Q: Do you create web design, graphic design, or both?

A: We create both. In addition, we consider web design to be an extension of graphic design, with constantly evolving new technologies. It is true that web design has different technical requirements than printed forms of graphic design, but our experience with it allows us to deal with it as intuitively as we would create page layouts for print. In addition to web sites, we also create brochures, book covers, illustrations, logos, advertisements, business cards, 3D renderings/animations and more.

Q: How long does it take to make a web site?/How much does it cost?

A: Each web site is unique. Once we understand what you need after discussing the terms with you, we can give you a working timeline and budget. This will not of course, take into consideration to any needs that might change or be added on while in the middle of the project, but our estimates would still be in the same ballpark. There are a number of things that factor in to the time and cost of a site. Here are some (by no means all) important factors:

-Number of Pages
-Complexity Per Page
-Complexity of Master Page/template (custom made of course)
-Complexity and number of graphics
-Length of time for us to recieve source material, including photos, press release articles and other content provided by client
-Flash/Multimedia content
-Database Usage
-E-Commerce Needs
-Dynamic features such as interactive forms, blogs, online chat, etc.
-Deadline Requirements

Click here if you would like us to give you a time and cost estimate for your project.

Q: How do I modify or maintain pages on my site?

A: We create various methods for the client to edit their own pages. For clients who want a simple and quick way for editing, we would show you how to use a Content Management System. A Content Management System is an online page editor that is typically form based. It is also a good choice for those who wish to retain visual consistency with the rest of their site and for those who do not wish to deal heavily with layout, measurements, colors, font choices or text formatting. This option does however, require that your website has a host that has such a feature built in, or at least allows the use of a server-side language that would then allow us to implement our own Content Management System for you to use.

If you select an e-commerce through our partner at cytasy.com, you will have the ability to edit your own product catalog through a special interface. This product editor allows you to add/remove product photos, change prices, product descriptions, change priority of appearance on product page and more.

If you are looking for a more hands on approach, and want to have more control over the visuals, we can show you how to edit pages that would work hand in hand with a template system that we set up for you (provided you have adequate software such as Dreamweaver or Frontpage). We can also teach you how to edit your own images with programs such as Photoshop or Fireworks. These software packages are not necessarily required, but the better the software you have for editing pages and images, the quicker and more efficiently you can create them.

If you do not feel like dealing with editing the pages yourself, we are available to do it for you and can work out whether you would like revisions on a fixed time frame, or only when it is specifically needed. Whichever option you choose, our rate is quite competitive at only $20 per hour.

Whatever you decide, we actively encourage sites to be maintained on a regular basis. Customers and other visitors like to see fresh content.

Q: How important are search engines?

A: Search engines are the #1 way for a site to gain new traffic. Sites get a good search engine ranking and more potential visitors with proper keywords and proper search engine optimization. Re-Submitting on a regular basis is important to boost and maintain search engine rankings (how high your site is listed when someone does a search for a product or service your site has to offer). It is also important to have the products and/or services prominently displayed at the home page, or only within one click of it. Studies have shown that when someone is looking to buy something and they visit a site for that purpose, they expect to see what they want within the first or second page at the site they visit, or else they will move on somewhere else.

Q: Do you offer hosting?/Do you handle e-commerce?

A: We offer hosting through our e-commerce partner at cytasy.com. The basic package includes e-commerce database storage (stores product catalog, pictures, pricing, web-mail, site statistics, online product editor, shopping cart, and authorize.net transaction support. It is not a requirement that you choose our host, but we only provide direct support for hosting and e-commerce if you do. We will be happy to set it up for you.

Q: Why do I need website hosting for? I already registered a domain!

A: A domain is only the name of the website, a.k.a, the URL (uniform resource locator). Registering a domain only gives you the right to attach the domain to an actual website. It is not a website itself. Website hosting gives you a place to put the files that vistors will download. All the pages, the images, audio/video downloads, website applications and other files require website hosting for visitors to access them.

Q: Why do I need a web site?

A: Unlike other forms of publications and advertisement, a web site is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It cannot be tossed in the trash like direct mail, nor does every viewing of it require payment by the advertiser like a TV commercial. A web site allows a potential customer to go at their own pace when viewing your content, as many times as they like. With the constant increase of internet traffic, more and more people are buying products and services online, as well as allowing them to become more informed about what they are looking for. Going online is a good way to jump ahead, or at least keep in the pack of competition, who are also moving online.

Q: Do I need to have the internet in my home or office to have a web site?

A: It certainly makes things easier for you to understand what it is you are getting and also to monitor the progress that we make with your site, but it is certainly not a requirement. Your web site is located on a server (large, powerful computer that specializes in website hosting), and not your home machine. Regardless of whether you are online or not, your site will be. It is recommended that you do get an internet connection, or visit a place that does, even if you are only going to use it to monitor e-mails that we might send to you.

Q: How do you handle changes of the needs of the client after having started working on the site?

A: Changes of requirements are not uncommon, and the timeframe estimates we give take into account a certain amount of change that is needed during the website building process. When one or more changes are required, we still make every possible effort to stick to the deadline originally agreed upon.

Q: Can I preview my site somewhere before it is complete?

A: Yes. We commonly create a folder that only the the client would be aware of (plus anyone he/she tells) for you to view your site on, so you can more easily monitor the progress and make decisions on it before it is seen by the public.

Q: What if I am not sure about what I want?

A: No problem, we can help you determine what would be useful to you and present a series of solutions and choices that would be related to the purpose of your website, whether it is an online shopping cart/catalog, newspaper/magazine/publication, advertisement, entertainment site, brochure or newsletter. You will not be billed until after agreements are made and there is actual work done on your website.

Q: Do you handle site redesigns?

A: Yes, there is no job too big or small for us. We can even have your site use your current existing hosting if you like, but if your host does not have certain features, like server side scripting, we won't be able to provide certain functionality, like a Content Management System, Dynamic Templates, Interactive Forms, or other related features. As stated before, we only provide direct support for e-commerce if you have a hosting account through our e-commerce partner.

* For more questions that you may have, please use our contact form by clicking here. We would be happy to make our e-mail addresses readily visible, but due to increasing activity of spammers who scan pages for e-mail addresses to harvest, we prefer that you contact us using the form. The form, upon submission, will go to whoever you specify with the "TO" radio buttons.