DollarDidIt.Com's 12 Easy Steps

for Website and Design success:

1. ✓Domain Name Registration
   

1. ✓Decide on Hosting
   

1. ✓Web site design choice
   

1. ✓  Site map submission
   

1. ✓  Usability and site optimization
   

1. ✓  Layout and page approvals
   

1. ✓  Content & photo submission
   

1. ✓  Product information submission
   

1. ✓  Preview and testing
   

1. ✓  Final web site approval
   

1. ✓  Search engine submission
   

1. ✓  Tell everyone Dollar Did It!

Starting Out 

I need a new website – can you please take care of this for me?

From the domain name registration to the custom design process to the hosting – we can take care of it all for you!

I need my old site redesigned and updated – what do I do now?

Now a days it seems like everyone’s next door neighbor’s cousin’s friend can update your site...but remember – you get what you pay for. Anyway.... just call De Dollar Designs! We would love to help you get your site updated, even redesigned if needed!

It’s my first web site, what do I have to do to get started?

First – let us register your domain name!!! Second, the more time and effort you spend planning your site, the more likely you are to have excellent results. It is important to know who your primary audience will be, understand what they want and how they will find you. Most importantly, you need to convey relevant information effectively. You should have an idea what web address you would like to have. Also, think about how you would like the web site to look. We suggest taking a look at other web sites which have characteristics you appreciate in order to incorporate them into your unique style. Drafting an outline on paper is always a good idea. Once we have an opportunity to discuss your goals and ideas, a draft of your site can be created. And we will continue to work closely with you to get the results you desire.

What content do I need to build the site?

Any info that you want your target market to know.

Ok ok – here are the basics : )

– Copy – any basic and/or detailed information about what you do. Are you buying or selling something? Are you creating something or just offering information about a certain topic? Whatever you need to let people know about – that is what you need to tell them...

– Photos – your photo, your products, your store front – whatever you want your customers to see

– About Us info – how did you get started, how long have you been in business, where you are located, all that type of stuff

– Contact us info – phone and fax numbers / emails / address / hours of operation / etc.

You should also expect to help develop a site outline with your developer, pull the copy together and give input on the layouts presented to you. Once the site is live, you should also set aside time to add content on a regular basis. You should reply to emails and inquiries in a timely fashion to show you haven’t abandoned your site.

What are my responsibilities to create an effective site?

If you didn’t have a chance to read the question and answers above – check it out : )

Remember, no one knows your business as well as you do.

First, create an outline around the ideas and products you want to promote.

Second, remember that each line of the outline is a page that needs content text and images that will help educate your visitors. The images may include a logo or photos of people or products. Poor quality photos or bad clip art can make the most attractive site look amateurish; sometimes no photos can be better than poor ones.

But if you can’t come up with the copy or take any photos, ask us, we can help with that too. We have a lot of great resources to help with a lot of great things.

Domain Names

What is a domain name?

A domain name is also called a Web address. and it is used as an address for your Web site and e–mail, just like www.DollarDidIt.com and de@DollarDidIt.com. They can end in a variety of different extensions such as .com, .org, .gov, .net, .biz and so on.........

The domain name I want is taken. What do I do now?

We can create a keyword alert and receive an e–mail when domains that fit your criteria are expiring. Or if needed, make a certified, instant offer to buy it directly to the seller. Most of the time we just brainstorm to come up with a name that is as close to your original name choice as possible.

I have several domain names – do I need to have separate web sites for each of them?

You can if you want to, but we can make multiple domains look like one site by forwarding them to your one main Web page.

I have registered my domain name already. Am I able to obtain hosting with your company?

We get this question all the time and the answer is YES! Depending on the timeline, we can, with your permission, either direct your domain name to your new hosting company with us or even transfer it outright.

How much does it cost to register a domain name?

If the name you want is available, we offer a FREE domain name with the purchase of an annual web hosting package!

Web Site Design and Redesign

How long does it take to complete a web site?

The more complex your site the longer it will take to design and program. But the average web site can be completed in 10 – 15 days after all information is received. This time may vary depending on the size of your web site. You will be given a completion date before your order is processed. All work is completed within the quoted time frame to allow you to prepare and plan for any additional advertising you may wish to schedule for your web site.

Who "owns" the web site after it is created?

If you have paid for it, then the web site is yours – you own it 100%. We do put our link at the bottom and ask that you let us show off your site on our online portfolio.

Can my website look however I wish?

Yes. A good starting point is to take a look at the web sites of your competitors or even some web template sites. Make notes of what you like about the sites and what don’t you like. This will give us a great starting point. Keep in mind, however, that the more complex your site is, the longer it will take to design and the more it will cost.

I already have a web site but need some help. How can you help me?

First of all, we are easy to reach and always responsive to emails and phone messages. There are no automated telephone service or customer service representatives. If you want to change something, we can quickly and easily log on to your current host (with your permission). Minor changes are easy; an entire makeover is slightly more involved.

