Frequently Asked Questions about Web Design
Why
do I need a Web page?
What do I need to build a Web page?
How much will it cost?
What do I do after I select
a domain name?
I already registered a
domain name. What now?
Ok, we are underway building
a site. What can I expect?
How do I promote my Web site?
Can't I build my own Web
site?
Well, my nephew can make Web
pages...
Why does it cost
money to do what Facebook or MySpace offer for
free?
Do you maintain and update the sites you create?
How do I Get to Top 10 on Google?
Why do I need a Web page?
Besides the fact that most businesses have
some sort of Internet presence nowadays, having
a Web site allows potential customers to find
out about what you have to offer, saving you time
on the telephone repeating the same information over and over. You can sell your products online, keeping
you from depending on walk-in clientele. Or just about anything. Today's society tends to run to Google to find out about anything, and being on that "search results" page will lead to visits to your site.
Plus, having a nice-looking Web site will do wonders
for first impressions.
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What do I need to build a Web page?
First, you must have most or
all of the information you want to appear on your
page. While I will assist you in finding images
to use on your site and offer input on its content,
it is up to you to supply as many pictures as
you can, as well as provide the text to appear
on the pages on a Word document, or simply as
part of an email. Working on a Web page is a two-way
street, and while it is my job to build and design
the page, it is equally important that you assist
in the process. You wouldn't hire an architect
to design a house and not give any input, would
you?
Typically, a strong paragraph describing what
you offer should open the site. Use keywords that
you would look for if searching for a site on
any of the search engines. An "about us"
page to get into more detail is also suggested.
Here, you can discuss the finer points (philosophies,
strategies, biographical history, etc.). If you
are selling products, please have all prices,
product descriptions, and shipping information
ready. If you have any images that you'd like
on your Web site, please have those ready as well.
I can also find stock images for your site.
Some other suggestions, in case you want a Web site but don't know what you'd like on it:
- Write down any catch phrases or slogans, whether on a legal pad or a cocktail napkin -- it doesn't matter. (However, please provide longer text as a Word document, or as part of an email. A rough draft on paper, while sounding primitive, is often the best way to brainstorm ideas.
- Look at other Web sites you like, and figure out what qualities catch your eye.
- Select some images you think best represent what you have to offer, and write captions for each photograph.
Also, if you have not secured a domain name (www.domainname.com), it is highly recommended that you do so at this time. While there are numerous Web sites that offer free web pages, they will most likely have long, complicated URL addresses, plus they will contain advertising. Your own domain name is much easier to remember by your customers and find by Web users, plus it adds a personal touch to your site.
How much will it cost?It depends greatly. It's not so much the number of pages, it's what inside the pages. For example, will you have a lot of photos or a few? Do you want the capability to upload your own photos to a photo gallery, or will it be a static page? Do you want feedback forms? Will you have a shopping cart? Will you supply much of the artwork, or will I have to dig some up? Are you the type of person who changes their mind constantly, or do you know what you want from the get-go? These are all factors that play a role in the bottom line. Basic sites can start at $200 and up, and that is a very basic estimate. While a basic Web site will be clean, nice looking and easy to navigate, don't expect too many bells and whistles. This is why I charge by the hour. Sure, many people are looking for a cheap Web site, but if price is the ultimate decision maker for you, then I recommend visiting Craig's List. Just remember the adages: You get what you pay for, and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
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What do I do after I select a domain name?
Next you will need hosting. This is not the
same as an ISP (Internet Service Provider, such
as AOL, Bellsouth, Earthlink, Brighthouse, etc.), which allows
dial-up or high-speed access to the Web. Hosting is like the billboard that you rent from a company; it is where your site will sit online. Monthly
hosting fees start at about $5. I do not offer hosting.
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I already registered a domain name. What now?
If you have secured a domain name, I'll will need whatever user name
and password you selected when registering it.
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Ok, we are underway building a site. What can I
expect?
What I'll do is send you regular updates on
the site's progress, mainly through a temporary link that you can visit, give input and ask for
changes as needed. Remember that the Web site you
see is merely a rough draft, and anything can change
on it.
How
do I promote my Web site?
Depending on your advertising budget, promoting
a Web site can either be done through pay-per-click (Google Adwords, for example); traditional
advertising (newspaper or magazine), or through
online reciprocal links with other Web sites that
may compliment yours. Submitting your site to the
various search engines on the Web will also help
get your Web site indexed.
There are many ways to promote your site, and just like a brick-and-mortar company, simply being listed in a directory is not enough. But always remember: you get what you put into your Web site.
Can't
I build my own Web site?
While many companies offer "build-your-own-Web
site" features, most only allow users to create
sites using a limited number of templates, which
affects layout possibilities. Plus, let's face it,
many people just don't have the time to update their
Web sites, or to learn basic Web design skills.
While using these types of Web services are fine
--- for the most part --- for personal Web sites,
I don't recommend using them to create a professional
online presence.
However, if you still want me to build your Web
site, and you'd like to be the one who updates it, that's fine,
too. But, unless I create a CMS (system management system) type of site (Wordpress is a popular platform), you'd better be prepared to learn
some Web design work with a particular program (Dreamweaver
or FrontPage, for example), and know it well enough to where you don't throw everything askew. I can build a CMS site for you, but please weigh whether you will be updating the site often, since creating a CMS site costs more due to programming. If you want a CMS Web site, or a Web site that allows you to update content on your own, keep in mind whether you will actually use it. If you plan to update your Web site on occasion, then the answer is probably no. It will save you money in the long run, since it takes more time (and money) to create a CMS site.
But, if you do plan on taking a hands-on approach and regularly update your site, then you should consider it. It will be a higher up-front cost, but you'll recoup the different over time.
Note: you might want to try registering for a free version of Wordpress so you can get an idea of how it works before deciding to have your own version (customized to your tastes) on your own site.
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Well, my nephew/next-door neighbor's son/daughter
...and we're
sure he/she can answer the phone, too. The point:
just because they can do it doesn't mean you want
them to.
Why
does it cost money to do what Facebook or MySpace
allow for free?
That's a
common question. Sure, there are many Web sites
out there that allow users to post photos, blogs,
or do a multitude of things. But what most people
don't realize is that these companies made a hefty
investment to allow users to do these tasks. (No, these sites have actual humans working in an office; these features of theirs don't "just happen.") While
photo galleries, message boards and blogging features
won't break the bank by any means, they require more time, and money. So expect an extra few hundreds (not thousands, in most cases) for these features.
Do
you maintain and update the sites you create?
Yes I do. Many of my clients return to me on a
regular basis for updates to their sites. Typically,
I will make whatever changes you request within
24 hours during regular business hours (EST). My
rate is our hourly fee, broken down into 15 minutes'
worth of billable time. Fifteen minutes may not
sound like a lot, but I can make minor changes
(add/change text or photos) in that time.
How do I Get to Top 10 on Google?
While there is no silver bullet, there are many factors involved. Among them: the site's layout, text content, metatags, ingoing and outgoing links, and others. While I always optimize my sites, it is an ongoing process, and it takes time. So don't get discouraged if your site does not appear on Google immediately.
Many clients of mine who have Web sites are always getting emails from companies that promise top-10 positions on Google/Yahoo/etc. (Once a domain is registered, their owner's email address often becomes public record, and these companies solicit their services.) But the reality is that no one but the search engines can control how your site will be ranked. Or, you can pay-per-click advertise. And then, your site's position will depend solely on much you bid vs. how much your competition is bidding for a particular search phrase. Higher bids mean higher positions.
In short: Don't expect to simply create a page, and get to No. 1 without tweaks and changes.
