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 Welcome to OrbWeaver's Business Resource Lab

 The Web Worksheet

This sheet is designed to be printed out so you can scribble upon it. When you're done scribbling you can contact us, or contact another webmaster... either way, you'll be prepared with the information needed to build your site efficiently. And that is going to save you money!

The following is basic information about your site:

What is your domain name?____________________________________________
Have your purchased your domain name? Yes/No _______
If YES, who manages the domain name? ___________________________________
Where is the domain hosted?____________________________________________

If you are not going to move the domain, and you are going to be maintaining it yourself, is this site equipped with MSFT FrontPage? Yes/No

Do you need a site equipped with MSFT Frontpage, or will you do the updates by hand, or with another software package? Yes/No

My ftp (or Frontpage) user id is _______________________ the password is ____________________

The following will flesh out the design of your site:

Email address currently used on your web site: __________________________________

  • I do NOT want to change this address
  • I DO want to change this address, the new address is ________________________________
    • If the address is specific to this site (myname@mydomain.com) I will be checking that email address.
    • I WILL NOT be checking that address. Please forward the mail to: ______________________

Second Email address for this site is: _________________________________________

  • I do NOT want to change this address
  • I DO want to change this address, the new address is ________________________________
    • If the address is specific to this site (myname@mydomain.com) I will be checking that email address.
    • I WILL NOT be checking that address. Please forward the mail to: ______________________

How You want your site to look, and what it should contain:

  • Color Scheme and Fonts
    • I like my color scheme, don't change it.
    • I'd like my color scheme to be in shades of ________________________________________
    • I'd like my site to have a
      • Modern, cutting edge, feel
      • Warm, friendly, feel
      • I like the site _____________________________________
      • My competitor has a site ___________________________________
        • I DO/DO NOT like my competitor's site
    • I like my font, modify it for cross platform compatibility but try and leave it as is
    • I don't understand the issue of fonts, please choose one for me.
    • I'd like to use the font _____________________________ or a variation close to it.
    • I need my site coded for accessibility (extra large text, extra bold colors, for the visually impaired).
    • I DO/DO NOT understand cascading style sheets

  • Pages to Include in the site:
    • The Index page (first page) plus...
    • We have _______ products or categories to promote which have _______ subcategories under them, I've sketched this out on a separate page.
    • Add: a link-farm page (a page of links for businesses that are exchanging links with you)
      • I want links included to: ________________________________ (add on back if needed)
    • Add: a directions page
    • Add: an "about us" page
    • Add: a testimonials or guarantee page
    • Add: a resources section
      • I will provide the articles
      • I want OrbWeaver to write the articles from an outline I supply
    • Add: A newsletter I can people myself
    • Add: a newsletter produced by OrbWeaver
    • Add: an email collector and database I manage myself
    • Add: an email collector and database managed by OrbWeaver.
    • Add: a contest for ___________________________________________________________
    • Add: other _________________________________________________________________

Selling Online (please read through this carefully as there are a number of options)

  • I DO want to be able to sell online
    • I am a full service retail business and need full ecommerce capabilities (see below for page requirements).
    • I only have a few products to sell, and want to do it with PayPal buttons.
      • I have, or will have, an account with PayPal and you can use my account to create the links and buttons. User ID: __________________ Password: ________________________
      • I have an account with PayPal and I will create the links and buttons and forward them on to you
      • Help! What are you talking about? PayPal?
    • I want to sell online by linking to another service (CafePress.com, or using Affiliates) not manage my own sales. (help)
    • I want to use ebay as my primary sales outlet, and not maintain a store of my own.
    • I DO/DO NOT want a printable order form.__________
  • The ecommerce section of my site will need _________ product pages with _________ subcategories.

Graphics and Logos

  • I DO/DO NOT have additional images for the site including my logo _________
  • I DO NOT wish to change any graphics on my site.
  • I have images, but am not sure you can use them (we can scan print or photos, but usually can’t open a MAC graphic… please have your print people save in .jpg or .gif format)
  • I need logos and images created for us.

Search Engine Announcements

All of our sites are optimized to take advantage of the latest information in search engine metrics, however, if they don't know you're out there... you don't get listed.

  • I do not have a budget for search engines.
  • I want better search engine placement, please contact me about my options.
  • I want to open an Overture or LookSmart account to pay for listings (approx $20/month for either service)

Online Advertising

  • I do not have a budget for online promotion.
  • I’d like to take advantage of the free 6 month listing on whichever OrbWeaver Gateway site is appropriate for my business.

Payment Plans

  • Nuts… this isn’t free? (no, but it is pretty reasonable!)
  • Once you’ve received all my information and had a look at what is on the server right now, give me an estimate.
  • Just DO it... send me a bill.

Misc.

  • I DO understand that OrbWeaver is not available 24/7
  • I DO want to be included in the mailing list so I know when the new Web Watch comes out.
  • I DO want to be informed of any opportunities OrbWeavers thinks might be appropriate for our business.
  • I DO understand that OrbWeaver will put a copyright notice for the code in my metatags and..
  • I DO understand that OrbWeaver will include a link back to their site on the bottom of the index page (in teeny tiny type!)
  • I do solemnly promise that if I’m pleased with OrbWeaver’s services I will tell other businesses about them saying “they’re a little company, but they do nice work.”
  • I DO think you’re pushing the limits of this form!

Now... that wasn't so bad... was it? Probably only 4 cups of coffee!

Looking for more tips? Sign up for our newsletter, which comes out on a more or less monthly basis, by sending us your e-mail address. Visit this month's edition now.

Additional Articles:
Investing in Your Website: Anticipating Expenses
From the Beginning: Building a Website that Works
The OrbWeaver Philosophy: the O-Way to Web Bliss!