FAQ
Got questions? Andi’s got answers:
General Information | Website Basics | Website Pages & Features | Website Updates & Maintenance | Domain Names | Web Hosting | Email | Search Engine Optimization & Website Submission | Other Services
General Information
Is AndiSites a web designer or a web developer (and what’s the difference)?
A little of both, actually. Typically web designers focus on how a website looks, drawing on fundamentals like form and color theory. We know how visual branding works, and how what people see affects their feelings. Often web designers aren’t concerned with coding and mechanics, preferring a site with pizzazz over one that runs well. Web developers, on the other hand, tend to focus on what happens behind the curtain. Their priority is how a site works (or doesn’t), knowing that the Internet is a place to send and receive information as quickly and efficiently as possible. Good web developers avoid flashy elements that increase load time and prefer simplicity to save on code and bandwidth. Web developers also put database-driven elements into place and create Content Management Systems, allowing you to enter data outside the site that instantly appears on it. AndiSites is the best of both worlds: we build websites that look good, load fast, run well, and make all your database-driven dreams come true.
Why can’t I build my own website?
You absolutely can, with tools available for free on the Internet (usually associated with a web hosting service) or for purchase anywhere software is sold. Some computers come with web design tools pre-installed. If you have the time and patience to learn these tools, building your own website can be lots of fun. Just keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for, and the resulting site may either be heavily template-based (meaning that your site looks like lots of others) or not-so-great behind the scenes (meaning that it may crash mysteriously, be difficult to update, or that search engines will have a hard time finding it). You may also get offers from family, friends, or students to create your website for free. If there’s no catch, by all means take advantage of them–maybe they’re just building their portfolio…we’ve been there. Any way you decide, you can still contact us anytime for help.
I already have a website, but I think it could be better. What can you do for me?
Most things benefit from an outside eye. We can take a look at your site (both on its face and behind the curtain) and make suggestions regarding usability, cleanup, streamlining code, and optimizing for search engines. If you’d like, we’d also be happy to do a complete overhaul. Redesigning websites is one of our specialties.
I already have a website that I love just the way it is. Is there anything you can do for me?
Yes, in addition to domains, hosting, and maintenance, AndiSites offers lots of other services.
I haven’t been in business all that long, so I don’t have much to put online yet. Can a website still help me?
Yes. No matter how simple, a website will let the world know you exist, who you are, and what you do. It’s better than a brochure, and it’s available 24/7.
I’m in a hurry, so I found a cool template online. Can you customize it for me?
We’d be happy to. Let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll let you know what’s involved.{/slide}
Do you use Flash in your website designs?
Only when nothing else will do–and even then, we do so sparingly. While Flash can add “dazzle” to a website, it doesn’t do much for friendliness, and Flash intros can be downright annoying (since 2006 the “Skip” button has been the “most-used button on the Internet” according to usability experts). While Flash elements can now be indexed by Google, this capability is limited. Flash can slow down performance, and users must have the right plug-in installed on their computers (if they don’t, they’ll be invited to download it for free…but by this point you may have already lost them). Also, iPhones and many other handheld devices can’t read Flash, so your site will show up with holes where the Flash elements are…or not at all. Animation can be useful, but we believe it should be achieved with non-Flash methods if possible. AndiSites’ rule is: we’re happy to incorporate Flash, but only when it directly enhances the user’s experience.
Can I use my website to make sales and/or collect donations?
Yes. We’re big fans of Paypal for donations and e-carts for online sales, or we can create a custom e-commerce solution for you. We can also give you advice on merchant accounts, payment gateways, SSL certificates, and other getting-money-related stuff.
Do you display ads or pop-up banners on the sites you design?
Never. Yuck.
Where do you get the graphics for your designs?
All AndiSites designs are based on royalty-free graphics provided by our partner, Dreamstime.
Does it matter where I live?
Only to your personal happiness and well-being. With regards to your website, not at all. We can work with you entirely by email and/or telephone, and you’ll be able to view drafts of your website in a custom location on our server. However, if you’re in the central North Carolina area, it would be great to meet in person. Anything involving coffee and/or chocolate.
Do you offer any discounts?
We offer discounted rates to actors, artists, and non-profits, and we try to keep our basic prices as low as possible for everyone. We also offer specials from time to time, so check back often.
