Frequently Asked Questions:
As a small business owner.
What can a website do for me?
It's not what a website can do for you, it's what it can do for your customers.
Why do I need a Web presence?
Whatever your business goals are, prospering in today's marketplace requires
an Internet presence. Establishing an Internet presence for your company
or organization can be one of the most important steps you take. There
are hundreds of ways to do it and it is our goal to make sure you do it
right.
Your website is often the first impression an Internet
user has of your company. A professional website design, just like your
letterhead, logo and other stationery, should project a distinct and positive
image on those who view them, and should entice your visitors to learn
more about your company and to conduct business with you.
Having a website is critical in today's market.
The Internet has changed the way we buy and sell products and services
and the way we obtain information. Just a few years ago, a website was
considered a "nice thing to have" but today, it is imperative
for companies to embrace an online strategy in order to compete in the
new e-economy.
Want another reason to have a website?
OPEN 24 HOURS 7 days a week all over the world. Your site works for you
while you sleep. So does your advertising, and your articles you write.
Consider every little thing you do to market to be a new round the clock
employee you just hired for free. These employees will stay out on the
web working for you forever. The BIG SECRET is that the older your online
business gets, the less work it takes to make more money.
How much time does it take to build a website?
A website can be completed in as little as a few days to several months.
Completion time would depend on several factors:
(1) the size of the website
(2) the amount of time it takes the site owner to offer feedback
on the web design in progress and to provide relevant content (images,
pictures, text, etc.) for the website.
Can I design a website on my own?
Of course! But you need to know more than just HTML.
Other tools, languages and applications such as CSS, SSL, CGI, SSI, XML,
PHP, CFM, JSP, ASP, DHTML, SHTML, Flash, Java. Not mention Photoshop,
Fireworks, ColdFusion and .... I'll stop here ...I think you get the picture.
If you don't want to spend months learning the basic groundwork of web
design, you might want to let a professional designer develop your site.
How can I promote my website?
Search engine and directory submissions, negotiating
cross-links with other sites, put your URL on all correspondence and marketing
materials, e-mail marketing ... and that's just the beginning.
Can you guarantee my site will be listed high
in the search engines?
No, and no reputable company should make these guarantees!
Only a small percentage of all pages submitted are even added to search
engine indexes.
We can guarantee that we will pursue the best avenues and do our best
to get you rated as high as we can!
If I build a great website, will they come?
Simple answer ...NO! But ...if you build
it, promote it, give it lots of attention, update it, they will definitely
come. Simply creating a website will not generate lots of traffic and
will not cause your website to be immediately listed in all the search
engines. Building a website is only the first step in an overall marketing
plan. We will submit your completed website to the top search engines
that are still accepting free submissions, but we cannot guarantee if
and when the search engines will index any website. We will work with
you on the best deals available for the fee based search engines.
What kind of services will I need once the site
is completed?
Some websites require minimal maintenance while some require daily updates.
Be sure to discuss your site's future needs with your web developer.
How much does a website cost?
The investment you make in your website development
project will vary depending on the complexity of the site, visual sophistication
and the type of programs you require on the site.
What is your payment policy?
Payment policies vary depending on the size and
scope of the project. The standard payment policy on custom website designs
require a percentage up front and the remaining balance to be paid upon
site completion. If needed we can work out monthly payments that fit your
budget.
What components should a "good" website
have?
Effective design, easy navigation, appropriate content,
fast loading pages and lots of attention.
I'm
learning HTML in my spare time. Why should I hire a developer?
There's more to the web than HTML. A web developer will bring expertise,
information and knowledge about current technologies and trends and much
more to your project.
How do I choose a web developer?
Talk to as many developers as you can. Find one
that matches your company's needs, budget and style.
I love all the bells and whistles ...can we add
all theses types of things to our site?
Sure ...but a good site loads quickly and the razzle
dazzle stuff slows this down. By the way, search engines can't index things
like Flash presentations and other big applications which will hinder
your customers search to finding your site.
The major sites on the Internet don't use Flash intros, so why would you?
Your customers want product information and knowledge, not dazzling slow
loading graphics. Try to avoid large graphics and reuse images throughout
your site. If your site has tons of bells and whistles and provides insufficient
product information ...they may just leave and not come back. Why make
things more difficult? Best rule to follow ...keep it simple!
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