Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any question to link to the answer.
- How much will a website cost?
- How many pages should the website have?
- Can I get something other than your standard packages?
- What is the timeframe for creating a new site?
- How do you gather the information needed to create the website?
- What is the biggest delay in launching a website?
- Can we use our own pictures on the site?
- Do I get to see the site before it's launched?
- How long will it take to re-make my current website?
- What is a domain name and how do I get one?
- Who owns the rights to the website?
- What is web hosting and how do I find a host?
- What happens if I want to have someone else host the website?
- Do I have to update and maintain my site?
- How can my site get good search engine rankings?
- How do I track website usage?
- What are your payment terms?
- How do we begin?
How much will a website cost?
For a general idea, check our website packages page. As we point out, the posted prices are only a guideline, and we can be flexible in coming up with a package at a price to meet your needs. We charge a flat rate to create your site, unlike some designers who amortize the cost into a monthly fee. If you do the math, you'll see that our flat rate pricing plan will save you an enormous amount of money over time. Back to top.
How many pages should the website have?
We think that for a buisness or professional practice website to have any impact, it should contain at least eight pages. If you review our suggested page topics (for professional practices), you'll see that with fewer than eight pages, you won't effectively describe what you do to the people who could use your services. By the same token, it makes no sense to upload a huge amount of information that no one would have time to absorb. After you finish our questionnaire, we'll agree on the optimal number of pages needed to get your message across. Back to top.
Can I get something other than your standard packages?
Absolutely. Every business is different, and we're commited to working with you to ensure that your practice gets the online presence that it needs -- no more, no less. Back to top.
What is the timeframe for creating a new site?
We can complete most projects in two to four weeks; but much of this depends on you. Content is king -- and the faster you provide us with information, the faster we'll finish your site. Back to top.
How do you gather the information needed to create the website?
As we indicated in the previous answer, we rely on you for much of the data. We'll ask you for brochures, newsletters, CVs, newspaper articles, your own information and anything else you can provide us to capture the essence of your practice. Our questionnaire will help to focus on the content gathering process. Back to top.
What is the biggest delay
in launching a website?
Generally, it's waiting for the information we need to create the content. We can also run into delays getting the approvals we need in order to proceed. For that reason, we'll ask to work with a decision-maker (or someone close to a decision-maker) so we don't have to wait to receive the final okays. Back to top.
Can we use our own pictures on the site?
We encourage you to provide photographs and any other artwork that's unique to your business. Don't worry if you don't have digital pictures -- we can scan your photos. And if you're located in Southwest Florida, we'd be glad to come by and photograph you, your associates and your facility. Back to top.
Do I get to see the site before it's launched ?
We won't upload a site until it has received your approval. As we move forward on the design and construction, we'll share our work with you at an online test site. This way you can tell us what you like and what you don't, so the final product won't be a surprise. Back to top.
How long will it take to re-make my current website?
It will depend on how much of the content, graphics and structure you want to change, but often it takes about the same amount of time as creating a new website -- between two and four weeks. Back to top.
What is a domain name and how do I get one?
A domain name is the name that identifies your website. Each domain name is unique -- it can't be used by anyone else. If you don't already have one, we'll find out what's available, advise you on slelecting one and we will take care of the registration, if you wish... all at no charge. Back to top.
Who owns the rights to the website ?
You do... and you also own the domain name if we register it on your behalf. Back to top.
What is web hosting and how do I find a host?
An internet website is really nothing more than a bunch of files
that sit on a computer. The web host is the company that operates servers -- computers that are directly linked to the World Wide Web -- and sells space on those servers for your website files. There are thousands of web hosting companies, including WebDreamSites. Our prices are quite reasonable and our servers are incredibly fast and reliable. Click here for more information on our hosting plans. Back to top.
What happens if I want to have someone else host my website ?
We have no problem with that and would be glad to work with your host to get your site launched. Back to top.
Do I have to update and maintain my site ?
It's up to you. If you enjoy doing it and have some knowledge about it, there's no reason why you can't keep your site updated and in good running order. All of our hosting customers receive access to an easy-to-use Control Panel, where you can set up e-mail addresses, look at reports on visits to your website, install any of scores of free online applications and much more. Back to top.
If you don't want to deal with updating and maintenance, we can do it for you. Unlike other companies that charge you a monthly maintenance fee, we do the work on an hourly basis so you pay only for what you need. There's also a third alternative: If you want to be able to easily update content on your website, for less than $200, Adobe offers Contribute, a program that enables you to make content changes on your site with relative ease. Back to top.
How can my site get good search engine rankings?
It starts with the proper construction of the website itself -- the XHTML structure, CSS styling, and navigation setup that we use make it easy for search engines to find out what your site is all about. As a part of your package, we'll also register the website with Yahoo! and Google, the two most popular search engines. WebDreamSites can also set you up in pay-per-click advertising programs, so that when someone types in a word or words describing your practice's location and services, your site will show up at the top of the list! There are lots of strategies for optimizing search engine results, and together we can develop a program that gets your website where you want it to be. Back to top.
How dp I track website usage?
If you decide to use WebDreamSites as your host, you will have direct access to continually updated Webalizer statistics. They'll show you how many visitors came to your site by hour and by day; which pages are most popular; at which page they arrive at your site and at which page they exit; and visitors' browsing patterns. Back to top.
What are your payment terms?
The price of designing websites is a one-time fee.
For websites estimated at $1,000 or less: A deposit of 50% upon signing the contract with the balance due just prior to launching the site.
For websites estimated at more than $1,000: 30% upon commencement, 30% at the midpoint ofthe project; and the balance on completion.
We accept checks and major credit cards.
Web hosting fees are billed in advance for a 12 month period. Back to top.
How do we begin?
We'll start by providing you with a questionnaire -- to help us plan your website and to help you focus on your goals for the site. After a discussion and agreement on the framework of the site, we'll begin the design process. At this time, you'll gather the source material that will help make up the site's content. Back to top.
Do you have any questions we didn't ask and answer? Click here to contact us.