your involvement (to a certain extent) by making certain portions of the site easy for the staff to maintain themselves. Like daily updates, company news, mailing lists, etc.
quote:
Should I make them sign a contract of some kind, if yes what should it say?
It would be beneficial on your part as well as for the client. The contract should layout all the specifics of the job. It usually states the following:
1. Who does what and when
2. How much it' s going to cost
Just my 2 cents.
< Message edited by seventh -- 10/28/2002 3:26:07 PM >
_____________________________
"go forth and create."
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Helene
Posts: 213
Joined: 9/17/2002
From: a small island in Canada eh?
Status: offline
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RE: New at this Web Management thing - 10/28/2002 15:29:08
Hi JemperLynn:
You are sure to get plenty of advice on this question but I want to raise a few comments you may or may not have considered already. When I read your post, here are the thoughts that came to my mind.
- how much to you want this new job? Are you sure you want the job? What is the employer like? Can you afford the time requirements of this potential new client? How will you and your current employer feel if/when your time get monopolized by the new client?
- what kind of site will you be doing? From experience I can say that the demands and skills of managing a service/education/non-profit site such as your current site can vary greatly from those required of one who is managing a commercial site. If the potential client is, for example, an e-commerce site, or is engaged in competition for on-line business at all, this will probably require some adjustment/learning time on your part. If, on the other hand, the new client is in a related field to your current site, then you' ve really got it made!
I guess what I' m trying to say is that no matter how skilled someone is with the software, an understanding of how different sites are best managed and marketed is imperative. If you need to learn more in order to serve this potential client as best you can, you should plan accordingly when preparing your approach and negotiations with him/her.
I realize I haven' t exactly answered the question at hand, but I hope that' s okay. I think the questions you raised regarding contracts, designs etc are good ones, and demonstrate a careful, calculated approach to this new adventure. I hope my comments might help you clarify your position even more.
Enjoy the process! 
_____________________________
Helene M.
websitemanagement.ca
Personal Site:
Best of Salt Spring Online
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JemperLynn
Posts: 173
Joined: 1/11/2002
From: Texas
Status: offline
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RE: New at this Web Management thing - 10/28/2002 15:43:03
quote:
Depends on your skill as a Web Designer. Though you maintain (in my opinion) a somewhat small site, what others have you done? If several, then you should already know that sitting down with the client and getting their POV can greatly reduce the need for several designs. But your claim to fame is the site you have been maintaining, you may have to do several mockups.
I have created several sites, however it was just people that knew me asked me to do something small and I did. I need some advice on how to approach this on a professional level.
It is another school district so I won' t have to do anything different as far as skill. Like I said I just need some advice on how a web design company would approach this.
I don' t want to go at this like I am an individual like I have the others, I want to approach the school district like a web design company from New York would.
Anyway, Thanks for the advice. More adivce would still be apreciated.
Jemper
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Seventh
Posts: 1235
Joined: 8/4/2002
From: The Motor City
Status: offline
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RE: New at this Web Management thing - 10/28/2002 15:48:03
Here' s a good start. I' ll also compile a list of the way I do it. I' ve never done more than two (2) mockups for a client, and that one was due to a change of ownership.
Webmonkey - Information Architecture
_____________________________
"go forth and create."
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bnavis
Posts: 227
Joined: 12/14/2001
From: Wisconsin USA
Status: offline
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RE: New at this Web Management thing - 11/1/2002 12:18:13
I also operate a website for the school district I teach in. The whole idea started as we looked for a less expensive way to send out the school newsletter to every mailing address in the district. I proposed to the school board, doing it online would reach more people and be more cost effective. Now I have a class of 6 students and myself who work on this site approximately 45 minutes per day (never enough time).
After two years this is what we have. This is continually a work in progress as the students have some FrontPage experience but design and graphics skills are learned on the fly.
www.cedargrovebelgium.k12.wi.us The newsletter portion is at http://www.cedargrovebelgium.k12.wi.us/bits_n_pieces/
Again, this is a learning process as well as a communication tool for our school district. Is is perfect? Can it be improved? Is the design the best it could be? NO is the answer to all of those questions. Has it been a good communication tool? Has it saved the district a lot of money on postage? Are the students learning and proud of their accomplishments? YES!
I' m not trying to talk anyone out of a web design job, but if you are employed by a school district, it is possible to propose and new course.
www.cedargrovebelgium.k12.wi.us
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