In the past couple years of being in business, I’ve been asked many common questions and have compiled a list of the questions and answers to assist you in making such an important decision. Your business is something you take seriously and I want to make the process of getting your business online as easy as possible for you! Feel free to call or contact me if you have questions or concerns.ÂÂ

When working with a web design company who will build your web site, it’s important to ask some questions and make an informed decision before jumping right in:ÂÂ

Does the web designer have a full-service company?

Do you just get a complete website on CD-ROM or does the designer handle uploading all the files for you, in order to have the entire site working correctly on a web host’s server? Try to find one that will build your site, get it onlne, and offer full technical support and/or post-development website maintenence and updates. Do you just get a on CD-ROM or does the designer handle uploading all the files for you, in order to have the entire site working correctly on a server? Try to find one that will build your site, get it onlne, and offer full technical support and/or post-development .ÂÂ

Can the designer build something I want?

Look at their portfolio, and also ask the designer if there are other sites that function in a similar manner to the web site they might build for you. Ask them if they would mind showing you a few working examples for you to look at and test out on your own. It is especially important to test their portfolio of online stores,membership sites, and community sites (sites that have message boards or chat functionality) if that is what you are looking for.

Look at their , and also ask the designer if there are other sites that function in a similar manner to the web site they might build for you. Ask them if they would mind showing you a few working examples for you to look at and test out on your own. It is especially important to test their portfolio of ,, and (sites that have message boards or chat functionality) if that is what you are looking for.ÂÂ

Can you take it with you?

Does the designer own the shopping cart and/or other software on your website, or at least grant you a license to use it elsewhere? If for some reason in the future, you to decide to change web design company or hosting company, can you move this software to it? Make sure you understand what parts of the site your company owns and what parts of ir are copyrighted to others.Does the designer own the and/or other software on your website, or at least grant you a license to use it elsewhere? If for some reason in the future, you to decide to change or , can you move this software to it? Make sure you understand what parts of the site your company owns and what parts of ir are copyrighted to others.ÂÂ

Is it Guaranteed?

What are the guarantees or promises you are told by your web design company? If you find months later that part of the site does not work correctly, what do you do, then? Get any guarantees in writing. Web design is an intricate craft and web sites are things that change constantly, so you could overlook an issue which may not be previlant after the first few days or weeks within the site’s completion.

Is Anyone Home?

Is there someone on-call during business hours, with whom you can speak directly, and knows who you are and is familar with the project? Or are you faced with the possibility of speaking to one of a dozen tech support people who don’t evn know you, or worse, an answering service? Do they have a local or toll-free number that you can use? Be sure that you can keep in close contact with your designer at all times, but also respect their working hours. If something arises that needs immediate attention but it is not during the designer’s business hours, they should provide you with the means of contacting them so that they may get back to you within a short time frame (24 hours or the next business day).Is there someone on-call during business hours, with whom you can speak directly, and knows who you are and is familar with the project? Or are you faced with the possibility of speaking to one of a dozen tech support people who don’t evn know you, or worse, an answering service? Do they have a local or toll-free number that you can use? Be sure that you can keep in close contact with your designer at all times, but also respect their working hours. If something arises that needs immediate attention but it is not during the designer’s business hours, they should provide you with the means of contacting them so that they may get back to you within a short time frame (24 hours or the next business day).ÂÂ

Technology is Key Do you require a certain function that would necessitate using a certain type of server for your web site host? Are there any applications that you want the designer to integrate with the site,which are made in ASP (Active Server Pages) or PHP (Hypertext Pre-Processor markup language)? If you need of the web site to use ASP, SQL, Access, or Other Databases, you would likely want to go with a Microsoft NT server. In the cases of PHP, MySQL, Perl and CGI-enabled web site functions, it’s recommended that a Linux or UNIX-based server is used.Do you require a certain function that would necessitate using a certain type of server for your ?

