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Lately I have been very busy working on a few projects including several of my own (top secret, not ready to launch :)

I have also recently completed a new website for ARB DANDENONG (4WD Servicing and Accessories).

It was an enjoyable website project because I have always been a big 4WD enthusiast although since having kids I have barely been off the bitumen! Anyway, I know where to go when I need 4WD accessories, serviceing or advice in Dandenong.

4WD Servicing Dandenong     Long range fuel tanks    Long range fuel tanks

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Did you know that Splotch Studio was initially called "Splotch Design" and that was the business name that I first registered.

I then discovered that there was a desktop publisher in Adelaide (I think) operating under that name. So despite having already registered the business name and the domain names for Splotch Design, I changed the name to Splotch Studio to avoid any confusion.

Since that time, I have found another webdesign company in the USA which is operating under the name Splotch Designs and they are also working with Joomla as their prefered CMS (Content Management System).

The Splotch Studio name has grown on me and I often receive positive feedback from clients.

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It was back in 2007 and I had been doing graphic design and marketing fulltime for a few years, but I was still learning the basics of html (basic website development). I had developed a few basic webpages from scratch using Dreamweaver (Adobe webdesign software), none of which are still online today.

 
www.artbysafina.com.au

I was really starting to enjoy the whole new dimension that the web offered. I could now come up with a design (as I had been doing for a while: brochures, logos, flyers etc...) and cut it up in Photoshop and then place it into cells using Dreamweaver and html code! It was rewarding to be able to set up an ftp (file transfer protocol) connection with a server and upload a webpage and then instantly see it live online. Anyway, back to the topic: The first website that I designed and built from scratch (no templates), was a static html site for a local indigenous artist and friend. Here is a link, www.artbysafina.com.au the website is still live today :)

I remember being very impressed with her artwork and especially the way all of the art seemed to have a natural "flowing" feel to it. That's why i decided to make the menu on the website fit in with the whole natural flowing feel of her artwork. Instead of doing a regular horizontal or vertical menu, I decided to try something different (on my first website!) and make the menu in the shape of a river and with segments of her artwork in the background; kind of like a snake and river all in one.

These days I rarely build websites from scratch using Dreamweaver. I am mostly building them with Joomla and Wordpress. Joomla and Wordpress are Content Management Systems (CMS) that provide a framework and database feature which enables clients to dynamically update and make changes to their own website.

When we meet to discuss your website requirements, we will have a few questions that we will need answers to. If we are unable to meet in person (ie: due to lack of time or travel distances, these questions can be answered via email or telephone).

Below is a rough list of some of the questions:

1. What is your business (the industry and what kind of services or products do you provide)
2. What is your current website address (if you have one). If you have a current website, what are your frustrations with it.
3. Who are your top 3 competitors (I will check their websites / market research)
4. Can you point me to one or two websites that you really like (this will help me to understand what your taste is)
5. Do you have a suitable domain name already registered?
6. Do you have webhosting set up and professional business name email addresses (instead of yahoo)?
7. How many pages do you anticipate your website will need to have 1-10 / 10 – 20/ 20 – 50/ 100+ (ie: Home, About, Services, Faq’s, testimonials, contact us = 6 pages)
8. What features are you hoping to have in your new website? ie: photo gallery, online product catalogue with individual product pages, photos, prices, shopping cart, moving banners, newsletter etc...
9. How aggressively do you want to promote your new website. Ie: set it up and leave it for a while; set it up and start to optimise it for Search Engine Ranking
10. Do you plan on making regular updates to your website or is it a basic info site that rarely changes (I can build in a content management system that allows you to easily make your own changes)
11. Do you have a strong brand already? ie: A good logo and colours, theme etc... If so, please send me the details
12. Will you be able to provide content for your website in an email or word doc (the words for the relevant pages, ie: “About Us”: a description of your business etc...)
13. Websites look lousy without good photos. Do you have photos that can be used for your website or will you require me to source and provide licensed stock photographs for the website?
14. How important do you see your website being for the long-term success of your business?
15. What sort of time-frame do you have for the project? ie: I’m in no urgent rush /  I need it yesterday / the sooner the better / a few weeks till completion is fine / Just when ever you have time
16. If you have a budget in mind, please let me know so that I can do my best to accommodate and be realistic about your expectations
17. How did you first discover Splotch Studio? Word of mouth  /  Google Search  /  a link on another website that you built  / other
18. Do you have any questions, suggestions, comments  or concerns about this project
19. Are you happy for Splotch Studio to display your website in our online portfolio (this means that you get a bonus link to your website)

NB. Don't stress out. Just answer what you can!