Designer required

[wrighty23]

Hi,

This is my first post on the forums, so i would appreciate any advice from experienced Actinic users.

Recently purchased v8 Catalog, in order to set up new website for my lighting and electrical company. Have now realised what a mammoth kob its going to be to design the site and then also imput the 3k products onto the system.

The inputting of the [roducts i dont mind doing, as i have staff who can spend time doing that........it is the design side of things i am struggling with.

Ideally i could with someone to design the site for me so that we can just input the products and details, but is this defeating the object of purchasing catalog?

How easy is it for a web design/html novice to be able to design a good looking site? (i know alot about computers and so forth but nothing on webdesign)

Is it just a case of trail and error and play about with all the different settings and read the manuals and guides before even considering building a site?

Regards,

Mark

[RuralWeb]

Is it just a case of trail and error and play about with all the different settings and read the manuals and guides before even considering building a site

This is where I suggest you start - play with the example site and maybe add a few of your products to see what they look like.

When you are happy and want to begin to design for real then just apply a new theme and the design will revert to standar and you can go on from there.

[Jarvis]

Firstly, don't panic.
DON'T start work on propogating the site yet.
I'll show you a VERY easy way to do this and one that works with all our clients.

Secondly, use my contact details on our website and I will be happy to give you a quote to design your site to the point where YOU are comfortable to take over.

[RuralWeb]

but is this defeating the object of purchasing catalog

I am sure that any Actinic designer can do what jarvis is offering for you but as you say this is defeating the object of purchasing catalog. If you wanted a designer to do it then you would have immediately saved £250 because they would have sold you Client not Catalog.

I have seen some very good sites on the forum designed by novices using the standard Actinic themes - take your time and use the forum for help. Keep the cash in you pocket after all that why you bought Actinic to avoid the use of a designer.

[pinbrook]

I am sure that any Actinic designer can do what jarvis is offering for you but as you say this is defeating the object of purchasing catalog.

sometimes a designer will create a far better design than a self builder.

Actinic is built to allow all the permulations ie self build or get a designer to do just the design side whilst allowing you to retain overall control over product entry etc etc.

Whilst it is true you could buy client catalog or client business, it can be just as useful to havethe full blown product as once your designer has created the design you can subsequently amend the design yourself.

Quite often it comes down to how much you want to do yourself and how much you would like someone else to take away some of the pain.

If you have no flair for design, have little desire to learn HTML and have the budget then get a designer to create a design snapshot for you. If you want to go down theself built route then that is open too.

[RuralWeb]

If you have no flair for design, have little desire to learn HTML and have the budget then get a designer to create a design snapshot for you. If you want to go down theself built route then that is open too.

As jo says you have both options - I suggest you have a play with it and then get a designer if you have finished the Gin bottle

[wrighty23]

thankyou all for your fast replies.

you are all mirroring my feelings, that i know if i spent the time i could up with a pretty decent design. but i think it may take me several months to get something i would be happy with.

whats a rough cost of a designer designing the exterior panels of my site and rough product layout?

thanks again for your valued input.

regards,

Mark

[jont]

DON'T start work on propogating the site yet.

Top advice - always start with the default products and sections and work with those (don't delete these section later - simply hide them as always good to have a default set for reference).

If you have Dreamweaver use the plug in to integrate Actinic into the design once you are happy with it. If you have no knowledge of web design it can be a uphill struggle and even seasoned designers can trip when faced with a mass of Actinic code ... this soon becomes easier the more time you spend with Actinic and it will eventually click.

Try not to confuse a web designer with a coder ... if you can't draw a stick man chances are your web design skills are also lacking .. similarly if you can paint like Rembrandt but unable to work out the area of a circle, integrating Actinic may be a problem. If you have specific skill in either field and really need someone to help with the other aspect this will save you a lot of time (and money) if you want to go that route.

[jont]

finished the Gin bottle

Is that the drink of choice at the moment? I still favour head-butting the wall to get the same feeling

[RuralWeb]

whats a rough cost of a designer designing the exterior panels of my site and rough product layout

Designers are not permitted to post information like that on the forum - you will need to contact them directly.

[los_design]

Is that the drink of choice at the moment? I still favour head-butting the wall to get the same feeling

As long as its a Sloe gin.....

Back to the matter in hand, as Malcolm has stated, use the in-box themes to get a feel for Actinic with the demo parts and decide there after. I really depends what you are after and you own business model/needs.

Price of design services differs greatly from development as eluded to by Jont.

[RuralWeb]

There you go 4 designers to pick from - dont include me Im happy with my Gin bottel

[los_design]

There you go 4 designers to pick from - dont include me Im happy with my Gin bottel

as it is my birthday today I might sample a snifter of tennessee highball later.

I also cross LOS of the list of designers available, we are booked solid til March end, sorry.

[jont]

Happy Birthday Daren.

I trust you and Mal are recycling the empty bottles sitting on top of the AUG??

[RuralWeb]

Yeh Happy Birthday Daren - Iii have a G+T on you.