Frequently Asked Questions |
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Section 1 - Website Design Development
1.1 How much information can go into a website without overloading it?
1.2 How many graphics and/or pictures can I use in a web site?
1.3 Can I use my own words instead of yours?
1.4 What about copyrights on the Web?
1.5 Do you work with sites that might be considered controversial? |
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Section 2 - Updating
2.1 How easy is it to change the content of my site once you build it?
2.2 Can I change the website myself or do I need you to do it?
2.3 How often should I send you updates?
2.4 What do you charge for updates? |
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Section 3 - Maintenance
3.1 What procedures do you follow to ensure the security of data?
3.2 What if I want to change website designers or drop the website altogether?
3.3 If I go out of business, what happens to my website? |
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Section 4 - Promotion
4.1 How can I promote my site?
4.2 How well will my site do in search engines?
4.3 Can I see how many visitors I get and maybe get some info on them? |
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Section 1 - Website Design Development |
1.1 How much information can go into a website without overloading it?
It depends on how much space you purchase. Most websites, whether business or personal, require only a tiny fraction of the total space purchased. For instance, my hosting company offers 200MB of space as one of its accounts. That is plenty of room for a full site with optimized graphics as well as MP3 files, a blog, and even a public discussion forum. Additional space and account upgrades are always available if more space is needed. |
1.2 How many graphics and/or pictures can I use in a web site?
As many as allowable by the amount of domain space you purchase. A digital image taken with a camera can take up a lot of space – some as much as one or two megabytes. The software I use will reduce the size of the photo, as well as decrease the height and width of a photo so it can be properly displayed on the Web. You will see the term, “.jpg” and “.gif” quite a bit – these two image formats are the most commonly used in websites because they can reduce the size of a graphic without affecting the quality. |
1.3 Can I use my own words instead of yours?
You can use your own words and I can place them on to a page. I am able to advise you in matters of proofreading and word count which is important in maintaining a professional look, but it is ultimately up to you. |
1.4 What about copyrights on the Web?
There are laws in place. You are not allowed to copy any material on any website without the permission of the owners. I am not able to “steal a graphic” – I have to get permission to edit existing graphics that belong to other people. This rule doesn’t apply to clip-art associated with publishing programs (like Microsoft Publisher) or specialty websites that offer public-domain graphics.
The rule also applies to domain names. Normally, you can’t use names associated with well-known businesses (like huge theme parks in California and Florida with rodent mascots) without expressed consent.
The look and feel of a website is also protected to a point. One person cannot claim that a simple, three-column website was their original idea…but if it is obvious that you copied the look, then you might run into a problem – at least ethically. That’s why I believe in custom-made designs for each customer. When I ask for your favorite websites, it just gives me the overall idea of what kind of website you might like. |
1.5 Do you work with sites that might be considered controversial?
Controversy is a matter of opinion, but I do not create adult or illegal download/hacker websites. I do not create websites that exploit or harm the general public. I use discretion when it comes to sites with adult content. I don’t mind creating a Heavy Metal band’s site with the knowledge that the “F-Bomb” is often dropped. I do not mind creating a photographer’s site that contains nudity as long as it doesn’t cross that well-known line. Ultimately, if the site content positively reflects the artist or business, then there shouldn’t be a problem. In the end, it’s up to the design company to accept the project.
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Section 2 - Updating |
2.1 How easy is it to change the content of my site once you build it?
The most time-consuming portion of website design is in the beginning stages, prior to the website going live on the Internet. Once completed, a website is relatively simple to update because most of the hard work has been taken care of in the development stage. The only other times it might be time consuming is if you have a large amount of material to add to the site. For instance, a large amount of images that has to be edited and placed on a page. |
2.2 Can I change the website myself or do I need you to do it?
All website content created by Desert Druid Web is your personal property. Consequently, if you feel you can update a website yourself, you are more than welcome to do so. Otherwise, it would depend on the complexity of the pages. If there comes a time where you get stuck, you can always contact me for assistance. To ensure a consistently professional look, it is recommended that you use a Webmaster. |
2.3 How often should I send you updates?
You can request updates as often as you like. Unless you have time-sensitive material that requires frequent updating, you’ll find that most update requests are minimal once the website is built. Again, it depends on the website. |
2.4 What do you charge for updates?
Please contact me regarding fees for updates.
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3.1 What procedures do you follow to ensure the security of data?
Website security is the responsibility of everyone. The best rule of thumb is this: whatever you post on the Internet will have the potential of reaching everyone else on the Internet. Spam is the nemesis of the common user. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to keep an email address from being harvested off a website. I do use special coding to “mask” email addresses and reduce the chance of spammers from getting it.
If you are running a business that requires online purchasing (a.k.a. eCommerce), you will be introduced to secure servers that encrypt personal data and/or have password-protected folders. These functions are available through your domain hosting company; normally, for an additional fee. I am able to work with these secure sites once they have been installed.
In the event a website is hacked (and it happens), I keep a backup copy of all websites I create so they can be reinstalled in the event of an emergency. I will also reset your passwords and file permissions.
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3.2 What if I want to change website administrators?
It happens and that is not a problem. I will provide you with the entirity of the work on a disc and that will be the end of it. You paid for the material I created and it is legally your property. However, I do ask that a link back to Desert Druid Web be available someplace on the website since I created it. It can be removed as part of the copyright information, but it should be placed someplace else on the site. |
3.3 If I go out of business, what happens to my website?
You can request cancellation of my services at any time. You should also notify your domain service in writing that you wish to cancel the account, effective on whatever date you choose. You will need to discuss any refund policies with them. |
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4.1 How can I promote my site?
Many options are available. Business cards and flyers should always have your domain address. CD cases are an option. Other websites and discussion forums that are relevant to your site’s content may give you the opportunity to promote yourself. Mailing lists are extremely helpful and ensure the people listed really do want to hear more about you. Email signatures are also a good way to spread the word. The more your service and website are mentioned on the Internet, the more likely the search engines will find you. |
4.2 How well will my site do in search engines?
The website will need to be active for awhile before it hits the search engines - during the construction of the site, I include keywords in the header that are related to your site. The more relevant the search words to your site, the more likely it will come up. Also, the longer a site stays on the Web, the more often it will get hit in the searches.
So if you had a business called "Black and White Cookie Company" and you were a bakery based in Phoenix, Arizona, I would create keywords like, "black, white, cookie, company, phoenix, bakeries, arizona" in the header. If a person types "cookies phoenix, bakeries", there is a good chance your site will come up, at least in the top twenty. If someone just typed "bakeries", every bakery will be listed along with yours. The longer your site stays up, the more hits you get from other promotional sources, the more it will be displayed in the search engine listings. This is why external promotion is so important.
Search engines are getting smarter. Search companies, such as Google, are using a number of unique factors to detect websites. Keywords are still used, but the popularity of the site and relevance are also considered. They look for abuse tactics like displaying one keyword over and over again on purpose. Registration of a site on a search engine is also helpful since it validates the importance of the site. I can assist you with registration once your site is complete. |
4.3 Can I see how many visitors I get and maybe get some info on them?
Yes! Site statistics are usually available through your website hosting company. Google also offers these for Webmasters to install on websites. If you have difficulty understanding the data, we will be glad to help you find the reports.
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