You'll find below many of the questions I am often asked. Just click on a question to see the answer.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR YOU TO BUILD MY WEBSITE?
The two things that affect the time-scale the most are the size of the website and how quickly you are able to provide me with the details of your requirements and approve changes. My record so far for building and publishing a brand new website "live" completely from scratch is one day!
I ALREADY HAVE A WEBSITE THAT I WANT TO REPLACE - HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT?
About half the websites I build are replacement websites so I have a lot of experience of doing this and understand the complexities that can be involved. Learn more about how I go about replacing existing websites here.
I ALREADY HAVE MY OWN DOMAIN / WEBSITE ADDRESS - CAN YOU USE IT FOR MY NEW WEBSITE?
Yes. I will initially develop your new website at a temporary website address (for your eyes only). When you decide it is ready to be published live at your own website address it is simply a case of changing a couple of settings at your domain. I can do this for you, or you can get your domain providers to change the settings for you. I will assist as required.
I DON'T HAVE A DOMAIN / WEBSITE ADDRESS - CAN YOU SORT THAT FOR ME?
Yes. I often purchase domains on behalf of customers. I would make sure that the domain is registered directly in your name so that you have full ownership and control over it, which is very important. I can advise on the suitability, availability and costs of new domain names, which I can buy at cost price on your behalf. Of course, if you already have a domain name, then that can be used for your new website.
CAN YOU SET UP MY EMAIL ADDRESSES?
Yes. I will supply you with full instructions for using any new email addresses so that you can send and receive emails using any of your devices such as computers, tablets and mobile phones.
WILL I BE ABLE TO UPDATE MY WEBSITE MYSELF?
Yes. I will use a simple but powerful online website builder or CMS (Content Management System) to create your replacement website. This means that you will be able to edit and update your website yourself instantly at any time, using any computer, tablet or mobile phone with internet access. I can provide one-to-one instruction if required.
I can also update your website for you at a very economical cost. I charge £20 per hour for this service. So an update that took 15 minutes for example would cost just £5. I supply a detailed time-log of time spent (to the minute), and I provide this very affordable service to many existing customers.
WILL MY NEW WEBSITE BE INDEXED BY GOOGLE?
All my websites are optimised for search engines. In addition, I will create a free Google Webmaster account for you, which will be used to submit your new website to Google for indexing. If your website is aimed at a specific geographical area I will also set up a free Google My Business account.
WILL I GET ACCESS TO DETAILED SITE VISITOR STATISTICS?
Yes. A free Google Analytics account will be integrated into your website and you will be provided with simple instructions on how to access your detailed site visitor statistics, including number of visits, web pages visited, how long was spent on each page, geographical location of site visitors, how people found your website and much more!
CAN I LINK MY NEW WEBSITE TO MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS?
Yes. I can incorporate links to any social media sites that you have such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. It is also possible to incorporate "feeds" from your social accounts so that content from them is automatically shown on your site.
WILL I OWN THE WEBSITE (AND ITS ASSETS) WHEN IT IS COMPLETED?
Yes. The website will be 100% yours. Upon completion I will supply you with a document detailing all the registration information, account details and access details including passwords. You will have full control. I will make sure that you have this information even if I continue to look after the website for you after publication. I will also supply you with all the website assets such as logos and other graphics that have been used on your website.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS AND WHEN AND HOW DO I PAY?
I start by putting together a totally free, no obligation mock-up of a replacement website, with a detailed quote. If you then decide to proceed I request 25% of the development cost and the initial hosting/CMS cost. The 75% balance becomes payable when your new website is ready to go live. You can pay by cash, cheque, bank transfer, PayPal and also by debit or credit card. You can learn a lot more about how I go about building your website below:
Yes, I will provide contact details upon request. I regard providing a consistently high level of customer service as a vital part of building long-term relationships with all my customers, supporting them whenever required. You can see what people think by visiting my Reviews page.
I'M interested - HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
I normally start off by building you a totally free, no obligation demonstration website. Learn more about the process I usually follow here. Or you can get started right away with a free mock-up.
This varies of course. There are four cost areas associated with all websites, as follows:
1. Website creation costs This is a one-off cost for the work involved in building the website. The most significant factor affecting this price is usually the overall size of the website and what special features may be needed.
Whatever your requirements, I will give you a fixed price quote for this before anything else so that you can quickly decide if it fits your budget. If you have a specific budget to work to then let us know so I can advise accordingly.
2. Hosting costs A typical cost is about £9 a month which includes the cost for the web-based CMS (Content Management System) that enables you to edit the website yourself using any computer, tablet or mobile phone that has internet access. Some website features might increase the hosting costs (such as including videos for example). E-commerce and shopping cart facilities will certainly increase hosting costs.
3. Domain and Email Costs Domain costs are all to do with your domain or website address. Your domain has to be renewed every year (or two years) and typically costs £2 - £10 per year for this.
Another related cost might be for any email addresses that are used with your domain. Typically these might range from £2 - £5 per month depending upon the nature of the email facilities used.
4. Future website updates If you want to change your website content regularly the web-based CMS (Content Management System) enables you to update the website yourself. I can provide training if it is required.
I can also update your website for you at a very economical cost. I charge £20 per hour for this service. An update that took 15 minutes therefore would cost just £5. I supply a detailed time-log of time spent (to the minute), and I provide this very affordable service to many existing customers.
Yes! All you have to do is guide me on the style and the content of your website. I will sort our your domain registration (website address), hosting, email accounts, website build, website launch, site visitor tracking, and registering your site with Google. I can also show you how to update your website youself (or I can do that for you as part of my ongoing support).
CAN YOU SUPPLY PHOTOS, GRAPHICS AND LOGOS?
Yes. I have access to a large range of free stock images, or I can purchase image licences on your behalf. I can create logos and other graphics if required, and you will be able to use these for other purposes yourself. Obviously I can use any images that you supply to me yourself, and you will be able to upload your own images in the future using the online website editor (you will be able to upload images directly from computers, laptops, mobile phones, iPads and other tablets).
AM I TIED INTO ANY LONG TERM COMMITMENTS?
Absolutely not. You will have full control and possession of your website when complete so that you will be able to cancel any domain registrations, email services and hosting directly with suppliers (or I can do that for you on your behalf). Remember, I buy and set these up at cost for you and everything is registered directly in your name. An exception may be where you have paid in advance for certain services in order to secure a discounted price. Service renewal dates will be detailed in the handover documention that I supply.
Will MY WEBSITE HAVE SSL SECURITY?
Yes, your website will be hosted on a secure server with an SSL certificate. This is included for free.
IS THERE ANY LIMIT TO HOW LARGE MY WEBSITE CAN GROW?
No - you will be able to add unlimited pages, images and products etc.
WILL MY WEBSITE DISPLAY CORRECTLY ACROSS ALL DEVICES?
Yes. Your website will have a Google approved "Responsive Design", which means that the layout will automatically adjust to suit the device that is being used to view it.