FAQ

Because every client has different needs, cost is determined for each contract seperately. The cost of having a website developed is much lower than most people expect. I offer some of the most competitive rates in the industry. Please contact me about your requirements for a rough estimate or free consultation and quote.

The length of the contract depends on several factors: when I get the payments and content from you, how long it takes for you to decide on a website, the size of the website and the complexity of the website. I work very efficiently and always make a great effort to get the work done in a timely manor.

Websites are published to "web hosts" which are companies specializing in providing web space for websites. There are computers designated to hold the websites and to let visitors browse them over the internet. Web hosting is charged at a monthly rate or may be paid in advance. I can personally host client sites to make the process hassle-free.

Yes. In most cases using your own webhost or dedicated server is fine as long as I can access it to upload your website files. There are cases, however, where certain requirements you may have limit the type of host you'll need. For more complex and database driven sites I recommend having me host them to garauntee your site will work properly. In general it is easier for the client to use my hosting service, as web hosting can be quite complicated.

Some clients require the ability to update content on a regular basis. Content Management Systems (CMS) can be provided for an additional fee. While it may be more expensive upfront, a CMS can help cut costs in the long-run. For sites that don't require frequent changes, a maintenance plan is suggested.

I prefer to do as much of the work myself as possible. All contact and consultations will be handled by myself personally as well as the design and most of the "behind the scenes" work. On occasion I may require the use of sub-contractors due to my work load. No matter if I work on the site or if I use a sub-contractor, you can be assured that you'll recieve the same price, quality and satisfaction.

Yes. I have worked with several clients to update information on their current sites or to make design and application modifications/enhancements. These changes are billed on an hourly basis to save you money.

The copyright is an important part of any creative work. The client always owns the copyright to the final work. Some web developers retain the copyrights to force clients into using their services in the future. I don't believe in this practice because it isn't in the client's best interest.

Blogs and Community sites are a great tool for businesses to promote themselves but offer very little in the way of options. You are limited to the type of content and amount of content you can put on your page. Most of them limit you to a single web page and definately can't provide a unique experience for your visitors.

There are thousands upon thousands of amatuer web designers out there. People who pick up a little HTML or have made their own web pages. The differenece between an amatuer and a professional is experience and knowledge. I compare this to a marketing campaign. You wouldn't trust an amatuer to make television commercials or print materials for you, so creating your website shouldn't be any different.

There are no size restrictions for the websites I can provide. Small organizations may only need a single page where big businesses may need 50+ pages. The clients I work for are generally small businesses which only require a 5-7 page website. There is no job too small or too big to ask about. Feel free to contact me and I'll give you a quote on the cost.

The contract is drafted before the project begins but I am very flexible with adding to the amount of work. Often times a client will come up with new ideas for their site during the course of the project and are encouraged to share them and add them to the requirements. There may be additional cost depending on the requirements but you are more than welcome to ask.

Yes. I understand that sometimes things happen and you may need to cancel the contract. This is a part of business. The contract specifies the fees associated with cancellation.

Accessability is a big issue these days. Every site needs to be accessable to people with various computers, operating systems, web browsers and handicaps. I make my best effort to ensure each site is accessable to as many visitor's as possible. Special considerations and techniques are used for visually impaired visitors.

While there are no absolute garauntees in life, you can rest assured that your website is as safe as possible. Any access to your private information is kept safe by extreme defensive measures. 128 bit encryption is used for all passwords so that no one, including myself, will be able to view your password. Email and survey forms are handled with the most efficient security measures to keep hackers and spammers at bay. All shopping carts and secure credit card transactions also use strict security measures as well.

Of course. While it isn't necessary to make online sales via your website, it is often very beneficial to offer a catalog and shopping cart feature.

Absolutely not. Most companies would have to drastically change their business model and methods in order to provide an online catalog for mail order goods. It is proven that having a website increases in-store sales in most businesses and that today's consumers use the internet to research products before buying them. Many websites are designed to offer information and a way of contacting the company to provide a type of electronic "yellow pages" listing. The majority of today's consumers use the internet to locate retailers, restaurants and attractions before leaving home.

Absolutely. It is understood that some businesses may have different needs for payment. A payment plan can be arranged for a set monthly payment. A down payment is still required up front but I am flexible about the terms of payment. Ask me and we can work something out.

I currently accept money orders and business checks. I can also provide credit card payments. I do not accept cash or personal checks except for rare situations. If you can't make payment using one of the accepted methods please discuss it with me ahead of time.

No. While I operate in South Central Pennsylvania, I am more then capable of performing work for any english speaking client with access to a phone and the internet. I have done work for out-of-state, and out-of-country clients in the past and found that it is quite easy to communicate via email or telephone. Please note that photography services for clients out of area may require the use of sub-contractors.

Part of publishing and developing your site involves search engine optimization (SEO). I can provide you with registration to all the major search engines and will work diligently to get you the best rankings possible. You may also request pay-for-click and online advertising.

This is a question asked by many of my clients and has been very confused in the past. I need the "content" for your site. Basically "content" is all the text and media that you want included in your site. I can design a site and program it, but that does little good without the content. I do not write your text for you however I can provide you with a qualified copy writer if necessary.

A domain name is how people get to your site. An example would be "matthewroy.com" or "google.com".

Since the internet has boomed in the past several years, many domain names are already registered to other companies. If the name you want is already registered, I can work with you to find a suitable alternative or contact the owner about purchasing it from them.

Yes. I can act as a web master (a person who updates and maintains a website) for you. The rate is specified in the contract and you will be billed on an hourly basis. An alternative to this is to purchase a Content Management System (CMS) so you can easily update your own content. The CMS allows you to make changes to your site with very little computer experience. If you are anticipating frequent changes to your site it is encouraged that you purchase a CMS to cut your long-term costs.

Yes. If you use my web hosting service, email addresses will be provided to you. You can create email addresses to be anything you want. An example would be anything@yourdomain.com. Contact forms are usually provided with the purchase of a website. The submited information from the contact form can be securely emailed to any address(es) you'd like.

Contact me to set up a free initial consultation to discuss and define your needs.