Ready to get started on your new site? In order to ensure that everything from here on out runs smoothly and efficiently as well as FUN for you and me, please read carefully and completely the instructions below. It lists several items YOU will need to do before you contact me for your project. However, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information.


1) Important Information


Please read the following pages:




2) For a Blog


Personal or Small Business Blogs: At this time I am only working with Google's Blogger. Blogger is a completely free blog platform that can be used for individuals, hobbiests, small businesses - the possibillities are endless! You will have NO monthly hosting fees and no yearly domain fees. Going completely through Blogger your blog address would be www.yourblogname.blogspot.com.


While having Blogger host your blog is free, you do have the option to purchase and register your own doman name through Blogger for only $10 per year. You would have your own domain name, www.yourblogname.com, and Blogger will continue to host all your content as before (free), but at your new address. If you choose to have your own domain name, please signup for a Blogger account THEN purchase and register your domain name before contacting me for your project.


What is a Domain Name? A domain name is a registered address or name for your site. It is your permanent "home" address on the web that no one else can use. There are many options for domain names such as those ending in .com .net .biz .org. .info .name .pro., but you should try to get a .com address first.


You will need to have these three items in place before you contact me for your project:



Additionally and most importantly, you must have a working knowledge of HOW a blog works, how Blogger works. Please learn to use your blog before contacting me. While I will do my best to help you understand the items on the Design Questionnaire, I can not teach you how to USE and WORK your Blog. Blogger has a Quick Tour and a Video Tutorial, and I strongly suggest you do both of them and do lots of testing on your blog. Posts can always be deleted. Blogger's Quick Tour and Video Tutorial.



3) For a Website


Websites for Personal Use:
Depending on what you are doing with your site, I personally do not think you need to pay domain fees or hosting fees for a personal site.


Free sounds good, but of course, there are lots of negatives when choosing to use a free web host: annoying advertisments or banners, annoying popups, limited features which may include limited space, bandwidth and no ftp access, minimal site support and much more.


Free web hosts will not allow you to have your own domain name, they offer "shared" hosting; meaning your only naming option includes your Host's name along with your site name. For example, one of my first websites was on Fateback.com and my site address was pammie.fateback.com.


There are a lot of Free Web Hosts to choose from. Do a google search for free web hosting and compare the features to choose the right one for you. The About.com website has a wonderful article on Webhosting. You may read the article here. I can recommend a few free hosts that I have used or friends have used in the past:


Please select and signup for your prefered web host before contacting me for your project.


Websites for Business (or Personal) Use:

For business sites I recommend paying for both your domain name and web hosting. Doing so will enable potential customers to find you and your business will look more professional.


Purchase a Domain Name:

The first thing you need to do is think about your business site name. Once you have something catchy in mind, you will need to check to see if it is available. You can check this at WhoIs.com Clicking on the Seek/Buy button does NOT obligate you to purchase the name. Once you have found a name that is not taken, you will need to purchase and register your new name. I recommend GoDaddy.com, it is less than $10 per year.


What is a Domain Name? A domain name is a registered address or name for your site. It is your permanent "home" address on the web that no one else can use. There are many options for domain names such as those ending in .com .net .biz .org. .info .name .pro., but you should try to get a .com address first.


Obtain Web Hosting:

There are hundreds and hundreds of web hosting providers on the net, it truly is a jungle out there! Be careful to choose the right one. Each will have different web hosting plans and at different prices and sometimes they will even provide the domain name for free or at a discounted price if you go with one of their plans. Look carefully at what they provide and choose according to your needs. If you find you need more service later, you can always switch your hosting plan to the next level up. The About.com website has a wonderful article on Webhosting, if you wish, you can read it here.


What is Web Hosting? A web host is a company that supplies the space for your website. Think of your web host as the property or land for your domain name.


Below is a small list of recommended web host providers:



4) Your Site Idea


Have an idea for your site? Even if you do not, the best thing you can do for yourself and ME is to have an idea of how you want your site to look, the design feel, images needed, colors, how many columns, right, left or top navigation, pages needed, etc. So, before you contact me for a quote, you need to have some ideas about your site. What I suggest is to browse the internet and make a note of at least three websites you like and three you dislike. I will never "copy" a site, but I will at least get a feel of your likes and dislikes. (These two questions are on the "Design Questionnaire", so you might as well get surfin!)


Need graphic inspiration? I would be happy to create your custom design featuring the artwork of any one of the Graphic Artists listed on the Resources page. OR, are you wanting a character for your site? You'll want to browse through the very cute Bloggettes. You can read all about these adorable characters here.


5) Project Request


Once you have all of the above steps in order and you know what kind of design and project you need, please use the Project Request Form to contact me about your project. Once we have discussed your project and have any issues or questions you may have settled, you will receive a deposit invoice. Upon payment of your deposit, you will be placed on the WAITING LIST and sent a Design Questionnaire. Once your completed questionnaire is sent to me, it is THEN that your project will be moved to the CURRENT PROJECT WAITING LIST and given an estimated start date.


Ready now? Project Request Form

** The Posh Box is not responsible for purchasing your domain name or the yearly charge thereafter.
** The Posh Box is not responsible for purchasing your web hosting service or the yearly charge thereafter.
** The hosts listed are only suggestions, there are alot more on the web to choose from.