How much do you charge for a website?
To get a general idea of our prices, click here. To get a more specific quote, please fill out the quotation form. If you have additional questions about our services, e-mail me with your company details and requirements for a more accurate quotation and a detailed analysis of the work to be completed.

Okay. I want to hire you to design my website. Where do I start?

• Please fill out the quotation form
• Send me an e-mail to set up a time to speak
• Prepare all your content in digital format (ex. Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, PDF, scanned sketches, etc.)
• Send me the source files of your logo (ex. Photoshop, Illustrator, JPEG, etc.) or any photos you want to include on your website
• List all pages you want to have in your website (ex. About Us, Products, Contact Us, etc.) separately from the detailed content
• Provide me with examples of what type of design you might like
• If you already have hosting, send me your server and FTP username and password
• If you need hosting, I can help get you set up – Let me know

Do I have to sign any contract/agreement/pay any deposit?
There is no need to sign a contract, although we offer the contract option as well.

• Contract – 10% is expected on job commencement, with remaining balance expected on job completion. Invoice is due within 10 days.
• No Contract – 50% is expected on job commencement, with remaining balance expected on job completion. Invoice is due within 10 days.

How do I pay you?
I’ll send you an invoice with my payment details and options. We are currently only accepting PayPal. More options to come in the future.

How long does it take to complete a website?
Completion times varies depending on the complexity and depth of the individual project. For example, a standard website with about 6-12 pages will generally take at least 4 weeks (or more), once all the required information has been provided. Depending on how detailed the content in the website, how fast the client can give feedback, and how busy I am during that period, the approximation could vary. Smaller websites can be completed more quickly. We can also get a decent website up in 3 days if its REALLY urgent, although there is an additional 20% charge for rush work. A large website could even take up to 6 months to complete! It all depends on the content and features required. For a better time quote, please fill out the quotation form.

A website is something that takes time to ‘mature’. It gets better and better as time goes by and as the company gets more established, you update it and put in more information. (Please inquire about our website maintenance options).

Why are your prices so expensive?
Creating a website is a lot of work and takes time to complete. Beginning with web consultancy (where I speak with the client, learn about their business, answer any questions they may have, and come up with a solution specific to their situation), there is still the designing of the website (which includes deciding on colors, layout, and features involved). Then after designing the website layout, I have to write the code that displays the website, and include any plugins or other technical requirements. On top of that, I have to design banners and Flash animations, set up hosting, create forms, optimize and resize images, install blogs, and whatever else is applicable. Then I have to test all the forms and links. And after all of this, I still must make minor adjustments after the client has reviewed the website in order to ensure that they are completely satisfied and that the website is completely user-friendly.

It is the customer service and attention to detail that creates a great website and a lasting partnership with my clients. Because I am focusing on fewer clients, I have to ensure that I am paid what my time is worth so that I can continue providing such a high level of dedication and attention to each and every client. Your website is going to last for years, and there is no doubt that it will help your business grow, so your investment will soon be returned through this growth.

What is a domain name?
It’s your website address or URL. Example: www.yourname.com, www.yourname.net

What is web hosting?
Web hosting is renting a space on the server (ex. GoDaddy) to store your website files so that everybody can view your website. When you sign up for web hosting and a domain name, they will give you an FTP username and password. Web hosting usually comes with e-mail hosting as well (ex. name@yourname.com).

What is HTML and CSS?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. It’s the coding/scripting that needs to be done to create a website.

HTML Example:

< a href="http://yoursitename.com">Click this link! // this tells the browser to create a hyperlink and send the user to the specified location when clicked

CSS Example:

body {background:#FFF; } // this tells the browser that you want a white background

Basically, it’s designing by typing out the codes/scripts.

Is the server space provided by the web hosting company enough to store all the photos in my website?
A typical website will use up about only 10MB. And we will be editing your photos and resizing the images so that they are optimized for the web (smaller file size for fast web viewing). If you have PDF files or video files, then you would require more space (ex. 3MB-8MB for a PDF brochure/catalog). 4000MB is more than enough space. You can always upgrade later if you need more.

