Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do I Need A Web Site?
A web site is a cost effective way to make your business accessible to your customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week! A visit to your site can give all of the information you want your customers to have, whenever they want it! A very convenient way to advertise...your information is always available and can be updated in an instant. Customers will know they are getting exactly what they want by doing business with you just by visiting your site. You can free up some of your employees time by including frequently asked questions about your business.
How To Get Started
First you need to take a look at your business and decide what purpose your web site will serve. Take a look at other sites in the same industry. How are they using their web space? What services do you offer that they do not? What kind of information do they have? What is your target audience? Do you want to sell things from your site?
Gather information you already have for your business like brochures, yellow page ads, newspaper ads, price and product lists, photos of your building, you and your staff, logos, trade certification information etc...
Get a notepad and start jotting down ideas. Eventually you can start organizing your ideas into what you visualize your web site to be. After you order your site, we will go over it together to get the look and layout you desire.
What Should My Site Look Like?
Your site should reflect you and your business and be clean, clear and easy to navigate. While you visit other sites in your industry, take note of the types of sites that you like and those you do not like.
Can I use pictures of my products/service on the site? Absolutely! Graphics should be used to supplement your textual content. A good rule of thumb is to use one third images and two thirds information on your site. The use of a lot of images can slow the loading time (the time it takes for customers to see everything) of a page. Some visitors may not wait for the page to appear completely. They usually move on. It is important that your images load quickly. You can include pictures of your storefront, your staff, your products, and yourself.
Number one rule: Don’t have a relative or a friend create your site. Once you have determined the goal of your site and have some idea of what you want it to look like, be sure whomever you choose can provide exactly what you need. Do you want custom graphics or a pre-made template? Do you need an on-line store with a secure order form?
How will your site be marketed (search engine submission)? Are there hidden fees? How much does maintenance cost? Will anyone from the company be available to answer questions?
Choosing And Registering Your Domain Name
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is essentially a unique, easy to remember name used to identify your web server (computer your site is stored on). Your domain name (virtual URL) is assigned a number associated with the computer your site is stored on but rather than trying to remember a string of numbers, it's much easier to use a name you recognize! So used along with "http://www.(yournamehere.com)", this now becomes your URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or web site address. The domain name for Keweenaw Graphics Web Design is KeweenawGraphics.com. The complete URL for this site is http://www.KeweenawGraphics.com. Putting it in the location line of your web browser brought you here! All domain names are registered with ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).
Do I have to have a domain name to have a web site?
Not necessarily. Pasty.NET can provide you with a non-virtual account (or subdomain hosting) which means the URL of your site would be http://www.pasty.com/yourbusinessname. Your hosting company will give you a subdirectory on their servers to store your site's files. If you decide to move your site, you cannot take this name with you. Your URL will be different as well as any e-mail addresses that you may have signed up for with the hosting company.
The advantage to having a domain name is that you will have your own URL and you can take it wherever you want. If you decide to switch to a different hosting company, a virtual URL and any associated e-mail addresses, can go with you and will always remain the same (provided you renew your registration each year).
What should my domain name be?
Choosing your domain name can be as simple as the name of your business. For example, if the name of your business is Acme Auto Repair, you may want http://www.acmeautorepair.com to be your web site address. That means, acmeautorepair.com is your domain name. Use only letters, numbers and/or hyphens. (Although the name cannot begin or end with a hyphen). There is a 67 character limit on the length of your name and domain names are not case sensitive. AcmeAutoRepair.com is the same as acmeautorepair.com. It is better if you do NOT have a hyphen in the name.
But what if someone already has my name?
It is possible that the name you choose is already taken. In that case the registrar (companies that process domain name registrations) you use may suggest others. Try using autorepairconnection.com or autorepair.com or autorepaironline.com. Chances are that one of the variations you come up with will work.
How do I register my name?
We prefer to register your domain name for you. Pasty.NET is an accredited registrar. It may be a good idea to "reserve" your name before someone else gets it! Please contact us before you do this as we prefer to register the domain for you.
We can take care of the registration process for you. If your site is not ready, you can park your domain with your Pasty.NET. In other words, reserving your name and space before your site is ready to go live.
How much does it cost to register a domain name?
Pasty.NET charges $25 per year to register your domain name. As an alternative, we can suggest other places to register your domain. Don’t be enticed by a lower price to register your domain.
How long does the process take?
Depending on how you register, 24-48 hours.
Where Will Your Site Be Hosted
What is a hosting company?
A hosting company provides a place on their servers for your site to be stored. If your site is hosted by Pasty.NET, your site will be listed on the home page of Pasty.com and be on several banner ad pages on their site. Over 10 million visitors go to Pasty.com each month. It’s a great place to get your web site noticed. There is a definite advantage to be listed on Pasty.com’s home page. You may purchase a banner ad listing if you have your site hosted elsewhere but still want to be on Pasty.com’s web site.
What is a server?
A host computer that stores information like web pages and is connected to the Internet all the time is considered a server.
How much does it cost?
An e-commerce site is $50 per month with Pasty.NET. A non e-commerce site is $40 per month. Non-profit sites have varying rates. The advantage of having your site hosted by Pasty.NET is that your site will be listed on Pasty.com. Billing from your hosting company is separate from your domain name registration and web site developer.
How Your Site Is Promoted
Submission to search engines
After your site is up and running you will want your site to be submitted to search engines (a program that searches for documents based on keywords) so people can find you. This can be done in a number of ways. Keweenaw Graphics will submit your site to the major search engines. There are companies that, for a fee, will submit your site. Search engines use keywords that are placed on your page (but hidden from visitors) to find you.
Keywords are placed on your site by Keweenaw Graphics and would include things like the type of business you are in, your region etc. For example, keywords for an auto repair shop may include "auto repair, your town, your county, automobile, car repair, truck repair, brakes, inspections, ASE certified, vehicle repair, engine repair, motor home repair...."
Keweenaw Graphics Web Design will work with you and your hosting company to ensure that your site is efficiently submitted!!!
Local Business Directory or Chamber of Commerce
Find out if your community has a web site and add your link. Some charge for a link.
Link from your own or friends personal home pages
If you or your friends have a personal home page, that is a great place to put a link to your business site!!
Put A Link In Your E-Mail Signature
Most e-mail programs have the option of putting a "signature" line at the bottom of your e-mail. That means that you can put a link to your business site in your signature and EVERYONE you send e-mail to will get it. Business cards, letterhead, invoices, print ads, yellow page ad, business checks...Be sure to include your URL (web site address) on all your marketing tools!
Your Answering Machine
If you turn your answering machine on after hours, add the URL to your message. That way customers can go to your site and find the information they were looking for!
Link From Keweenaw Graphics and Pasty.com
A link to your site will be placed in the portfolio of Keweenaw Graphics Web Design and Pasty.com. A chance for more visitors and potential customers!!!!
Word of Mouth
Definitely one of the most cost effective ways to promote your site!
Sign Guestbooks
While you are out surfing, if you visit a site with a guestbook, sign it!!!
How Do I Pay For Your Services?
Keweenaw Graphics Web Design accepts cash, checks, and PayPal. Payment instructions are given with your invoice.
