Ideas on a name

[KnytMuppet]

I bought the domain thru register.com, I figured all that stuff was included. I'll have to look into the tax stuff. Thanks on the congrats I'll keep everyone updated as things progress so you all can see the site once I go live

~Nate

[MPGRACE]

Nate, I had an idea for a logo and I been trying to figure out how to explain it.  Okay....my thought was to have a male puppet character with full body, a sideways turned hat, t-shirt, jeans.  Typical cool kid.  It would be a side view perspective as if he were walking on a street only the perspective of his left leg would be longer.  Like he's really stepping out.  His body in a slightly leaning back position.    A street sign slightly sequed with your company name or possibly a brick wall behind it with the company name. Like street art.   I like the brick wall idea because a lot of people use street signs in their logos.  Think about what you might use it for in the future.  B. (graphic artist we suggested) is really good to suggests things.  If your thinking that you might want T-shirts, business cards etc, the size; horizontal or vertical.  Does this make any sense?  I'll try to find a photo of what I'm talk about as far as the puppets body position.

Julie

[KnytMuppet]

Thanks Julie! That would have made a great logo, but I already had come up with something Beatriz came up with a graphic that I love, that is just what I had in mind I do wish to use the graphic on T-Shirts and business cards; when and if the site takes off and the need is there! I'm working on the web design, but I really have no idea what I'm doing, and can't afford to pay a designer to do it for me! Ah well, I usually can get things figured out when I want it badly enough!

So what does everyone think of the graphic that Beatriz made? I'm completely satisfied! *does a happy dance*

~Nate

[Puppets Review]

How do you go about contacting Beatriz to design a logo? Is there a price scale? I  am interested in a logo too.

[KnytMuppet]

Contact Titere here, that is her username. Her price is very reasonable, but you should talk to her about it! Send her a PM here and she will get back to you

~Nate

[Shawn Sorrell]

Here is the link to Titere's profile.  http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php?action=profile;u=1961

[Puppets Review]

Thanks I contacted her

[Na]

The graphic is fab - Beatriz does amazing work! (She did my logo, and I'm getting her to do another one, plus a design for my site)

Good luck with your site Nate!

[KnytMuppet]

Thanks Na! It's going to take a lot of work because I have never built a website before, but I can usually figure things out if determined enough! I really love the work she did, and the price is unbeatable!

~Nate

[Na]

I'm sure you'll do fine - I never knew how to build a site before either, so I can sympathise completely!

(PS. I'm currently writing a how-to guide for designing puppetry sites. It was from a conversation elsewhere, but I'll link to it here if people would like it. By no means is it by an expert designer, just some hints and tips from my own experience)

[KnytMuppet]

That would be much appreciated! What I want to basically do with mine is, have basic examples of what I offer, when a person clicks on say for instance, a "boy puppet" they are taken to an order form that includes a blank text box where they can tell me how they want it built (colors and so forth). I just don't know how to accomplish that.

~Nate

[Na]

That's fairly easy - you can download and install a shopping cart program. (I really really really DON'T recommend Cubecart)

If you have a control panel with your web host, there may be options to install one (on my web host there's an option called 'Fantastico', and it lists a range of programs to install).

You have to be really careful when doing this - there's all sorts of issues involved with privacy, security, etc. You need to decide whether or not you're going to collect personal information via this form, how you're going to store the info (even if you don't take personal data via the form, but via phone call, or whatever), whether you're going to have a credit card payment via your site, etc etc.

I got hacked mid-last year and decided it wasn't worth the hassle of all of that. Now on my site, you have the product page, but you get sent to Etsy.com (or Lulu.com for patterns and downloads) to make the actual purchase.

I find it's much easier: I don't have to collect the purchase info, shipping info, or worry about payment processing.

You might not want to head in that direction: I recommend checking out Dr Puppet's site (see the orders page) for a really basic form - you can also install really easy-to-use webmail form programs on your site.

I had another example in my head, but I've forgotten it... will post it once I remember.

[Na]

PS. Just looking at Dr Puppet's order form page... you really should get someone to proofread the text before publishing it!

[Shawn Sorrell]

I agree with Na that while you can install eCommerce programs also called shopping carts, it is better to start simple and work through etsy, ebay or even paypal.  The advantage of the first two is that your products are seen by people that may not visit your site. The only thing is they are set up to sell a product that is already made. With paypal you could list as you say an example of a boy puppet then have a form that they fill out to give you features they want on a boy puppet. You can then correspond with them and generate a bill for your services via paypal or accept like check or money orders if you want.

There are a variety of "programs" that well create forms that email their results to you.  If you have a good hosting company, like Na mentioned they most likely have something like Fantastico or Scriptalicious that can install these for you.

[Billy D. Fuller]

Thanks Julie! That would have made a great logo, but I already had come up with something Beatriz came up with a graphic that I love, that is just what I had in mind I do wish to use the graphic on T-Shirts and business cards; when and if the site takes off and the need is there! I'm working on the web design, but I really have no idea what I'm doing, and can't afford to pay a designer to do it for me! Ah well, I usually can get things figured out when I want it badly enough!

So what does everyone think of the graphic that Beatriz made? I'm completely satisfied! *does a happy dance*

~Nate

Have you seen the home system for making your own T-shirts............... Yudu!
http://www.asontvinfomercials.com/tvproducts/yuduscreenprinting.html

http://www.whatdoyudu.com/videos/default.aspx?id=3

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?2T_s7Bqg6a4" target="youtube">YouTube Video</a>

Billy D.