Click on a question to be brought to the answer.
I have covered most questions in this section but should you still have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
- Create and Build An Online Presence
- Less Money, More Advertising
- Have information available to customers & clients 24/7
- Generate a New Customer Base
- Establish a Relationship with Potential Customers
- To Reach Specialised or International Markets
- Why does it matter how it looks as long as it works?
- What does 'W3C standard compliance' mean and how does it affect my website?
- Do you use 'Templates'?
- What is a 'Host'?
- What is a domain name?
- What is site maintenance?
- I have a website and I need it updated, can you help me?
- Do you redesign existing websites?
- How much does a web site cost?
- Do you offer any type of discounts?
- Are there hidden costs associated with your web design services?
- Can I start with a small site and add to it later?
- How long will it take for my web site to be designed?
- What do I need to get started on creating a website with you?
- In what format should I supply words and images?
- I've made my decision - I want you to design my web site. Now what do I do?
Why Should My Business Have a Website?
The answer to this question not an easy one. There are alot of reasons, but there are a few general points below that may help you realize your needs.
Create and Build An Online Presence
Your competitor has one... that and more people than ever are turning to the internet as the first source of information, so the chances are, if you have a website new customers will find you. Consumers are starting to assume that any well-run business will have a web site. A well-designed site can make an great first impression, leading to new business for you.
Remember that with a web site you can have pages of full-color advertisements that run 24 hours a day , 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you add your website address (http://...) to all your stationary (business cards, flyers, posters, tickets) you'll have visitors who know exactly where to find out more information, find the answers to their questions and where to send friends for information on your great service(s) or products. You can always showcase your products and services over the web instead of printing costly brochures (that cost even more to be updated).
The more people that know about you and your business, the more your chances improve for attracting new customers. With your website, you get to exhibit yourself and your business to your customers using illustrative images, pages, etc. This can help to build peoples' trust, which makes them more predisposed to buy your products and use your services.
Have information available to customers & clients 24/7
Do you ever spend time answering the same types of questions for each of your one of your customers regarding your products or services? Well that might never stop but there is hope! With a web site you can put the answers to these frequently asked questions online and direct some new customers to these pages. You can even email them a link to these pages. Your customers will appreciate the access to the information that you will be providing them and it will not require much more time than sending them an email or recommending that they read your "feature article".
The first step of any sale is getting the customer familiar with what you are selling. Nowadays people are looking on the Internet to get the information they need to make educated buying decisions. Include articles of interest telling your potential clients about your services. When they call you to discuss your services, half the sale is already done; you've already given them your "pitch". You can even save time (and money) because the ones who do call are interested, warm (and sometimes hot) prospects, not just someone calling to gather data.
Did you ever notice that many people using the Internet do so in place of the traditional information lines (newspapers, golden pages, etc)? With a web site you will be able to reach a whole new segment of potential clients that may have missed your current ad campaigns. A good, informative web site will attract many people who may not have heard of you otherwise.
Establish a Relationship with Potential Customers
People generally prefer to do business with people they "know". With your website you will give people the opportunity to get to know your business (and you) and feel more comfortable with you. Once this is established they may be more likely to want to do business with you as compared to the other company whom they know nothing about.
A picture or profile of you or your collegues will make you more real to customers and makes them more likely to contact and communicate with you. Providing basic information that establishes credibility (just like a listing in the Golden Pages) shows you are serious about your business, having your own company domain reinforces your legitimacy as a serious business.
To Reach Specialised or International Markets
Access to a global market can allow you to test new services and products. You may also learn that you have a market you hadn't even thought of. A website can help increase your exposure to new suppliers and distributors of your product and keep in contact with new prospects and customers around the world.
Why does it matter what it looks like as long as it works?
"My friend (or family member) knows HTML, couldn't s/he make my web site?"
Unless this person is a web design professional with more than a software program it is not the best choice for your commercial site. A poorly designed site will reflect on your business and can actually drive customers away. Having a knowledgeable web design professional is the key to making your web site work for your benefit. As far as the Internet is concerned, it is not just an "if you build it, they will come" scenario. A well-designed and properly marketed web site will increase your revenue and client base. A poorly designed and marketed web site may only hurt your business.
When someone visits your site, they will almost immediately perceive the quality of your services or products. The first impression a potential customer gets depends almost entirely on the appearance of your website. A visitor will be interested and proceed to explore your website if it is visually appealing and easy to navigate. You are marketing yourself and your business to the world over the Internet and it is important to show your best side.
What does 'W3C standard compliance' mean and how does it affect my website?
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international industry consortium dedicated to "leading the Web to its full potential". It’s led by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the Web. Founded in 1994, the W3C has more than 450 member organizations - including Microsoft, America Online (parent company of Netscape Communications), Apple Inc. and Adobe to name a few. The W3C develops open specifications (de facto standards) to enhance the inter-operability of web-related products.
