Web Design FAQ

1. What is a domain name?

   A domain name is a specific website address that you choose and register. To be technically correct, a domain name is commonly part of a larger Internet address called a "URL." A URL goes into much more detail than a domain name, providing more information, including the specific addresses of web pages on a website. See basic guidelines for choosing a domain name.

2. What is web hosting?

   Web hosting is a place to store your web pages. Everything you see on the internet is saved on a computer somewhere. You pay a monthly fee to store your pages and have them accessible world wide. We publish your web site design project to your chosen hosting service upon competion of the design.

3. How do I know if I need to hire a web designer?

   Do the terms domain name, web host, social media, keyword phrases, SEO, HTML, and CSS still confuse you? Do you often get frustrated as you try to find your way around the internet? Do you want your website to be unique? Do you have a hectic daily schedule?
   
   If you answered "YES" to these questions, you will likely need the assistance of a web designer. We can help. See our web design services.

4. What should I expect when your studio designs my website?

   After learning about your business, we will put together an estimate for your custom website design. Once the estimate is accepted, a $200 deposit is required. We will then construct two web site home page drafts for you to consider. Next, we will combine your drafts into one page, based on your preferences. After that, we will work with you to fine tune your web copy as we design the rest of your site.
   
   We will guarantee that the web site we design for you will work in the latest browser versions of Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and FireFox on a pc, and Safari and Firefox on a mac. It will also be unique. We do not use templates.

5. What payments will I have to make?

   A web design deposit will be sent to Crimson Designs before work begins. Then one or two more payments will be expected, depending on the size of the project. We rely on timely payments from our clients. Please keep in mind that once your deposit has been received, your project is accepted in good faith and other projects are often turned away.
   
   If you change your mind for any reason and choose not to complete your project, your deposit is nonrefundable. We also reserve the right to remove any web design project from viewing on the Internet until final payment is made.

6. How long will it take to design my website?

   We will do our best to set milestones for completion of your web site, but it depends on your participation. If you are prompt in sending information and respond quickly to our questions, your web site may be completed in several weeks. Some web sites, on the other hand, take several months to launch. It depends a lot on you!

7. Who owns my website after it is created?

   Your new web site is yours - you own it 100%. Crimson Designs reserves the right to display any development examples (web design, banner, logo or other) in our online portfolio. We also request that the links to Crimson Designs on your site will remain until the design is no longer active on the Internet.

8. How do I make changes to my website later on?

   To edit your website you can do one of the following things:
   
   1) Ask your web designer to make the changes. We offer website maintenance at an hourly rate of $30. We also offer a monthly service plan.
   
   2) Use a web editor such as Dreamweaver to access your website. Adobe Dreamweaver is a site building tool that allows you to create and edit web pages and applications using a graphical interface and built-in advanced design and coding features. Dreamweaver takes some time and effort to learn.
   
   3) Utilize CPanel to make changes. CPanel is a website management system, included with many hosting plans. CPanel provides a range of tools, one of which is the File Manager. The File Manager allows you to create or upload new files, and edit them using either a WYSIWYG editor or hand-coding the HTML.
   
   4) Include a CMS in your web site.

9. What is a CMS (Content Management System)?

   A CMS or content management system (such as WordPress) will give you the ability to change your web content without messing with any code or involving your website designer. If your site includes a CMS, then all you need is a browser, a text editor and a photo or graphics program (such as Photoshop) to make changes to your website.
   
   With a CMS, all the programming of your website is kept separate from your content. Your programming lies within the pages on your server while your content is stored in a database. You can edit your web site by going into the admin section of your web site in a web browser, opening up a web page, making changes in a WYSIWYG editor and publishing it. The edits are sent to the database and will instantly appear on your web site.
   
   With a CMS, you can make your content changes from any computer. A CMS also allows you to work on a page in "draft" mode and publish whenever you're ready. A CMS also provides multiple user accounts and various levels of access rights. Changes are tracked and all page revisions are stored for easy access. This means that if mistakes are made in a web page, you can revert back to a previously saved version with one click.
   
   However, it is important to know that a web site built on a CMS is not maintenance free. CMS sites need to be upgraded from time to time. Also, keep in mind that content authors, editors, and anyone else who will be using the CMS must be trained on its use.  If content is not updated regularly, editors may forget how to go about making changes.
   
   If you are planning on building a large website with frequent updates, a CMS will be useful. But there are also cases where one is simply not needed. This decision should be made in consultation with your web site designer.

10. What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

    Search Engine Optimization means ensuring that your web pages are accessible to search engines and are focused in ways that help improve the chances they will be found in search engine result pages. It is a combination of on-site and off-site tactics all working together to create a high authority web site.
    
    On Site SEO includes everything from the words that appear on your web site to the source code that goes into your site's HTML. This also includes such things as adding the right amount of keywords and internal links throughout each web page, optimizing pictures with ALT tags, and making the web site appealing to readers.
    
    Off Site SEO focuses on a site's relationship with other web sites and is all about link building. An incoming link is to the same as a popularity vote. The more links a site has, the more popular it becomes. The amount and quality of inbound links, or links directed to a website, is one of the major ways that Google sorts their search engine results. Your web designer should be very familiar with Search Engine Optimization. Be sure to ask about their knowledge of it before you hire someone.

11. Is it time to redesign my business website?

    We have created 8 simple ways to tell if your website is outdated. This blog post includes a checklist that will help you decide: 8 Simple Ways to Tell if your Website is Old: Business Owner Checklist.

More Questions? Contact Crimson Designs.
See our Website Design Services.
See our New Hampshire Web Design Projects.
See our Web Design Projects North to South.

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