Artlinks Website Workshop P Mc Caul

Template WebsitesTemplate Websites

An ArtL!nks WorkshopAn ArtL!nks Workshop

Facilitator: Padraig McCaulFacilitator: Padraig McCaul

AgendaAgenda► 10.00am – 11.00am10.00am – 11.00am

Introduction and backgroundIntroduction and background An Artist Website – Why?An Artist Website – Why? What do you need in a website?What do you need in a website? What options are available to create a websiteWhat options are available to create a website Some Portfolio Website ProvidersSome Portfolio Website Providers Features that a Portfolio Website can provideFeatures that a Portfolio Website can provide Example Provider: FoliolinkExample Provider: Foliolink [Break][Break]

► 11.15 – 1.00pm11.15 – 1.00pm Preparing Content for the webPreparing Content for the web Setting up your websiteSetting up your website Managing your websiteManaging your website

Introduction & BackgroundIntroduction & Background

►Padraig McCaulPadraig McCaul Landscape & Seascape Artist (full time)Landscape & Seascape Artist (full time) Setup own website 4 years agoSetup own website 4 years ago 10 years in the IT industry as Quality 10 years in the IT industry as Quality

Assurance ManagerAssurance Manager www.padraigmccaul.comwww.padraigmccaul.com [email protected]@padraigmccaul.com

An Artist Website – Why?An Artist Website – Why?

►Online business cardOnline business card►A way for people to view new work, A way for people to view new work,

view archive workview archive work►A contact point: for artist, updates on A contact point: for artist, updates on

new exhibitions/ galleries, news etc. new exhibitions/ galleries, news etc. ►Promotional & Marketing ToolPromotional & Marketing Tool►Selling art online? What is your Selling art online? What is your

expectation?expectation?

What do you need in a What do you need in a website?website?

A professional looking online presence, easy to A professional looking online presence, easy to navigate, specifically designed for displaying art.navigate, specifically designed for displaying art.

Something that requires a flat learning curve (i.e. Something that requires a flat learning curve (i.e. none!) – Remember, you’re an artist, not a web none!) – Remember, you’re an artist, not a web specialistspecialist

Something you can maintain easily and update Something you can maintain easily and update yourselfyourself

A domain name i.e. (A domain name i.e. (www.padraigmccaul.comwww.padraigmccaul.com ) ) and email facilities.and email facilities.

The ability to accept payment online (shopping The ability to accept payment online (shopping cart) at some point in time.cart) at some point in time.

What are the options?What are the options?

Option 1: Build your own website and Option 1: Build your own website and arrange to have it hostedarrange to have it hosted

Pros: Pros: ► Complete control over the design and Complete control over the design and

maintenancemaintenance► Minimum costMinimum cost

Cons: Cons: ► Huge investment in your own timeHuge investment in your own time► Are you an expert in Art websites ?Are you an expert in Art websites ?

What are the options?What are the options?

Option 2: Hire a professional web designerOption 2: Hire a professional web designer Pros:Pros:

► Designed and created by an expertDesigned and created by an expert

Cons: Cons: ► High cost and lack of control over maintenance of the High cost and lack of control over maintenance of the

site. site. ► How would I update it or enhance it – each update How would I update it or enhance it – each update

would require hiring the web designer.would require hiring the web designer.► High investment of my own time in working with a High investment of my own time in working with a

designer to build the site and then to test it.designer to build the site and then to test it.► How long does it take? – “The website should be up and How long does it take? – “The website should be up and

running in the next few months…” (repeat every couple running in the next few months…” (repeat every couple of months!)of months!)

What are the options?What are the options?

Option 3: Use a specialist service Option 3: Use a specialist service provider – ie a company that provides provider – ie a company that provides templates and hosting for art templates and hosting for art websites.websites.

What do they provide?What do they provide?► ““Portfolio” WebsitePortfolio” Website► Provides ready made, professionally Provides ready made, professionally

designed websites – tailor made for artists, designed websites – tailor made for artists, photographers etcphotographers etc

► Monthly/Annual rentalMonthly/Annual rental► 24/7 maintenance of website24/7 maintenance of website

What are the options?What are the options?

