websitedesign

Website Design

Custom websites
for pro musicians

These days, it just doesn't make sense for a performer NOT to have a professional website.

It serves as a central locale for your audio and video clips, photos, your performance schedule, and your resume or rep list so that your adoring fans (not to mention those with hiring potential) can find you easily!

A Cautionary Tale:

Do you feel overwhelmed by the very idea of building your own website and have no idea where to start? Have you tried do DIY your website only to get incredibly frustrated because the learning curve is too steep?

Or are you simply ready to take your existing web presence to the next level?

I can help.

Your website is your virtual audition. Would you ever go to an audition dressed in your grimy workout clothes? Assuming not (oh-my-goodness I hope not), then why?

You've heard the phrase, "dress to impress". You do it for your auditions, so why not for your online presence? You're in luck, because...

Dress-to-impress websites are my specialty.

Rachael designed a website based on what I thought I wanted, was open to changes and suggestions, helped me navigate the technical aspects of uploading the site and finally walked me through how to update my website to fit my needs on a regular basis. She gave me the tools and the confidence to make adjustments on my own. I'm so glad I hired her to design www.aprilmartinsoprano.com. It was a terrific investment.

-- April Martin, soprano

Are you ready for your custom website?

I understand this is a big step. You're asking yourself, do I really need a custom design? Is it worth the money?
Maybe. Maybe not.

You're ready if:

You are awesome, your current website is blah.
You don't yet have an online presence and want to start on the right foot.
You understand your strengths and what you do that is valuable. Graphic/web design just doesn't happen to be one of those things.
You understand that this is an investment in your singing BUSINESS and that the proper tools (like a professional-looking website) add value to your product (YOU).

Rates and Packages

Receive a free 1-hour consultation to share and clarify your vision for your new site
when you reserve your web design package today.

WEB DESIGN PACKAGES	BASIC	BASIC-PLUS	PREMIUM
Included Pages	Home Page About (with downloadable resume) Media Contact	Home Page Biography Resume/Rep List Schedule Audio/Video Photo Gallery Contact	Home Page Biography Resume or Repertoire List Schedule Audio & Video Photo Callery Contact 2 extra pages of the client's choosing (press, teaching, special projects, etc.)
Complimentary Webmaster Services	not included	1 month of webmaster services included	2 months of webmaster services included
Coordinating Business Card Design	not included	One-Sided Card (design only - client must print)	Two-Sided Card (design only - client must print)
Coordinating Facebook Cover Image for your business or personal page	not included	not included	Complimentary
Coordinating Letterhead great for resumes and audition repertoire sheets	not included	not included	Complimentary
YOUR INVESTMENT	$100	$198 $220 value - save $22!	$330 $330 value - save $50!
Revisions Revisions are the number of times we go back and forth with changes. Extra revisions will be charged at $20 each.	2 revisions included	3 revisions included	5 revisions included

So, here's something cool:

I am all about the self-sufficient, independent singer of today. These websites, by their very nature, can be set up so that you can do all of the updating ALL BY YOURSELF. I eliminate the need for you to rely on someone else to do the updating for you, and I will even help you learn the basics of updating.

HOWEVER . . .

Should you feel less-than-comfortable with updating your own site, I am more than happy to run your site for you! My Webmaster Services add-on gives you the ability to make UNLIMITED updates to the content on your website for the cost of only one hour at my hourly rate per month. That's it! Unlimited updates! (You also have the option to have me stay on as Webmaster but only pay for the changes you make, which will be charged at my hourly rate.)

Other add-ons are available, too. Don't feel comfortable with the process of purchasing and connecting your domain? I can do it for you. Need help upgrading your site to remove the ads from the host site? No problem. And don't forget that your new branding should extend to your other materials as well. Let's put together a business card, Facebook image, and coordinating letterhead for your cover letters, resumes, and rep sheets.

If the packages above don't conform to your specific needs, please let me know and I will happily put together a custom quote just for you.

