toolbox > learning center | |
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frequently asked questions (FAQs) about websites |
- I’ve never hired a professional Web designer
before. Where do I begin?
- Is Sandaleo a large agency, or a small business
like my own?
- Do you work with customers over long distances?
- How can a Web site help my small business?
- How can I sell merchandise through my Web site?
- How do I control my site’s content once it is
created?
- How much will it cost?
- How do I plan out the content for my Web site?
- What is a database-driven Web site?
- What is a Web server?
1. I’ve never hired a professional Web designer before. Where do
I begin?
If you’re reading this, then you’ve already begun the process.
For many small businesses, finding a quality Web design firm that
you can rely on can be a disconcerting and time-consuming task. We
are committed to helping Individuals and Small Businesses succeed on
the Web.
2. Is Sandaleo a large agency, or a small business like my own?
Most businesses, big and small, are happy when they find out
we’re a small business. This means that each time you call, you’ll
usually be speaking to the same person you spoke with the last time.
No waiting on hold or complicated company directories. Not only do
we offer personal attention throughout the course of every Web
project we work on, but we give you large agency expertise and
experience.
3. Do you work with customers over long distances?
Absolutely. In fact, Sandaleo is actively seeking small,
mid-sized, and large companies who like our approach and want to
work with us regardless of distance. We truly enjoy working with
long distance clients and are committed to offering a high level of
service specifically geared to overcome the distance barrier. We do
this by maintaining a consistently high level of communication
through phone and email messaging.
4. How can a Web site help my small business?
A Web site should be your strongest marketing tool, and should be
prominently displayed with every form of promotion you use. Use your
Web site to significantly increase the effectiveness of traditional
paid advertising and promotional material. Doing so will
dramatically improve the cost effectiveness of placing ads in print
and elsewhere.
Your small business can greatly benefit from having a Web site by
providing a comfortable buffer-zone to first-time clients. A Web
site can often serve as an ice-breaker for people who are new to
your services, and motivate them to become your customer.
5. How can I sell merchandise through my Web site?
We offer several practical ways for individuals and small
businesses to sell their products online. For more information,
please contact us.
6. How do I control my site’s content once it is created?
There are several ways to "administer" the content of your Web
site. If you feel that your content will seldom change, you can
request that we make changes for you. More advanced sites include an
"administrative interface" that lets you use your Web browser (AOL,
IE, Netscape, etc.) to do anything from adding products to your
online store and adding images and text, to administering an online
calendar of events and monitoring an online message board community.
7. How much will it cost?
If you are seeking an accurate assessment of what your Web site
will cost, you should first develop a clear idea about what you
need. Often, it requires the advice of a Web developer to help you
determine these needs.
How do you plan to use your Web site?
- As an online store where actual products are sold
- As an online brochure to inform the consumer about my
company’s products and/or services
- As an online community
- As a combination of all these
Many factors can affect the cost of Web development. We offer
free, no-obligation consultations to anyone interested in working
with us. Use our
Website
Planning Guide to understand what your website will need then
ask us for a quote!
8. How do I plan out the content for my Web site?
Most businesses provide us with information about their products
and/or services through existing company literature, manufacturer
information, and personally written content. Furthermore, we compose
and edit text for nearly all our client’s projects, and can offer
reliable advice on how to best populate your Web site.
As part of our Design Process, we
implement several techniques to make your site’s content as clear
and effective as possible. This includes carefully plotted site
architecture, promotional elements, engaging visual layouts, and
straight-forward contact information. All these things assure the
creation of a well-organized, user-friendly, successful Web site.
9. What is a database-driven Web site?
A database allows you to expand your Web site and manage its
content more effectively as your business grows. For starters, you
can use a database to update content, collect and manage customer
information, and create new Web pages on the fly. Furthermore,
investing in a database early on may save you money in the long run
if you truly expect your business to grow.
A few years ago, databases were a less common and more expensive
option for the small business owner. Today, they have become the
preferred solution to many online needs.
10. What is a Web server?
Just as your computer stores files on its hard drive, a Web
server stores the files that make up your Web site. A server in most
cases is nothing more than a computer with a high memory capacity.
It sits on a shelf in a hosting facility, enjoying a constantly air
conditioned existence, greeting people from all over the world as
they request to view your Web site.
Click here for a list of common
web server error messages.
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