FAQ Website Design
We have attempted to compile a complete list of questions and answers about website design. Included are basic as well as advanced questions.
If you have any other questions, please contact us.
- What is a web page?
- What is a website?
- What is a hyperlink?
- Why does my business need a website?
- I have a small business. What if I don't want to sell online?
- I'm just starting out in business, can you develop a website for me?
- What else do I need to have a website?
- Are you an ISP or a web hosting service?
- Can you help me select an ISP or domain name?
- I already have a website. Can you update it?
- How are prices determined?
- How much does it cost to setup a website?
- How many pages will I need?
- What do you need from me?
- How do I get started? What should I do next?
- Do I have a say in what my website looks like?
- How long will it take to have my Web site created?
- Can I change the content of my website?
- Can I maintain my website myself?
- What will my website address be?
- Will everyone see my website the same?
- Who actually owns my website?
- How will people find my website?
- Will my website show in the top listings on the search engines?
- How soon can I expect search engines to list my site?
- What's the earliest I can expect visitors to come to my site?
- How can I keep track of the visitors to my website?
- What about forms and guest books? Can you provide these services for me?
- What about e-commerce, database connectivity and shopping carts?
- I've seen sites advertised for free or less than a hundred dollars. Why should I pay for something I could get free?
A web page is a document found on the World Wide Web and may be composed of text, graphics, and links to other pages known as 'hyperlinks'. A web page is usually one page of a collection of pages that are known as a website.
A website consists of multiple pages linked to one another. Each one of these pages is commonly known as a web page. Websites can be viewed on the Internet, like the website you are currently viewing, or limited to an intranet, such as a network within a company.
A hyperlink is a technique that allows you to quickly redirect to a different place in the document that you are viewing or a different place on the Internet altogether. It may underlie text or graphics. When your mouse pointer is in the "hot" area of a hyperlink a "small pointing hand" is usually displayed. When you click on the hyperlink your browser will take you to another area of the web page, the website, or an entirely different location on the Internet.
Why does my business need a website?
Your website can:
- Provide information and promote sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Level the playing field between your business and competitors
- Increase your ability to communicate with your customers
- Enhance customer/brand loyalty
- Add to your credibility with your customers
Your customers - and potential customers - are using the Web to obtain information, buy products, and establish relationships with businesses. Shouldn't they be coming to you instead of your competitors?
I have a small business. What if I don't want to sell online?
There may be people who are curious about your business, but have never walked through your door because they simply haven't made the time. By providing access to your business online, these potential customers can learn about your product line, business hours, customer service policies, etc., all in the privacy of their home or office - they might just take a few moments to call, email or visit your shop the next time they have a need for the products you provide.
Even a small business has the potential to save in customer service costs by providing elementary information such as hours of operation, location and contact information. You can also display a list of frequently asked questions and answers, a calendar of upcoming events, job openings, etc.
Another advantage of a website is hosting an email list. By allowing your customers and potential customers to subscribe to your email newsletter, you can inexpensively inform them of upcoming sales and promotions. An email list allows you to educate customers about the specifics of the products or services that you sell in a timely fashion.
I'm just starting out in business, can you develop a websitefor me?
We know how important it is to develop a presence on the Internet. We will work with you to develop an attractive site within your budget. The design can encompass avenues for expansion as your business grows.
What else do I need to have a website?
You will need an Internet Service Provider (ISP), a hosting provider, and a domain name.
Are you an ISP or a web hosting service?
We specialize in creating websites and print graphics. We are not a web hosting company. We work with your existing or new choice of ISP and Web Host.
Can you help me select an ISP or domain name?
Yes, we can recommend an ISP and take care of domain name necessities for your site.
I already have a website. Can you update it?
We can create original websites from scratch or we can revamp or update existing sites. It may be time for a second generation website, or time to replace outdated information. We can help. Let us know what your needs are.
Prices are influenced by a multitude of factors including: number of pages, time involved in developing the site, costs for graphic design, consultation hours, client preparation (for example, clients submitting print copy that requires reformatting and manual transcription for html design will find costs higher than clients who submit electronic files). Keep in mind that web development is primarily a time intensive "service" rather than just a "product".
How much does it cost to setup a website?
For a professionally produced website, the cost can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. These prices can vary depending on the complexity and features of the site. For ecommerce/shopping cart sites, the base cost is $1,000 and increases with additional features and custom programming.
Here is a breakdown of the costs:
1. Site Design: $299 and up
| 1st page: | $299 |
| per addl. page: | $60 |
This assumes all copy is provided by you and is spell and grammar checked (additional required copy writing and editing done at $60/hour).
Scans of photographs take about 15 minutes and are billed at our regular rate of $60 / hour (It's usually much less expensive to request a CD-ROM when you get your photos developed).
