You say “we” on the site sometimes. Who is the “we” of Ahani Design?
I’m referring to myself and my dog, Rudy. He primarily takes care of lying in the sun and keeping the squirrels out of the backyard so I can concentrate on good design. I also collaborate with actual real people scattered around the world.
How long have you been doing this?
Well, I’ve been in the technology arena since the prehistoric days of 8.5” floppy discs and HUGE 20 MB hard drives. For the past couple of decades, I’ve led sales & marketing teams, created business development strategies and done so many presentations that my laptop howled in protest. I started building websites in 2005 and fired up my first blog in 2008.
How can I see what you have done?
On the Portfolio page, there are a number of examples. You can also see live sites here, here, here, here and here. As far as graphics, see not only the previous links, but a sampling on the Portfolio page and more in the Alumanaya Art Gallery.
Why should I work with you instead of my brother-in-law’s second cousin’s friend who “knows a lot about computers?”
We’re much cooler than that guy.
Can you guarantee that my site will: Make money, rank number one in search, always work perfectly, magically post blogs by itself, allow me to quit my day job and make me famous?
Uhhh . . . no. I’ll do my best to help you with all this, but we live in an imperfect world and sometimes things don’t always work out the way we want them to. There’s really not much I can absolutely “guarantee” except that I’ll work really hard to make you happy!
How long will it take to get my site up and running?
That depends on a lot of things, including how much you want done, how quickly you can do your part (yes, you have some tasks too) and how big the current client queue is. My goal is usually a two to four weeks from you giving me the go-ahead.
What if I already have a website?
Does your current site need a makeover? I can do that. Sometimes a fresh layout and some inspiring new graphics can really rejuvenate your visitors . . . and you too. Also, if you’re using a blog service like WordPress.com or Blogger and are frustrated with the limitations, I’ll help you move to your own self-hosted full WordPress site. You’ll have MUCH more power and flexibility, so get ready to rock!
Is there anything you can’t or won’t do with WordPress?
While there is not much that can’t be done with WordPress, there are theoretically some things I personally am not too keen on doing. If you have needs I’d rather not tackle, I’ll recommend other resources for you to try.
How do you keep my stress level low?
By handling all the little things needed to get things set up and running so you don’t have to worry about them. We’ll also have some relaxed training sessions where you’ll get past those pesky tech fears. Remember, this isn’t rocket surgery, it’s supposed to be fun!
How did you learn to do this stuff?
Out of necessity. I had a message I wanted to get out into the world. I knew what I wanted to say, but couldn’t seem to get my points across to any of the geeky-techie types I encountered. It was probably my fault as I didn’t speak in bits and bytes. My first website (built by someone else) wasn’t really what I wanted and I couldn’t make any changes on my own. I knew there had to be a better way, so I learned how to do things for myself. Yes, it took a LOT of time and effort, but it’s been worth it. In retrospect, I wish I had come across someone like me back when I needed me. (huh? Oh, I get it.)
Can you teach me to do things for myself?
Yep. I encourage you to be as self-sufficient as possible. The more you can do yourself, the greater ability you have to project your particular vision in just the way you want. That’s one of the reasons I use WordPress, it’s easy for the non-techie to use. My goal is to get you to a point where you don’t need me or anyone else to take care of your site – unless, of course, you want me to. I provide ongoing tips & resources here on this site as well as training options. We can take things as far as you want to go.
How do you train me?
With step-by-step guides you can download as well as personal one-on-one webinars. We’ll also talk on the phone from time to time.
Will you make changes after the initial setup?
Yes, there will always be a few tweaks and those are included in the upfront pricing. But there is a limit! Usually, changes are relatively easy to make, but sometimes things that might seem easy can actually take a lot of customization. Generally speaking, minor tweaking in the first couple of weeks after go-live are included in the initial pricing. If the changes or additions are more than “minor,” I’ll quote a price. Beyond that two-week period, if you want me to add more features, capabilities, graphics, do more training or whatever, I’ll work with you on the best solution and quote a fair price.
How do you help me on an ongoing basis?
I keep up with not only the latest from WordPress, but with computer technology in general. I follow a number of tech blogs and sift through tons of content every day. Believe it or not, I actually LIKE doing this! Then, I share it with you in blog posts, newsletters, emails, etc. I’m also available for tech and branding related questions, thoughts, strategy, brainstorming and whenever you want to talk about anything related to tropical islands.
Are you fun to work with?
You bet. And Rudy agrees with me. Okay, I admit I’m a little prejudiced on this opinion! But really, this process should be enjoyable for both you and me. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Who is your ideal client?
Of course, everyone has different needs, but if you’ve ever had thoughts like . . .
• I really don’t like getting into coding or technology.
• I don’t know how to create graphics for the web.
• I want to spread my message, not figure out how everything is supposed to work.
• I started with a blog service and am now frustrated with the limitations. I want more.
• I’m not sure how to best define my message and get it out there.
• I like working with people who have dogs on their payroll.
So what’s the deal with all this island stuff & where did the name Ahani come from?
On the island of Alumanaya, the people compare certain types of winds to various aspects of life. The warm, gentle Ahani breeze is likened to any fun, pleasant experience. That’s my goal for you (and me) in building your site – it should be like an Ahani breeze! If you want to learn more about the island, my books, art and other ideas on finding tropical tranquility, please visit IslandPerspective. Also, we’d love to have you as part of the island tribe at Facebook.com/IslandPerspective.
So, any last words on all this?
I know I’ve said that it’s really hard to guarantee anything when it comes to computers, software and services (read the Terms of Service for more on this), but I do promise to do my best to:
• Provide a site that is well-coded and functional.
• Provide layout & design that looks good and is easy to read.
• Provide graphics that are pleasing.
• Help you to understand how to work with your site.
• Provide you with great value for your money.
• Make the whole process as enjoyable as possible.
Okay, I’m ready to take the first step. Now what?
I’ll need to get an idea of what you’re wanting. Since we usually can’t meet in person, the next best way is a phone call. Go to the Contact page and send me an email. I’ll get back with you to set up a time when we can talk. I believe in personal contact and don’t think simply filling out a form is the best way to communicate ideas. You’ll get at least 30 minutes of pleasant conversation & maybe even some new insights. If it turns out we’re not the best fit, I’ll try to direct you to other resources you can try. It won’t be time wasted.
I look forward to hearing from you!