To assist you in getting the most from your search for answers MAXimum Designs have prepared a growing list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find the answers you are looking for please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to your questions and are constantly working to make your investment in our services a positive one.
Questions About:
MAXimum Designs and your web page
Domain Name Information
Selecting a Virtual Hosting Company
Developing an Effective Web Site
MAXimum Designs and your web page...
 Can I get a Free web-page design consultation?
YES - MAXimum Designs provides a FREE - no strings attached consultation for web page design. Just contact us by phone or email - and we will gladly discuss your web page project with you! .
What web page browsing standards does MAXimum Designs develop for?
We design our web pages conforming to industry standards for HTML v3.x. Pages are best viewed using Netscape Navigator
or Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
What are the 'basic' web page design costs?
For 'static' (fixed content) web pages - we recommend that you estimate between $90-$140 per finished web page for standard sites without databases or other interactive technology. You can help to keep your costs lower by providing us with as much content as possible (including copy and pictures) in digital format. (We will be happy to assist and explain to you how this is done.) Also, please note that custom graphics may cost extra depending on your logo needs.
For web solutions that will include e-commerce, (shops, lounges, cafe's), chat rooms, interactive games, shockwave enabled, data-driven technology, web greeting cards, video, sound, and / or other custom solutions - please contact us to discuss you needs - and we will be happy to provide you with a quote for our services!
Who owns the completed Web site?
In all cases, each web page (including copy and graphics) within a site are owned by you, our client. . Therefore -- all CUSTOM designed solutions specifically developed for your web presence (such as custom CGI scripts, Javascripts or other programming) - is owned by you - our client! (Note: Any generic CGI-Scripts or web software applications that we make available to ALL of our clients - is owned by us - MAXimum Designs)
Can you explain copyright issues?
Since you - the client - own the web pages, you own the content. This places the copyright for the content with you. MAXimum Designs can only assume that you own the information you are telling us to put on to your website. We do however, retain the right to refuse to put on-line any information which would violate copyright
laws.
Can I make corrections to my web site before it is published?
We encourage our clients to critique their site as it is being developed. Once the final web page design has been completed, we allow for one cycle of fixes and corrections. This way, you can catch any errors in content before the web site is published.
Can I change my site while it is being designed?
While we try to accomodate changes in ideas, we insist on a fairly complete specification of your web page at the start of the projects. This specification outlines what is to be delivered at completion of the project. Unfortunately, changes to a web page layout during its design can often impact not only cost and time, but also the quality of the design itself. While these changes to a design can be accommodated during the design phase, MAXimum Designs reserves the right to modify pricing as well as time estimates to match any changes in the specification.
How can I find out MORE about MAXimum Designs?
...who are these techno-cyber nerds, web-artisians, the sweat-and-brains behind MAXimum Designs.? Make sure you visit our link (above) - or just BOOKMARK this site NOW for future reference! As a full-scale web page design STUDIO, MAXimum Designs Inc. does more than just you with fancy graphics, the latest buzzwords and supercharged technologies. We provide you with web pages that act like a magnet - attracting and drawing in customers to your organization! You won't see anything quite like our web page designs on the internet - always unique, appealing, attention-grabbing, award winning and amazingly POPULAR!
Web page design is a culmination of many skills - ranging from graphic arts, design and
layout to business marketing and HTML development. MAXimum Designs draws upon it internal skillset and well-established freelancers to perform business strategy, copywriting, graphic designs and animations along with support for your internal business needs
Domain Name Information
 Why should I register a domain name?
As long as you have an Internet service provider (ISP) that provides web space on their server (i.e.:www.your-isp.com/members/~your-user-name/index.html), a domain name is not required. However, many organizations find it useful to have an e-mail address or URL (i.e.:www.your-name.com) that is similar to their company name.
In some ways, a domain name is similar to a customized license plate. A domain name allows you to receive e-mail at a customized e-mail address. If your organization's name is Example, Inc., you could register the domain name EXAMPLE.COM and your e-mail address could be anything@example.com. Your customers would also be able to access your organization's WWW site by visiting "www.example.com" with their Web browser and sending e-mail to anything@example.com.
How do I register a new domain name?
The InterNic is the Registration Authority for the EDU, GOV, COM, NET, and ORG domains. To register a domain with InterNic requires technical configuration information from your selected hosting company. For this reason it becomes necessary for a technical support representative from your hosting company, or a technician that is familiar with the hosting company's server, to register your domain with InterNic.
As an added service to our clients MAXimum Designs can assist you with choosing a hosting company and setting up your domain on your behalf. For MAXimum Designs part this service is provided free of charge to our customers. When a hosting company is required to register your domain you can expect to pay about $50.00 (US) for their service fee.
