Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How much will a website cost?

The most basic website with your own domain name, emails @ your domain name, web hosting for a year, and 3-5 pages representing your business could cost as little as $350 for a year, and the cost of maintaining without changes would be $60 -100 a year for the following years.  There is no way that you can't afford to do this.

I feel that having a website is just so important for every business, and that's why I try to make it affordable.
If you want to start out selling a few products, the price would start at an additional $250 and go up from there, depending on the number of products, the quality of your photographs, and whether we use PayPal or Mals or a more expensive option.  I am familiar with and happy to work with the least expensive options.

Maintenance:  Some businesses need once a week or once a month maintenance.  Some need quarterly or yearly upkeep.
If you have something interesting enough to add weekly or monthly, you're more likely to have more business.
You know that the more you give your attention to something, the better it works.  Costs are based on time spent.

Depending on other business needs, prices increase.  But, no matter what you need, my prices are affordable.  A website is a vital part of every small business advertising plan.

I would prefer that you provide all photography, but I am available to do photography.  Any work done by me is by hour, and is additional, since all photographs need to be made web-ready.

I'll give you a price as soon as I can determine your needs, and how much time, effort, and internet costs it will cost me.
 

How long will it take?

Depending on what you already have to base a website on, a preliminary website can be up within 2-4 weeks.
A complete website will depend on the available materials.

And a website is never complete...    It's all about a temporary state of completetion.
 

What if I don't like it?

There is no reason that you might not like it, once we have gone through all of the steps to setting up a website.
But if there is, anything you don't like can be corrected.  And then corrected again.  Nothing on the intenet is set it stone. 
If there's something you don't like, let's fix it!   Just let me know.  I just want you to be happy and successful.
So far all of my outside clients have been happy.
Of course I can include my own business and my husband's business. (Who also are happy.)
 

How do I get started?

Let's look at what you need to begin with...       Simply:  Pictures, Copy, and a Domain Name

We always need some pictures, and everyone knows the saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words." 
Pictures connect emotionally sometimes more than words can, and help make them more powerful.

But what you need really depends on the type of site you want.
You can take some digital photos or pay a professional photographer to take great pictures of your wares, or find stock photos that portray the images you need.

Then what everyone needs is "copy", or words, so that they can be found by the search engines.
So how do we choose our words?
Why would someone choose you or your products over someone else. 
Write as much as you can about yourself and what makes your business stand out.
The more descriptive and interesting you can make it,  the better it will work for your customers.

Repeating words that people might use to look for your services or products helps with search engines, but only if you can make yr words sound like natural speech.

Think about a logo, slogan, byline or any other branding.  These aren't things you need, but they can be helpful.

Think about a web name. 
Generally, including words that people would associate with you or your product is more important than your business name.
When you are searching the internet for similar businesses, what are the words that you look for?
If you find your competitors without using their business name, these are important words to consider.
 

AND NOW THAT I"VE OVERWHELMED YOU...
 

What I really need from You:

I need appropriate promotional materials about your business and information from you to get you noticed.
And I need to have an idea of the image that you would like the world to see. 
I want the world to see you as much as you want everyone to.
 
Work with me.   Email me with your phone number and your email, and I'll get in touch with you.  Let's see if we can work together well towards creating your 21st Century future.

The only stupid question is the one left unasked
 

New Hope Web Design

Copyright Sharon Flanagan Designs 2008-2009