|
There are lots of questions that arise when doing research for a new website. Here are some of the questions BeareWare has been asked by prospects and associates... For some great tips and internet terms please visit our Website Tips Index. Frequently Asked Questions: What research can I do in establishing what type of Website I want? - Click Here
What is the maximum number of pages for the website? - Click Here
Where does content come from when we develop my website? - Click Here
Do rotating images on the website design cost more? - Click Here
Can I update my website anytime I want? - Click Here
Does the website come with an email address included? - Click Here
Does BeareWare Provide Hosting and Web Management? - Click Here
Do I make updates to the website or would BeareWare do that? - Click Here
Can BeareWare design & develop but we chose our own hosting? - Click Here
Can BeareWare help me with registering a domain name? - Click Here
What Industries Does BeareWare Specialize in? - Click Here
What is the difference between a Web Designer and a Web Developer? - Click Here
Can the Web Designer and the Web Developer be the same person? - Click Here
What is the Difference Between BeareWare & Registrar/Host Companies - Click Here
What types of web systems does BeareWare use in web developments? - Click Here
How much does a website cost and what time is involved? - Click Here
What research can I do in establishing what type of Website I want?
A great method for website research is to look at competitors websites and then also similiar industry type websites. Establish what you like about these sites - or what you don't like. Make sure you spend a reasonable amount of time on each site and go beyond the look of the site to establish what information and functions the site is offering. This research greatly narrows down the web developments research time and also gives you are great starting point for design. Back to Index
Does BeareWare Provide Hosting and Web Management?
Yes we do provide Web Hosting and Web Management. Although BeareWare is a Web Design and Development Company and that is our primary specialiaty we have been hosting and managing client sites since our companies inception in 2000. It has been one of BeareWare's best business decisions to provide hosting and management for both the client and BeareWare. As a company we found out that the success of a companies website start with design and development and continues with hosting & management. This may include training and education. They are all part of the ingredients of success website. We also learnt a bunch about our clients by hosting and managing them as well as development concepts that may not be that obvious when you role is simply developing a website (and not being involved in this operations of the website). Back to Index
Can we choose to have BeareWare design & develop but we chose our own hosting?
Yes - We have developed websites for clients that for various reasons needed to host the site elsewhere. We will identify any issues there may in this scenario to a client during our proposal phase and the main thing we emphasize to the client to focus on their statistics and management of their site with their host. We can also provide some support in this area - but if we become responsible for the full management of the website then we would prefer to manage it in our hosting environment where we are most expertised. Back to Index
Can BeareWare help me with registering a domain name?
Yes we register domain names as part of client services. We register domain names for clients on a very consistant basis. Currently we manage over 400 client domain names. We provide domain name strategy - helping the client establish what is the best name for them - then register the name for them - then route the domain name to the hosting website, manage the owner contact information and ensure that their very important domain name is secure. We use domain names for clients primary websites, subdomains and for driving additional traffic to their site. Domain names are a critical piece of website success and just as our company chose to do hosting and management - we provide services for this very important area. Back to Index
What Industries Does BeareWare Specialize in?
BeareWare has developed over 75 websites since 2000 in the areas of business, retail & travel, real estate, online shops, music, arts & culture, non-profit, sports & events, family & social websites and custom applications for clients. We have a strong background in business analysis which allows us to establish a strong understanding of each clients business models before we commence developing their website. Although we develop more websites in some business areas than others - we are not experts in any one particular business area. Our clients are experts in their industries and we collaborate with our clients to produce a succesful outcome. Our expertise is in designing and developing websites. Back to Index
What is the difference between a Web Designer and a Web Developer?
A web designer designs the graphical layout of the website. This includes conceptulizing the sites layout and includes the home page design, secondary pages, menus, website colors & fonts, special graphic features. The web designer is ultimately responsible for the graphical look of the website. A Web Developer will take the graphical design of the website and implement it into computer coding that will operate the website. This includes adding all the site content, site images and menus, graphic standards, as well as any additional custom programs that will be used in the website. They are ultimately responsible for delivering a full functioning website. Back to Index
Can the Web Designer and the Web Developer be the same person?
Yes - but it is an usual skillset combination. The Web Designer is first and foremost a graphic designer -and the look website is dependant on the designers abilities to produce the graphic layout that reflects the company brand and marketing aims. The graphic designer is bound by the developers limitations but in general their job is to make the website look great! The Web Developer is first and foremost a computer programmer. There job is to implement the opeational webiste which includes setting up the hosting location and then installing the applications that will be used for the development (such as the CMS System). The developer then implements the graphic templates into the the website, adds menus, images, and content and makes appropriate programing changes required to customize your website and ensure that your website is full functioning. Back to Index
What is the Difference Between BeareWare and Registrars & Hosting Companies
BeareWare designs and develops custom websites based on the clients business and marketing models, their target demographics and desired outcomes. We collaborate with the client to produce a succesful website and then we work with the client in hosting and managing the website. We focus on the branding of the client in their respective industry. We have a long term view of our relationship with the client which includes client education and training. Registrars & Hosting Companies have pre developed templates that allow a client to select pre-existing themes and colors, images, fonts for their website. The templates are astetically attractive but are not custom to the client and thus not branding focused. Quite often the software that runs the templates are limited in terms of their functionality or customization ability. Their websites are quite often less expensive than a custom developed website. They usually offer customization for additional cost - but quite often you are not getting the business model analysis and focus that you get when you choose to develop a custom website with a company like BeareWare. Back to Index
What types of web systems does BeareWare use in web developments?
