Actor Websites and Artist Websites - ArtistUpgrade

What can I expect from my website?

Personalized design support for your unique artistic needs. Our in-house designer oversees every single aspect of the web design, tailoring the site to meet all your specific needs, discuss options, and find the best solution for your personal needs. We’re there for you every step of the way before, during, and long after your website has been launched.

Personalized Design Guidance. In order to build your website, there will be a number of materials that need to be provided: files containing photographs, text, video and/or sound samples, basically all the content that you would like incorporated into your website. ArtistUpgrade understands that gathering all your materials can be a daunting task, which is why we have developed a systematic building-guide that will help you consolidate all of your materials in the easiest, least time-consuming way possible.

Unlimited Free Hosting. The Host (or Server) is where is your website lives. Think of the Host as a garage that is rented out to your website (the car). Some hosts can only handle a few websites, but ours has room to spare! So, instead of charging you a monthly fee, we'll glady host your website, free of charge, for as long as you're our client with us. What can we say? We like to share!

Domain name for the year. Your Domain is simply the “.com” (ie. www.MickLauer.com). It is also commonly referred to as a “URL”. Many designers will charge monthly fees for your Domain. The truth of the matter is that Domains are generally purchased by the year, not the month. We feel it's only fair to do the same. Purchasing a website from ArtistUpgrade will guarantee your Domain name for the first year. After that, if you choose to renew your Domain, the cost will be about $10 for each following year or equivalent to the industry standard to keep your website up and running.

No extra costs for videos or sound samples. You want to include a clip from that online TV pilot you did? No problem. You want to include a sound sample from your new album? Simple. ArtistUpgrade is dedicated to customizing your website for all your artistic needs, hassle-free, at no additional cost beyond your original package quote.

Plenty of Pics. Up to 20 photographs in your headshot gallery, and up to 100 images (depending on your package) for your other photo galleries. If that's not enough, we've got plenty of options for expanding your galleries. See Expanding Photo Galleries

Unlimited Word™ documents for download. This includes Word™ documents such as resumes, scripts, poetry, and press that you wish to include on your website.

Universal Browser Compatibility. All sites have been tested on both Macs and PCs for browser compatibility. Your website is also viewable on some PDA’s such as Palm OS devices (i.e. Palm Centro™) and the iPhone™.

I like Flash™, do you do Flash™?

No! Flash™ is useful for a number of purposes: online applications, cool web-ads, and showing off your Flash™ skills to people who require Flash™. But in a world that values time, you’ll wind up doing more damage than good with a thirty-second Flash™ intro to your website.

It’s amazing how many people lose interest (rather than gain) after having to sit through half a minute of whooshing images and funky beats. The point of a website, especially your website, is to give your audience information about you, not showcase how talented your Flash™ designer is. Not only that, but Flash™ is not compatible with all devices. It’s true, most people have access to the Flash™ plug-in, but there are still those who do not, and almost no PDA has the capability of reading it...at least not yet.

In a world where artists have only 5 seconds to showcase themselves to the industry, you'll have lost your audience before a Flash™ intro even finishes loading.

While, admittedly, Flash™ is “cool”, it serves no legitimate purpose in a website meant to showcase your talents and, most likely, would be a disservice you.

I’ve seen some artist websites for less, why is yours more expensive?

One word: Personalized. Most artist website developers on the market are meant to be moneymaking website factories. They take your pictures, your text, and your resume and pump them into a template (or ten templates of your “choice”), and call it a website.

There’s only one person you deal with when your design is developed by our in-house designer: the designer. There’s no registration, there’s no membership fee, there’s no website robot…there’s only the designer and you.

If you’re looking for a customized look, you get customized. If you’re looking for personal service, you get personal. We don’t hide behind phone operators and automatic emails. Your website is completely in our hands, which means, your website is complete in your hands. At ArtistUpgrade we are committed to working with you to develop the most comprehensive, professional, personal, and effective website on the market. We will guide you step by step through the process and continue to offer our support, advice, and personalized service, before, during, and long after your website has been launched.

Other Web Designers have monthly fees, why don’t you?

. At ArtistUpgrade, you pay for what you get, and that's it.

Why do we do this? Well, we’d rather avoid the smoke and mirrors and give you what you want: a website that works and provides you with the options you need to keep your website current, effective, and up to speed while allowing flexibility with your budget. We also believe that edits which take minutes shouldn’t cost you an hour. ArtistUpgrade has developed a way to give you the most for your money with options that suit your specific needs, budget, and time constraints.

