Web Design FAQ - Frequently asked questions about web design, flash design, xhtml/css website development
| Q. | Do I need to know a lot of technical info before contacting Corvus Design Studio? |
| A. | Not at all. We don't expect everyone to know exactly what they want or need before contacting us. We'll explain the different types of web design services we offer and help you decide what will work best for your individual needs and goals. Whether you know precisely what you'd like, or want to weigh the options, we're here to help. |
| Q. | Is a Website going to cost a fortune? |
| A. | Corvus Design Studio is a small company, consisting of two partners and a few specialist developers. Because we are not a large firm, our costs are lower, and we're able pass those savings onto our clients. Our web design and development service costs are determined on a case to case basis. We work with your budget to provide you with the maximum benefits. Our philosophy is that everyone should have a web presence, whether it's a clean portfolio website, or an enterprise online store. |
| Q. | What sort of SEO/SEM (search engine optimization & marketing) do you offer? |
| A. | We do offer a comprehensive SEO/SEM to be used in conjunction with our web design services. Please see: SEO/SEM for more details. Even without the comprehensive service, your site is optimized for search engine recognition using organic methods. In every web project, we build in a certain amount of SEO/SEM by optimizing every page using effective meta data, image descriptions, and priority HTML tags. Every site is also developed up to current W3 standards, which gives the individual pages maximum search engine recognition. After development, we submit your site to several major search engines so that you appear in web searches. In addition, qualified sites are submitted to web design award and recognition sites, including The Best Designs, CSS Mania, CSS Divine, etc. This gives you a few starting inlinks, as well as extended viewer exposure to a worldwide audience. |
| Q. | What do I get with a Website from Corvus Design Studio? |
| A. | Well, it really depends on the particular project. However, there are a few design/development staples that are included with every site.
Additional design/development elements or variations are normal with most of our projects. The specific recipe and execution plan are based on your individual needs and goals. For more information, please see: XHTML/CSS Websites, Flash Websites, Ecommerce Solutions, and Organic SEO/SEM. |
| Q. | How long does it take to complete a Website? |
| A. | On average, our websites can take 2 to 6 weeks to complete. However, timeframe's really depend on the size and complexity of the project. We work with you, and we need feedback and content from you as we progress. So, you are part of the timeframe equation. We try to complete our web projects in the most timely manner, but we don't cut corners. We spend a bit more time than most on the design layout and aesthetic look of your website (why is the look so important?). We pride ourselves in creating unique websites that are memorable to their viewers. We also ensure properly written code so that your website displays flawlessly on all platforms and browsers. We believe that taking the time to design and develop quality websites is far more important than knocking out as many websites as humanly possible... We're all about quality, not quantity. |
| Q. | Do you offer a CMS (content management system)? |
| A. | Yes. If you need a comprehensive Content Management System, we are happy to design and develop your site using ExpressionEngine®. ExpressionEngine® is a cutting edge CMS development tool that allows unparalleled flexibility of design and features. No other CMS compares to ExpressionEngine®. Now you can have your cake and eat it too! |
| Q. | Should I go with an XHTML/CSS Website or a Flash Website? |
| A. | XHTML/CSS websites and Flash websites fulfill different online needs. In general, XHTML/CSS websites are better for larger sites and/or those that will be updated frequently. XHTML/CSS websites allow for updates and modifications of a larger scale, and provide more functional flexibility. XHTML/CSS websites can have flash elements embedded for an added graphical edge, but the site itself is not Flash-derived. XHTML/CSS websites are also more favorable for Organic SEO/SEM (non-paid search engine ranking). If your goal is to have a fresh website with a large amount of content, occassional to frequent updates, with maximimum search engine recognition, and that reaches the largest possible audience, then an XHTML/CSS website may be the best choice. Flash websites are more suited for small to medium sized websites requiring a highly graphical edge, with animated transitions, animated rollovers, sound effects, and even sound loops. Flash sites are great for corporate websites, photography websites, personal websites, portfolio websites, etc. With the latest Flash/XML technology, Flash sites have improved greatly in terms of maintenance. It's now easier to keep a Flash site updated with fresh content. If your goal is to present an interactive, cutting-edge website, both graphically and functionally, with minimal to moderate content, then a Flash site may be the right choice for you. For more information, please see: XHTML/CSS Websites and Flash Websites. |
| Q. | What are hosting & domain names? |
| A. | With any website, a hosting account and a domain name are required. Your hosting account is basically a rented space on a server, where your website will reside and be displayed on the world wide web. The domain name is your unique url, or web address (www.corvusart.com, for example). |
| Q. | Do you provide hosting & domain name registration? |
| A. | We do not provide these services directly, but we're happy to help you setup a hosting account and select a domain name. We work with, and recommend three companies, HostMonster, DreamHost, and GoDaddy. These are reputable, affordable companies, with excellent customer service (and DreamHost is a GREEN company!). We do not provide hosting and domain name registration because it is not cost effective to our clients. Most web design companies that provide "their own" hosting and domain names are simply reselling these services from commercial companies, but with an additional price markup. We just don't think that's fair to our clients, so we remove ourselves as the middleperson, allowing our clients to pay the actual price for hosting and domain. |
| Q. | Do you offer E-commerce Solutions (online store, buy now buttons, classified ads, etc.)? |
| A. | Yes, we offer several e-commerce solutions. Whether you're selling a single product, or a few thousand, we can bring your e-commerce needs to life. We utilize today's open source technologies, as well as the most powerful enterprise software solutions to create our e-commerce websites. Our e-commerce sites are setup to accept the major credit cards, as well as PayPal. All solutions come with a comprehensive backend control panel to manage your store. Please see: Ecommerce Solutions for details. |
| Q. | I need a logo & business cards too. Do you guys do that? |
| A. | Yes, we design logos, business cards, letterhead, brochures, postcards, and many other marketing print materials. Our logos and print designs are based on your input and style, and can be anything from minimalist to complex. Please see our selected works for samples. |
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