You can read the full article on standards compliance on the W3C website.
In short, standards compliance generally means designing sites that enable people with special needs to use the Web. Unsighted people may have their computer read web pages to them (screen readers), people with poor eyesight may have pages rearranged and magnified for easier reading, people using hand-held devices can browse the Web just as easily as those using high-end workstations. It also has the side benefit of making sites easier for all people to navigate and understand whilst making it more receptive to search engines.
Usability is about making the site user-friendly so that most if not all visitors to your site find it easy to navigate and reach the information they require in a timely, efficient manner.
No. Many web designers utilize templates for their designs and there are many popular web sites that sell design templates. All you have to do is throw in your logo and text and call it a day. It's the easy way out – it's quicker and cheaper to be honest… but you know that saying 'you get what you pay for'? When using these templates there could be 10, 20, 50, 100 other companies (maybe in the same industry and/or town as you) with exactly the same website, give or take a colour or two and your logo.
It can be likened to using the same logo, packaging, menus or signage as your competitors. That doesn't really help you and your business stand out from the crowd... need you ask why I don't work from templates?
A Host is a computer that stores your web site data. When customers type in your web address they are directed to your host's computers, which will then display your site on the internet. The cost for this service varies but is usually between €5 and €20 a month. I do not provide hosting services at this time but am happy to recommend a reliable company to cater for this aspect of your project if required.
A domain name is basically the 'address' of your web site. Domain names need to be unique and you will need to register one for your website/business if you do not have one already. I do not offer a domain registration service at this time, but would be happy to recommend a reliable company to cater for this aspect of your project if required. The cost for this service is generally between €10 and €40 a year.
Site maintenance is a fee paid service charged at an hourly rate to keep your site updated with new content that you provide. Most good web sites have new content updated regularly. Fresh content is what will keep your visitors coming back. This is an optional service that I provide for my customers. If you want to maintain your website yourself you are free to do so.
I have a website and I need it updated, can you help me?
In most cases, yes. I would be happy to look at your existing website and give you a quote.
Please contact me or request a free quotation for more information.
Do you redesign existing websites?
Yes. I can redesign the site, retaining your company style or it can be redesigned to give you a complete new image. You could redesign your website to take advantage of the latest web technologies and give your site a fresh new lease of life.
Read more about Website Redesign Services.
How much does a web site cost?
There are a few factors that are going to affect the overall cost of your website. These include how many pages you will need, if you will sell products online, the graphic/design work involved, and how interactive your website needs to be. You may also need to purchase web hosting and domain name registration separately. For further details please see my pricing page or fill in this form to get a free, no obligation quote.
Do you offer any type of discounts?
Yes, I do offer discounts for non profit organizations.
Are there hidden costs associated with your web design services?
No. I will discuss with you your website requirements and then price accordingly. Once you have placed an order for your website design with me, that price and terms of the Project Agreement are strictly adhered to.
Can I start with a small site and add to it later?
Of course! You don't have to start out with all the extras. You can start with a simple website with a few pages and add information, pages and functionality over time.
How long will it take for my web site to be designed?
The timescale of your website design project is often dictated by your own needs and involvement in the project. If you have a deadline in mind I will endeavour to meet it for you. The most common delay in the creation and completion of a new website is waiting for content (text/images) to be provided by you.
The length of time to create your site also depends on the complexity and size of the web design. The average site will take approximately 2-4 weeks. If you require a site in a shorter timeframe I will endeavour to meet your needs.
What do I need to get started on creating a website with you?
This is a guide help gather the items needed to have your web site designed. This is just a list of recommended items; you may include additional items and need not include all that are listed.
Your Company Info
- Company profile or history
- Company stationery/business card
- Profiles of your employees and management
- Your company’s mission statement, goals, etc.
- Recent press releases
- Articles written about your company
- Portfolio of work/projects
- Client testimonials
- Contact information
- Hiring information
- Employee/Management Bios
- Your Products and Services
- Descriptions of services offered
- Descriptions of products to be sold via web site
- Pricing sheet
- Specials
- Product catalogs
- Special events
- Samples of existing marketing materials
Images
- Company Logo
- Photos relating to your industry
- Photos of your business
- Photos of your employees/management
- Images of your products
- Photos relating to your services
Web Site Addresses
- Competitors' web addresses
- Sites that you liked (note what you liked about each address)
You can also complete a web design quote form and I will get back to you asap regarding a website quote.
In what format should I supply words and images?
The ideal is that you are able to provide text and photographs in a digital format. For example, the files output by a digital camera (jpeg files) and relevant text in MS Word or similar format. If this is not possible, I can help get your information ready for use on the website for an additional fee.
I've made my decision - I want you to design my web site. Now what do I do?
If you have decided you would like a web site or have any questions, simply fill out my web design quote form to start the process.