How much does a domain name cost?
The InterNic currently charges $70.00 (US) to register a single domain name and maintain this record for two years ($35.00 per year). Following this two year period InterNic will bill you $35.00 per year until such time that you choose to relinquish the domain name and it again becomes available for anyone to use.
An important consideration with registering a domain name is that 17,000 new names are being taken everyday. If your chosen domain name is available now you would be best advised to reserve or register the domain before it is no longer available. Many companies in fact register domains long before developing plans for their use.
How can I determine whether the domain name I want is available?
You can use the InterNic's Whois database to research the domain name you'd like to register. The InterNic's Whois service provides a way of finding e-mail addresses, postal addresses, and telephone numbers of those who are registered with the InterNic. Using Whois, you can also determine whether the domain name you are interested in is already in use.
As a free service to our prospective customers MAXimum Designs provides easy access to the InterNic database to conduct this domain name search for you. In addition to searching the InterNic's Whois database, MAXimum Designs can assist you in selecting an effective name for your professional or personal needs.
Selecting a Virtual Hosting Company
What is a virtual host and do I need one?
To have a full-time Internet presence, your organization needs to have specially configured computers that are connected to the Internet full-time. The associated costs can be quite costly, depending on your connection speed, software and hardware configuration, along with maintenance requirements.
A virtual hosting service relieves your organization from the burden of having dedicated hardware/software and human resources devoted to this. At the same time, virtual hosting services will give your organization a realistic and full-fledged Internet store-front to the rest of the Internet. Since your electronic store-front actually resides on a hosts computers, not yours, it's virtual. This is where the name "virtual host" comes from.
Specifically, a virtual hosting service provide the following:
- www.your company.com - a virtual Web server for your company
- ftp.your company.com - a virtual anonymous ftp server for your company. This allows you or your web designer to upload or download information to your web site.
- E-mail forwarding - you can have your e-mail address as
anything@your company.com forwarded to your real e-mail address(es).
The above three comprise a true Internet presence package.
Depending on your hosting company's e-mail forwarding setup, you can have arbitrary e-mail aliases. A few
examples: support@your company.com, sales@your company.com, info@your company.com, Webmaster@your company.com, personnel@your company.com. They are all forwarded to your real e-mail address(es) transparently.
Developing an Effective Web Site
What should a professional web site include?
A professionally designed web site will include several common characteristics. As professional web designers it is our job to ensure that these characteristics are included in your web site. As a matter of reference we have included partial list of these points for your consideration.
File Size & Content Distribution
With a wide range of browsers, computer types, and modem speeds it is important to have your web pages load quickly and correctly. Failure to do so will result in a loss of potential visitors and in many cases cause their browser to crash. Eliminating this problem is a matter of professional design and programming. As a consideration keep in mind that your web pages should not be overdone with graphics, advanced design features, or content. MAXimum Designs can assist you in establishing the perfect medium.
Clarity & Focus
Statistics for Internet users show that the average person spends only 7 seconds on each page. Designing a successful web site should always begin with complete focus and clarity of your message. Before submitting content or drafts to your designer we recommend that you consider the content of your message completely. MAXimum Designs can then assist you in developing a web site that will effectively engage visitors with the content and message provided by your web site.
Quality of Content
Consider the follow questions when developing the content for your web site.
Does your site contain useful information? Can a potential customer who is new to your business understand what you are selling? What purchasing decision do you want them to make at your web site? Are you giving them information to make that decision? And finally, is your site compelling? A site without solid content or engaging exploration will likely produce little results. If you have any questions regarding the content of your proposed, or existing web site, MAXimum Designs can help.
Quality of Graphics & Color
For your web site to effectively stand out in today's market it is important that the use of colors and graphics are compelling and well structured. While the job of producing professional graphics should be left to your designer it is helpful to consider the following questions when compiling your materials or suggestions for your web site
- Does the content of your images or suggestions support your message?
- Is there an effective color scheme or do your images clash with one another?
- Do the graphic elements enhance your web site through navigation or meaning, or do they cloud your message with distract?
Consistency
Consistency will give your web site a professional look and allow visitors to comprehend and effectively navigate your pages content. MAXimum Designs place a great deal of importance in designing our customers web sites with a compelling yet consistent look. The result will be a professional web site that allows visitors to quickly navigate your web site to find relevant information. You can assist your designer by selecting materials that support your basic image or message.
Personality or Appeal
A successful web site will always reflect the personality or selected marketing image of its owner. As a result of the Internet's level playing field a professionally designed web site that demonstrates a good use of charisma can compete with even your industry's leading companies. You may have more to say than your competition, but without charisma your web site may never reflect it.
|