Option 3:Option 3: Pros: Pros: ► You are getting a “proven” product with full backup You are getting a “proven” product with full backup

and maintenanceand maintenance► It would require little investment of your own time , It would require little investment of your own time ,

leaving you to focus on your main priority – your art leaving you to focus on your main priority – your art practicepractice

► YOU are in controlYOU are in control

Cons:Cons:► You are limited to the features the service provider You are limited to the features the service provider

can provide.can provide.► Setup costs and an annual service chargeSetup costs and an annual service charge

Portfolio Website ProvidersPortfolio Website Providers

►BigBlackBag – BigBlackBag – http://www.http://www.bigblackbagbigblackbag.com.com

►QFolio – QFolio – http://http://www.qfolio.comwww.qfolio.com

►FolioLink – FolioLink – http://www.foliolink.comhttp://www.foliolink.com

►SiteWelder – SiteWelder – http://www.sitewelder.comhttp://www.sitewelder.com

►FolioSnap – FolioSnap – http://www.foliosnap.comhttp://www.foliosnap.com

►Site On Spot – Site On Spot – http://www.siteonspot.comhttp://www.siteonspot.com

See comparison list provided with See comparison list provided with

handouthandout

Some of the features that Some of the features that Portfolio Websites providePortfolio Websites provide

Your own domain name (Your own domain name (www.mydomain.comwww.mydomain.com))► EmailEmail► Customizable designsCustomizable designs► Display unlimited multiple file typesDisplay unlimited multiple file types► Auto-sizing Auto-sizing ► Auto-thumbnail creationAuto-thumbnail creation► Automatic name watermarkingAutomatic name watermarking► Automatic copyright symbol Automatic copyright symbol ► Guestbook feature - allows youGuestbook feature - allows you

to collect your own personal marketing database to collect your own personal marketing database ► Bulk email your clients and guestbook entriesBulk email your clients and guestbook entries► PayPal EcommercePayPal Ecommerce► HTML Editor - graphical interface that lets you add styles, fonts and HTML Editor - graphical interface that lets you add styles, fonts and

images to your pages. Like using Microsoft Word.images to your pages. Like using Microsoft Word.► Unlimited free updatesDisc spaceUnlimited free updatesDisc space► Macintosh Compatible AdminMacintosh Compatible Admin► One time Set-up feeOne time Set-up fee► Monthly pricing/Annual pricingMonthly pricing/Annual pricing

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

► Features providedFeatures provided►Quality of DesignsQuality of Designs► Learning CurveLearning Curve► Ease of UseEase of Use► Backup and maintenanceBackup and maintenance►Online supportOnline support► Client testimonialsClient testimonials► ““Future Proofing”Future Proofing”► CostCost

Foliolink –a portfolio websiteFoliolink –a portfolio website

►Why Foliolink?Why Foliolink? It checks all the boxes on the previous It checks all the boxes on the previous

slide.slide. I have used it for 4 yearsI have used it for 4 years It provides a good introduction to what a It provides a good introduction to what a

portfolio site can do.portfolio site can do.

Part 2: Creating a WebsitePart 2: Creating a Website

►Agenda:Agenda: Preparing content for your websitePreparing content for your website Designing & Setting up your Foliolink Designing & Setting up your Foliolink

websitewebsite Managing your websiteManaging your website TipsTips

Preparing Content Preparing Content

► Images:Images: Take photo at high resolutionTake photo at high resolution Download photo to computerDownload photo to computer Open image with image editor (ie Paint Shop Pro, Open image with image editor (ie Paint Shop Pro,

Microsoft Office Manager etc)Microsoft Office Manager etc) Crop as required, compress image Crop as required, compress image Save as JPEGSave as JPEG

►Fast 0 - 59KBFast 0 - 59KB► Medium 60 - 99KBMedium 60 - 99KB► Slower 100KB + Slower 100KB + ►Max: 225KBMax: 225KB

JPEG Image A

Made up of Bits & Bytes

Rearranged asImage A

Broken up into“Packets”

One “Packet” at a time”

“Packets” Recieved

Sent across the internet

UNCOMPRESSED (FULL SIZE) SIZE IMAGE

What happens when you download an image?