What if I don’t like the design?
Our goal is to design a site that makes you completely happy. For most custom sites and redesigns, we’ll provide three original design concepts plus two revision cycles based on what you want and our suggestions. That process usually results in a site you’ll love; however, we understand that sometimes you don’t know it ’til you see it, so additional concepts or revision cycles can be added (charges will be based on the applicable hourly rate).
Who owns my website once it’s finished?
You do–you paid for it, right? I’ll put a copyright notice at the bottom of all your pages, reserving all rights and notifying the world that copying without your permission is not allowed. The only exception is the AndiSites concept designs–AndiSites owns those until someone purchases them.
What services and support do you provide after my website is finished?
We fully support any website we design, and we’re always available should you encounter any problems. We also want this to be a beautiful, long-lasting relationship, so we hope you’ll call on AndiSites regularly for updates, additions, maintenance, or any of the other services we provide.
Website Basics
How much does a website cost?
See our Pricing pages for current prices.
What forms of payment do you accept?
AndiSites accepts all major credit cards and e-checks through our online payment system. You can also pay by check or bank transfer. And of course we have nothing against cash.
How do I get started?
Jot down some notes about what you’d like to accomplish with your site and what “style” you like (visit other websites or browse our portfolio for ideas). Then contact us. We’ll set up a phone meeting at your convenience to discuss specifics, put together a quote and proposal, and look forward to starting your website soon.
How do I send you my materials?
Smaller digital files (including .zip files) can be emailed to andrea@andisites.com or uploaded to the Basecamp project management area we’ll set up for your site. If the file is large, we recommend the free service at YouSendIt. Or, you can mail hard copies to AndiSites, 11312 US 15-501 North, #107-211, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
In what format do I need to provide materials?
Electronic formats are best–.doc for text, .jpg for photos, .mov or .wmv for video, and .mp3 for audio. However, we can scan or otherwise convert your materials to Web-ready format for an additional fee.
Will I need to install any extra software in order to work with you?
No, although it helps to have a working email account that accepts attachments and a reliable Internet connection.
How long will it take to create my website?
It depends on the scope of the project, and our proposal will always include an estimated timeline. AndiSites likes to work fast, so we won’t drag out the process needlessly; however, you have some control over final delivery, too, by getting us your materials in a timely fashion and responding quickly to what we send you for approval. Besides, you don’t want us to nag.
Will I be able to review my website before it’s released to the world?
Yes. We’ll create a custom testing area for you on our server, so you can review your site “live” online. Once you’re satisfied, we’ll switch the site over to your registered domain for the world to see.
Once my website is designed, how long until it can be viewed by the public?
Once you’ve approved the final design and all payments have been received, your site will usually be viewable by the public within 24 hours (note that some non-AndiSites hosting servers may take longer to propagate).
Will my website look the same to everyone who visits it?
Not necessarily–all sites are processed a little differently by different browsers, computers, and mobile devices. However, we design specifically for cross-browser compatibility and test all our sites on multiple platforms, so it should be pretty close to the same for everyone. If you encounter problems viewing your site, please let us know. Sometimes it’s beyond our control, but usually a small adjustment to the site (or to the user’s configuration) can resolve the issue.
How will I know if people are visiting my website?
For a small additional charge, AndiSites can incorporate Google Analytics into your site. This will allow you to log in and see how many visitors you’ve had to your site, along with cool factoids like how long they stay, what pages they like best, and where in the world they are.
Website Pages & Features
What should I put on my website?
Remember that the whole point of a website is to provide information about yourself or your organization in a way that’s quick and easy. At a minimum, your site should include who you are, what you do, and how you can be contacted. If you’d like to take it a step further, it can also be used to showcase your work, take orders or donations, and/or create a mailing list. Thinking about the goals of your site will lead you to the content. And remember, less is always more, especially to impatient web surfers.
How many pages can I have on my website?
As many as you’d like. A typical small business site may have only 4 or 5, while a site for a large business could have hundreds. Note that if you’re hosting elsewhere you may be limited by your plan; however, if you host with AndiSites we’ll be sure to set aside plenty of room for you.
Can I add pages later?
Absolutely, just let us know. If you have a WordPress-based site, you can do it yourself.
