FAQs about hosting
Advanced hosting FAQs
Calculating pricing and turn-around time
FAQs about building a site
Do I need a web developer or a web designer? How do I go about picking the right one for me?
Web designers build graphics and create a visual plan for a web site. They can give you a complete, simple site. Web developers use more complicated programming, database integration and other advanced technologies to give your web site more functionality. Both a web developer and web designer are required to build complicated web sites. While you may find one company to provide both web design and development, you may also choose them independent of one another.
What kind of web sites do you offer?
We offer a multitude of sites ranging from the simple brochure-based site to mixed static/data driven sites to full blown data driven sites with e-commerce functionality, including brochure-ware web sites, publicity-based web sites, e-commerce web sites.
How long does it take to build a web site?
Time frame is dependant on function and design. Six to Eight weeks is average for a mid sized site with basic function but some projects range from a 1-2 week turnaround to some that are ongoing and may takes years to complete the various stages. Overall, it is largely determined by web site complexity, web site size and our development schedule.
How much does a web site cost?
There are several factors that determine a website's development cost. Sites can vary in complexity from a simple static HTML site to a fully dynamic database driven site. Costs can vary also depending on the nature of the graphics you require on your site. Flash and other multimedia elements greatly enhance the look and feel but costs more time to develop and will affect the final costs. Contact us today if you need a quote or a more in depth bid on your project.
Do you price by the hour or by the job? What's included in the base price? What is considered extra?
We bill on a per hour basis. When we meet with you we will identify the job requirements and provide a cost estimate based on the number of hours it will take to complete the defined tasks.
The proposed price includes everything that we discuss during the planning stages of the project. We will work closely with you to identify all areas of development from visual front-end to functional back-end and provide a proposed work estimate that includes these elements.
Anything outside of the original proposal is considered extra. Projects have been known to evolve outside of the original scope. Any extras are billed on a per hour basis and are discussed and approved before we actually start on them.
Are there additional or hidden costs?
No, everything is itemized in the proposal.
Do you use templates of design from scratch?
We create everything from scratch.
I get a free web site from my ISP. Why do I need another one?
You may not. Your ISP may allow a certain amount of data storage on its server for you to host a site. Main questions on this topic include:
- Do they offer you the opportunity to have your own domain name (www.mycompany.com)?
- What, if any, charges result from that?
- Are there any bandwidth restrictions placed on that account for the domain hosting?
Ultimately it is our goal to see you obtain and get use of a domain name. We can host your site at reasonable rates with the ability to maintain it yourself if so desired. We ultimately match our clients' needs and expertise to any number of solutions we offer.
Will you educate our company on the necessary steps to maintain our web site?
For data driven applications we typically provide a very quick-loading, user-friendly interface that allows you the ultimate control over your content. If desired, we can train a person on your staff to follow these very easy to use forms that update and maintain your database on a per hour basis. Some of our clients need data that is collected from an application and we make it a very easy process to transfer data collected on the site for use in internal software.
Do you test the site on multiple browsers and /or platforms?
Yes. With both Macintosh and PC Operations Systems, we test for compatibility on all current browsers.
Will I need special software?
No, most applications we build need nothing more then a browser and a connection to the Internet to perform maintenance.
What kind of satisfaction guarantee do you offer?
100%. We build everything according to an agreed upon proposal to avoid any miscommunications with project elements, timeline, and hosting solutions.
Do I need to hire a "local" web site designer?
Not necessarily. We have built sites from all over the globe. The Internet world today relies on an Internet connection to reach anywhere. We have that capability and most frequently our clients are nowhere near Nashville, TN. Question to ask yourself is, do you feel comfortable with that relationship. It is not out of the question for us to come to you to experience your workday and get a feel about what it is you want to accomplish. We still believe in face-to-face conversations and welcome them always regardless of geography. We have created public websites and intranets for both local and national clients.
Will my site appear in the big search engines?
With today's constantly changing search engine market, we do not guarantee anything in this realm. We will fashion the site any way you wish but ultimately in today's competitive market for pay-to-rank search engines we do not have the time to market your site for you. Typically, our clients have a market base established that they are trying to rejuvenate and going from scratch brings different obstacles. We can consult on a launch strategy that includes such promotion but it is not typical to provide that inclusive. It would be on a separate per hour cost basis, as we would be assuming a role of a marketing department.
What is a URL?
It stands for "universal resource locator". URL refers to the web address typed in to view your web page on the Internet.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a specific web site address. We can help you choose this address and then register the address properly. For example, our domain name is yourinternet.com.
I am currently hosted with another company. Can I switch to you?
Yes. Just let us know which address and which emails you would like set up and we will cover the rest. There are additional monthly fees for hosting but email hosting is unlimited with domain hosting at no additional charge.
Can I choose you to design my site but choose another web host?
Absolutely. It is actually uncommon that we host all of the work we do. We offer hosting as a convenience to our clients but it is definitely not mandatory. Most of our clients have internal servers on location that we develop for. We can also work with that provider if they are willing to fit your needs.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting creates a location for your web site, making it accessible on line. We provide web hosting for a monthly fee.
How much do you charge for maintenance?
Most of our sites have a data driven backend that we give clients control over. Static sites will be subject to minimal maintenance fees that we work out typically on a per hour basis.
Can you write my web site copy?
Yes. We have a copywriter on staff. If you wish, this service can be included in your web site cost.
Can people email me from my web site?
Yes. Email addresses are definitely accessible throughout the site as needed for you.
Once I'm done, how can I measure the traffic on my web site?
We can provide statistical tools for your traffic that includes regional traffic hits, pages loaded, or any number of possibilities that you may require. If this is a main need, please be sure to let us know and we will provide it to you (applies to customers we host).
Once you build my web site, do I retain the copyright?
The site is yours. We have a standing confidentiality agreement with our clients and never breach that contract of trust. We have had many "bleeding edge" clients approach us with ideas and whether we service them or not our lips never part. We are very discreet and very confidential. Ideas are safe here.
Once I decide to use you, what do I do?
Simply contact us to get started. 615.578.2512.
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