JPEG Image ARearranged as

Image A

Broken up into“Packets”

One “Packet” at a time”

“Packets” Recieved

COMPRESSED IMAGE – pixels removed

Sent across the internet

Preparing Content Preparing Content

►Documentation:Documentation: CVCV Artist’s StatementArtist’s Statement Press ReleasePress Release Exhibition DatesExhibition Dates Gallery DetailsGallery Details

Copy and Paste – Make like easy for Copy and Paste – Make like easy for yourself!yourself!

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Before you build the website you must make some Before you build the website you must make some fundamental Design Decisions:fundamental Design Decisions:

How do you want to categorise your work?How do you want to categorise your work?►By galleryBy gallery►For Sale, Sold, ArchiveFor Sale, Sold, Archive►Landscapes, Seascapes, Still Life etcLandscapes, Seascapes, Still Life etc

Do you want to sell your work online – ie Do you want to sell your work online – ie do you need a shopping cart?do you need a shopping cart?

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Setup Step 1 - Layout:Setup Step 1 - Layout:

Choose a Design LayoutChoose a Design Layout Choose a colour schemeChoose a colour scheme

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Setup Step 2 – Front Page:Setup Step 2 – Front Page: User DetailsUser Details Use “Best Fit Technology”Use “Best Fit Technology” Use Text Editor to enter formatted textUse Text Editor to enter formatted text Advanced Tab:Advanced Tab:

►CopyrightCopyright►Upload MP3sUpload MP3s►Meta DescriptionMeta Description

Don’t forget to click FINISH to save all updatesDon’t forget to click FINISH to save all updates To Preview your site click the EYE icon at the To Preview your site click the EYE icon at the

bottom right of the screenbottom right of the screen

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Setup Step 3 – Portfolios:Setup Step 3 – Portfolios:

Choose “New Portfolio” & enter detailsChoose “New Portfolio” & enter details Use “Best Fit Technology” until you are more Use “Best Fit Technology” until you are more

confident with image re-sizingconfident with image re-sizing Advanced Tab:Advanced Tab:

►Sales info. Applies to all images in the portfolioSales info. Applies to all images in the portfolio

““Reposition Images” – allows you to set the order Reposition Images” – allows you to set the order of displayof display

Don’t forget to click FINISH to save all updatesDon’t forget to click FINISH to save all updates

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Setup Step 4 – Images:Setup Step 4 – Images:

Choose “New Image”Choose “New Image” Tip – select portfolio first (3Tip – select portfolio first (3rdrd option), then option), then

upload imageupload image Advanced Tab:Advanced Tab:

►Sales info: You can modify pricing etc here.Sales info: You can modify pricing etc here.

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Setup Step 5 – Text Pages:Setup Step 5 – Text Pages:

Choose “New Text Page”Choose “New Text Page” Use Text Editor to format textUse Text Editor to format text Don’t forget to click FINISH to save all Don’t forget to click FINISH to save all

updatesupdates

Foliolink Design and Setup Foliolink Design and Setup

► Advanced Features:Advanced Features:

Contact ManagementContact Management Resize FilesResize Files Upload FilesUpload Files Background SoundBackground Sound

Modifying your WebsiteModifying your Website

► You can modify the design and layout of You can modify the design and layout of your website at any timeyour website at any time Go to Layout tabGo to Layout tab Choose a new layout and colour schemeChoose a new layout and colour scheme NOTE: Once you choose a new layout you must NOTE: Once you choose a new layout you must

reset your image options (ie Best Fit Technology).reset your image options (ie Best Fit Technology).

► TipsTips Try not to “date stamp” your site (Keep it as Try not to “date stamp” your site (Keep it as

general as possible) general as possible)