frequently asked questions
if you are new to web design, it can be a baffling minefield of terms that would frighten even the geekiest geek!
luckily, its not really that complicated if you are a client - all the mystery and magic is handled by the designer and you can sit back and enjoy the ride of receiving a shiny new website.
if you would like to know a bit more about what is involved though, then you have come to the right place...
questions
- I know absolutely nothing about owning a web site - help!!
- How much does a website cost?
- Are there any ongoing charges to pay?
- What is a Domain Name?
- I already have a web site domain name - can I use this?
- Can I make my own web site - it looks easy?
- I have my own logo and colouring - is that ok?
- I have designed my own web site - can you use this design?
- How quickly will I have my web site?
- Can I have email addresses with my web site?
- I would like to move my existing site - is this a problem?
- What is W3C Validation?
- What is CMS?
- What is SEO?
- Can I appear on the first page of Google?
answers
- I know absolutely nothing about owning a web site - help!!
Then you've come to the right place! The internet can appear a scary place and the thought of owning your own web site even scarier.
With this in mind, I have composed a short article dealing with first-time web site owners.
Click here to read my article in full. - How much does a website cost?
As my work is totally bespoke, the cost of a web site will vary depending on the requirements of the client.
During our initial contact, I will discuss the type of site which you require and then produce a detailed quote for you. Most web site projects are charged on a 'per job' inclusive rate, or I do offer hourly rates for smaller jobs. - Are there any ongoing charges to pay?
There are two main ongoing charges associated with any web site.
They are the domain name renewal and a yearly hosting fee. Your domain name is usually renewed yearly after an initial two year purchase and the hosting fee is payable every 12 months.
With any new site I build, I include 1 .co.uk domain name free for a year!
Any other charges will be agreed in full before any contracts are agreed. It is not my policy to charge any ongoing maintenance fees for my sites and if this ever did occur, it would be exceptional circumstances which we would agree first. - What is a Domain Name?
A domain name (or URL) is the web site address of your site.
Addresses usually begin with www. and can end in a variety of ways - such as .co.uk, .com and .org. - I already have a web site domain name - can I use this?
If you have already purchased a web site domain name (URL) then its highly likely that I will be able to take control of the name and use it for your new web site.
I may need access to your providers control panel to make some technical changes, but this will be discussed as and when required with you first. - Can I make my own web site - it looks easy?
Well, the good news is yes, its reasonably easy with a little know how to make your own web site and put it on the internet.
The bad news is there is so much more than adding some text and a picture to a Word document and sending it to the internet!
A professional web designer has many factors to consider when building a web site, such as navigation, usability, the W3C standards, search engine optimisation, image optimisation, database options, hosting configuration.....
So if you are serious about having a compliant, modern web site that will work for you correctly, then its always best to speak to a professional web designer. - I have my own logo and colouring - is that ok?
Yes, that is perfect!
It is very important to keep continuity in your branding and if your web site matches your office stationary then that is a big plus.
In my professional role, I may suggest subtle changes if I feel it is necessary (lime green and red just dont work!), but the final decision on any design is always my clients. - I have designed my own web site - can you use this design?
As a professional web designer, there are many factors to consider when designing a website - usability and navigation are just two points you have to plan for before even putting pen to paper (or mouse pointer to screen!).
So in that regard, it is important the design process begins way before anything visual is displayed and hence ready made designs (no matter how nice) may not be functional in a real world setting.
If you do have your own design (or design ideas) then I will most definately consider them and could even 're-build' a design based on the idea, but could not guarantee being able to use them verbatim I'm afraid. - How quickly will I have my web site?
I am usually booked up quite a few weeks in advance, but this isnt always an issue as there are a few stages to progress through before the actual building of your web site can begin.
The length of time a site takes to build varies on the complexity of the site - this can range from a few days, to a few weeks - which will be reflected in the price of your quote.
I will discuss all Project Timing with you and outline exactly where that time (and your money) will be spent. - Can I have email addresses with my web site?
Yes, with my hosting package, you can have almost unlimited e-mail addresses.
I will assist you to set up the information you may need on your PC too, or alternatively, I also offer a 'webmail' service - which is just like using Hotmal, YahooMail etc. - I would like to move my existing site - is this a problem?
If you already have a web site hosted elsewhere and would like to move it to my hosting, then I would need to confirm certain details with you first and would most likely require access to your previous providers control panel. - What is W3C Validation?
The 'W3C' are the 'World Wide Web Council' and they are a consortium of organisations dedicated to bringing an industry standard practice to the internet and web sites.
All my web sites will meet W3C standards - this means you can be assured of outstanding quality and error free sites. A validated W3C web site will also rank higher in Google as well as being more user friendly for less-abled internet users. - What is CMS?
CMS stands for Content Management System and is a secure area online attached to your web site, where you can log in and make certain changes to your site content.
How many options you have will depend on the type of CMS you require - as I build all my CMS's bespokely, this ensures you will have all the options you require to have full control over your web site. - What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation and is the process used for 'optimising' your web site using tried and tested methods for improving search engine ranking for a web site. - Can I appear on the first page of Google?
Whilst absolute placing cannot be guaranteed (due to the highly secretive formula Google use to rank their web sites), you can be assured that through my many years of commercial experience, I know best practices to help search engines rank your website.
This is known as an 'organic process' and does not involve any 'black hat' methods of cheating the Google system. Whilst taking slightly longer to return results, the organic system ensures longevity and should see a steady rise in your site through the Google pages.
