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Frequently
Asked Questions
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You
are probably here because you're considering putting
your business online. That's a great decision. Having
a Web Site will expand, and even redefine, the way
your business develops and evolves. Still, venturing
into new and uncharted waters can always be a bit
overwhelming.
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here to help. We've compiled a list of some of the more
common initial questions that you may have about putting
your business on-line and getting a Web Site for your
company. |
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Questions
& Answers |
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| Why
do I need a Web Site? |
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are many benefits to having a professionally designed
Web Site. Here are a few: |
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Provide
Business Information
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The
Internet is an efficient way to describe what your company
offers, state your business hours, provide a map to
your facility, provide contact information, list specials,
rates, etc. |
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Provide
Customer Service
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You
can use your Web Site to answer frequently asked questions,
let customers check on product availability, and provide
forms to allow customers to request more information
or provide feedback |
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Establish
an Online Presence
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In
today's rapidly changing world, your customers expect
you to have an online presence. With over 55% of American
households currently having Internet access, the Web
is often the first source of information for consumers
looking for products or services. If you don't establish
yourself online, you competitors may be just a click
away. |
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Generate
Sales Leads
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Your
Web Site can easily become your most important marketing
tool. You can use it to register visitors, pre-qualify
them for services, add users to your conventional mailings,
and send regular email notifications of new products,
services or special offers. |
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Sell
Products & Services
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Online
sales for 2002 are projected to be over 124.2 billion
dollars. The Internet is the future of business. Can
you afford not to be there? |
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It
is Extremely Cost Effective
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The
cost of creating and maintaining a Web Site is very
small compared to the cost of newspaper, radio or television
ads. Also, unlike most print media, having a Web Site
allows you to present unlimited amounts of information
to your target audience. |
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| Can't
I just create my own Web Site? |
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With
the advent of Microsoft FrontPage and other web development
software, this is common question. But you need much
more than just software to create an effective Web
Site.
Among
other things, a professional quality site requires
knowledge of:
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Design
limitations imposed by various browsers and platforms
Optimizing code to display quickly, reliably, and
predictably
An eye for visual appeal and graphic design
Corporate image and how to leverage it with a Web
site
Web-safe colors
Intuitive navigation
Screen resolutions
Writing online copy
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Purchasing
HTML generating applications like Microsoft FrontPage
is a bit like buying word processing software. Microsoft
Word will allow you to type words, format them in
different ways, and even check your spelling and grammar.
But it won't write a novel for you.
Likewise,
web development software may allow you to develop
a very basic site without knowing HTML, but it won't
make you into a web designer.
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| How
much will it cost to develop my Web Site? |
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Many
web design firms will provide you with pricing information
related only to actual site development. They neglect
to mention that there are actually four cost elements
to consider in owning and operating a Web Site.
First, you'll need to register your Domain Name, which
is your unique web address. This will cost you $25
for the first year, then $10 per year thereafter.
The second cost you need to consider is the amount
to design and build your Web Site. The price you pay
will depend on the size and complexity of your site.
Our development tools and knowledge of multiple design
strategies allows us to create your site with the
look you want and the features you need for a very
affordable price.
Paying for the hosting of your site is the next cost
you need to consider. Every site must have a host
that connects it to the Internet. The hosting fee
is dependent on the features and size of your site,
but generally averages about $25-$35 per month.
Finally, you will need to consider maintenance costs.
These costs are usually either hourly charges or bundled
into a package that will give you a specified number
of hours or services at a reduced rate. If you need
site maintenance, we will work with you to develop
a customized plan that will meet your unique needs
in the most cost effective way.
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| How
long will it take to develop my Web Site? |
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Each
Web Site is unique. As a general guideline, an average
Web Site may take anywhere from 2 weeks to several
months to complete. Many variables come into play
when estimating design time. The overall size of the
site, its complexity, special features such as interactive
forms, database connectivity, shopping carts, to name
just a few.
The design process begins with a site consultation
during which we will obtain a full awareness of your
needs and objectives. Once we have a clear understanding
of exactly what it is we are about to create, we can
provide you with definite timelines.
We will make specific design and development recommendations
to you that will balance your Web Site goals together
with your budgetary and timeframe restrictions. We
can find solutions to meet most any situation.
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| What
is the process for developing a Web Site? |
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There
are four major stages in the Web Site development
process.
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1.
Planning |
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We
help you identify the goals, objectives, and overall
purpose for your Web Site
We pinpoint the unique nature of your target audience
We establish the visual look that you want to achieve
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2.
Designing |
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We
design a navigational structure for your site
We
determine content needs and work with you to develop
the necessary elements
We
determine any special programming needs, such as JavaScript,
ColdFusion, ASP, etc.
We
create design sketches and page mockups to show you
layout and color options
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3.
Production & Testing |
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After
you approve the planned design, we begin building
the pages
We test the pages in various browsers and platforms
You review pages and request changes or corrections
You approve the final pages
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4.
Launching & Promoting |
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We
launch your site
Your
Web Site is submitted to search engines and directories
We
can help you develop a promotional strategy
We
help you track your site's usage & evaluate its
effectiveness
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| How
will I attract traffic to my Web Site? |
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You
can generate steady traffic to your Web Site in two
major ways.
First of all, you must promote your site both online
via Search Engines and Directories AND off-line by
featuring it on all your business cards, stationary,
literature and advertising.
Equally
as important, you must strive to keep your content
fresh and up-to-date. Keeping your Web Site current
lets your visitors know that you are a dynamic company
that is always evolving. Consequently it is an incentive
to visitors to come back to your site often and tell
their friends about it.
Image Maker Design is available to help you with all
of your promotion and Web Site maintenance needs.
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