Commonly Asked Web Design Questions

1. How long does it usually take to build a website?
   The entire process takes 4 to 6 weeks for up to 10 pages, but can actually take less if you are well-prepared. You need to have your logo in an electronic format (.eps is preferred but not required), images ready for the web and text written and ready to send to the designer (we provide a writer with all our custom designs if you need help). Also, be prepared to give us your time within the next 4 to 6 weeks so you are available to review designs and make changes as needed within a reasonable amount of time. We like to work with our clients as a team to get the best product out there. This will really help the process move along quickly. (If you’re in a hurry, our Simply Bella sites take less than 3 weeks.)
2. What will the site cost?
   Our sites start at $5,500 and can go up from there depending on things like how many pages your site needs such as if you want to use a content management system like WordPress or if you want database work or an ecommerce shopping cart. We will be able to give you a fixed price once we have a conversation about your needs. We have the experience to know exactly how many hours a project will take after designing almost 1,000 websites. Don’t forget you’ll get a free mobile website that matches your site along with this package so people can easily find you on their mobile devices! That’s a great way to set yourself apart from your competition. (You can find our pre-designed sites at www.simplybellawebdesign.com which start at $1,500)
3. What is your design process?
   Please download this PDF and you’ll see our process in action.
4. Do you have images we can use?
   Yes, we can provide stock photos from a number of sources to help your site tell “your story” in a visual way. After all, that is what the Internet is all about. The more appealing the pictures, the better the website. We have a partnership with www.istockphoto.com
5. Will I have a say in the design itself?
   Many creative marketing projects get underway without a clear sense of expectations between a company’s marketing and organizational leadership and the creative folks (whether in-house or freelance) delivering it. The result? An extended and expensive creative development process with many revisions – not to mention chewed-up nails, bruised egos and depleted momentum. We start each project by having our clients fill out a Creative Brief which gives us a direction to go in and we involve the client in every step of the process. The more input the customer has, the better the project will be and the clearer our direction.
6. Do you provide hosting?
   We provide hosting through one of the most successful hosting companies in the country called AppliedI. We have worked with them for over 4 years and they provide a 99.9% uptime. We also provide email addresses using your own domain and a web-based email system or you can use Outlook, Mac Mail or any 3rd party software to get your email. Our relationship with AppliedI allows us to streamline our hosting through one company for our clients and we also give our clients 30 minutes of maintenance/changes at no charge each month. Be wary of companies who just pass through your hosting to a cheaper company. Hosting is the lifeblood of your site and if your site is down, so are your profits.
7. Can I use my own web hosting?
   Absolutely! We work well with any hosting company out there and can upload your site in seconds.
8. Do you own the site when it’s done?
   No. We turn over the copyright and all rights to images to you once you’ve made your final payment. You can take the site and host it wherever you please.
9. Can I update my own site?
   If you wish to be able to edit your site from the web using no software, we can set it up to allow you to do just that using WordPress (additional fee will apply). We’ll create the editing area online when the site is complete and you can manage your own site very easily using a web browser from anywhere in the world.
   For those who are time-challenged, we offer 30 minutes of changes/maintenance at no charge each month with our $35 per month hosting plan. We guarantee a 2 business day turnaround if you use the form labeled “Client Change Request” at the top of this and every page of our site. We can also set up a self-editing program which is online-based. This means you don’t have to have any special software and you can use any computer connected to the Internet in the world!
10. Can I get a copy of the site when its completed?
    Believe it or not, this is the one question people NEVER ask and should! You should ALWAYS get 2 copies of your website from your web designer–one to keep in a safety deposit box at your local bank and one for to keep near your computer or on a local network. Always, always protect your website and your business!
11. Do you integrate all of my social media channels or can you help me build my presence?
    We excel at helping people understand the right way to use social media. This is not just a “just try everything you can” approach. We look at your company starting with the people you have on hand to support your social media efforts. Then we look at your audience and we create a plan from there. We can integrate any existing channels into your site as well as suggest others you might want to try but only if appropriate for your business. Social media is not a one size fits all approach and we’re very good at targeting what will work for your brand based on our own personal experiences. (Our own CEO has over 17,000 followers on Twitter, 4,000 on Facebook, 1,000 plus connections on LinkedIn, 3,000 plus listeners per month on www.thebellabuzz.com podcast as well as 3 other blogs and thousands of views on YouTube.)

Please email Desiree with more questions at desiree@bellawebdesign.com. We’d love to add them to the list!