Frequently Asked
Questions
 General
Questions
Web Site Updates
Search Engines
Hosting and Domain Names
Web Site Design Cost
Design of the Web Site
General Questions
Q: Does my business need a website?
Ask yourself, "Does my business need 24-hour exposure 7 days a week, 365 days a year?" (Um, you might want to say "yes" now). What other medium allows you to expose all the benefits of your small business to your target market at their convenience and provide a source of direct correspondence from them to you? The benefits of a website are innumerable.
Q: But I'm a small business that works locally in my area, and I don't want to sell anything online. What do you have to say to me now, buster?
We're sure you didn't mean anything by that "buster" comment.
It's just as important for you to be online. There may be people who are curious about your business, but have never walked through your door because they simply haven't made the time. By providing access to your business online, these potential customers can learn about your product line, business hours, customer service policies, etc., all in the privacy of their home or office - they might just take a few moments to call, email or visit your shop the next time they have a need for the products or service you provide.
Search engines themselves have added "local search" features to their systems, including Google and Yahoo, the biggest players in the market.
In the United States alone, there are 177 Million people on the Web. Of that number, 49 Million also use the web at work to find business-related products ands services.
Nielsen NetRatings, June 2006 |
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Even a small business has the potential to save in customer service costs by providing elementary information such as hours of operation, location and contact information. You can also display a list of frequently asked questions and answers, a calendar of upcoming events, job openings, and more.
Q: Do I need to use a website design company that is local to me?
No you don't! Although we are based in Albany , NY, everything can be done over email, the Internet, or the telephone. We've designed web sites for companies all around the United States. Of course, we have a nice office, and would love to sit down with you if you want to come to our office, or you want us to travel to yours! Contact us today for a FREE consultation.
Web Site Updates
Q: I already have a website
that looks great, it just needs text changes. Can IntelliSites
update it for us?
Absolutely! We offer different options towards getting your web site updated. You could use IntelliSites on an "as-needed" basis, which we would invoice you on an hourly basis. Or, if your changes are more regular, we offer web site maintenance options, for as little as $39/month. You could save up to 65% over our regular hourly rates.
Q: Can I maintain my website myself?
Generally, yes. It depends upon your skill level and software.
If you already know how to update a web site, and we host your web site , then we'll give you the passwords you need to "get in".
If you are new to web site updates, then we can train you to do your own basic web site updates.
Or, we can offer you a content management solution for your web site that will allow you update your web site from anywhere, without having to buy software and lug it around with you.
With an ecommerce package in your site, adding and deleting items, price changes, etc. are built into the design of the site, so you might be able to do this yourself.
Search Engines
Q: How will people find my web site?
First of all, advertise your site like you would
advertise your physical location. Put the web address everywhere that
you currently advertise! Advertisements, business cards, letterhead,
checks, fax cover sheets, flyers, brochures, signs, etc.
Beyond those, you might consider search engine optimization, which if done right gets your web site ranked highly on search engines.
Q: When we did our web site before, the designers submitted our site to thousands of search engines, but we hardly got any hits. In fact, we got a lot of spam email. What happened?
Can you name even dozens of search engines? Honestly, 99% of those "search engines" are email collectors, who turn around and sell your email address and company information to the highest bidder (who are we kidding; they'll sell it to the lowest bidder, too). That's why you got the spam.
As for the "submission", here's what they did for you. They went to a free or low priced search engine submission service, and entered your basic information (and maybe some ill-thought out keywords) into the form. Then, they clicked submit . That's their "submission" process. It doesn't work.
Q: So then, how DO I get my site ranked high on search engines?
After a time, and all by itself, your site will probably be ranked high on your company name, if it's unique. But rarely any other phrases.
If you want your site to get traffic from search engines, search engine optimization may be necessary. These procedures take a bit of time and often resubmission is necessary, but we can usually get top 10 placements on the top 10 search engines - depending on the keywords. See some of our search engine rankings.
Our search
engine optimization process lasts a full year, so be prepared
to invest around $800-$2000 for this service. We will be glad
to help you achieve top search engine placement - and we're
good at getting search engine rankings for our clients - but
please remember this might take significant time and work to
accomplish.
Q: How soon can I expect search engines to list my site?
The search engines can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to list your site. However, high rankings on specific keywords are another story, and they can take longer to attain on the top search engines.
Q: What's the earliest I can expect visitors to come to my site?
