Web design is something between an art and a science. A web designer needs to be both objective and subjective in his objectives, strategies, methodology and evaluation. While the term webmaster is often used (most time inappropriately) web designer is more accurate although the world wide web cannot exactly be crafted by a designer, it really refers to an abbreviation of web site designer but for convenience has been shortened to simply web designer. Other terms used commonly are webmaster, website developer and web site designer.
It really is quite difficult to quantify the talent of web designer because it truly depends on what area of expertise is involved in their related fields. Some web designers specialize in HTML static design, some do multimedia and flash sites while others concentrate their talents on designing and developing CMS dynamic websites. Another problem clients will also have when trying to decide and who to choose to develop their website is the their level of experience. Unfortunately, more often than not clients will be confused and have very little knowledge of the design process. How can you tel if the web designer actually knows what he is talking about? How do you know if he will provide your project with the appropriate technology?
CMS web designers
CMS stands for content management systems. The most popular ones in existence are Joomla, WordPress and Drupal. All these software applications are free and what are referred to as web based. This means that the website can be managed online either by the web designer or the client. The site can be designed and developed both online and offline and as is the case with Joomla CMS most of the work offline. All these CMS have their advantages, Drupal and Wordpress are very user friendly but Joomla is a lot more powerfull and expandable and is the platform we will be concentrating on now. As with any other web designer skill that you need to investigate before choosing the webmaster service for your project, check references and portfolio. You Joomla web designer should have expertise and experience in HTML, CSS and PHP. He should be familiar with Dreamweaver, Photoshop (Joomla of course) and a multitude of other website designing applications and platforms. A Joomla site is particularly difficult to develop because the development process in non intuitive unlike a plain HTML site than can be built using WYISYG (what you see is what you get) editors. A Joomla site needs to be created with 3 basic tool sets. Dreamweaver with Joomla extensions, and Apache Joomla stand alone server, Photoshop (Gimp, Paint.net) and Firefox with the Firebug and Chris Pen web developer extensions. Could be an idea to ask you Joomla web designer if he is familiar with any of the applications mentioned above, if not, he might not be who are are looking for.
Basic HTML web designer knowledge and experience
Evaluating your web designer's basic HTML skills. HTML(hypertext markup language) is the basic language used to create websites. It never hurts to do some research on Wikipedia to get familiar with maybe about a dozen HTML basic terms to that you can actually understand the design process and "feel" through some properly asked questions if your web designer actually has some basic knowledge it his field, all web developers should have a minimum of basic HTML skills.
Flash Web designers
Flash animation is a multimedia technology conceptualized by Adobe systems to display animation and movies and sound on website. It is not recommended for most websites as alternative and original technology such as animated gif files or embedded MPEG files are usually more accessible for your audience. Flash animation requires the Adobe plugin and will often cause the website to loose visitors...however, in some cases like movie sites and entertainment websites, Flash can be used (but cautiously). So how do you know if your web designer can develop some nice flash movies for your site? This is even harder to quantify than HTML or CMS web designer skills, after all? Everyone has different taste in movies, book, food and music...the same goes with Flash website module development. So the best way to find out is to check out the portfolio and references, if you like what you see, your web designer probably shares your artistic values and everything should be fine. However, be careful about template work, some webmasters might use some flash templates to do your web site. While this might not be a problem in most cases, it could make you look like a copycat if your visitors recognize the flash template you web developer created for you from another website...
Basic Web Design Guidelines
Try to avoid excessive Flash animation if any Macromedia plugins
Use external style sheets for the .css
Try to have 3 color scheme for the website
A great large banner to give the site style without blotting the code and compromising between SEO and design
Use .CSS instead of regular HTML whenever possible to streamline the code
Use color picker to have a smooth color theme for all website elements
Joomla Modules Explanation
Joomla Modules Explanation Chat Session
jillmagdaraog: hey
jillmagdaraog: sup?
crslst: Just had an equiry for a website redesign and translation ;)
crslst: But besides that, I need some info from you
jillmagdaraog: wht is that?
jillmagdaraog: ok
crslst: From my website
crslst: What link would you like on the website?
crslst: links
jillmagdaraog: what do u recommend?any?