What do I need to provide to have a web site created?

After placing your order, we will send you a Questionnaire Form. This form consists of general questions that will assist in the development of your web site.

Example questions:

Your slogan

Address/Phone to use on Internet

Email accounts and email forwarding

... and more

This form will need to be completed by you and emailed or faxed back so we can get started ASAP!

Web Site Costs

How much does everything cost for a new web site?

The cost of designing a web site is based on the services requested for each web site design. For example, the number of pages, logo design, products), etc. A custom quote saves you money, by only including those features required for your particular business. You do not pay for services that you do not need!

Visit our pricing page for more details, but generally you should expect starting costs to be $400-$800 for simple packages.

Domain Registration - we offer a FREE domain name with the purchase of an annual web hosting package!

Annual Hosting Packages:

STANDARD $240.00 a year and includes no maintenance.

ADVANCED $554.00 a year and includes up to 30 minutes of maintenance and minor revisions.

PRO $660.00 a year and includes up to 1 hour of maintenance and minor revisions.

(Details of hosting packages available on request.)

I already have a site and only wish to improve it?

We do not update existing websites, but we do offer complete redesign of an existing site. We can use your existing text data and apply a new –look and feel– to your web site. This can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of a brand new site. Request your quote today!

How can De Dollar Design’s offer such competitive prices?

We have low overhead costs and avoid frivolous expenses. Much of the expense involved with web site development is based upon a high labor rate by the designing and hosting companies. $125/hr and up is quite common. These companies typically pay for advertising on and off line, extensive office space and utilities, expensive computer networks and excessive software. Thankfully we don’t have all of these expenses.

Web Hosting  

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a means of housing your web pages on the Internet. Much like renting a house. You pay a monthly fee to store your pages and have them accessible world wide. There are many hosting companies available and De Dollar Designs matches your needs with the best price and services available at the time of your order.

How long are your web hosting contracts?

We offer year long contracts.

I am not selling anything online and I don't need a lot of web pages – do you have different hosting packages?

Yes! We have standard, advanced and pro hosting packages that provides you exactly what you need! Our reliable web hosting provides ample amounts of disk and e–mail storage for basic or high traffic sites.

I pay too much for web hosting, can I switch services?

Yes you can. It is necessary to contact the company where the domain name was originally registered. Usually, the information can quickly and easily be changed online. If another party registered your domain name, they should have the information necessary to make the switch. With your authorization, we can do this for you. It usually takes a couple of days for the transfer to take place, and your web site will be offline only minimally, usually not more than a few minutes.

Web Site Maintenance 

Once my site is up and running, is any additional maintenance required?

Required? NO.

Preferred, YES.

As long as you continue to pay for web hosting services, nothing needs to be done until the domain registration has to be renewed. What you will likely need will be minor modifications, add/delete pages, upgrade services, Search Engine Optimization, etc. It may be beneficial to change your site’s keywords within the search engine structure to get better results

Is there a fee every time I need to change or update my web site?

Once your site is completed, you have the opportunity to purchase a maintenance plan or choose a hosting plan that includes up to 1 hour of maintenance. A plan is only needed if you wish to make changes or update your web site. All plans are customized based only on the update services you request – whether on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.

For example your site may require a monthly item be added, a discontinued item removed, an existing product marked as "Sold," etc. For more information about what your site will need, call or email us and we will come up with a custom plan that suits your specific needs.

Do I hire a professional or can I do it myself?

If you have the skills, the time, the talent and most importantly the desire to design and develop the site, then by all means, do so. However, keep in mind that when you hire a professional–whether it’s to create a web site, build a home, or manage a restaurant– you immediately acquire hundreds if not thousands of hours of experience, access to the latest tools of the trade and insider knowledge of the industry. Since an unprofessional Web site can be worse than no site at all, we strongly suggest to do what you do best and outsource the rest.

Can I be responsible for changing and updating my own web site after completion?

Yes. Our web sites are designed to be easily updated using a variety of programs and online updating access. However, De Dollar Designs does not provide teaching services of software or programs which you may need to acquire or purchase to update your web site with.

If you are interested in setting up a Standard Admin Function that can be editable by the client - please contact us for more information. Each of these pages will have a standard administrative editor. The standard editor functions much like a standard word processor and will allow the administrator to easily change font size, font color, alignment and more.

Miscellaneous  

How do I set up Outlook?

www.microsoft.com

Will my site view in both Netscape and Internet Explorer?

Yes. Your site is tested for browser compatibility in both Netscape and Internet Explorer. These two browsers account for approximately 90% of all users.

I need a powerful email campaign – where do I start?

Whether you need to send email newsletters to your clients, promote products or invite your members to upcoming events, let us create an HTML email to help keep your clients up–to–date.

Having A Website Doesn’t Have To Be Confusing.

Web Advisor FAQs