How do you go about designing websites?

We break the process down as follows:

1. First of all, we need to find out as much as possible about the purpose of your site. For example, will you want to sell things online? Do you primarily want to display visual work? At this stage, it is helpful if you can provide us with examples of other sites (or parts of other sites) which you like. Your questions are welcome too, so please don't hesitate to ask about anything you're not sure of! Once we have a clear idea of the exact requirements, we will be able to give you a timeframe for completing the job.

2. We will put together a few rough layouts for you to see. When you have decided which one you like best, this will be fine-tuned as necessary and we will get onto coding your site. We will ask you for regular feedback during this stage, and send you links to test versions of the site (away from public view) and screenshots.

3. Once you have approved the final version and browser testing is complete, the site will be uploaded to its hosting space. Job done - your site is now live!

And after the job is done? We will take care of any teething problems, and continue to maintain the servers on which the site is based.

Will my site be created from a template?

No, we do not use any templates. Your site will be uniquely designed to your exact requirements.

How can my website be updated?

We use a powerful and flexible content management system which can be built into your site, allowing you to perform edits or updates at your own convenience, from any computer connected to the internet. If you would prefer, we are also happy to carry out updates on your behalf, charged at an hourly rate.

What is a content management system?

A content management system (CMS) provides an online interface which allows you to update and edit text, images, video and other content on your site from any computer connected to the internet. You won't need any coding knowledge or special software to do this. Instead, you simply login to your site's CMS on any web browser, then edit or upload new content via simple graphic interfaces. We use a very flexible CMS which is tailored to the exact requirements of your site.

We provide full instructions for using your CMS, and maintain its functionality.

What will you need from me in order to create my website?

Ideally, you would send us the images, text, audio, video or other content for the site before the job starts. However this is not an absolute requirement. With a content management system, the structure and content of the site are kept separate, so in many cases you will be free to add content when you are ready, after the site is complete.

Most meterial can simply be emailed to us; larger files can be uploaded directly to our servers.

How long will it take to get my website finished and online?

The time it takes to complete a job will depend entirely on the complexity of the site coding and design, and how much content we need to process (for example re-formatting images). We will provide an estimated timeline before starting the job.

If your need your site to be completed quickly, please let us know before we produce a quote for you. Jobs can usually be prioritised, though this may involve an additional fee.

Can I see the site in progress?

Yes. We use private space on our servers to display your site to you, away from public view, while it is being developed. This way you are able to see and fully interact with your site, giving you a much clearer feel for its performance and usability.

How much do you charge?

Due to the unique design and technical requirements for each site, it is impossible to give prices online. Instead, we provide free quotes for all work based on an initial discussion or email exchange - please contact us here.

Can you add to or re-design an existing website?

We are happy to look at your existing site and provide a free quote for additions, edits or re-design. However, as the programming methods and techniques used by your previous developer may be very different to ours, this can be a time consuming process. In some cases it may be more efficient to build a new site from scratch, taking your existing site's design into account were relevant.

How can my site get listed in search engines?

Search engines take many factors into account to determine your site's listing, the most important of which include the quantity and quality of links in and out of the site, the relevance of keywords and content text, and the clarity of design and navigation. We take these factors into account when designing your site, and can advise as to what type of layout and content will help get your site a good listing.

How can I track visitor numbers?

Your site will come enabled for Google Analytics. This powerful and user friendly tool is widely used across the internet to track visitor numbers and much more. Please click here for further information on Google Analytics.

Can I sell things from my site?

Yes, we can provide e-commerce capability for your site.

What are domain names?

Your domain name is your unique address on the internet, and is the most important identifier for your site both online and in the physical world. There are various domain name extensions available, the most recognizable of which is .com, though many others are also widely used. Country-specific extensions such as .co.uk are often considered appropriate where an individual or organisation operates in, or has specific ties to a particular country.

Your domain name(s) must be registered for a period of at least one year and renewed thereafter to ensure that your site remains accessible.

What is hosting?

Websites are hosted on servers, housed in data centres. These are dedicated computers which store and transmit the data that makes up your site to users. Hosting is the provision of space on such a server.

Can you provide domain names and hosting for my new site?

Yes, we can register domain names on your behalf. The price depends on the domain name extension and length of registration period.

We provide a full hosting service for a basic price of £45 per year.

If we provide these services, you will be invoiced for renewals one month before each renewal is due.

I already have hosting space. Can this be used for my new site?

Yes, this is no problem. You will simply need to provide us with access to your hosting space. In this case you will be responsible for renewals, and for communicating with the hosting company in the event of any problems arising.

In the unlikely event that your existing host does not provide enough storage or bandwidth, is too slow, or not compatible with our CMS, we can provide the necessary hosting space (see above).

I already have a domain name registered. Can it be used for my new site?

If you already have a domain name registered you will need to point it to our servers, unless you are also using your own hosting space. We provide the necessary details, and it is usually a very simple process to complete. Your domain registration service will be able to assist in the event of any difficulties.

If you would prefer us to manage your domain name(s), they can be transferred in from your existing domain registration service. We can advise and provide the necessary details to complete the transfer.