Are there any applications that you want the designer to integrate with the site,which are made in (Active Server Pages) or (Hypertext Pre-Processor markup language)? If you need of the web site to use , you would likely want to go with a Microsoft NT server. In the cases of , it’s recommended that a Linux or UNIX-based server is used.ÂÂ

Does YourBusiness.com Move With You? The domain name you registered should be able to to move wih you if you for some reason decide to change web hosts or even change your web designer. Many web developers and designers can register your domain name for you, if you want, or you can purchase the domain name yourself. It is fairly easy to register a domain name these days, but don’t get caught paying more than $30/year for one if you have to. If you purchase your domain name on your own, you have the flexibility to control it from within your domain name account. You would have to log in to the registrant’s web site and point the DNS nameservers to the new web host’s DNS servers.The you registered should be able to to move wih you if you for some reason decide to change web hosts or even change your web designer. Many can register your domain name for you, if you want, or you can purchase the domain name yourself. It is fairly easy to these days, but don’t get caught paying more than $30/year for one if you have to. If you on your own, you have the flexibility to control it from within your . You would have to log in to the registrant’s web site and point the DNS nameservers to the new web host’s .A DNS nameserver is a name that is assinged to your domain and it can change depending on who your hosting company is. An example of a DNS nameserver is: ns1.yourhostingcompany.com, ns2.yourhostingcompany.com

Will your designer be setting up SEO (search engine optimization) on your web site?

If so, they should ensure that any of the hidden text or codes they use are not something that could keep your site from showing up in search engines in the future. This is commonly known as getting “banned” from search engines. If the designer is one who claims to be able to build your site to get the #1 ranking in Google or Yahoo, stay away from them. Chances are high that they can’t get you the hundreds of hits they promise, usually through the means of “doorway pages”. There is no guranteed formula to having your site be ’search-engine friendly’ All it takes is having a designer who is thorough, making sure they build the site using clean code, and text that is well-placed and works well with visitors, search engine robots and spiders and does not try to block them. There are webmaster guidelines available through Yahoo! and Google’s web sites to learn more about SEO.If so, they should ensure that any of the hidden text or codes they use are not something that could keep your site from showing up in search engines in the future. This is commonly known as getting “banned” from search engines. If the designer is one who claims to be able to build your site to get the #1 ranking in Google or Yahoo, stay away from them. Chances are high that they can’t get you the hundreds of hits they promise, usually through the means of “doorway pages”. There is no guranteed formula to having your site be ‘ All it takes is having a designer who is thorough, making sure they build the site using clean code, and text that is well-placed and works well with visitors, search engine robots and spiders and does not try to block them. There are available through Yahoo! and Google’s web sites to learn more about SEO.ÂÂ

What’s the Timeframe for Completion?

How long will the designer take to get the job done? It’s important to always seek out an estimated time of compltion when starting your site planning. The timeframe your designer gives is almost always an estimate, since web sites are all different, it can be difficult to rate precisely but this is a good starting point.How long will the designer take to get the job done? It’s important to always seek out an estimated time of compltion when starting your site planning. The timeframe your designer gives is almost always an estimate, since are all different, it can be difficult to rate precisely but this is a good starting point.ÂÂ

How much will it cost?

The subjective nature of web site development can be hard to calculate exactly. However, for a good idea of the expense involved in getting a web site built, here are some ballpark figures you should expect:The subjective nature of can be hard to calculate exactly. However, for a good idea of the expense involved in , here are some ballpark figures you should expect:ÂÂ

If you just want a static web site (small and basic, little to no updates required) web site, you could spend between $500-$1000 easily, this is because you have to factor in the designer’s work, if they are just putting up a template and adding some words to 3-4 pages then the price should not be more than in the lower range. For a site that packs a little more punch (custom graphics made by the designer, adding a small photo gallery, etc. you can expect the site to be in the higher price range.

How much will a web site cost?

A web site that handles customer requests, has functions like a news page, subscriptions to a company newsletter, can automatically respond to e-mails and gets updated on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) can cost $3,000 or more, depending on what exactly the site does. Again, discussing the functions, your budget and time concerns can all have an affect on the costs.

A , has functions like a , subscriptions to a , can automatically and gets (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) can cost $3,000 or more, depending on what exactly the site does. Again, discussing the functions, your budget and time concerns can all have an affect on the costs.ÂÂ

If a custom designed web site is not your speed and you want to get your site online quickly, there are other resources you may want to check into such as http://www.bwoodsdesign.com/cheap_website_templates.html

What are the hourly rates for future updates & changes?

Some web design firm rates can be as high as $100 per hour. Make sure that you know the price of your web designer’s maintenence plans and/or update work hourly rates in advance, so you can have a general idea of future costs. Do you know how many changes and updates your site will need done, in a year? It’s always best when figuring out your budget, to add these numbers in with your quote request, so that you have some room to move in this area.Some can be as high as $100 per hour. Make sure that you know the price of your web designer’s and/or update work hourly rates in advance, so you can have a general idea of future costs. Do you know how many changes and updates your site will need done, in a year? It’s always best when figuring out your budget, to add these numbers in with your , so that you have some room to move in this area.ÂÂ

Is There A Designer In the House?

