• What information should I provide to obtain an estimate?
• Can you explain the web design process, from initial contact to delivery?
• What can you offer that a larger design firm cannot?
• How long is a typical web design engagement?
• How much do you cost?
• What are your payment terms and how do I pay you?
• How will you ensure that my website will be found in the search engines?
• How do you ensure that everyone will see my website the way it's intended?
• Just what in the world is a content management system (CMS) anyway?
• What is a domain name?
• What is web hosting?
• Do you offer Flash design services?
• Do you offer database or “back-end” programming services?
• I already have a website and I just need it updated, can you help me?

What information should I provide to obtain an estimate?

So that I may get a clear idea of your specific requirements, I've created a project information worksheet (.doc). I ask that you to download and complete this, then return it to me via email. In most cases, I'll be able to return a proposal within a week. If you have urgent needs, or would like to review the worksheet with me in person, feel free to give me a call.

Can you explain the web design process, from initial contact to delivery?

If you're shopping for a web designer, chances are that you don't know much about web design or the web design process. I'm here to guide and assist you.

When an individual or company expresses interest in working with me, I send them a project information worksheet (.doc). The worksheet gets everything written down and assists me and the client during the information gathering phase of our relationship. After the initial needs-analysis is complete (which can be done in person, over the phone, or via email) I will have all of the information I need to make a proposal.

I then submit a concise proposal outlining all of the important details of the project including everyone's responsibilities, the project specifications, budget, timeline, terms, etc. for the client's review. The client and I then discuss the proposal and if they decide to work with me, I submit a standard contract.

The contract is a short document that reiterates the details of the proposal and serves to protect the interests of all parties. For most projects, a signed contract is accompanied with the first payment, or deposit, which is 50% of the project's total. Work begins and the client and I work closely together on every step of the project to ensure an exceptional result.

The site is refined, revised, and tested before going online. If everyone is completely satisfied, the site is made "live", control is transfered to the client, and final payment is made. The project is now complete and everyone is happy! I follow-up with the client and from then on, I'm available around the clock to answer questions and address any issues that may arise.

What can you offer that a larger design firm cannot?

That's an easy one: Outstanding Customer Service. I'm available to my clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions and address any issues that may arise.

How long is a typical web design engagement?

Most projects fall within the range of 2 weeks and 2 months, depending on scope, complexity, and my current work load.

How much do you cost?

Since every client's needs are different, it's hard to have a one-price-fits-all pricing structure. I always charge by the project (with the exception of retainer work) and prices range from around $1000 for simple sites to $10k and beyond for complex content management and e-commerce solutions. Please contact me for an accurate estimate based on your specific requirements.

What are your payment terms and how do I pay you?

Most projects are billed half up front and half on delivery. Larger projects may be split into more than two invoices. Invoices are due upon receipt and late after 15 days. The late fee is 2%. I accept checks and credit cards via Google Checkout.

How will you ensure that my website will be found in the search engines?

I use the latest techniques to optimize every site I build for ideal positioning on all major search engines. Since virtually everyone uses a site like Google to find what they are looking for online, this search engine optimization, or SEO, is vitally important for ensuring that the client's site receives maximum exposure to the target audience. As you can imagine, increased exposure online means increased revenues!

How do you ensure that everyone will see my website the way it's intended?

Along with SEO (see above), I employ the very latest web standards to make sure that your site will be displayed as intended in most browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, et al.) on most platforms (Windows, Mac).

Just what are "web standards", you ask? Well, with technology ever evolving, people like me use web standards to future-proof our clients' websites. You probably didn't know it, but web standards are important to you and your business. An article by the World Wide Web Consortium titled Buy standards compliant Web sites outlines the many benefits of conforming to web standards, including:

• lower future costs
• easier maintenance
• greater accessibility for disabled people
• more reliable cross-browser display

From the article:

Are you in the process of ordering a Web site to a Web Agency, or maybe to the IT department of your company? Are you delegating the creation of your Web site to another entity? Then, you're probably aware that setting the right requirements will help create a better final product in a shorter time. Relying on open standards can help you in this task.

Adding standards compliance to your requirements helps achieve a more powerful, accessible, and maintainable final product, and leverages the energies put into standards.
—W3C on web standards

Just what in the world is a content management system (CMS) anyway?

A content management system, or CMS, is a web application designed to make it easy for non-technical users to add to, edit and, well, manage a website. Most sites today are based on some form of CMS. They are cost effective in time because the owner or content contributer doesn't have to pay someone like me, a designer, to update the site.

What is a domain name?

Quite simply, a domain name is the unique address that people use to find you or your company online; it's what you type in the browser's address bar to go to a specific website, like murbar.com. The domain name points your computer to the computer that "hosts" the files that make up a website. You'll need a domain name so that your site is easily accessible by your visitors, and they are very simple and inexpensive to procure.

What is web hosting?

A simple definition of web hosting is a service that provides, at a minimum, storage space on a server (specialized computer) and bandwidth which allows the data (web pages, images, etc.) stored on this server to be transferred to anyone requesting the data. Renting space on a web server is much like renting an apartment. The monthly fee provides you with space on a web server but the up-keep of the server is the responsibility of the owner of that server. When the time comes, I can provide you with painless and reasonably priced web hosting service. You can leave all the gritty details to me.

Do you offer Flash design services?

I believe in sticking to what you know and doing it well. I don't specialize in Flash and while I think it can be effective in some applications, I don't think its the best way to get the job done for the majority of projects. If you require the services of a Flash developer, I'd be happy to refer you to a specialist.

Do you offer database or “back-end” programming services?

I primarily specialize in front-end web design and ready-made open source software solutions. However, I have a network of contacts over many areas of expertise at my and my clients' disposal. I can also liaise with your in-house programming team.

I already have a website and I just need it updated, can you help me?

Sure! Send an email or give me a call. I love to help!