What is a "template"?

A template is the basic layout of your web pages; For instance, where the buttons are located, where the photo is placed on the screen, and so on.

There seems to be one template for your Actor and Choice Package websites. Why is that?

Having a hundred templates is the same as having none. All you’re saying (with that many choices) is that you don’t know what the best choice is. The goal isn’t to have the most original design; the goal is to have most effective design.

The template we use didn’t come out of thin air or out of the idea that it just “looks” great. We’ve done our research, consulted industry professionals and professional artists across America, and implemented all their feedback to create the most stylish, clean, and efficient website design specifically to fit the unique needs of artists. We’ve been a part of the artistic community for over 10 years and understand the elements of a well-constructed website, and the career damaging capabilities of a poor one.

Furthermore, with every website created at ArtistUpgrade, we’re constantly researching, critiquing, analyzing and modifying our designs to meet the needs of the artistic community. It is our job, as well as our goal, to ensure that artists everywhere are getting the most effective website on the market. Our template does exactly that and more!

I have a website, now what?

Now get yourself out there! ArtistUpgrade wants you to stay in touch. Email us your success stories and let us know how your website is working for you. We will keep in touch by emailing you TheMonthly Upgrade, which is a unique newsletter that offers tips and strategies on how to get the most out of your website. TheMonthlyUpgrade also contains career advice, submission suggestions, and keeps you connected to a supportive network of artists. We are here 24/7 to help you take your career to the next level.

What is considered a Custom Edit?

Custom Edits are edits that do not fall into the common categories of either Image Gallery Edits (adding/changing images to existing galleries and/or additional galleries), Video Edits (adding/changing your video clips), or Sound Library Edits (adding/changing sound clips to existing sound libraries and/or additional sound library players). Custom Edits are edits that require custom design needs, for example; changing your color scheme or re-formatting the template of a page. For these types of customized edits, our designers charge $45 per hour on a case by case basis. Why is this good for you? It allows you to get exactly what you want at a fraction of the cost charged by designers. The standard rate of custom web designers is $75 per hour. You do the math.

Why do you need a deposit and is it refundable?

We ask for a deposit for two reasons: One, when you decide to purchase a website we make a commitment to you: you become our priority and your deposit insures our love. Two, there is a lot of work that goes into the preparation of building your personal website. By making a deposit, we know that you are just as committed to your website as we are. Many times, people will want a website only to find out that there is effort involved to make it happen. Your deposit let’s us know that you are serious, and ensures that you receive the best customer service and care. Deposits are non-refundable.

Why can't I update and edit my own images, sound clips, and videos?

There are two reasons only ArtistUpgrade can edit these elements of your site: Technology and Integrity.

The Good News: Every image we use on your website has to be approved by both the client and the designer. You're coming to us for professional design and we take our work seriously. If we allowed our clients to whimsically upload any and all media elements to their website, the professional integrity of the work could be lost. Know that most images that are posted to your ArtistUpgrade website have been edited in some way by our designers (be it color-correction, resizing, retouching, and more).

The Other Good News: You CAN edit your text-based information from any computer connected to the internet. Any future edits you need to make to your images, sound clips, and videos are only an email or phone call away! We’ve developed a fast and hassle free system to keeping your site current. Simply email your edits along with any images, sound clips, and videos to updates@artistupgrade.com and your edits will be complete within 24 hours. Not only that, but we also offer rush editing for clients who need updates pronto!!

What Package is right for me?

At ArtistUpgrade, artists are our specialty. For that reason we have developed essential packages that meet the needs of most specific artistic industries. For example, the Actor Package is ideal for actors because it meets the most common needs of the actor. Not sure which package is right for you? Visit our “Packages Page” to learn more about what each website package offers. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out our Choice & Custom Design Packages to design a personalized website that fits your unique artistic needs. Still not sure? Contact us! We are more than happy to give you a complimentary consultation and advise you as to which package would best suit your needs, time constraints, and financial situation.

ArtistUpgrade expects you to have some questions, so we've come up with a number of comprehensive answers. The FAQ is a growing page that will evolve as clients ask more questions. If there's a question you have that isn't answered here, send it to info@artistupgrade.com and we'll add it to the list. Don't be shy, we love to hear from you.