Hello!
After spending the last eight months or so telling people about my renewed career as a web designer and online marketing specialist, I decided it was time to get some sort of internet presence up so that everyone asking for my business card or to refer me to a friend would have something to point to. This is an incomplete version of what will eventually be my ‘corporate’ website, which I hope to write and publish before the internet becomes obsolete.
The hold-up has been the plentiful amount of work I’ve been doing on a couple of projects for clients here in Ottawa, in addition to my efforts as a sub-contractor to another busy marketing group. To have too few available hours in your working day to get something happening with your own portfolio isn’t something to complain about – an enviable situation, right?
About Dan Walker
I have worked in a few different computer-related fields since the advent of the internet as an employment option. My background includes positions with small marketing companies, in service industries, and in IT.
My official titles have been sufficiently expert-sounding: systems administrator, manager, marketing specialist. I have also been given unofficial monikers over the years, stuff like internet repairman, marketing ninja, and internet superstar. The ‘ninja’ designation is overused these days, I mostly reject that one – though I do have a couple years of training in martial arts under my (purple) belt, which makes me dangerous both with Photoshop and on the mean streets of Greenboro.
All of this gives me a functional background in online marketing, design philosophy, technical matters, and code. I like to think of it as a practical mix, focused on good technique and proven experience and without much of the useless training my contemporaries sometimes have to endure in their so-called ‘formal’ education.
Methods
I build websites using WordPress as a content management system, typically starting from scratch to develop your ‘look and feel’ instead of using templates that restrict creative options. I prefer to use free options for resources like stock photography and believe strongly in giving attribution where appropriate.
My marketing methods include developing a presence on social media destinations like Twitter and Facebook, as well as other, smaller networks where warranted. I have an advanced understanding of search engine optimization and marketing, and almost* guarantee top ten positioning to all of my clients for the websites I produce. I also believe that RSS feeds and e-mail newsletters are appropriate for almost every online business or publisher, and a good link building strategy is key to sustaining visitor counts over time.
* – I say ‘almost’ but I really mean ‘within reason’. If you sell compost bins and you want good placement for a keyword like ‘physiotherapy’, well… it’s not impossible, but I’m going to charge you an arm a leg while we try to associate the two somehow.
Rates and Quotes
It is my pleasure to meet with you to discuss your project at no charge, though it’s nice if you buy me a drink while we chat. (Coffee if it’s the morning, beer in the afternoon.) Quotes are also prepared at no cost.
My hourly rate is $59 for most services. Flat annual rates are offered for hosting and domain registration services.
If the scope of a project changes as my work progresses, it is my policy to inform the client of any extra costs to be incurred before I perform the work required.
Contact Dan Walker
Any questions? If you’d like to know more about my work, to discuss your project, or to receive a free quote for services, please contact me.
Thank you for visiting!
