FAQs
Q: How do I begin?
A: One of the most important things to know before embarking on having someone design your website is this:
Consider what you want to convey to someone who knows nothing about you. Sometimes what seems obvious to you may be very confusing to someone who knows nothing about what you do.
Check out sites which have a similar business. Ask yourself questions and begin jotting down notes. See how they have categorized their information and how their website flows. They may present something in a new way that you did not think of.
Q: What is a domain name?
A:You can choose a domain name which is usually a company name, your personal name or a name you would like to be associated with on the internet. This is a name that people will type into the location bar of their browser, to find you on the internet. You can find out if your choice of domain name is already owned by someone else. I like to search on www.godaddy.com.If someone has your .com name already, you can pick other endings such as ".net, .tv, .biz, or .org" if they have not been chosen yet.
Q. What is an ISP?
A: You will need an internet service provider, or ISP. This is a company that will store your web page once it has been created. Another name for ISP is Hosting Company. There are many to choose from. I like www.godaddy.com.
Q: How do you sign up for a server:
You can sign up for an ISP and a domain name at the same site. I like www.godaddy.com Or you can also ask your assosicate where they have their websites hosted. Once you sign up with a company, you are not required to stay with them forever. You can move your site from one ISP to another.
Q: What is uploading?
Once your web site is designed and is sitting on a computer, it needs to be placed on the ISP that will host your site. This is what I or your web master- designer of your site will do. She will know the address of your ISP and know what method that service provided wants used while uploading your web site. Once the site is uploaded, it doesn't mean that changes can't be made. Nancy can get instructions from you and make changes regularly.
Q: How can I sell on the Internet?
A:There are many methods of selling items over the internet. If you currently accept credit cards or want to start, then you should choose a shopping cart method that has a good track record, and good tech support. Some services have secure transactions on their hosting server so that your customers will be sent outside of your website to enter their credit card information. The simplest and least expensive for the seller is Pay Pall but there are many other methods now, that can interface with your website. For an indepth explanation of ecommerce solutions go here.
Q: How do we start together?
A: If possible, the best thing is to meet in person at my office. Here we can sit at my computer and look at ideas on the internet and begin to actually put together concepts for your site. Call me at 415-378-2861 to set up a free consultation. Or contact me via the form.
Q: What will it cost to have you design my web site?
A: Every job is different. Once we meet and decide what I
will be doing for you, I can give you a figure. I am very reasonable and
conscientious.
Q: Can I do some of the work myself?
A: Computer savy people sometimes like to size their photographs to my specifications. This helps my clients that are on a tighter budget and need an artist's online portfolio which has many inages. I teach my clients to prepare photographs for the web. Additionally, if you want complete control of your website and want to do it all but don't want to learn coding, there are many content management systems out there. One of my favorites is WordPress. This can be customized to your liking. The design can be altered using your logo or imagery or something that we dream up together.
Call Nancy at 415-378-2861 or contact via the form