Expression Web Consulting
If you have Expression Web, are thinking of using Expression Web, or would like to find out whether Expression Web is the right tool for you, one of the services described on this page may be just what you need.
Convert From FrontPage to Expression Web
Do you have a website that was built using FrontPage® Web authoring software? You've probably heard that FrontPage is no longer supported by Microsoft; Expression Web has taken its place. Along with that change, Web standards (HTML and CSS) have evolved. You decide to convert to Expression Web … where do you start?
There is no easy conversion tool. Most websites built with FrontPage have a lot of no-longer-necessary code that browsers may choose not to recognize. You can continue to open your website and make minor textual changes in Expression Web. However, since many of the FrontPage features are not included in Expression Web, at some point your website may fail to display properly. Then, you'll need to start from scratch.
Using your existing website as a design guide, I can create a new design and migrate your site to the new Web standards using Expression Web. Depending on what you need, I'll:
- Create a template page — a DWT file that takes the place of shared borders in FrontPage
- Create a style sheet — a CSS file that makes it much easier to keep track of and modify layout, spacing, fonts, and colors
- Remove the FrontPage code — cleaning up the code will make your pages load faster and be easier to maintain over time
- Update the look a bit — dramatic changes aren't necessary (unless you want them), but tidying up the design will present a more professional and streamlined page to your website visitors
- Migrate your existing content (text and pictures) to pages built from the Expression Web template
Once your website is updated, I can help you learn enough about Expression Web to make changes on your own. Depending on your interest, time, and inclination, I can also help you understand how to change the page template, style sheet, and other aspects of your website.
An update like this is an opportunity for you to modernize the look of your website. I can make the layout cleaner, and the menus easier to use and update.
After you contact me, I'll review your website and we can discuss next steps.
Update Your Text and Pictures
Perhaps you've installed Expression Web and are trying to use it to update your website. Suddenly, your website doesn't look right. Maybe you added some text from Microsoft Word® and it doesn't look the same as the rest of the page. Maybe you added some pictures and now your web page is taking longer to load into the browser. Whatever problem you're having with Expression Web, let me see how I can help guide you through it.
Sometimes you just want a little help in learning how to use Expression Web. After you contact me with your situation, we can schedule a phone training session to walk through one or more ways to accomplish your objective. In this type of one-on-one coaching, it can take as little as one hour for you to feel more comfortable using Expression Web to update your website.
Collaborate on a Custom Design
Whether you have an existing website or are starting from scratch, I can help you with a clean, straightforward website design. Using Expression Web to build a design template means you'll be able to do as much or as little maintenance of your site as you want to, also using Expression Web.
We'll have a conversation about what you need, what types of designs appeal to you, what content — text and pictures — you have, and how much updating you want to do yourself. Then, I'll draft a design for your review. Once you like the design, you can choose to put your content into the design via Expression Web, or send me the content and I can put it into the design. If you need help finding a hosting provider, I can make suggestions. Once you have your domain set up and the draft website is approved, I can help you go live with your website.
If you want to maintain the content on your website directly, I can show you how to edit your pages with Expression Web. Want to get started now? Contact me.
Get General Help with Expression Web
Have you installed Expression Web and tried to use it, but find it difficult or confusing? Have you been trying to use Expression Web and can't figure something out? I can probably help you.
With many years of experience teaching adults to use Expression Web, I've learned that each of us has our own learning style. In Expression Web, as with many Microsoft applications, there are often multiple ways to achieve the same end. I can be a resource for you as you practice using Expression Web. When you hit a snag, I can help you learn the tools and techniques (and sometimes workarounds) to smooth your way. If you prefer, I can provide more intense training on Expression Web with examples from your own website. Contact me with your questions.
Get Help with HTML and CSS
Over my years of teaching Expression Web, I discovered that many Expression Web questions are really HTML or CSS questions. While you may not realize the difference — and you don't necessarily need to — I have found it useful to teach some HTML and CSS along with Expression Web.
If you know you need HTML or CSS assistance (or even if you don't you know you need it), I can help. As I work with you on your website, I'll figure out what you need, whether in Expression Web or not, and coach you accordingly. Fill out the form on the Contact page and send it to me to start our dialog.