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How To Get The Most From Design-to-HTML Conversion Services

StepbyStep — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:57:18 GMT

Sooner or later, many small business owners decide to set up a website. If you have a great design for your future website then you need to transform it into HTML code because web browsers understand websites only in that form. Not many people know HTML so good that can code their website themselves. As a result, they need some assistance. A common option is to use so-called PSD to HTML services. And a natural next question raising here is: How to get the most out of them?

In fact, PSD-to-HTML services are quite easy to deal with: you send or upload image files (*.jpeg, *.png, *.psd, etc.) on a provider website, select conversion and layout options, pay through an online payment system (PayPal, Google Checkout, etc), and get a resulting markup coded. But in order to make the most of it and avoid unnecessary troubles it is better to follow some simple rules.

Properly prepare designs for uploading

If you have several files to convert, archive them and give that archive an understandable name, for example, "AnnSmith23June2009.zip" (i.e. "YourNameDate.zip" or "ProjectNameDate.zip"). It can be convenient for you as well, especially in case you need to check your previous orders.
If there are files additional to your main Photoshop (*.psd) image (e.g., custom fonts), don't forget to send or upload them too.
Make sure you send or upload right files. PSD-to-HTML services are very fast, and by the moment you notice the problem with your files your markup may be ready. As a result, it could cost you some money to correct a mistake.

Design slicing, xHTML/CSS coding requirements

Try to explain as accurate as possible what you want to get. Usually an order form on PSD-to-HTML websites has special subsections and items to help you with this task.
Nevertheless, if your requirements cannot be described in this way or you don't have time to use it, don't hesitate to write down your requirements in a field named like "Notes" or use other communication channels convenient for you: live chat or email.
If you are confused with something ("Is that option included? What is the delivery time?" etc), *ASK*! Sometimes even friends and relatives see things differently. So it is better to ask and to be sure that you and your PSD-to-HTML provider get everything right and in the same manner.

Communication

DOUBLE check your email address that you state in the order form of the PSD-to-HTML service.
Make sure that your anti-spam filters and email servers are not too overzealous and allow the provider's emails reach you.
It depends on the PSD-to-HTML company but usually they send you an order confirmation (as well as your login and password to access a client zone on their website). If you don't receive such an email during several minutes, contact them through the order form or live chat -- the reason may be a misprint in your email address.
Just in case give the provider's team an alternative communication channel (mobile telephone number, instant messenger ID (Skype, MSN, ICQ), etc).
Specify the provider's time zone especially if time is crucial for you.

If there are any doubts

If it is your first PSD-to-xHTML/CSS project or you select a company for long-term cooperation, start from a relatively small pilot project to test the waters.
Check the provider's Returns Policy, e.g., whether they offer a money back guarantee.
If it is important for you, don't hesitate to ask for NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
Specify whether they offer after-sale support and what it means. If the provider is confident of their work, usually the technical support is free.

Change management

A small addition to Photoshop designs may lead to large modifications in XHTML/CSS code. If the process of PSD-to-HTML conversion is in progress or finished and you change your design, be objective while estimating changes to be made in the markup.
Small changes are usually free.
If changes are large then it can be like an additional page in your order and should be paid accordingly (note: usually prices on secondary pages are up to 50% discounted).
If you are not sure, talk to the provider -- together you will find a reasonable and mutually beneficial solution faster.

Project completion

Check the finished xHTML/CSS markup how it corresponds to your design and conversion requirements. If you have some remarks, ask to fix them.
Change access rights to your servers (passwords, logins) if you gave it to the provider's team.
If you think the provider has deserved your testimonial, give it. You will support a qualified and diligent PSD-to-xHTML/CSS company in the market and help other users to get to know them.

PSD-to-HTML services are just a tool to slice and convert designs into website code, Wordpress blog themes or content management systems (CMS) templates. The better you know how to work with them the more you get.

We found a new way to advertise

BlueMonday — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:28:17 GMT

Hi all,

Just wanted to pass the word about inboxadvertising.com to my fellow biz owners. They were recomended to us by our neighbor (a restaurant) to try. We did and we really like the service. What they do is email marketing to specific zip codes. Not sure if this is an original idea, but we had never heard of it before. There pitch is that many, if not most, of your customers are local and therefore you should advertise directly to them via email. You use their email lists (if you don't have one), they design and send your email to thousands of folks in any zip you want and report the results.

btw - this is NOT a shameless plug for www.inboxadvertising.com. Our company is Blue Monday Studio (www.bluemondaystudio.com)...now THAT was a shameless plug!

Anyway, check them out. It worked for us.

I'm jumping into non-profit head first!!!

princess29 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:02:26 GMT

I want to organize a non-profit website that serves as a pool for both little league sponsors as well as league teams. I'm almost finished with the website,whats my next move? I know I need sponsors but where do I look? small buisnesses in my community? I'd really rather shoot higher like honda,target,maybe even kellogs.

What can I post?

selah7 — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:08:20 GMT

Hi:
I am new to the community and wondering if I can post about a MLM business opportunity? You know, I am looking for people to join my team. Is this ok or not?

Thanks

New Candy Store in IL

medellinx — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:44:35 GMT

Hi, I just recently started my own business in IL. It is a small candy shop located in a great location, meaning there is not another store like it in the vicinity, we have been getting great feedback and people simply like what they see.

I opened pretty much with my the savings that I had on the side, I saw an opportunity and took it. Since we have been opened since May, we keep seeing the revenue grow, most of the money that we are making we are putting right back into the store for new products and pretty much for advertising.
Since it's a new company it was expected a loss specially in the first year, at least that's why I keep hearing so most of the money that I am losing, I am covering it with my own paycheck from my daily job however since the holidays are coming and people specially here in IL tend no to take walks to the candy store too much during the winter I am expecting a decline in sales at least during the holiday.

My question is this? what would be my next step, it is getting harder to keep the store open using my paycheck the store was open as a sole proprietorship and i am not sure it it would be an option to get loans or where to even get one.

Thanks for your feedback.

ATM Routes

thinkhuge — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:50:51 GMT

Has anyone ever owned these? Please tell me the pros and cons

Help with Affiliate Marketing

JazzPiano — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:20:15 GMT

hi

does anybody have any advice or know of resources to develop an affiliate marketing business?

i am currently running a store via amazon

http://astore.amazon.com/jazzpianoonli-20

that is an add-on to my main business of selling subscriptions to my jazz piano lesson site

http://www.jazzpianoonline.com

any help would be great.

thank you

Want to acquire a Call Center

penriquez — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:13:20 GMT

Must be doing business in the U.S.and/or Canada.
Please send related information to zagain@aol.com. Willing to sign an NDA.

New real estate franchise

ricardo7 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:41:33 GMT

I plan to start a new real estate franchise based on a model of multiple personal franchises supported by one regional franchise in each state. The concept simulates a bricks wall working all together with coordination and impact image strategy. I have a great name and logo and main office location in Atlanta, GA. but need some advise of experienced pros in the field. Will consider a partnership or any interesting proposal.

Co-finance my project

ddarkos — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:13:28 GMT

Three or four months ago I find on the net a website where people co-finace small project. Anyoone has seen this page, becouse I forgot a name and address of the page.

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