What is the difference between Web Site DESIGN & HOSTING? How much will my Web Site Cost? What if I want to design my own Web Site? How will people find my Web Site? How do I sign up?

What is the difference between DESIGN & HOSTING?

Web Hosting is a service which allows you to keep your own web site on someone else's servers.  You can have your own domain name (such as www.yourcompany.com) registered without the expense of dedicated web servers or a full-time Internet connection.  The Internet registration service charges *$70 for the first two years for owning the name you choose.  Then you need a service to host your web site on their server.  This could be one of our servers starting at $19/mo (http://www.blumenthals.com/hosting_signup.htm), or Penn Com or some other service provider. Web Hosting is not always necessary.  Especially for small companies who cannot afford the monthly fees.  In that case, you could use the free homepage on your current provider's server.  Penn Com home page info is at  http://www.penn.com/support/html/webpages.html.  Your home page address would be something like http://users.penn.com/~username. If you are using a different Internet service provider and do not have a free homepage, or want it elsewhere, we can host it on our servers without a domain name (such as www.blumenthals.com/bookhaven).   The fee for this hosting is $50/year. *Internic registration charges fluctuate between $35-50 per year.  Please check with www.internic.net for their current registration fee. top of page

How much will my Web Site Cost?

Design is the planning, creation and publishing of a web site, whether or not you have your own domain name.  Some companies like to plan their website themselves and have us create it (such as www.healthstat.com).   But others like to have us design their site along with their input and guidance (such as www.holimont.com)  Some customers like to host their web site on our servers and have us help them just on the harder stuff like CGI & Java scripting, shopping carts, password security, guestbook, animations, graphics, etc... (such as www.mckeanmachinery.com). The fees for designing, creating and publishing a web site depend on the size and complexity of the site.  My hourly rate is $80.  I bill in 15 minute increments.   I'll give you three examples of the time involved in setting up a site to give you an idea. www.blumenthals.com/bookhaven - 1 hour One page, a few pictures (one scanned) and layout. http://www.blumenthals.com/boyo-intl/ - 5.75 hours 10 Pages.  Password encripted member section.  On-line calendar and discussion forum.  Adobe PDF on-line documentation created from postscript. Up to 12 images, 2 scanned. www.mark-josephs.com - 7.75 hours ($750 10-hour package) 4 pages.  Personal domain name hosted on www.blumenthals.com.   Real Audio and WAV encoding from Audio CD.  Up to 12 images, 4 scanned.  E-mail forwarding of mark@mark-josephs.com to client's current e-mail address. Remaining hours on pre-paid block of time used for periodic updates. I'm happy to answer questions or give quotes for projects.  Just send me e-mail. top of page

What if I want to design my own Web Site?

We welcome companies and individuals to create their own sites on our servers!  There is even a special Web Customer Support section on our web site with instructions specific to our web server accounts. Another service I provide is training on Web design.  Some companies have me create the initial site and then train staff members to maintain the site thereafter.  We have experience in most of the Web Site creation software packages on the market, but highly recommend Microsoft FrontPage 2000 which will be released early 1999.  Some of the HTML packages I've personally worked with are: Claris HomePage, HotDog, MicroSoft FrontPage 98 and FrontPage 2000 beta, MacroMedia DreamWeaver and Flash3 and Adobe PageMill.  For training on digital photography, scanning, web cams or any other digital imaging product, we can provide the specialized training you need. top of page

How will people find my Web Site?

After your site is published, you will need to put it into the major search engines so people can find it.  We do not provide this service directly, but have a partnership with WGI International.  Our customers have been thrilled with the terrific results.  For more information, go to http://www.blumenthals.com/wgi.html. It is possible to submit your site to each of the search engines if you are willing to put in the many hours necessary.  Each search engine has its own way of accepting submissions.  You would need to research each site individually. top of page

To sign up fill out the on-line form on our web site HERE. The on-line form will walk you through the steps to get your own web site!   You will be contacted either by myself, or a representative of Blumenthal's when we receive the form.