crslst: Home
crslst: Contact Us
crslst: About Us
crslst: Link to Us
crslst: The usual, just wondering if you have a special one in mind
jillmagdaraog: right now i dont have,but i like the one u suggest to put some games
crslst: Oh yes, games
crslst: Privacy Policy
crslst: Terms and conditions
crslst: Do you have terms and conditions on your invoices?
crslst: Otherwise I can make one up
jillmagdaraog: yes
crslst: Ok, something else
crslst: I need some text for banners
crslst: Some stuff like 10% promotion on all X
crslst: Spring Special
crslst: Free Shipping
crslst: These are just examples of course
crslst: Buy 1 get 1 free
crslst: You, special offers and so on, it spices up an ecommerce site nicely
crslst: A slogan would also be nice
crslst: Sorry to make you think too much ;)
jillmagdaraog: what about word of the day
crslst: Yes can do
jillmagdaraog: or..joke for the day
jillmagdaraog: lol
crslst: Can do random text module also
crslst: Joke of the day can do, seriously!
crslst: Quote of the day
crslst: I can even do NASA news if you want!
crslst: But I need some kind of text like on ebay
crslst: If you give me 3 it should suffice
crslst: No more than 5 words each
crslst: Will you offer some kind of promo or discount?
jillmagdaraog: yes
jillmagdaraog: and weather maybe
crslst: Weather yes for sure
crslst: Do you want time module for the Philipines?
crslst: Manilla
crslst: Or USA?
jillmagdaraog: is that good?
crslst: Not sure...
crslst: It depends if you want your customers to know you are Phil based or not
crslst: That's a marketing decision, maybe Google it, do some research on it, ask other non competing ecommerce site in the Phils what they think?
crslst: I'll put Phils for now, can change later
crslst: But what I really do need is the promotions info
crslst: Will you do free shipping on items over X$ ?
jillmagdaraog: no
crslst: What promo do you plan on doing?
crslst: Or what would be something nice to put on the banners?
crslst: Like "Our toys are handmade"
jillmagdaraog: oh
crslst: "We use the highest quality materials"
crslst: "Call us now for a 10% discout"
jillmagdaraog: that's great
crslst: Stuff like that
crslst: Think of 3 five word sentences
jillmagdaraog: i'll think of more
jillmagdaraog: ok
crslst: No problem, before tomorow morning would be nice please ;) Sorry to rush you!
jillmagdaraog: its ok
crslst: But not necessarily 5 words only, how about 2-7?
jillmagdaraog: i think i have to rush ..you're in a good mood
crslst: But preferably 5 or less
crslst: Actually I usually am in a good mood, I'm an optimist and a jovialist, I'm just overwhelmed with problems now in life !
crslst: I would like to have this site done before the end of the month
crslst: Haven't heard from George yet
jillmagdaraog: oh]
jillmagdaraog: btw
crslst: Yes
crslst: You back with him?
jillmagdaraog: he told me yesterday if u can email him
crslst: He wants me to email him?
jillmagdaraog: yes
jillmagdaraog: about your proposal
crslst: Ok, I will
crslst: Wow, maybe he's ready to book the site? that would be nice ;)
jillmagdaraog: yes
crslst: Cool!
crslst: I have more questions for you...sorry, I hope this won't give you a headache!
crslst: THese are modules that are available
crslst: Random products
crslst: Do you want that one?
crslst: Random products will be rotating on the site
crslst: top ten products
crslst: featured products
crslst: or what about all of them?
jillmagdaraog: sorry i was talking to my customer
crslst: No problem!
crslst: Was it a camgirl? ;)
jillmagdaraog: my assistant here was my former camgirl
crslst: Wow!
crslst: Can you put your webcam on and show her to me?
jillmagdaraog: oh sorry
jillmagdaraog: she just left
jillmagdaraog: i asked her to work here weekends
jillmagdaraog: so i can have my day off
crslst: No prob, have a look at what I posted above, take your time
jillmagdaraog: where?
crslst: In chat a few lines up
jillmagdaraog: about the random products
crslst: Yes
crslst: And the 3 other modules
crslst: Top Ten
crslst: Featured
jillmagdaraog: yeah
crslst: Ok, sounds good
crslst: Also I need the database hierarchy
jillmagdaraog: hey what is that?lol
crslst: Needs to be sections >> categories >> products
crslst: Moment Please
jillmagdaraog: ok
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