FAQ About the Standard Web Site Package

• How long does it take to make the web site?
• Do you write the text for different pages?
• Do I have to supply my own graphics?
• After the site is online, how are changes made?
• What if I want more than 10 graphics or need something else extra?
• Are there any discounts available?
• How often do you do search engine submissions?

How long does it take to make the web site?

There is no fixed timeline for this, but the average is about 4 weeks.

The first task is to decide how to organize the site, i.e. what specific pages you will have. This is mostly determined by your particular content and business goals, so you need to have at least a preliminary plan before we can begin.

The next task is to design your unique template. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. We draw up some potential designs based on your ideas and preferences, and the image you want the site to project (friendly, elegant, etc.). If you have a logo or other marketing material, it plays an important role in the design.

The drawings are modified until we are both satisfied. Your template is put together based on the final drawing. When your text is ready, the individual pages are usually coded within a few days.

Do you write the text for different pages?

No, but we can help you organize, format, and massage the wording so it works well on the web.

You need to provide the text to us in a form that can be copied and pasted, such as in a word processor doc or even written in WordPad or Notepad, sent as a separate email attachment. HTML email is not acceptable, nor are Microsoft Publisher files.

You should run spell and grammar checks on the text before you send it because we do not do this by default. If you cannot do it for some reason, at least proof-read it a few times first. You may be billed extra for excess time correcting such errors. We will also transcribe newspaper or magazine articles for an extra fee.

Do I have to supply my own graphics?

We have royalty-free stock photos and clip-art available if you need them. While our image library is pretty extensive, we may not have exactly what you want. Additional fees may apply if we have to spend extra time looking for specific pictures, or extra time editing graphics that you supply.

For any graphics that you supply to us that you did not make yourself, you need permission from the copyright holder to use them on your web site. If the image is from a clip-art or other collection check the license agreement to make sure. For other photographs, get permission from the photographer.

Copyright infringement is a no-no.

After the site is online, how are changes made?

If you expect frequent changes and want to update the site yourself, the DIY package may be a better choice. For a standard web site, we generally do the maintenance—you tell us what you want changed and we do it. grin

Change requests must be in writing, usually via email. Turn-around is normally within a week, but it depends on the change. You get up to 2 hours free maintenance the first year, which is usually sufficient for periodic text changes. After that, hourly rates apply. If we host the site, there are annual renewal packages that include some maintenance, for less than you'd pay for just hosting costs at many other services.

If a requested change is expected to be larger than the amount of your paid-ahead or free time, you'll be given an estimate up front. Then you can decide whether to proceed or not.

Of course, you are always free to learn HTML and maintain the site yourself. All you need is a text editor (even Notepad will do), a means to transfer files to your web space, and possibly a graphics editor.

What if I want more than 10 graphics or need something else extra?

We'll work with you to come up with a plan that is fair to both of us.

Are there any discounts available?

Realistically, it takes on average 20 to 25 manhours to build a custom standard 6-page web site. Multiply that by the going hourly rate and you'll have an idea of our cost.

The most time is spent developing the graphic design. If you already have a brochure or other material and want your web site to match, it generally takes less time to put together, so a discount may be available. The amount of discount varies depending on the complexity of the design.

How often do you do search engine submissions?

There are many myths concerning search engines, such as:

• The more often you submit a site, the better the ranking: false.

  Submitting a site alone is not sufficient to even get it listed, let alone get a good ranking. The best way to get a good ranking is to get other good-ranking sites to link to yours. These links are called in-bound links. Without in-bound links, it may take many months before a search engine will index your site, and your ranking will probably still be low unless you have exceptional and unique content.

• “Meta” tags and keywords are important for good ranking: false.

  Meta keywords were so abused by spammers that major search engines totally ignore them these days, though a well-written meta description can definitely be beneficial. Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines look primarily at the text in your pages. If you want to get hits for specific keywords or phrases, you must include them within the content. Page titles, headings, and link text are valued higher than regular text. Text in graphics is not indexed at all.

• Pay submission services can boost your ranking: false.

  Simply paying someone to do search engine submissions will only empty your wallet, unless they also make appropriate changes to your content. Scamming is rampant, so be very wary of anyone offering search engine services for a fee. Never respond to unsolicited email from someone claiming to be an "SEO expert", especially if the only contact information they supply is a gmail email address. A reputable service would not resort to such tactics.

If you still have doubts, then read Google's web master information pages. Most other search engines have very similar guidelines.

And to answer the question, we include a link to your site from at least one of our sites. When search engines index our site, your's will be automatically picked up as well.

Even if everything is done perfectly, it can take anywhere between a couple weeks and many months before your site shows up in search engine results and a year or more before it actually gets a good ranking. That is the truth.