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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process? Where do I start?
The first step is to decide that you want to expand your market and visibility. Decide what role your website will play in your overall marketing and business strategy. Then make an appointment to talk with a Spiderweb Logic representative (805) 720-0789. Or contact us by email or phone.
Before your appointment it is a good idea to search out a few example websites that you like - those with some of the look or features you want. This will give you ideas of what is out there help clarify things that you like about a website style and color scheme. Be able to identify what you like and dislike about the websites you show us.
At the appointment, we can discuss the following: 1) The purpose for your website: Are you just looking for a brochure site that doesnt change often... perhaps only a few pages? Or are you interested in one that can grow significantly - perhaps selling products online or having online members. 2) What is your target market? Is it a small local area? Or are you targeting all of California - or all United States? 3) What is your competition doing? Figure out what you like/dislike about at least one competitor's site. This will give you some idea of what is out there.
If you do some of your homework before the meeting it will make it more efficient meeting and we can more easily meet your particular business needs and suit your personal tastes.
Then we will discuss how we can build a website to meet your business needs and have the look you want. We may suggest additional features that may be desirable for your type of business...
When you are ready, we sign a contract describing the features you want and Spiderweb Logic begins to work.
Normally we come up with 2-3 proposed layouts from our graphic designer. You then choose which you like and we build the website accordingly.
When the website is completed to your satisfaction you pay the final deposit. If this is an editable website, you get some training before paying the final deposit.
What are the Costs?
If you are wanting to update or maintain an existing website, the costs are $75 per hour. Any fixed prices for doing a task are estimated based on this hourly rate.
For a NEW WEBSITE:
1) The cost to build the site.
def: This is paying me for my labor to put your customized business asset together. This usually includes putting the files I create onto the web.
These costs include the graphic design for the website, building the web pages, and posting them to a web server (web host) so it is visible to the internet.
With our CMS or Ecommerce sites we also create/submit your Google XML Sitemap to Google for extra visibility as well as your products to Google GBase system using a customized RSS feed.
If you think that you may want a 20 or 30 page site, you may get the best value with starting with a CMS.
Also consider your skills. If you are afraid of computers or dont have a computer, you may not want an editable website.
2) The cost to host the site.
def: Web hosting is basically renting space on a computer/server that will allow your website to be visible to the internet. A web host is the company that owns the computer/server. You just rent space on it - like renting an appartment.
If you are building a non-editable site, you can host wherever you want. Godaddy.com is a popular choice, mostly because GoDaddy is so big - and offers cheap monthly hosting.
However, if you want a CMS or ECommerce site, then you should host at DigitalWest.net, Santa Barbara Web Hosting, or SiteServer.net. From our experience, each of these will work fine. Digital West does provide the best service for the price - and you can get a live person 24 hours a day to help with any issues. This will cost around $25 per month, depending on how large your site gets.
3) The cost to own the domain name.
def: This is purchasing the rights to use a particular name for your website (like SpiderwebLogic.com) - and this is usually paid for annually.
Usually, this is less than $20/year. We recommend that you use 123CheapDomans.com or Godaddy.com to purchase it, because their costs are competitive and their tools are easy to use. If you pay more than $20, you probably paid too much.
Some web design companies like to sell you the website, hosting and the domain name and pad the prices for extra profit. We dont. We have you pay the vendors directly for web hosting and the domain names. It is a lot cheaper that way.
Do you provide web hosting?
No. We use other companies that specialize in web hosting. (See above.) We specialize in building websites, and we are willing to give our expert guidance and hand-holding when getting this. Many website designers "provide" web hosting by renting web hosting, doubling the cost and charging you. We cut the middle man and let you pay the web host directly. We are happy to guide you on how to do this - and you can do it right in our office if you like.
What technologies do you use?
If we are building a new website we use XHTML, JavaScript, ASP.Net (C#) with a MySql database. When building websites it is most efficient to build code libraries focused on one set of technologies.
We usually build CMS and Shopping Cart websites using our Spiderweb Logic E-Cart or our Spiderweb Logic CMS.
However, if you need assistance maintaining an existing website, we do have expertise in XHTML, JavaScript, ASP, ASP.Net (C# and VB.Net), SQL Server, MySql, Access, and PHP. We can also build customized desktop applications if desired using the .Net platform or using Microsoft Access. Or if you need a specialty Microsoft Excel spreadsheet designed, we can do this too.
We also are experienced with using Ektron CMS for website and can update/maintain websites that use this.
Will I own my Website?
Well, that depends. I have been asked this a lot lately since a well-made radio commercial for web design pushed this as something to find out.
Many of us have heard the TV Commercials - ask your web designer - do you own your website... Wait for the response... If not... (sounds bad) go with the guy on the commercial. Right?
Well, you sort-of own it. (Uh - oh..?) Any images or text on your site that you provided (or were built exclusively for your site - like a banner) you own. The specific layout of your site you own. The renting of the hosting or the domain name you have full control of, but you don't own really.
But the web hosting - you don't normally own the space - you rent it, unless you purchased a dedicated server. Then you just pay for the service to a web host to connect to the internet. I help you contract with the web host directly. I never play the middle man and pad this or lock you out.
The domain name itself - you rent, not own. Nobody ever permanently "owns" a domain name. Everyone pays annual fees for this.
The work product you may own - to an extent. I have a lot of libraries - Javascript, C# programming etc. I own the copyright to these so I can reuse them on multiple websites - saving me time and you cost. Otherwise, I have to re-invent the wheel. You have license to use it forever... or change it as you see fit. You have the keys to access the website and can hire whom you want to do this. This meets the needs of most businesses. Perhaps you can't prevent me from reusing some JavaScript validation code... but do you care?
Most of my customers just want an editable site or eCommerce application that works and meets their business needs. They also want a solution at a reasonable cost. To do this, I need to re-use programming code.
In general - this is just a silly radio commercial that worked really well... It is nothing to be concerned about.
NOTE: There are some web design companies that force their clients to host directly through them. This is an excellent way to make residual income by keeping the client from having the means to go elsewhere. They get money from padding hosting costs and passing the inflated costs to you - and lock themselves in for any maintenance. We never do that, and this may be what this commercial was marketing against.
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