In doing websites over the past decade the biggest stumbling block for clients is creating/giving their content for the website. Sometimes trying to make sense of what you want to include and what you don’t can be overwhelming even for the most organized.

Where to start? The first step is to get a domain name. Domains should be easy to remember when said. If you decide to go with using letters for words like UAreOntrack.com, make sure the correct spelling is available as well.

Once you have your domain, now it is time to see what you like and don’t like. This may take an hour of your time visiting your competitors sites not only locally but businesses across the country in the same industry. Here is where you will start building the ideas for what you want to include on your site. Start writing down the sections you would like for instance, a Blog, a Calendar, A Bio Page, My Story etc. The content will easily start to flow and you will know what to gather.

Remember, if you must have a blog, USE it! Having sections of your website that you want to update and you don’t, you might as well be sending customers to empty shelves. Build it… USE IT!! (I know, I know,  I should practice what I preach more often and I do plan on blogging more.) If you aren’t going to use facebook or twitter, by all means don’t open accounts and have them sit there empty and unused.

Lastly, find a reputable developer. I’m sure your son’s friend’s cousin who is going to school took a class and could build a site, or better yet found a free site for you. You know the saying “you get what you pay for” It applies here! If you choose to go this route, make sure you have accessibility to your domain login and hosting information. Through the years I have seen people stuck with half developed sites or sites that they can’t even remove because they don’t know how and the son’s friend’s cousin can’t be found.

As always, if you have any questions about web design, call or e-mail us, even if you aren’t ready or researching options. We’ve been getting businesses  ”On Track” for over 10 years. Affordable web design and e-marketing located in Clarks Summit, Pa. Servicing all of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Tunkhannock, Moscow, Carbondale, Honesdale, Poconos and beyond. No matter your location within the United States, we can help.

I know, I’m bad. It seems my site and blogging take a back seat to my clients which is the way it should be.

Yes, I love what I do. Website development for businesses across NEPA – from Scranton to Union Dale and now coming to Pittsburgh, PA… well, who wouldn’t love that?

Some think a day in front of a computer is torture. Ahhh, but it’s a puzzle, doing more, learning more and making things work for my clients. At the end of the day when I turn off my computer (yes, I turn it off) my mind keeps going. I think of new trends, new ideas and how I can keep web design affordable and effective.

What started out to be just me has turned into 3 Account Managers, a Programmer and a Copywriter that all help make up my “train” of thought and who make On Track Design what it is today.

I’m glad I took the jump and “climbed aboard” getting everyone “ON TRACK”….Customer Service First Class seats only.

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Sounds a tad convoluted I know, but it was just a great night on “Live from Nikki’s Livingroom”. If you didn’t catch me live on the air with Nikki Walton-Stone – http://www.nikkislivingroom.com last night you missed a great show.

We were taking a wild ride on the world wide web when Langan, Waggs, and O’Connor showed and plugged in to play some great tunes along with “Name That Riff”. Truly a great pleasure meeting these guys and I will definitely try to catch them playing soon. Poor Nikki was getting picked on because of the way she was saying Waggs… sounded like Wangs, which excited Donnie for some reason. ( Ah, more fun you missed if you didn’t catch it) Regardless, the band’s name did sound a little like a law firm, but they assured us that they weren’t familiar with jurisprudence…. hmmmm.

Somewhere during the evening Nutella was mentioned and I think that excited everyone in the room. Apparently there is a very elite group on facebook that I MUST find. I’m not one for sweet things but I don’t think I could turn down a spoonful of Nutella.

The first night (of I hope many) was great and I thank Nikki and her family for opening their home and allowing us all to be a tad silly for a few hours. Thanks also to The State Street Grill and Armetta’s Pizza for being great clients and giving us gift certificates to give away.

My favorite picture of the evening was Trevor getting a little guitar lesson. Beyond Adorable!

I’m often asked where did  “On Track Design” come from and how I came up with the name. In 2001, when I jumped into the web development business, I pondered about its name. Finding a domain name AND a name to suit my business was tough. I always liked trains and the history of railways. (Yes, Dad…. I said history)  I was discussing with a friend what I wanted to do and I said I wanted to help businesses get their website presence on track. After I said that it came to me. On Track Design and the domain was available. We had a winner!

Now it was time for a logo. Hmmmmm a train? tracks? I played for quite a while and liked the train tracks, but how was I going to incorporate them creatively in a logo? I soon afterward initialed a document with my scripty SS and it was right there in front of me. My initials to look like tracks. Hence my logo.

Ideas come from all directions. Putting them to paper and being creative with them can be tough. That is where I can help when it comes to getting your website “on track”. It’s got to start somewhere and you never know where that creative train will take you….

Here it is, my first blog post. I was torn if I should blog or not. I mean, what could someone find interesting about a web developer from Northeastern PA that has an addiction to Sharpies and her Dyson? Alas, I’ve decided to take the leap and blog with the rest of them.

My clients often ask about blogging and I think it is a simple way to show people that you are a person behind your business and a great way to offer them ideas, tips, tricks and answer some questions they may have. In the future you will see these types of things on my blog as well as some personal posts to make you laugh or make you go hmmmmm.

It basically sums up to me loving what I do and being able to share it with anyone willing enough to read it. Stop by anytime, leave a comment, say hello and enjoy my Blog, I plan to!