Extras and Add-ons

$25/mo or $260/yr

($40 yearly savings)

Webmaster Services

Have me run your website for you! For the equivalent cost of only one hour of design per month, you can have me make unlimited updates to your site. Use your newly-found extra time for more fun things! (excludes site redesign)

$1.25/mo

billed monthly or annually

Domain Name

A MUST for your website's final finishing touch. Set yourself apart with a custom domain name.

$15/mo
billed monthly or annually

Premium Hosting Package to remove ads

Another MUST for your website's final finishing touch. Pros don't have ads.

$20 each

Extra Pages for site

Add extra pages to showcase all that's unique about you!

$20 per side

Coordinating Business Card

Design only (client must print).

$20

Coordinating Facebook Cover Image

For your business or personal page.

$20

Coordinating Letterhead

Great for resumes, audition rep sheets, cover letters, and any of your other print materials.

Let's do this.

Sign Me Up!

How it all works:

Getting Started

Fill out my client intake form. I will confirm my availability and send you a welcome packet with your contract, a few forms to help guide you through the process of figuring out what your site will look like, and an invoice.

Preparation

We will choose a desired start date (as soon as I'm available or reserve a later date). Share your vision with me through the Website Planning Guide that you received, plus your complimentary Skype or FaceTime consultation, if desired.

Design

I will take all of the information you provided, along with my own research and copious notes, to develop your website! We will be in communication the whole time, so you can see updates as we go and make sure that all is going according to your vision.

Wrapping Up

Once we are all done and your site is ready and rarin' to go, I will send you a complete exit package with instructions about how to do basic updating on your website as well as a how-to for upgrading your hosting package and connecting your domain name. If you have elected to have me stay on as webmaster (unlimited updates by me per month for the cost of a single hour of design at my hourly rate) I can help you connect your domain and upgrade, or if you elect to purchase the domain and hosting through me I can do it all for you!

Then sit back, relax, and know that your brand new website is dressed to impress!

Let's do this.

Sign Me Up!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take?

I do my very best to have all websites completed within a four-week time frame. Rushed websites (those with deadlines within two weeks of your signed/dated contract) will incur a rush fee. I will not start a website until your contract is signed, your deposit is paid, and all of your content has been sent to me. And as always, the better and more clearly we communicate, the more quickly I can work! Yay!

How do I pay you?

I use an online invoicing software for all of my billing. You may pay by credit card, PayPal, Venmo (@RachaelColmanDesigns), or SquareCash ($RachaelColman). I can split your bill into multiple payments if requested.

What will you use to build my website?

I build websites using Wix.com exclusively. Wix is very flexible with regard to design while still remaining well-suited to those who wish to update websites themselves after the design is finished.

what if I need extras that aren't listed above?

Get in touch with me! I can put together a custom quote for your needs.

are there any other costs associated with having my website?

It depends. Your website will be live once I am finished designing it, and anyone can access it with the correct URL. However, your website won't be completely "dressed to impress" until you combine it with a unique domain name and remove the ads that come with the free version of Wix's hosting platform.

You can purchase your own domain name online for anywhere from $10-15 per year. Upgrading your hosting package on Wix will allow you to connect that domain and remove their ads, at the cost of around $5-12 per month (depending on the upgrade package desired).

You will be responsible for purchasing and connecting your own domain as well as upgrading your Wix hosting package yourself, unless you purchase the appropriate add-ons from the options listed above.

What is your current hourly rate?

My current hourly rate is $25/hr. This rate is good for all services beyond what is included in your web design package, as well as for my work on custom quotes.

Do you offer a student discount?

Currently I DO offer a student discount of 15% off of my design services (does not apply to domain or hosting purchases).

Can I really update my website myself?

You really can. Wix's interface is drag-and-drop, and you can edit the content (your biography, your contact information, etc.) similarly to how you would edit text in Microsoft Word. There is a slight learning curve to the platform, so please be aware that it may take a little practice to get the hang of it. When we finish up, I will send you a "How-To" worksheet with instructions about how you can make basic edits. If you get stuck for whatever reason, I am always just an email or FaceTime call away!