Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to get my website up and running?
First you need to register a domain name, for example yourcompany.com. You can purchase and register your domain name through many different companies like register.com or godaddy.com.
Second, unless you have your own web server, you will also need a web hosting account. Depending on your needs, there are many different types of hosting accounts. Usually a shared hosting account will suffice and they typically range in price from $5.00 to $12.00 a month. In some instances a company may want to purchase a dedicated server account, which typically runs $20.00 to $40.00 a month. A dedicated server provides alot more flexibility as far as running your own software and application servers.
Finally, you'll need the website itself, which consists of all the files, images and other resources your site may require. Several web technologies are available for building a website, from basic HTML and CSS, to ASP.NET, PHP, Coldfusion, Flash, JavaEE, and JavaScript.
Why can't I just build my own website?
The answer to this question is: you can. If you just need an online business card and you have the time and inclination, there are many WYSIWYG "what you see is what you get" applications out there for building websites. You can also purchase a template and "fill it in" yourself. The problem with this approach is if you have little or no experience with HTML, CSS and dynamic web content, it can end up costing you more in frustration, time and resources than it would to have it done professionally.
Should I buy a template or have a custom site built?
We have links to template sites you can check out. If there is a template/layout you like, let us know and we'll check the price. Often, we can duplicate the layout and save you some money. But really it depends on your needs. If you need dynamic data content, it sometimes makes more sense to build a custom site.
How long will it take to get my website up and running?
Again, this depends on the function of your website. Other factors include whether you already have content available such as a logo, images, copy (information in the form of text), and data, such as a database or XML files. We work closely with our clients to ensure their site is working as soon as possible.
What is the best web technology to use?
All of today's web technologies, ASP.NET, PHP, etc., can get the job done. Factors such as budget, pre-existing resources, linking in to other systems, flexibility and future businness plans can affect this decision. That being said, if you're just starting out, we generally recommend using PHP or ASP.NET. Invariably, almost all web hosting companies with shared hosting plans provide support for these technologies at no additional cost.