Business Web Site Design Questions and Answers

1. "Does my business really need a website?"

ABSOLUTELY! Let's compare the marketing impact of a website to the marketing impact of a one page ad in your local telephone directory. A full page Yellow Pages ad costs approx. $24,000 - $30,000 a year - a minimum of $2,000 per month. You can't change it after publication and it is seen by residents in one geographical area.

On the other hand, your multiple page web site will cost between $20-$120 per month. You can change it whenever you want. Your products are exposed to millions of potential vendors, clients and customers all around the world. The Internet is a global advertising medium. No other advertising venue can help you sell your products so inexpensively. There is no better way for you to promote your products or services worldwide. Still not convinced? Here are 78 reasons why you need a website.

2. "How much does it usually cost to get a site on the Internet?"
Here is a breakdown of the typical site design/maintenance/marketing costs charged by high end designers on the Internet:

SERVICE	COST
New Domain Name*	$15-35 per year
Domain name/E-mail setup	$125 one time fee
Web Hosting ($45 monthly)	$540 per year
Site design ($300 p/page-five pages)	$1,500
Secure Shopping Cart	$2,500
CGI/Java, graphics etc. ($100 per/hr 32 hrs)	$3,200
Search Engine Registration ($75 p/mo)	$900 per year
Site Maintenance ($50 monthly)	$600 per year
Site Marketing	$1,800 per year
Site Optimizing	$350 - $500 per month
Total: $11,550

By comparison, we combine the design and marketing services you need in order to own a profitable business web site into several low cost plans with no monthly maintenance fees. All complete sites include your own domain name, hosting, e-mail accounts, maintenance, search engine optimizing, search engine registration and our 26-page Marketing Guide.

3. "Yikes! I can't afford that. If I pay less will I 'get what I pay for'?"
Web site design is a notable exception to that rule. Good site design involves more than throwing a few pages up on the Internet and waiting for sales to pour in. Just ask the guys who run Websitesthatsuck.com. Many a poorly designed half-a-million dollar website has been on their list.

For example, an article written by a leading real estate expert to other agents looking for a site designer offered this advice: "Hire the designer who charges you the most money." Notice he did not say, hire the designer who gets results in the search engines or one who knows what he or she is doing! Paying a lot for a website is no guarantee that you will get a site that is search engine ready, customer friendly, and markets your products or service.

A good designer does background research and considers all of the factors that are necessary to create an appealing site that will allow your customers to quickly find your services/products and buy them securely. You do not have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get that type of expertise. We have it here. Plus, you get help you with the marketing of your website - all at an affordable price.

4. "Is there a type of site you will not design?"
Yes. We will not design sites that sponsor, promote or encourage illegal activities, pornographic, warez, sexual, pornographic, occult, religious cult or hate sites.

5. "How flexible are your design people? Can I use text and graphics that I already have?"
If you have your own text, logo and custom graphics, we can use them. If not, we can create them from scratch. You can even maintain all or one page of the site yourself.

6. "What, I can maintain my own website?"
Yes. Just tell us that you want a site you can maintain and we will factor that into the design. We will use Microsoft Front Page to design your site because it is easy for you to acquire and not too difficult for you to learn. In addition, you will need to know html and/or cgi/java script if any of those are used on your site. We will select a host that allows you to make changes on-line. Of course, we'll do the original design/set up for you and provide customer support as long as you are using our host. We will answer your Front Page questions and provide training for you.

Bear in mind that maintenance (any request that takes less than 20 minutes to complete) is included with your site. You would be wise to fully utilize our services. (Remember the old adage "too many cooks spoil the soup?) We must charge extra to correct mistakes made by you (or someone you authorize) if those mistakes impair the function/usability of your site.

7. "Do you guarantee your work?"
Absolutely! We will work with you until you are satisfied.

8. "I already own a website and it needs work. Can you re-do my site or tell me what to do make it better?"

Yes! We can redesign your website for more search engine traffic or customer ease of use. Or, we can review your site and make written recommendations for improvements.

9. "How soon can you get my site up and running?"
It depends upon you: how long it takes you to complete our Contract, the Site Development Questionnaire, then, e-mail your text, photos etc. If you return your materials in a timely manner and have ready-to-use photos and text, we can complete a five page site in two-three weeks. Custom images, programming, editing of text or photos, significant additions or changes to the design or content after the contract is signed and the project underway will increase the completion time accordingly.

10. "I am not a marketing guru. Will you help me promote my website?"
Absolutely! To begin with (1) we design your site to look professional - no spelling, design or grammar errors, garish graphics or other things that turn customers off and make them leave your site. (2) we optimize your site so that it will place well in the search engines. Search engines will most likely be the major source of your traffic/sales. (3) We will register your site with the top free major secular (and Christian if appropriate) search engines/directories. (4) we can research and create a page of mutual links for you. Finally, (5) you'll get free access to our 26-page Marketing Guide with Internet links so you can promote your own site to create traffic and sales.

11. "What is in your design contract?"
Specific details about your project, start and completion dates, transfer of domain registration agreement, confidentiality agreement, maintenance arrangements, deposit and payment requirements and the custom design services (if any) needed for your site.

12. "What happens after I hire you to design my site?"
Click here to see the seven steps we will take together to get your site up on the web in a few weeks.

13. "I heard that placement in the top thirty listings of major search engines is necessary. Can you guarantee me a number one spot?"
No. And neither can anyone else! Don't throw your money away chasing an illusion. The search engines change their listing process (a.k.a. algorithms) frequently enough that virtually no one can guarantee consistent top placement. It is possible to place well in most search engines using the right combination of meta tags and content. We will do our part to get your site listed, ranked well and visible in major search engines/directories under the keywords you select.

14. "Will my site make money as soon as it is registered with search engines?"
Maybe. But, it takes an average of three years of persistent, consistent marketing for a site to become profitable. That is why we created our exclusive 26-page Marketing Guide for our clients. If you are willing to work for your own success and persevere in doing what is necessary to promote your site, you will succeed.

15. "Okay, I want to hire you. How do I get started?"
Contact us for a free estimate. A designer will respond to you within 24 hours.

Before you leave our site, be sure to visit the Business Resources Centre. You will get an organized overview of what is needed to start and promote an Internet business.

Thanks for trusting us with your site design needs.
Order now, contact us for a free estimate or call 1.877.892.6338

"We care about you and the profitability of your business website."

Questions We Are Frequently Asked