How much does it cost to add pages to my website?
Depends on the page. Text pages that are similar to other pages take less time; pages with media or other bells and whistles take more. We’ll keep it easy for you, though, and let you know the exact price ahead of time.
Can you add photos, video, and/or audio to my website?
Yes, anytime. Be selective, though. Media can slow your website down, and video needs to be rendered for the Web in order to make it viewable at different connection speeds (we can do that). As always, less is more.
How many photos can I put on my site?
Actor website galleries include up to 10 photos along with a single photo on the home page. However, we can include as many as you’d like (some gallery formats work better than others for large numbers; we’ll help you figure out which works best for you).
Can you make my video and audio files “Web-ready”?
Yes, if they’re provided on DVD, mini-DV, or CD. If they’re on something older-school (VHS or cassette tape), we can help you find services that will digitize them for you. If they’re on 8-track, I’m not sure anyone can help…but I understand. I still can’t throw out my original Rick James.
Can you integrate my blog into my website?
Yes, there are a few different ways to do that. We’re big fans of WordPress blogs, which can be styled and linked as an integrated part of your website (see www.strategictalentinnovations.com for an example). If you already have a blog you’d like to link to, AndiSites can help with that, too. Or, you can have us create an entire website for you using WordPress, giving you the best of all worlds (in fact, this website was created in WordPress, so you can see what we mean).
Website Updates & Maintenance
What do you mean by “updates & maintenance”?
The best site is a fresh site–you don’t want repeat visitors looking at the same old stuff. You also want to make sure that your site is still working well and stays optimized for search engines. See our website maintenance page for more information.
Can I make changes myself, or do I have to go through you?
We can code existing static sites so that certain sections can be updated by clients through our AndiSites CMS. We can also build sites using WordPress as a CMS, or we can build you a custom system that allows you full control over all aspects of your site. Otherwise, we’re always available to make changes, either charged hourly or as part of a maintenance plan. Note that if you’re familiar with PHP, HTML/XHTML, and CSS, you can certainly make changes and updates to the base files yourself; however, please be careful…a single space out of place can break a site completely. If that happens, please contact us right away. We’ll be happy to fix it on an hourly-charge basis.
Domain Names
What’s a domain name?
Simply said, it’s the “phrase” that you type into a browser to go to a website (for example, ours is www.andisites.com). A good domain name is unique, memorable, and not too long. See our domains & hosting page for more information.
Can you register my domain name for me?
Yes, AndiSites is proud to provide domain name registration through the largest wholesaler of Internet domains in the world. We also offer premium services such as ID Protect, which shields your personal info from public records, protecting your privacy and cutting way down on spam.
What if I already registered my domain name?
That’s fine. You’ll just need to provide us the login information for your domain registration account so we can point the DNS servers to the right place when your site is ready for launch.
What if the domain name I want is already taken?
That’s a common issue, especially for businesses. Personal names aren’t as difficult to find, but you may find that someone else with your name has already claimed the domain you want. No worries…sometimes just adding a hyphen or middle initial will do the trick. For businesses, you might consider a .org instead of .com. We’ll let you know what’s available and what isn’t, and we’ll help you with options if you can’t get your first choice.
How long is registration good for?
Domain names may be registered for a minimum of one year (the first year is free with all new websites). After that, registration can be renewed for as many years as you’d like.
Web Hosting
What’s a web host?A web host provides the server that your website files will reside on, and makes them available for the world to see. Note that domain name registration and web hosting are two different services. See our domains & hosting page for more information.
Do you provide web hosting?
Yes we do. We own and control our own servers and backup your files regularly. Plus, we have access to round-the-clock technical support, just in case.
Do I have to host my site through you?
No, you’re free to use whatever host you like, as long as they meet the requirements of your site (ability to handle MySQL databases, current versions of software, etc.). Just make sure you let us know the ftp name and login credentials so we can post your site. Note that we’re happy to design a website for you and upload it to a non-AndiSites hosting service of your choice; however, these installations will be subject to a minimum additional charge of $85.
I’m currently hosted at another company. Can I switch over to you?
Yes, just let us know and we’ll help you do it.
Can I move my site to a different web host in the future?