You don't need to wait for weeks or months for the search engines to "kick in". Press releases, publicity, banner ads, newsgroup postings, radio/TV, newspaper ads, and other marketing methods can help generate interest and traffic to your site. If you don't have a marketing consultant or media buyer, we can help you find one!
Hosting and Domain Names
Q: Besides designing a web site, what else do I need to have?
You will need a web hosting provider, and a domain name.
Q: Does IntelliSites offer web hosting services for my new web site?
Yes! We can provide web hosting for virtually any need. Or, if you are already comfortable with your existing hosting provider, we can work with them, too.
Q: Can you help me select a domain name?
Yes, we can recommend domain names for your site. But ultimately, it is up to you to decide.
Q:What if I've already designed my web site? Can you host it for me?
Yes. We can easily host your web site for you, at a very competitive rate.
Web Site Design Cost
Q: How much does it cost to setup a website?
For a custom-developed web site, the investment can range from about $1,000 to $20,000.
Q: What's the difference between the $1,000 and $20,000 site?
Let's start out with what is the same. First of all, in both cases, we'll meet with you during a FREE consultation and run through what we call a "fact finder". Then, we make our recommendations based upon your needs and budget. Then, we'll create a well thought out and professional web design, customized to attract your target market.
The difference is the size of the site, and the components and complexity that go into a web site. Are you looking for a five page web site, like a brochure? Or a database driven, full-featured ecommerce system that ties into your warehouse inventory system? Like a car, there are a lot of bells and whistles that can go into it.
Don't be scared by pricing of web sites. Choose your solution based on what it will get you in business.
Q: Can you finance my web site investment?
Sure! We can finance your site, if it is over $2,000.
Or, you could use your own sources of credit (line of credit,
credit cards, business loans, etc.).
Q: I'm a little confused after I got some quotes. Why do some web design companies charge half of what you do for the same thing, and others charge three times as much?
It's like a car. In 1984, you could have bought a new Yugo for a few thousand dollars. You could have purchased a Mercedes for $40,000. Or, you could have purchased a Honda for $8,000. We know now that the Yugo would have been the worst purchase you could ever make. The Mercedes and the Honda would probably still be running today, and the Mercedes will someday be a "classic". You should have chosen between the Honda and the Mercedes, depending on your budget, your need for creature comforts, and your desire for status.
With a web site, it's even MORE important who you choose. We're talking about your business here, for crying out loud. Don't choose on price alone, but on who will get the job done, professionally, efficiently, and with your client in mind.
Q: That sounds good. But how can I really tell the difference?
Thanks for asking! Take a look at this checklist, Finding the Right Web Design Partner.
Q: Are there any hidden charges for your website design or optimization services?
No! Once we have all the information about your requirements, you will be given a proposal with our recommendations with specifications and pricing, broken out into the individual components. The only time your investment would change is if you want additional pages or any other material added before completion of the website. In that case, we'd create a change order for your review, before those changes are performed.
Design of the Web Site
Q: Do you use "template" designs from other sources?
Not unless you demand it! Our web designs are all fresh, clean, fast loading sites that are meant to tie into your existing marketing strategy. Isn't your company different from your competitors? Shouldn't your web site be different, too?
Q: How many pages will I need?
Every business has different needs. After we have met with you and have determined your goals, we will make our recommendations which will include the total scope of the project. We have clients with sites consisting of a single page and others whose sites include hundreds or thousands of pages.
Q: What do you need from me in the design process?
This is your website, so we'll need your input to make it a success. We work with you to take your ideas, marketing plans, and branding to design a web site that is functional and attractive, and gets you business.
We will need logos, photos, brochures, flyers, newsletters or other artwork that identify your business, in digital format. If you don't have them, your printer might have those on file.
Q: Do I have a say in what my website looks like?
Definitely! As a matter of fact we insist on it. Your website should convey the image you want for your company. We create a look based on a discussion with you, and then create a look for you. You would then review that design online, and request changes to it. Once you are satisfied, you will actually sign off on it, and we move onto the content phase of your site.
Q: How long will it take to have my website created?
What usually takes the longest is gathering the
necessary information. Once we have the material we need, it
goes quickly. Typically, a smaller site will realistically
take three to four weeks to complete. Its partially up to your
feedback!
Q: I'm not a good writer, but I understand that the content of my web site is very important. Can you help me with this?
Yes. We have creative writing services available to help you through this process. Click the link to review our creative writing capabilities.
Q: Who actually owns my website design?
You are the owner of your website. All copyrights will become yours upon final completion of your web site.
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