Welcome to the Website Design FAQ

So you need a website. The problem is, where do you start? You don't want to get ripped off, and the only way to ensure that you won't is to educate yourself and find out what this whole thing is all about.

This website is intended to be an informational resource to help you learn the basics of what is involved in website design and publishing. In this website, we cover the different terms related to website design, as well as explain what you need to get a website online and how much this should cost you. If you are looking to research a specific topic, use the search to the left to find keywords that you may want to know more about.

Arm yourself with knowledge and get yourself a professionally designed website package for a reasonable cost... and know what you are paying for! Learn what all of those big words mean so that you can go into the process prepared, and in the long run, save yourself some money.

Below you will find answers to some of your most basic questions that will give you a better idea of what website design involves:

1. How long will it take to design my site?

The length of time will really depend upon many factors:

a) The size and functionality of the website. (i.e. how many pages you want, if you need advanced scripting for databases, keyword searches, interactivity etc.)
b) The availability and preparedness of the materials such as written content and images you are supplying to your designer. (The more prepared you are the faster it will go!)
c) Amount of custom graphics design, programming and multi-media work involved. (A website might appear simple from the outside, but the programming that drives a website can be quite complicated)

2. What do designers require to build my website?

You would typically supply the designer with the written content which can be from your current promotional material but it should be rewritten for a website audience since promotional flyers, etc. don't translate well to the internet. Your designer can give you guidelines for writing the content to make it easier. Alternately, some designers can arrange to have your content written for you at an additional cost.

Other less tangible aspects such as design or layout ideas are handled in the preliminary meetings with your designer where you specify any preferred color schemes and sample web sites that appeal to you.

If you are selling products online your designer will require a list of your product line and if you have pictures for each product your designer will need those as well.

3. How do people find my website?

In addition to search engines, there are a variety of ways to help visitors find your site which include: placing your email and web site address on all of your pamphlets and promotional material, business cards and "tag lines" at the bottom of all your email messages communications.

You can also aid people finding your site by looking for other related sites that are willing to trade links with you. Each site ultimately benefits from the partnership. Simply putting links on your page to other sites does little to your ranking if they do not do the same.

Advertising in industry-related e-zines, traditional media (magazines, newspapers, etc.) will also help your marketing strategy. The internet is a very far reaching and cost-effective means of site awareness but it can't be done to the exclusion of everything else. A good marketing campaign includes traditional media.

4. Will I need to find a local designer to meet with?

In the majority of cases a face to face meeting isn't necessary and a majority of websites can generally be completed with contact via email and telephone only. This gives you the option to search countrywide or worldwide to find the right designer for you.

5. How do I update my website? Can I do it myself?

There are many different methods which can be used to update websites. The method you choose and the functionality that is built into your website design is solely up to yourself.

If you have a small website consisting of just a few pages and will only wish to make changes very infrequently, then usually it is more cost effective simply to ask your website designer to carry out these changes for you.

Other methods which are frequently chosen are largely dependant upon how much data or information and pictures you have and how you store this information at present. You may ask your designer if they can provide an online content management system where you can either update individual products/pages/services or particular sections of your website. e.g. company news. This is usually a costly option if you do not have a wide range of frequently changing content, but may be worth it depending on how much your designer charges for updates.

Many website design firms have an update package where you can pay a monthly or yearly fee to have your website updated as frequently as you want.

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