If you have never had a business website here is a place to find answers. Visit my blog for more answers. For those taking this step for the first time visit this special blog entry: Your Custom Website.

Why do I need a website?
Today every business needs a custom website. No business can be without a website. Phone books are obsolete. People search for businesses to hire from mobile devices. It's one more part of advertising you can garner with a website. take it one step further and add a mobile website, optimized for mobile devices with limited bandwidth, and older mobile phones. Don't ignore a potential market.

You'll be happy to find a website saves business costs, and speeds transferring information and/or forms , saving FAX time. You can get your business information into potential clients hands quickly and available 24/7!
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Why not let my daughter/friend design my website?

It once was an option, but web design is no longer a hobby. It used to be simple to create and launch a website and gain a good presence, now it is a challenge to compete online. A professional follows the ever changing algorithms of Google's indexing. With Search Engine Optimization being crucial to your website there is too much to know in website structure, page names and page content to not use a professional.

Areas to consider if using a friend: I am committed to making my clients happy, not only with the end resulting website, but the process of creating the website. I know the time and care it takes to achieve this goal. Visit my blog for some of the ongoing changes.
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How do I choose my website name/domain name?
Short domain names are hard to find, and ".coms" are premium. If your business name is your branding—stick with it. But if you are looking to gain internet traffic you might consider a two step approach. Many of my web clients use their business name as their website domain (aka URL) to be spoken—given over the phone. The second domain name they choose is their “real” website name containing a keyword for their business. Ex. Your business name is “Cute Name, Inc.” and you sell clocks. Buy two domains (if available): www.cutename.com and www.clocks.com

When someone types CuteName.com in the browser address bar it is redirected to Clocks.com seamlessly. Unless you are watching the address bar, you won’t be aware of the redirect. Read more on Brenda's blog entry: Secure Your Domain Name.
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.COM vs .NET and so on…
No matter how often we’re told CuteName.NET—we type in the browser address bar CuteName.COM. Not a big deal if you arrive at a site you KNOW is not the one you wanted. But if it is your competitor’s site and the visitor is a potential new client you have much to lose. It’s also better to keep your name significantly different than your competition. It is trickier these days, with so many online, but worth giving this some thought. This is your online business. You can also purchase any available extensions if you are aggressively protecting “your domain”, and leave those parked, or add a redirect to your dot COM.

.co has entered the field, but despite a push doesn't seem to have taken hold.

Read more on Brenda's blog entry: Secure Your Domain Name.
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Why a Custom Website?
Template websites offer the cheapest website. The allure of a "free" website comes bundled with the need for some basic code understanding, and photo editing. If you have time to learn these skills it can be an option. Plan to devote time to learn SEO practices, spamming no-nos, optimization of photos and content; keyword do and don'ts; meta description and keep yourself updated to the 500+ changes from Google annually.

A custom web design streamlines every element to be visually pleasing, easy navigation, solid Search Engine Optimization (SEO), make use of meta tags (hidden) to aid search engines. Images need to be optimized to avoid slow loading pages—no one waits much beyond 3 seconds for a page to load. The entire structure of the website must work together to maximize SEO. This means the hidden code supports the content on the pages. A website without all these elements working together will not produce the results you are seeking. I include SEO with each custom web design.
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Can I hire you though I don't live near you?

My clients live in California, Arizona, Wisconsin, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York. Email and phone makes this simple. As I build each website my client and I view it together on a private site and chat by phone. This is the process whether you are local or across country.

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How long does it take to complete my website?

The home page of any website is the design keystone. We work together to achieve this. Once that is decided and approved by you and I have all the content from you (images and copy) the site takes approximately 30 days for a 10 page site. I have completed websites in as little as 14 days. If speed is important let me know in the beginning.
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Can I have just a one page website?
The problem with one web page is little for search engines to index. Google indexes websites by eating up content (text) and understanding your business so it can in turn let people searching FIND your business. One page just isn't enough to accomplish this. Google is all about "content". Unless you aggressively want to use Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads you need to "spread out".

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What is Search Engine Optimization?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) means building your website with a strong, clear message about your business, but in a way which "teaches" Google who you are and what you do. SEO changes constantly as Google refines its algorithms. A typical year sees well over 500 changes. Google's efforts are to keep spammers at bay and return relevant websites in a search. Applying SEO techniques to a website is critical and needs to be thorough. Being online is competitive, you need to utilize the best practices for a sound presence. SEO is considered "organic" verses "pay-per-click" advertising. A strong organic website entering the paid advertising has a huge advantage over a poorly optimized website.
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Web design usually does not include SEO (search engine optimization). Read more at wikipedia. But it is crucial to the success of each business website and that is why I include it in every website design.
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What is browser compatibility?
A website has to be viewable on a multitude of configurations from mobile devices to PCs to Macs using an array of browsers. Out of date browsers present the biggest challenge. If your clientele might be using older browsers it is important to be sure they can see your website. Internet Explorer and Safari, on a Mac, can vary greatly in displaying your website. Also user preferences can change how the web design is displayed. And then—consider going mobile.
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What are reciprocal links?
Linking within your website, out of your website and TO your website continue to be a way of ranking your website for Google. Getting other websites to point/link to your site has great value. Blogging and tweeting can be a part of this. It is ongoing and time consuming, but worth it. It is something you can do to drive your site.

Read more at Webmaster Services.
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What are your fees?

Give me a call or visit:

CUTSOM WEBSITE PRICING
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Why should I refresh or re-do my website?

A website which remains unchanged moves down in its rankings. Content which changes daily (blogs) ranks highest, so leaving a website unchanged for years is not a good idea. Add to that: The Internet changes and things which were once the trend are replaced with better ways. New browsers offer a much richer web experience through styling. If your website is 5 years old or more and you haven't redone it, having it analyzed for improvements could help you decide if your site is dated.

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How do we start?

Email or phone me.
Find websites you do like. Collect your logo, photos and content for your site and list any ideas you have.
I strive to make this simple for you and fun to watch grow.
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I don't have a logo.
I can create a custom logo for your business. For more information visit my Graphic Design page.
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Once I have my website up and running, now what?
There are a lot of things you can do to drive your website. Visit my blog, for Internet changes, trends and updates for small businesses. I offer Webmaster Services to my clients after their website is live. This is the cornerstone of your advertising, have a plan for using it effectively.

Custom web designer serving Brea, Chino Hills, Pomona and beyond in Southern California.