Make sure the web design company you hire is going to be doing the job in-house. This just means that the people you hired to do the job is actually going to be the same people who do the work. In many cases web designers are romanced by overseas web design & tech warehouses, and wind up outsourcing some of their web design projects to another country. If you for some reason have maintenence and updating to do on your site and the designer loses contact with an outsourced overseas company, there is a high chance that the designer will not know what to do to fix a technical problem with the site or even recover the files in order to fix it or update it.Make sure the you hire is going to be doing the job in-house. This just means that the people you hired to do the job is actually going to be the same people who do the work. In many cases web designers are romanced by overseas web design & tech warehouses, and wind up outsourcing some of their web design projects to another country. If you for some reason have to do on your site and the designer loses contact with an outsourced overseas company, there is a high chance that the designer will not know what to do to fix a technical problem with the site or even recover the files in order to fix it or update it.ÂÂ

Does the price seem too low compared to other bids you have obtained?

Too low of a price should be a good warning sign. If you have received several bids, how can one be so much lower?They maybe a beginner without the experience to handle your job properly. Experience plays heavily in having a well developed and easy to use site. Small changes can make big differences in your customer sales conversion ratios. Something might be missing in their website quotation. Read it closely to make sure all items are included that are in the other bids. If you’re not sure, have the web company use the same bid specifications as the other one.

Rate their Customer Satisfaction & Retention When looking at the designer portfolio, you should check the sites they have done and check out the following: Is the site still online? If you click on a link and the site doesn’t come up, this could mean the designer might not be doing his or her job. You should usually be able to get website references by simply asking for contact info from the designer or if you want, simply try to get the contact info from the sites they’ve done. Ask the past clients if they are happy with their sites. Chances are good that you can get some testimonials from them on the job their designer did.When looking at the , you should check the sites they have done and check out the following: Is the site still online? If you click on a link and the site doesn’t come up, this could mean the designer might not be doing his or her job. You should usually be able to get by simply asking for contact info from the designer or if you want, simply try to get the contact info from the sites they’ve done. Ask the past clients if they are happy with their sites. Chances are good that you can get some from them on the job their designer did.ÂÂ

How Original is the Work?

Are the sites previously done by using a template or are they original designs? If a web designer builds your site from the same pre-made templates http://www.bwoodsdesign.com/website_templates_article.html that other sites might be using, you may not own the rights to it and the public could also think your site is a copy or at the very least, not very unique. What if you assumed you were having a custom designed site built, only to find other sites on the web, looking just like yours?Are the sites previously done by using a template or are they original designs? If a web designer builds your site from the same pre-made templates  that other sites might be using, you may not own the rights to it and the public could also think your site is a copy or at the very least, not very unique. What if you assumed you were having a built, only to find other sites on the web, looking just like yours?ÂÂ

Your Web Designer - Is Web Design & Devlopment their career?

Does your web designer work full-time making web sites, or do they just do it for fun or as part-time work for extra money? You can get a good idea of their experience by looking into this. Working with web sites full-time makes your web designer an expert who not only knows how to deal with unexpected situations, but also likes their job and continues their chosen occupation, which gives you peace of mind knowing you can call on them for future updates additional work, etc. A professional web design job requires a professional, period. Naturally, you wouldn’t hire a part-time attorney to assist in your company’s legal matters. Your company’s image is represented through your web site, and should be done by someone who respects and understands this.Does your making web sites, or do they just do it for fun or as part-time work for extra money?

You can get a good idea of their experience by looking into this. Working with web sites full-time makes your web designer an expert who not only knows how to deal with unexpected situations, but also likes their job and continues their chosen occupation, which gives you peace of mind knowing you can call on them for future updates additional work, etc. A requires a professional, period. Naturally, you wouldn’t hire a part-time attorney to assist in your company’s legal matters. Your company’s image is represented through your web site, and should be done by someone who respects and understands this.ÂÂ

How much Experience do they have?