2. Domain Name Registration (billed separately by a domain name registration company): $15 or less annually (wide variance in pricing between hosting companies).
3. Server Setup for your domain name (one-time charge) : $25
4. Domain Web Hosting set up (one-time charge) : $90
(Future modifications, design, programming and other work done at $60/ hour).
Every business has different needs. We will work with you to determine how many pages you need after learning more about your company and its method of operation and goals. We have clients with sites consisting of a single page and others whose sites are over 1000 pages.
This is your website so we need your input to make it achieve you want it to achieve. We work with you to take your ideas, dreams, plans, etc., and using our technological abilities, put a website together that is functional and attractive.
We may need logos, photos, brochures, flyers, newsletters or other artwork that identify your business. If possible, we would prefer you to outline what the text of the pages should say -- you know your business better than we do. We work with you to add ideas and strategies to create an optimal website. Our goal is to do the best possible job for you -- your satisfaction is important to our success.
How do I get started? What should I do next?
Complete our Request A Quote form or use our Contact Us form or e-mail us Info@FrankGonzalez.com or call us 1-201-417-9458.
Do I have a say in what my website looks like?
Definitely! As a matter of fact we insist on it. Your website should reflect your company properly. We want to convey that impression to everyone who visits your website.
As your site is being created, we will publish it to the Web, so that you can give us your input during the design process.
How long will it take to have my website created?
What usually takes the longest is gathering the necessary information. Once we have the material we need it goes quickly. Most sites are up within two to four weeks.
Can I change the content of my website?
Yes. If you choose to allow us to perform your site maintenance, simply send us your changes and we will update your site. Simple text alterations or additions are performed at the most reasonable rates available. More substantial changes such as page re-design will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Can I maintain my website myself?
Certainly. When your site is completed, you have the option to choose a maintenance package provided by DAG or you may perform your own maintenance.
It's been our experience that HTML and web design is not as easy as it appears to be at first glance. Getting the pages to look right in all browsers; getting images to view properly and load quickly, are skills we have developed over the years. Other factors such as designing the pages optimally for search engines, and quick loading are taken into consideration.
With an ecommerce site, adding and deleting items, price changes, etc. are built into the design of the site. Overall design and functionality modifications are handled by us.
If you would like to maintain your own site, we will always be available to consult with you at our regular rate.
What will my website address be?
Your Web address will look something like this:
www.YourBusinessName.com (.net) (.org), etc.
Will everyone see my website the same?
Users will see some things displayed a little differently depending on their browser and screen resolution setting. We design sites with that in mind and preview them in several browser types and resolution settings before publishing.
You are the owner of your website. When we register your domain, the person you designate will be listed as the owner, as well as the administrative and billing contacts.
How will people find my website?
We submit your site to the major search engines and encourage you to put your World Wide Web address on everything you can, i.e.: Advertisements, business cards, letterhead, checks, fax cover sheets, flyers, brochures, etc. There are also many banner advertisement exchange programs on the Internet you can get involved in, depending on the type of business you have.
Will my website show in the top listings on the search engines?
We design your site from the start with the search engines in mind. When finished, we submit it to the major search engines. Depending on the competition in your industry, we may be able to achieve very good placement on the search engines.
How soon can I expect search engines to list my site?
The search engines can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to list your site.
What's the earliest I can expect visitors to come to my site?
You don't need to wait for weeks for the search engines to kick in. Press releases, publicity, banner ads, newsgroup postings, radio/TV, newspaper ads, and other marketing methods can help generate interest and traffic to your site. We'll be glad to work with you on these other methods.
How can I keep track of the visitors to my website?
Most hosting services will have access to statistics that will tell you how many visitors you have had, what time they visited, what part of the world they are from, how long they spent, which of your pages they viewed, etc. This is a service that is essential to promote and build a successful website.
What about forms and guest books? Can you provide these services for me?
Yes. We can provide your site with questionnaires, surveys, order forms, guest books, hit counters, and clocks. All as part of the content you select for your pages. However, in some instances this may require additional charges.
What about e-commerce and shopping carts?
We offer a full-featured e-commerce system with shopping cart and database connectivity. Follow these site links to see what is possible:
Platinum Costumes
Sail QS Products
The Pediatric Book
Sites that are available for free, or very low cost, tend to be designed with a cookie-cutter type template-- in other words, one size fits all. There is limited flexibility with style, colors, and format. DAG creates sites from scratch, working closely with the customer to develop an aesthetically pleasing and functional web presence. Your unique web site results in an improved web presence and marketing tool.
Hopefully, we have covered many of your questions. We realize that you may need additional questions answered so we invite you to use one of our many our inquiry forms:
