Frequently Asked Questions:

If this is your first venture into the world of web development, it can be overwhelming with all of the choices that are available to you. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions by new clients:

What is ASP?
ASP (Active Server Pages) is a technology which allows pages to be generated dynamically. In other words - it creates personalized pages with fresh information every time the page is requested. ASP pages can be created to remember a user's identity, pages previously visited and any actions they requested from that page. All the text, images, forms - the entire page is generated to the end user's requirement.

What is CSS?
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a technology that designers use to control the layout of the page. It is one file containing layout code for the entire site. The biggest advantage of using CSS for layout is the ability to make site-wide changes while only modifying one file. CSS also produces smaller file sizes which means your site will load more quickly. CSS is the current standard for web design so pages that adhere to the rules are guaranteed to be supported by future browsers.

How much does it cost to develop a web site?
The costs to develop a site vary greatly. Web development companies are a dime-a-dozen and the rates can be as low as $12 per hour to as high as $200 per hour. Some companies charge a flat rate for X number of pages. It would be a good idea to submit at least three RFP's (Request For Proposal) to get a feel for what the cost range will be. Keep in mind a few things:

• Know what you want.
  The more you have thought about colors, the look and feel of the site, as well as the purpose of the site, the less it will cost you to develop it.
• Your budget.
  How much money do you have to spend? Obviously the more money you can spend, the more "bells and whistles" you can add to your site. It is possible to budget a few hundred dollars and end up with a nice site.
• Comfort Factor.
  It's important to remember that money isn't everything. You want to choose a developer that you are comfortable with and will take the time to make sure your site is exactly how you want it.

What do I look for in a web development company?
While there is no official regulatory organization for web designers/developers, it is nice to know if they have been certified by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) or if they are a member of IWA-HWG (International Webmasters Association). If the designer you pick doesn't belong to any professional organization, don't fret. It doesn't mean they aren't capable of delivering high quality web development. I think it's more important to check out their portfolio to see the quality of work.

What is the process for getting a quote?
I can't stress enough that you need to carefully think about the goal of your site is before you contact someone for a quote. Is the purpose of the site to increase sales? Or is it to be a reference source for existing customers which can relieve stress on your customer service department? Every site needs a goal. Once you have your goal, contact a few development companies and be prepared to spend about an hour discussing your project. This meeting is primarily a brain-storming session. The developer will get a feel for how you want to develop the site and all the technologies that will be required to build it. After this meeting it may take up to a week for the web developer to get back to you with a proposal. Once you have agreed on a proposal, the next step is to sign a contract and develop a story board for the site. The time between signing the contract to the actual launch of your site will vary. The two biggest factors to the timeline are the size of your web site and how well you work with the developer in getting them the proper information needed for the site.