Unfortunately the Internet is an all-too-common place to find web design companies that go in and out of business quickly and cheaply. How many years has your designer been in the business of web design & development? You will want to think long-term when you answer this, because I’m sure your company will want to be in business for more than a year.Unfortunately the Internet is an all-too-common place to find that go in and out of business quickly and cheaply. How many years has your designer been in the business of ? You will want to think long-term when you answer this, because I’m sure your company will want to be in business for more than a year.ÂÂ

A proper contract for your web site project Your web designer should already be able to prepare and provide you with a contract or site design & development agreement. If not, a good idea would be to have your lawyer or other legal professional prepare a contract for you. Having everything in writing will protect both you and the web designer, and ensures that the entire process is clearly laid out on paper, signed and dated. If you or the designer, agree on any changes to a contract at a later date, the contract serves as a reference point for additional charges, hourly rates, and scope of work. If necessary, a new contract may be issued but an easier method to update the contract would be that you and the designer agree to an addendum and/or ammendment which can be issued and used as part of the contract.Your should already be able to prepare and provide you with a contract or . If not, a good idea would be to have your lawyer or other legal professional prepare a contract for you. Having everything in writing will protect both you and the web designer, and ensures that the entire process is clearly laid out on paper, signed and dated. If you or the designer, agree on any changes to a contract at a later date, the contract serves as a reference point for additional charges, hourly rates, and scope of work. If necessary, a new contract may be issued but an easier method to update the contract would be that you and the designer agree to an addendum and/or ammendment which can be issued and used as part of the contract.ÂÂ

Fast-Loading web sites are key The web design process has many considerations, speed being one of them.

Your web designer should be familiar with these aspects which include: reliability of the site, how easy it is to use, and the loading time. The speed of a web site is a very important aspect in visiting web sites and many of us hate to wait for a site that loads too slowly. B. Woods Design has a reputation of calculating site load time and getting the sites built so they load quickly, ensureing your web site won’t make your visitors leave in a hurry. Many things can cause slow-loading pages and I work hard to make sure they do not occur.
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Your web designer should ensure that your web site always does the following:The has many considerations, speed being one of them. Your web designer should be familiar with these aspects which include: reliability of the site, how easy it is to use, and the loading time. The speed of a web site is a very important aspect in visiting web sites and many of us hate to wait for a site that loads too slowly. B. Woods Design has a reputation of calculating site load time and getting the sites built so they load quickly, ensureing your web site won’t make your visitors leave in a hurry. Many things can cause slow-loading pages and I work hard to make sure they do not occur..ÂÂ

Graphics should be optimized (graphic optimization is when a photo or other image is made into smaller file size which causes them to load quickly without much loss of quality), DNS setup is done correctly, the site host uses fast and reliable servers which are not overloaded and has a good connection to the internet, clean and efficient HTML coding is used, good web design layout, and more.

Letting the world find your site through search engines Can your web site be found and accessed easily by the rest of the world? How many visitors do you suppose are turning into customers and making you sales? How does the site get marketed? What kind of web statistical reporting or stats counter is available? Which search engines should you pay to list your site, and which should be avoided? There are many choices available and B. Woods Design can help you determine a plan for your site’s business, and save you time and money in this area, being a small business too. Although B. Woods Design has been in business for 3 years, I myself have been building web sites for seven years and the past experience in these areas will prove to be useful for you.Can your be found and accessed easily by the rest of the world? How many visitors do you suppose are turning into customers and making you sales? How does the site get marketed? What kind of web statistical reporting or stats counter is available? Which search engines should you pay to list your site, and which should be avoided? There are many choices available and B. Woods Design can help you determine a plan for your site’s business, and save you time and money in this area, being a small business too. Although B. Woods Design has been in business for 3 years, I myself have been building web sites for seven years and the past experience in these areas will prove to be useful for you.ÂÂ

Web design that makes the sale If your company web site is designed to make sales, then cut to the point. People want to find what they are looking for quickly. It is amazing the number of ecommerce web sites that make it tough to find out how to actually purchase the product. Make sure pages are on topic. Don’t send people through a maze of pages to make a purchase on your site. Your web site design should flow them into the sale. Make it easy to find the “buy now” button. Having a good credit card payment processing system is also very important to making smooth transactions on your web site. We offer the ability to take online credit card transactions on your web site with an easy to use web based interface.If your is designed to make sales, then cut to the point. People want to find what they are looking for quickly. It is amazing the number of ecommerce web sites that make it tough to find out how to actually purchase the product. Make sure pages are on topic. Don’t send people through a maze of pages to make a purchase on your site. Your should flow them into the sale. Make it easy to find the “buy now” button. Having a good is also very important to making smooth transactions on your web site. We offer the ability to take with an easy to use web based interface.ÂÂ

Make your site web site a nice place to visit by checking this list of important web design tips and proper web site planning methods.

Bobbi Jo Woods is a full time web designer & computer guru who runs bwoodsdesign.com, a web design company based in St. Paul, MN.  For more articles like this, click here http://www.bwoodsdesign.com/index.php?id=69.