Website design FAQs
Website design FAQs…
As with any trade there are many common questions we get asked, some by nearly every new client. In no particular order here are some of the common website design FAQs.
Where’s the best place to buy a web name from?
We are now spoilt for choice when it comes to web name purchase, we recommend a UK ‘registrar’ that is not too pricey and offers real time chat or a phone number.
Do I need to buy more than one web name?
No, just one is enough and if trading on .co.uk search engines, buy a .co.uk (United Kingdom) web name. But, you may want to protect your business web name by purchasing the .com variant.
How many years do I need to buy the web name for?
Totally up to you, but remember, the company you purchase from will ONLY remind you via the email address you register with them when your web name is due to expire.
What is ‘hosting’?
There are several elements to our hosting package. Firstly, it’s the domain space your web pages (and scripts) and emails (if required) reside in and connect to the internet. Hosting is also many other additional services like web stats (visit counter), anti-spam, email forwarding, technical support and much more.
Can I host my web pages with another supplier?
No, we only supply website design to hosted customers. Why? We’ve had too many problems in the past with 3rd party suppliers which can reflect badly on our service.
How much (£) are additional email accounts?
All email accounts are free but they are capped 3 at 50mb of monthly usage. Additional space can be allocated free of charge, but excessive users (500mb+) will be charged a small usage fee.
Is my website backed up?
Yes, all server based web page content is backed up. All design files (office-local) are also backed up.
Where can I get my logo design?
From us, we’re not just website designers. We also design for print, signage and advertising so we have the tools to create a truly ‘all media’ logo design.
(see: logo design)
Who owns my new logo?
On payment – you do, we assign all logo designs on payment.
Where else can I use my new logo?
You will be issued with the master file (ai) and any copies/formats required (for any use inc printing, signage, advertising). Any additional files can be issued at any time completely free of charge.
What do you need to create my website?
I’ve broken this one down into the chronological order of events…
- Your web name account information so we can change the DNS settings and set up a holding page (Google launch)
- Holding page text, a few words about your business
- Your logo (or commence logo design process)
- A guide from you about how you want your website to ‘look and feel’
- List of web pages and web page attributes (slide shows, shop, forms etc)
- Web page content – text and images
(see Website design content planner PDF download)
How much will my website cost (£)?
We will supply you with a full written proposal including all costs before we commence any design work.
(see prices)
How do I know what the website is going to look like?
We create a draft design for your approval before any web pages are created. We usually create the home page in this draft format so you can see image, logo, text usage, links and page layout.
(see website design portfolios)
Can I change my web page design?
Yes, and at no additional cost during the draft design process. We allow a few hours as part of the design process and fully expect edits during the draft design stage.
Changing the design after the draft web page has been approved by you can be done but major changes may incur a small additional charge.
Note: we do not create any web pages until you sign off the draft design
Can I add addition web pages at a later date?
Yes, a small charge is made for the change to the navigation links and the new page set up. This charge varies depending on the work involved (we always supply a written costing for your approval before we commence any work).
Can I edit my new web pages?
Yes, we use WordPress web creation platform that enables low IT skill editing. Also see our training page
Who optimises the web pages for Google to find?
We complete all on-page SEO (search engine optimisation) as part of the cost of the project. Our SEO techniques are based on years of experience and we have many success stories in our design portfolio for you to see.
We can also supply off page SEO if required, but many client prefer to do this themselves as there is an additional cost. The vast majority of our websites achieve Google page one placement without off page SEO thanks to our well developed on page SEO techniques.
What is on page and off page SEO?
SEO (search engine optimisation) is built into your web pages by using Google friedly coding/tags. This is called on page SEO.
Off page SEO is anything linked to your website from another web page, like a directory listing or blog.
How do I launch my website and get it onto Google?
We do this for you as part of our unique six phase launch process.
Is there a maintenance charge?
No, if you should require any edits we will price accordingly. Minor edits that take just a few minutes to complete are NOT charged for. See our FREE edits page
Are there any hidden costs I should know about?
No, the only cost after website launch is your yearly hosting fee (invoiced for every 12 months).
Is there VAT to pay?
No, we are not VAT registered.
Website design – modern myths…
A websites popularity is based on the number of ‘clicks’ it receives
NO – simply too easy to cheat this one. Google+ may be taking popularity into account if you’re logged into your Google account, delivering what it thinks is your best search results. But apart from that, website popularity is based on good quality content, refreshed content and off-page content linked to your web page (not back link listing tho).
Images on Google are free
NO – most definitely not. Assume that everything on the internet is owned by someone. However, you could use an image from any website in a personal email message, ie: ‘look at this photo of the new Jag’, but you cannot use any imagery for commercial use without the owner/originators written permission. Even library images that have been paid for have restrictions on use.
A new website will go top of Google
Sometimes – yes, more often – no. here’s why.
Google has been known to ‘sand box’ new websites. In other words it restricts the new web pages profile on their SERPs (search engine results pages).
Google’s ‘bot’ (web page crawler) also takes time to find every web page and its content, so depth of content can be slower to find. A new website is also up against older websites (age has a preference on Google) and most likely much larger websites. That’s why directories do very well on some searches, especially for ‘trades’. Google also shows preference towards ‘refreshed content’, a new website is all new content without provenance.
Facebook (and other social media websites) improve my Google profile
Having a social media presence is good but keep business and pleasure separate. You are judged on what people see and read about you, so photos of you dressed as a French tart on a stag weekend may not enhance your profile!
I know of many clients who enhance their web traffic with a social media page. But does it help with Google? No, we do not think so, and others agree in the trade.
The issue here is that Google cannot see your (logged-in) pages, only the public page (if you have one). Therefore Google and other search engines do not take social media into account when processing its SERPs (search engines results pages).