How many pages are you doing?

I would do about 5 different designs that are visuals only. Client picks 1 to develop and I will work on that design in dreamweaver with working links etc.

So you started a web design business and cant do webdesign?

I do mockups with photoshop. If they like the design, then I cut that mockup up and create the html.

I will do 2 mockups (maybe... I usually only need 1), with no more than 2 revisions per mockup (again, its usually just 1), unless they pay more. To present the mockups I create simple html pages with the image aligned like it would be if the site were live. If there are tiled background images I show them on the mockup page too so they get an idea of the whole experience. Design takes time. I spend maybe 5-20 hours on a mockup. That doesnt really include research and talking to the client though.

I do one static image. I spend about 2-3 hours on talking with the client and research and anywhere from 5-10 on a mockup. Then I let the client see it. Usually I'm spot on to what the client wants.

After aproval of the design then I build the code behind it. I code by hand for a sleek and fast loading site and I also write and imput their copy for SEO and marketing purposes. Once it is to a point that I'm nearly finished as per the first conversation and detailed contract, I let the client see the site and gain any other imput.

The time it takes to take the image from design to code depends on how many pages and whether or not there's application coding (e-commerce, catalog, database, etc.).

Once it is live, then we follow up with the marketing strategy to make the clients customer base aware of the website.

=)
Jade

<< web guru for 13 years

Um... with all due respect, do you know anything about design? I'm not sure you're quite ready to launch your own business if not.

If you take the attitude shown in two posts above, more than half the people on this website shouldn't be freelancing...

Don't assume the person doesn't know how to design because of the words Photoshop or Dreamweaver. He may be asking whether tools are used to do mock ups rather than taking the time to code a page. This is just like a GD newb asking how many comps to draw and how long a project should take.

Give the poster the benefit of the doubt.

If hes 'started his own web design business' then dear god, he should know to present mock-ups. before starting a business in an industry people generally learn about said industry by working in it for a time.

The question put to us by the original poster would appear to signify they haven't put that time in. and so IMO shouldnt be launching a design consultancy.

For mock up purposes, it seems like a lot of people generally make static images (either sketches/drawings or nicely done comps) to use for the discussion, and its the discusssion where dynamic elements of the design are discussed. Which is fine, unless the client lack the vision to understand how things like rollovers and animation might take place - and since they usually don't have the ability to visualize even static imagery . . .

One of the best mock ups I've seen was done by a client of ours. We had supplied him some printouts of static pages we were proposing, then he took them and cut and taped them back together pop-up book style, going so far as to print out little drop down menus that he taped to the back of the back of the mock up, and came through a slit in the mockup to the front side so you could grab it and pull it down. You can also tape buttons in their normal states on it, but just tape one edge so you can flip it back and reveal the rollover states. These types of mockups are a little sloppy, a little fragile, and almost comical when you first see it - but if it gets the point across, helps people understand some of the dynamic elements, and saves time creating a working digital file - its something to consider if you're a crafty individual.

I think it is reasonable for the poster to ask for opinions on what programs/tools he should use in presenting Mock-ups for website designs. It is the same as if someone has worked in-house, and wants to start a freelancing business. They might have business questions on the how much time to invest in initial comps for clients because they might lack that experience, but are still good/professional designers. We all have to start our business somehow.

The poster obviously knows he has to do mockups. He's asking advice on the best way.
Same as any other newb.
And we go easy on newbs here.

BE EASY!!!

I think the reason why he is getting flack is that there are some many people, with little to no design experience who set up a "web design business". It's a step up from hte "my nephews a whiz with computers, and he'll do it for $50).

I agree with ecsyle on the mockups. I do 2 plus 2 revisions. More comps or more revisions are charged at my hourly rate.

Make sure you have it all stipulated in your contract. and 50% up front

My VERY limited experience with web site protoyping design was aided a lot by using an earlier version of this software: http://www.medialab.com/sitegrinder/

I acknowledge that I'm way under-qualified to say it, but I don't see why more web studios don't use something like this more often for quick prototyping.

You essentially do the design/layout work in Photoshop, and it cranks out a coded, interactive site complete with most of the popular goodies--rollovers, pop-ups, some CSS stuff, links. And all in Photoshop. It's not final code, sure. But for prototyping? Wouldn't an interactive multi-page demo make a much easier sign-in pitch than a static page or two?

Your right Printdriver, i am asking about whether tools are used. In the past, when i have designed sites for family members or personal interest site, i have had the freedom to go straight ahead to the coding phase (without having to show designs before hand). I've been web designing for 5 yrs. My expertise is web development.

I read the OP like they started the business and do not really know web design. It sounded like they were asking how to create the mockup, then how to handle the mockups. Perhaps it was just worded weird to me or I just read it wrong.