Frequently Asked Questions - Web Design
Here are general questions we get asked all the time in regards to web site design, have a read and it might give you the answer you are looking for.
How much does a web site cost?
It all depends on what you require, it can be as little as £100 and as much as £10,000+ generally for a custom designed (we don’t use templates) profile web site you are looking at about £300-£500. Please see our price guide for more information.
How long will it take for my web site to be created?
The time it takes is dependant on many factors, usually its the time organizing content and images and making the tweaks to a design which take the longest, the average time is about 2 weeks, but if you have a specific deadline, arrangements can be made to prioritise the project, it also depends on how simple your web site is.
Will we need to have a meeting in connection with the web site design?
In the majority of cases a meeting isn’t necessary but sometimes it helps to identify certain needs with the client, most of the work can be done over e-mail, phone and post.
Once my web site design is completed - what after sales service do you offer?
We have competitive hourly rates for after sales amendments meaning it wont cost you much for edits and upgrades. In certain cases we can offer a support contract to cover any changes to your site, please contact us for more details.
Do I have to keep my web site with you forever, or can I move it to another supplier to host it if I wish?
We provide you with all the files we create your web site with, you can host your site with any provider you like.
In what format should I supply words and photographs about my business for my new web site?
It is helpful if you could supply your text in word document form, usually listing the content for each page under bold headers so we know where your content is going to go. Images are preferable in digital format so they can be art worked easily.
Will my web site design be listed high in the search engines?
We will endeavor to make your web site as search engine friendly as possible, however search engines change their criteria for what is relevant all the time, and no guarantee can be made to “get to the top of google”, you have to market and promote your site offline just as much as online to climb the rankings.
Why should i choose ADD Creative?
As there are thousands of web site designers in the world you have a wealth of choice, some are budget designers, but in web design you get what you pay for, choose a designer that’s punctual, easy to contact and has the know how. ADD Creative also prides itself on ability, speed and communication with the client. And that’s why you should use us
I run a small/medium size business and want an online presence to promote my business in a professional manner to new customers and to provide a more professional image to existing customers. What do I need to achieve this?
To achieve it, you will need a clean professional looking site that will appeal to your proposed new customers, you will need some hosting, a domain name and most importantly good content that the customers can relate too. The design is just as good as the content.
I hear that there are hidden costs associated with web design services. Is this true?
Not at all, in our quotes we cover everything down to the fine details, if it seems that something new needs to be put on the table, we will quote separately for add-ons that were not in the original specification.
Do I need a database on my web site?
This all depends on your content, if you have figures or tables of data you want to display a database can be the only way to go about doing it. These are not as expensive as you would think and it helps to display large amounts of data in a intuitive way.
How do I update my web site?
This is always a regular question, there are generally 4 solutions.
1) If your site needs a few changes here and there, it is cost effective to get ADD to make the changes at our hourly rates.
2) We can provide a content management system that allows you to make changes to your site such as text content, pictures and other areas. This is a better long term solution for companies that make lots of changes.
3) You can make the changes yourself, training can be provided on how to edit HTML with your computer and make little changes here and there yourself. Or alternatively buy software which can help.
4) Have someone else do the changes for you, that option is always available but our rates are very competitive and this option is rarely taken.
Will everyone see my web site the same?
We do the best we can to make your web site appear the same to all, however some users have different screen resolutions and settings which could mean it doesn’t look exactly the same, we do however do stringent testing to iron out potential bugs and cross browser compatibility.
Can you provide all our web design and hosting services?
Yes we can provide the full works, making sure things are easy and simple for your business.
Do you guarantee that my site will always be available?
Its impossible to guarantee 100% web site uptime, but usually the hosts we use have a standard 99% uptime, sometimes server issues are addressed and upgrades are needed, this might bring your site down on a temporary basis, but it usually isn’t for a long time.
Do you use Flash animation in your web site design?
We can do if the client requires it, it is animation work so does require more time and therefore is a bolt on cost. Some sites can be created completely in flash animation, these are time consuming so expect longer development time and a increase in cost, but they have a special something which normal HTML sites don’t have.
Can I get e-mail with my web site?
Yes that can be setup for you, you could have myname@mydomain.com or variations, its easy to use and setup.
Can I see how many visitors I’ve had to my web site?
Yes for a additional bolt on we can setup your web site to use Google Analytics where you can check your site statistics and other information, this is especially useful as a fact finding exercise on your customers and visitors.
Do I need to install any software?
In 99% of cases, no software is needed.
Can I have an e-commerce system/web store for my web site?
We can setup online stores and assist you with going through the motions, we recommend secure online payment gateways so that the customer pays instantly and with many different forms of payments. We help you step by step in getting the perfect e-commerce store to help earn you money.
When can I update my web site content?
If you have a Content Management System you can effectively update your web site through your internet connection, however if specific work needs to be done you can contact us in our office hours and amendments can be arranged.
Is there any training provided with the Content Management System - CMS?
Yes, although a CMS is usually intuitive and straight forward, training sessions can be booked for a fee, please contact us for more details.
How much will a web site cost me?
The cost of a web site varies depending on the site and complexity. A small site can range from £99 to £400 and each site is different, please look at our price guide above for more information.
How can I accept credit cards on my web site?
You would need a payment gateway and e-commerce solution, for projects such as this a meeting is usually required to work out the specifics, but all kinds of payments for all kinds of services can be done.
How many pages can I have on my web site?
There is no limit at all.
I already have a web site and I need it updating, can you help me?
Yes, a lot of our work is giving web sites a facelift and adding features, just contact us with details and we will be happy to have a look at your current site.
Do you redesign existing web sites?
Yes indeed, full re-designs can be carried out, keeping your brand identity and enhancing it, this is quite a common request and we relish in giving web sites a whole new lease of life.
Do you display any banners or pop-up ads on my web site?
We do not put our banners on your site or pop-ups, however if you request them for advertising purposes in order to make your company money through advertising then we can help you look into that.
What if I do not like the design?
Then we try again till we get it right, we will provide reasons behind the design, our years of expert knowledge shine through, however we usually ask the client to supply some examples of sites they like and dislike to give us some direction.
Will I find my web site on the search engines?
Your web sites will be submitted to search engines, there are numerous factors which determine where you site lists, there is never any guarantee of a top ranking but in time your site will be crawled by the search engines and you will appear in the search, this can take anywhere from a day to a few months.
Once my web site design is completed can you provide web hosting?
Yes we can organize the hosting for you and set it all up.
Why should I choose ADD Creative for my web development company?
We are creative, ambitious and fluent in all web languages, but just as important we know what customers want. We have years of experience in design, programming and internet technologies. We provide a personal service and we get it right first time. We make hard hitting, quick loading intuitive web sites that go beyond expectations.
Can I get a domain name registered through ADD Creative?
Yes we can sort all that out for you and make sure you keep ownership of the domain and the rights involved.
Who owns the web site once the web site is completed?
The web site belongs to you and we also send you a copy of the web site on CD. This gives you the opportunity if you so wish to use the files to edit yourselves or to have another company edit them.
