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Why do I need a website to generate business contacts? I'm visible in the Yellow Pages.
Many people maintain the old-school perspective that a good Yellow Pages ad and local signage give a company its greatest visibility. The problem is that such forms of advertisement are limiting and your potential clients know it. They know that if they want a full sense of what you have to offer, they are not going to find it within the borders of a print ad. Many people use the internet to conduct their early shopping research, as it is much more efficient than calling all around town, and can be done anytime, after the kids have been put to bed and such. Even those who start their search in the phone book will be swayed by the promise of additional information and features at your website. If you can justify spending thousands of dollars on a Yellow Pages ad with a couple dozen words, you can hardly justify not spending hundreds of dollars to promote yourself fully online without space constraints.
How can I sensibly choose a web developer when I have no idea what I am doing?
Well, it is certainly frustrating to have to shop for services you do not fully understand, but don't be discouraged.
My best advice is to find a web developer whose own site and prior work most appeals to you and whose design philosophy and commitment to the client fits your interests. Engage that developer in a discussion of your needs. Expect the developer to cross every 't' and dot every 'i' in providing you quality work. If the developer cannot commit to such an effort, seems to be overcharging you, wants to sell you more than you need, or simply fails to listen to your needs, look to take your business elsewhere.
What if I don't know jack about the internet?
Bah. You know your business. We will need to feed upon that knowledge as we build for you. If you feel trepidation about getting a website going, due to general lack of knowledge, you can request our Website 101 packet. It is a non-sales orientation to help you get your footing. Once you have a clue, you'll know what to do, and won't get taken to the cleaners in the process.
How much will my website cost to build?
Why is this ALWAYS the first question on everyone's mind? :)
Getting a website should not be like buying a suit off a rack. For it to be worth anything to you, the site should be tailor-fitted to your needs. Be suspicious of developers who charge a flat rate based upon the number of pages the website has or some other basic scheme.
Every business is different and can only be optimized on the web with the right amount of work. Going too far is a waste of your money. Cutting your website short means missed revenue opportunities for the sake of penny-pinching. You should be more determined to get answers to the question "How much can this website do for my business?" before fretting over cost. A website that does not pull in the revenue that it could is no bargain at any price. If you are interested in a price quote, you can visit Pricing.
Why not charge a flat rate per page?
Page layout and content should be dictated by your needs and should appeal to the interests of your site’s visitors. How dynamic each page is and how much content is offered should not be a function of cost, but good sense.
Should I hire a local web designer?
In most cases there is no advantage to doing so. The miracle of the internet is its ability to transcend geography and allow people of common interest to interact. If you limit yourself to local developers, you may be limited to incompetent, indifferent, or overpriced ones. The materials your developer will need can always be sent via email or postal mail. It is, however, recommended that you choose a developer who will not outsource part of your project to another country where folks may not have the language skills and sensibilities to give you the best possible results.
Should I hire a big web design firm or a smaller web designer?
Size really doesn't matter much, especially if it is backed up with a poor level of performance. Unfortunately, many of the larger firms have become website mills, pumping out monolithic work that looks the same time after time, failing to cater to the precise needs of the client. Some of these companies struggle with large overhead. Many also outsource much of their work overseas and in so doing pass along a more poorly crafted product for your domestic market without passing along the savings in labor costs. Whether choosing big or small, try to avoid the hit-and-run style of service that sacrifices quality work to get your project paid for and out of the way for the next client in line.
We are quite small and can provide cost-effective solutions for small operations with personalized service.
Will my website bolster my bottom line?
If you are in real estate, the answer is YES! The National Association of Realtors reported in 2001 that more than 60% of home shoppers used the internet as a fundamental search tool. Those rates continue to rise. Trying to sell or rent property today without being on the net is just foolhardy.
If you are in another line of work, you yourself may have the best sense of whether the internet is right for you. Are any of your competitors online? Is yours a service or product that is unusual enough that it is difficult to market through conventional means?
Why should I choose a web developer who specializes in real estate websites?
We can give you custom service and aggressive promotion for a competitive price because we already understand and are prepared to meet many of your basic needs, those that are solely dependent on your line of work. We do not need to learn from scratch how a business like yours works. Instead we will focus on the peculiarities of your location, market, and business approach. You get far better quality for a comparable price.
Plus we know a few tricks. ;)
What if I am interested in a non-real estate website?
Not a problem. Take a look at the Portfolio page. If you tend to like what you see, we should be able to meet your needs.
How long will it take to get my site designed?
It depends greatly on the complexity of your project and the time it takes for you to gather and send out your materials (e.g., logo, sales copy, any existing matter that should be incorporated into the site). Two to four weeks is typical. No need to rush your developer. A developer who is willing to spend more time tinkering with your site will usually generate a more thoughtfully conceived result.
Can I see my website as it is being developed?
Yes. You will be asked to provide any design input you may have at the start, including any design ideas, color preferences, etc. Before any of the coding begins, you will be given a prototype image and page layout plan for your approval. Open communication will allow us to work together, the only way we CAN work to make your site as great as it can possibly be, and the best way to avoid doing work twice.
How much will it cost me per month to have a website?
Once you have your site up, long-term expenses will include web-hosting fees, promotion expenses, and fees or labor expended to maintain the site. Quality web hosting can be arranged, in most cases for $10 a month. Promotion expenses are left to the discretion of the client. In many cases, a budget of $100 or less a year will be advisable and cost-effective. We take great strides to provide custom support upfront which minimizes the amount of work you or your staff must undertake in maintaining your site. The last thing you need is another time-critical task tying up working hours.
Will I need a full-time webmaster to maintain the site? Can I simply maintain it myself?
Quite possibly. The time and expense of maintenance often exceeds the initial cost of building a site. Many developers use maintenance packages as a primary cash stream. We believe that the best website for your needs is one whose maintenance requirements are minimized and/or automated where possible. LogicalCreation is about great design, not heavy maintenance, but we can provide regular maintenance if needed or desired.
Will a new or more visible website mean a lot of extra work for my organization?
It will mean more of the RIGHT kind of work for your staff, the sort that truly requires a human touch and often leads to additional business. With proper design, a website should dramatically reduce the burden on your staff in addressing mundane issues. Many people prefer to shop without being bothered by a store clerk offering unneeded assistance. Your website should offer your visitors the power to go as far as they possibly can and learn as much as they wish without requiring them to exhibit the initiative of picking up the phone. Yes, a personal telephone conversation can be a powerful means of sales. Selling a prospective client on your business BEFORE she even calls is ultimate success, making your job that much easier, especially if your client does her surfing at 11 at night or 6 in the morning.
Who owns my website?
As long as you are the one paying the registration fee, about $9 a year, you own it.
What if I don't have a domain name?
Not a problem. We will find you the best one available by scouring the internet and culling thousands of possible names to find the very best candidates. You will receive a recommended choice plus many others to choose from. Once you have chosen your name, we will help you get your domain registered in your name.
What kind of hosting will my site have?
This is your choice. The service we use and recommend costs $10 a month for most websites and provides excellent reliability. We've done dozens of hours of shopping around for the best hosting so you won't need to.
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