Q & A Session with Heidi Peterson

Below is a Q&A Session that I answered on Thumbtack.com, while some of the answers are specific to Savannah Site Design clients, I think people may find some of the information very useful when selecting a web designer.

Question and answer

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Savannah Site Design will design a web site presence for your company that includes domain name registration and hosting at no additional cost! We pride ourselves on keeping prices reasonable and great service. Savannah Site Design provides professional web design services that include everything from logo design and custom graphics, to integrated shopping cart solutions. We pride ourselves on offering remarkable services at competitive rates.

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. MicheleSoha.com is a website that was recently complete for a Savannah artist who is known for her Watercolors, Pastels, Photography and Fine Art Reproductions. Her site includes a customize shopping cart and complete Flash photo gallery.

Bulldog-Defense.com is a site dedicated to self defense, and not becoming a victim. Crystal Webb carries a complete line of non-lethal tools to aid the average citizen should they become a victim of violence. Her site features streaming video, and a complete online shopping cart system.

CamWoodBats.com - Frank Greggory contacted Savannah Site Design because he wasn't satisfied with his previous website designer. His site features a full shopping cart solution, embedded video, mailing list, rotating banners, and more!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. When searching for a web designer, always look at their website. If their website isn't clear or presented in a light that best displays their company, that should be a red flag. Next, look at their work, not just templates that they have, but actual customer sites that they have created, because while templates are a great tool, not everyone knows how to utilize them. Last but not least, shop around. Make certain that you are getting the best quality site and service for your money!

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Most people who are in the technical industry talk in jargon to make things sound much more complicated than they actually are... if your web designer isn't willing to try to communicate in a clear easy to understand fashion, I would question their integrity.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. A consumer should most definitely ask the following questions of their potential designer:

1. How long have you been creating web sites?
2. What software did you use to create your first website? (hint... if they say NOTEPAD... they are probably a talented design with some serious coding background)
3. What are the keys/tools that use for SEO?
(hint... this should include Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics along with the standard meta tags)
4. Will you be using templates? (templates are not a bad thing, they can save time and money, and be completely customized for your company)
5. Will I be able to edit my site?
6. Will I own my site once you have been paid? (believe it or not, the answer to this can surprise you)
7. Do you charge monthly maintenance fees?
8. If yes, what do those fees cover?
9. Are there any extra hidden fees?
10. How often do you preform back-ups?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. 
1. What is the goal of your site?
2. What features would you like your site to include?
3. What domain name would you like? (hint... have several variations as the name you want might already be taken)
4. What is your budget?
5. What is your timeline?

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What are the advantages to having video embedded in my site?

There are many advantages to embedding video into your website.

Below are just some of those advantages:

1. Video is Visual - People tend to relate to a visual experience. People want to "see" what they are getting more so than read what they are getting, and a well thought out video allows them to do just that.
2. Video is emotional - Video can demonstrate how products work and relate to prospective customers much better than static pictures can. Videos allow the customer to "experience" your products.
3. Video is informative - Video allows you to address many FAQs to put prospective clients at ease while they research your products.
4. Video is on demand - A prospective customer can watch and re-watch your presentation anytime THEY choose. They have the ability to rewind or fast forward at their will meaning that they have some control over how your product is being presented to them.
5. Video is versatile - Video that is displayed on your main website, can also be displayed on your Facebook pages, YouTube page, UStream, and other various outlets, allowing for greater market coverage without greater cost!

How long will my site take?

The time it takes to design and publish a web site depends on the site. A basic business site typically take approximately one week to complete provided that the client sends all copy and photos required in a timely manner.



I already have a site, how long will it take to re-vamp my site?

The time it takes to redesign and publish a web site depends on who the previous site webmaster is, who the current host is, and who has control of the domain name. We try to make this process as seamless as possible, but sometimes this process can be cumbersome. We ask that you please have the following information available when contacting us for a site re-vamp:
Current Hosting Company
Username / Password
Current Web Design Company Contact
Current Domain Company
Username / Password



How long will it take for my site to appear in the Search Engines?
The time it takes to appear in search engines from site completion depends on the site and when the keyword list was provided by the client. Typically the site should appear in Google within 2 weeks of going active.



What is the importance of video in business?

We belive that this short video does a great job of pin pointing the real importance of video in business today, whether video is being used for internal or external communication, it can be a very powerful tool!




Will I be able to make changes to my site?

We offer content management systems (cms) through Customized WordPress installations should you choose. CMS will allow you to make modifications to your site to include adding photos and updating text content.



What shipping options are available by default in the shopping cart?

The default options for shipping available in the shopping cart are:
Citylink
Flat Rate
Free Shipping
Per Item
Parcelforce 48
Pickup From Store
UPS
United States Postal Service
Weight Based Shipping



What payment options are available by default in the shopping cart?

The default payment options available through the shopping cart are:
AlertPay
Authorize.Net (AIM)
Bank Transfer
Cheque / Money Order
Cash On Delivery
Dwolla Standard
Free Checkout
LIQPAY
Moneybookers
NOCHEX
Paymate
Perpetual Payments
PayPal Website Payment Pro
PayPal Standard
SagePay
SagePay Direct
SagePay (US)
2Checkout
Web Payment Software
WorldPay







What search engines does Savannah Site Design submit my site to?

Savannah Site Design submits all sites to Google, YaHoo, and Bing other search engines will then spider these search engines to pick-up your site for listing.



Is social media really important to my business?

According to CNN contributor Sandy Carter “If your organization plans to stay competitive it can’t afford to ignore the impact of social media on the workplace. Companies that have adopted social practices and tools early on to create a more collaborative work environment are already gaining competitive advantage in their market and becoming more innovative, smarter and more profitable. As social businesses evolve, we’ll continue to see studies around the ROI of social and just how transformative this cultural and technological shift can be. But be warned, if you wait to see what social business can do, what value it brings to other companies, you’ll find yourself left in the dust of your competitors. Can you afford to be left behind?”



What social media networks does Savannah Site Design work with?

Savannah Site Design will be more than happy to set you up with ANY social media network, whether it be Facebook or Vimeo, Savannah Site Design can setup your social media account, and integrate it into your website seamlessly for a competitive low rate. We will even provide you with useful Quick Start instructions to help you get going.