BeareWare uses opensource systems that allow us to provide our clients with state of the art technology at an incredibly affordable price. Opensource is software developed under a set of principles & with the source code being made available to users. BeareWare speclized in MySQL & PHP - which is the most popular opensource database and language in the world. We currently expertise in the following opensource systems: - JOOMLA (Content Management System)
- PHPList (e-NEWS System)
- Gallery2 (Online Photo Gallery)
- JEvents (Online Calendar)
Opensource system are free to use as part of the opensource community. BeareWare installs and customizes these opensource systems for each clients website and also provides upgrades from time to time. These opensource systems are developed by the best programmers/web developers in the world and are constantly being updated in a simillar fashion to how windows products were developed in the 1990's - with new versions coming out periodically. Back to Index
How much does a website cost and what time is involved in this process?
BeareWare has 4 primary tiers in website design and development pricing. Cost is tied primarily to the time it takes to develop a website (an hourly rate). Costs can also be based on additional add-on applications such as an online shop, online gallerys and calendars, and 3rd party software. We are providing base cost guidelines to our web vistors below to help in terms of your project planning. Please use this as a basic guide only. For a specific project quote please contact BeareWare. Small Business Website : Generally start up or first time website clients that are establishing their professional brand online. Sole Proprietors, Individual Real Estate Agents and small business (1-2 employees) - $750.00 - $1,250.00 Commerce & Services : Online Stores & Catalogues, Real Estate Brokers (Teams) and service based companies. More advanced marketing and business plans that will dictate website concepts and design requirements. Includes e-commerce & online payment gateways, MLS listings and more functionality - $1,250.00 - $2,500.00 Corporate Websites : Based on business models with mature marketing concepts and brands targeting diversified demographics with multiple function requirements - including 3rd party software interfacing, multiple employee interaction, input and management of website. Key domain strategies and focus on mulitpe web environments (such as Mobile Web) - $2,500.00 - $5,000.00. Custom Applications : Custom development that allows a client to develop a specific online database driven application (Internet or Intranet based). Custom Applications are billed hourly and cost is generally established during prelimary analysis of project. BeareWare provides proposals and quotes for each web development including each main module cost and also the timeline from the start of the project to launching the website. BeareWare provides "fixed" pricing so our proposals and your full costs are guaranteed before the project commences. It usally takes 30-60 days to develop a clients website pending the complexity of the project, the number of client employees participating in the project and the availability of information, documents, images, logos that the client must provide. Back to Index
Does the site come with an email address included?
All our websites that we host come with e-mail accounts (all with your domain name address). These accounts range from forwarding accounts to POP accounts – and we have various size accounts pending your organizations e-mail requirements. We ALWAYS recommend that the client use their brand e-mail (their website e-mail) versus an Internet Provider such as Bellsouth or Comcast. It is a sign of professionalism to use your organizations e-mail – and generally it is much easier for your clients to communicate to you thru this method. Back to Index
What is the maximum number of pages for the site?
The number of pages on your website is not really limited by technology as much as by the purpose and aim of your website and the behavior of web users. Your website should have content that promotes your brands and images, and provided key and important information about your companies goods and services. Most website visitors will go to your website for a purpose (and you should identify your primary demographic when designing the website) – so adding pages that are not relevant to your business (or are very general) – may not give you the best results. Your number of pages should be dictated by your business model and marketing models. Back to Index
Can I update my website anytime I want?
Absolutely - you will be able to update your website thru a web-browser (from your office - from your home - from your holidays - where ever you can get to the internet – you can update your website). Back to Index
Where does content come from when we develop my website?
The client is responsible for supplying content for their website. With that being said – quite often the client will need guidance and assistance in establishing the correct content for their website. We collaborate with the client in this area – making recommendations and helping the client find good online resources. It is very important that your website reflects information about (and from) your company. Copying content from another website will not be as effective as your own content. Professional design really shows off the client’s brands and images – content showcases the client expertise – so we work heavily with a client to ensure their content best represents them. Back to Index
Do rotating images on the website cost more?
The actual key to good rotating images are the images themselves. The technology to make them rotate is very standard and is available on all our clients websites. So to ensure a very professional representation you must have good photographs. BeareWare has a very good photographer on staff that can provide photography services for clients that require help in this area. We are working more and more with clients on the photography side – as good images are paramount for a good website. Also having “real” photos versus “stock” photos can really help set your site apart from the competition. Back to Index
Do I make updates or would you do that?
We provide a training session (around 2 hours) we when go live with you website - and you are trained on updating your website. We provide a user manual and step thru the areas we need to update. When then take the role of supporting you - (and developing your skills in managing your content) - but we will always be the back up for the client in updating your webstie - so you will be the primary web content manager - and we will support you. Back to Index |
