FAQ
Once you start thinking about revamping your website or your image, a million questions will pop into your head. Following are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
Website Development Questions
How much does it cost to have ThreeDames develop my website?
Every one of our sites is created to your custom specifications, so cost will vary depending on your needs. But generally, our sites run between $3,500 and $5,800 and include web-ready text preparation, professional graphic design, search engine marketing, and training on how to use your site and update the pages and images.
Can you just fix my old website without having to redo it completely?
No. We don’t do small fixes to existing sites (unless we designed it). Our websites are the result of a process where we work with you to refine your brand, develop your message, plan your site, build your site, test it, and then launch it.
How long does it take to design a website?
Most of our sites take about 17 weeks. This includes text preparation, professional design, search engine marketing, building the site, and training you in the site features.
Can we use our current domain?
Yes. Provided that you own the domain and still have all the registration information for it we can use your current url for new site. All you need to do is send us the domain information.
Will you host my site?
No. We recommend a company called DreamHost.com that is reliable and inexpensive. All accounts are in your name and under your control. That’s how we would want it if we were in your shoes.
Do you require us to use your preferred server?
No. We do not require that you host your site on DreamHost.com (our preferred site server provider), but we do charge extra to work with a different server. All servers run differently, and the fee is for the time the technical director will need to learn how to upload your website to your server with the best results.
Would you recommend that we have Flash on our site?
No. Flash, while visually appealing, is memory intensive, and some computers will have difficulty viewing sites with flash. In addition, many smart phones are no longer supporting (esp. those created by Apple) Flash, and therefore your Flash web elements will not display on the mobile phone.
Will I be able to edit my website once it is done?
Yes. We use WordPress for all of our sites. WordPress is a content management system, which means that any one with administrative access to the website can edit a web page with almost as much ease as you would write an email or edit a document in Microsoft Word. We train you so that you know how to make changes for yourself. Plus, we give you two hours of FREE technical support while you are learning to update your site.
I am really busy and don’t have time to edit my site. Can you make changes for me?
Yes. Several of our clients prefer that we make the changes for them, including, adding images, adding text, writing text, and planning a strategy for future content. We work by the hour for small jobs or can give you a price for a regular monthly contract, depending upon your usage.
Can I have an email link or email form on my website?
Yes. We recommend a form for people to contact you instead of providing your email address. Using a form will help you avoid spam.
How can I tell if anyone is going to the site?
Google has a nifty free program called Google Analytics that shows you all kinds of useful information about how people use your site: which pages are visited most often, how many new visitors you have, etc. We will install this program in your site and show you how to use it.
Who owns the site when you are done?
You do! And if we create a logo or writing or any marketing materials, they all belong to you.
Identity and Marketing Questions
Do I need a new logo?
That depends on what you have now. If you already have a professional logo or one that has high recognition, you may not need a new logo. But, if you have no logo or something made out of clip-art or in Microsoft Word, you will probably want to consider giving your business a more professional image. Please see our article, What is a logo? to learn more about logo design.
Can ThreeDames design business cards and letterhead for me?
Yes. We also can create postcards, tri-fold brochures, door hangers, catalogs, coffee-table books and more. We are happy to give you a free quote.
What other marketing services do the Dames offer?
Our goal is to give the small- to medium-sized business or non-profit the same advantages as the big guys have. To this end, we provide a full-range of marketing and publicity services to serve you. Please see our What We Offer section for more details.