You can. We’d miss you, but if you get a better deal elsewhere (or just feel you need some time away), please let us know. We’ll make all your website files available to you (either on a CD or by email, depending on the size of the site) so they can be uploaded to the new host.
How do I set up email addresses?
All sites hosted by AndiSites come with an unlimited number of email accounts. Here’s how to set them up yourself:
- Go to http://www.yourdomain.com/cpanel and log in with your username and password (which we’ll send you when you sign up for hosting).
- Under “Mail”, click on on “Email Accounts”.
- At the next screen you can add whatever email address you like and assign it a password (you can ignore the “Quota” line). Click “Create” and you’re done. Let us know if you need any help.
How do I check, send, and receive email?
Here’s how to access your email online from any browser:
- Go to http://www.yourdomain.com/webmail (sometimes http://webmail.yourdomain.com works, too) and log in with your full email address and password (we’ll send you a preliminary one, which you can change yourself at any time).
- Click on the email service of your choice (they’re each formatted a little differently, so you may want to test-drive them all). Depending on the service you choose, you may be asked for your password again.
If you’d like to route your email automatically to an existing email program (e.g., Outlook) and/or portable device, click “Configure Mail Client” for all the settings you’ll need.
Search Engine Optimization & Website Submission
Will my website be “search engine friendly”?
Yes, very. We build our sites so that search engines can find them easily, using only “white hat” (or “ethical”) optimization techniques; in other words, no keyword stuffing, no spamdexing, no other unethical methods that can end up getting you banned from Google and the other biggies.
What do you mean by “search engine optimization”? Isn’t that just a matter of adding a few extra words to my web pages?
Adding “meta tags” to the code of your website is important (and we do it for all sites); however, it’s only one way to attract the search engines. Check out this wiki on SEO–it also discusses the aforementioned “white hat” (good) and “black hat” (bad) techniques.
How will people find my site?
Ultimately they’ll be able to find you through Google or one of the other search engines, but that usually takes a month or so. Until then, get the word out by email and word-of-mouth, and be sure to include your website address on everything your potential clients see.
Why can’t I find my website in the search listings?
Be patient, it’s a waiting game. Search engines send out their crawlers to look for new sites all the time, and eventually they’ll find yours. Plus, we’ll have built your site in a way that attracts them. If three months go by and you’re still not showing up on an intuitive search (more specific than “New York actor” or “law firm”), let us know and we’ll take a look at your site again. Search indexing methodologies change all the time, and sometimes a tweak or two can make all the difference.
Do you guarantee a top position in all the search listings?
No, nobody can…and if they say they can, they’re not being straight with you. And please, if somebody says they can guarantee a top position if you pay them $XXX, run away. It just doesn’t work that way.
Do you submit my website to search engines?
Not directly–most search engines will find you on their own. However, we do build your site with methods that attract search engines’ crawlers. Also, if you can have a listed site add a link to your site (for example, a link from your IMDB page if you’re an actor, or from a professional directory website if you’re a business), the crawlers will definitely find you. We include links to all sites we’ve built in our portfolio, so that should help as well–search engines like us, so they’ll like you, too. All that said, though, Google and Yahoo do accept site submissions…you can do this yourself, although they’ll probably ask you to sign up for either another email address or for some other service.
Other Services
Can you create a logo for my business?
Yes. AndiSites charges $250 for one original color logotype/wordmark (includes 3 original concepts and 2 rounds of revisions), and we’ll provide you with the final choice in both .png and .jpg formats. We don’t do Flash logos because we don’t feel that they directly enhance user experience (read our feelings about Flash above). If you need a graphics-based logo, we recommend Logoworks.
Do you do photo retouching?
No, just cropping, resizing, and basic recoloring. For master digital retouching at a low price, we recommend Joe Barna at Colorworks in New York City. Check out the “Samples” section of his website. Seriously, he’s a magician.
Do you offer video or audio editing services?
Yes, we can do simple video editing in-house; for more complex projects, we work with several audio and video editors who will be happy to meet your needs.
I know I need content, but I’m not a great writer. Can you help me?
Yes, we hear that a lot, and writing for the Web is definitely a different kind of animal. We can help with simple proofreading, simplifying your current content, and reorganizing it to look good and read well on your website. If you’d like content created from scratch, we highly recommend our partner, The Word Factory.