Can you submit my site to search engines?
Yes. I can help you submit to Google and Yahoo. I will also help to add keywords to your website (META Tags). I actually automatically add your website to the search engines, but there is no guarantee that your site will be listed at the top. To get listed higher, you must pay additional fees. Ask for more information if interested. I currently offer a professional SEO site submission for an additional charge.

Can I update the website myself?
Yes. If we develop your website using WordPress or Joomla, it is very easy to learn how to update your website yourself. Or for certain pages like the ‘Latest News’ section, I could include an additional form for you to fill out that will update that page whenever you want. But usually, you could just e-mail me and send me the stuff you want to update to and I will update it for you. We charge $14/hour for website maintenance or you can also sign up for our maintenance package. Small updates (less than 15 minutes) are free and included within your website package (ex. changing your phone number). Check your website package for more details on how many are allowed. Additional updates can be purchased without the need to pay for hourly maintenance or purchasing a maintenance package. Check your package details for more information. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Can you teach me or my staff how to update the website?
No. It’s quite complex and can be quite complicated and time consuming. It is possible for you to do the updates if the website is developed using WordPress or Joomla, but we cannot teach you to update the website yourself. You will have to learn how to do it on your own or hire us for maintenance. I do, however, provide some basic tutorials that may aid you in the process.

Do you do ecommerce websites?
No. Currently I am not accepting any more ecommerce projects. If you have a question about whether your website requires an ecommerce solution, please contact me.

Can you develop a website for me similar to Jobstreet.com/Cari.com.my/Flickr?
No. That’s not a website, that’s an online business. I am not currently accepting any large scale web development projects.

What is the difference between a Web Designer and Web Developer?
I consider myself as to be a web developer, which is geared more towards doing the back-end functionality, such as coding, etc. A web designer’s job is geared more towards the creative/graphic design/user interface and basic HTML websites with no back end functionality. I have experience with backend functionality and these features can be included within your website package. I also have creative design experience, and can provide the layout and design of your website, but I prefer to work more with the back-end functionality, as it is my strong suit.

A web developer or programmer is geared more towards computer science/system development (ex. programming login functions, websites with job listings, online booking systems, designing the database, etc.). I can design databases and provide login functionality, as well as many other options. Please ask for more information if interested.

Do you do websites in any foreign languages?
No. Currently, I only speak English fluently, and our staff is not equipped to translate full websites. Please hire a translator if you require this service.

Can you give me a discount? We will give you more work in the future…
No. If you like working with me and if you want to give me more work, you will have to pay me a monthly retainer fee. Or you may simply hire me per job, as my prices dictate. Please ask for more information if you have any questions.

What software and file formats do you use?
Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash for animation. Graphic file formats for the web: JPEG or GIF.
Resolution for the web is 72 dpi.

Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for designing brochures, logos, namecards, etc.
Resolution for printing is 300 dpi (so if you are providing me images for a brochure for printing, make sure it’s BIG, so that it is clear).

How can I take better photos of my products?
Shoot your product outdoors, in the morning between 7am – 10am. Put your products on a table/stool outside in your garden. Take a few different angles so that we can choose the best one. (ex. front view or perspective view, with the packaging or without the packaging.) A nice background would also help (ex. some flowers/plants/accessories/colored paper in the background). Be creative.

Where’s your office?
I work from home. I’m staying in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Do you have to meet up with your clients?
Yes. We mostly communicate using e-mail, Skype, MSN, or phone. We currently can only meet with clients who are local and within a 25 mile radius.

Can I afford it?
Yes! The price is very reasonable for a professionally designed website considering once you set up a website, you’ll be using it for years! 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Plus, through the World Wide Web, you will have access to the international market.

What search engines are included in the 200+ professional submission?
Major search engines such as Lycos, MSN, Google, Yahoo, Alexa, AOL, and Ask
Second-level search engines and directories such as WhatUSeek, WiseNut, ICQ, Euroseek, Go2net, and Enhance
General search engines such as Turbo10, QueryServer, CurryGuide, ithaki.net, B Central, and API Links
And many country specific search engines in the Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, and many others
Please ask if you are interested in viewing the full list.