Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to many questions that friends and clients ask about how the internet and web design actually works. If there is something that you would like to know that is not covered here, please feel free to contact me.
Q: Why doesn't my site come up when I look for it in a search engine?
A: There are a few reasons that this could be. You should have keyword and description meta tags created in the head of each of your html documents. Without them some search engines don't know how to catalog your site. You should also submit your site to the major the search engines since some of them do not track sites with the meta tags anymore (due to unscrupulous site owners exploiting keywords to get as many visitors to their site as possible.) Having content that users enjoy returning to or use on a regular basis also will allow your site to appear in a search engine search. Most importantly though, you need to let the site exist for a bit of time. Search engines have quite a lot of sites to catalog, but they will eventually get to your site.
Q: My site looked good on my computer, but when I tried to show it to my friend on her computer, it didn't look the same. What went wrong?
A: Though you may have followed all of the latest rules and protocols while building your site, your friend could be using an older browser, a different browser, a different operating system, or have a different resolution for her computer screen. The only way to make sure that your site looks it's best is to test it on as many systems as possible and try to compensate for all of the differences that come up. There is always the chance that someone is using outdated or different hardware and software to view your site, so sometimes it will look different. By planning for the wide range of computers and browsers that are on the market, and use of CSS you can be sure make your site looks and feels the way you like for the majority of users.
Q: How long does it take to make a web site?
A: That is a tricky question. Since there are so many different types of web sites and your needs will be different than everyone elses needs, you will have a different time span than anyone else. In reality, to make a site properly you need to plan it, design it, build it, test it and then launch it. There are many steps that go on behind the scenes that people do not think of and when it all comes down to it, you and I will have a lot invested in a high quality site. On average, a site will take 1 to 3 months to develop, but again, this is just a loose estimate. To really know how long it will take requires a thurough assesment of your needs and goals as well as determining what type of technologies that will be used for your particular site. The only way to do that is to begin by contacting me.
Q: I have an old damaged picture. Can you fix it?
A: I should be able to be able to retouch your picture so that it looks like new, but I won't be able to tell until I actually see it. You'll need to scan and email it to me so that I can give you the right answer.
Q: Why don't you list the prices of your services on your website?
A: Because each project is different, it is difficult to determine how much each project will cost. A simple one day project would cost much less than a project that will take weeks or months of attention. If you would like to have an estimate made, contact me with a description of your project and any details you think are important and we can discuss it from there.