FAQs
There
are hundreds of Web design companies out there. What makes you different?
There
are many people that think that since they simply own some Web publishing
software, that they can put up a Web site and call themselves Professional
Web Designers.
At
MESwebguys.com, we take your project seriously. This is not something
that we do part-time or on the side. We have years of experience
and formal education and are constantly taking new classes to improve
our skills and keep up with the evolving Web world. We've invested
in what we consider to be the best Web design software on the market
and more importantly, we know how to use it to
give you the results you want.
In
addition, since we operate a small business, we are able to give each and every client the personalized
attention that they deserve.
Finally,
we gladly work with Internet startup companies, providing the site
design, logo, search engine compatibility and other elements you
need to succeed.
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Why
should I hire a professional to design my Web site?
Think
of it this way. When you're looking for new car stereo, you most
likely start by searching the telephone book. You find a few stores
in your area and call them to ask about brands, models and pricing.
Once you've decided which stores offer what you're looking for,
you drive over for a look around.
What
happens when you pull into the parking lot of a store that looks
run down? One that has obvious signs of neglect? One that looks
as though the owner should have it condemned? If you're like most
people… you keep on driving!
Why?
Are you afraid to leave your car with that stereo shop for fear
it will get stolen? Do you think the store might not be honest?
You don't know these people, but from the image they portray… you
are suspicious and skeptical.
The
same thing applies to your Web design. When visitors come to your
Web site, they are either rolling their eyes or smiling.
In
many cases, your Web site IS your business. It is the image you
present to the Internet world. We also know that there is a lot
going on behind the scenes that contributes to your site functioning
properly. A professionally designed Web site will give your business
the foundation it needs to succeed by using the latest technologies
and design applications, by being search engine compatible and by
displaying correctly in a variety of browsers. When you hire MES Webguys, you get the skills, knowledge and expertise that
only comes from years of hands-on experience.
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What
products do you use to develop Web sites?
For
Web publishing, we use Macromedia Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver generates
very clean HTML code that meets W3C validation standards.
For
Web graphics, we use both Jasc's Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Photoshop
because they provide clear, compressed graphics that load fast so
as not to keep your visitors waiting. Some other products that we
use include Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Flash.
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Why
don't you use FrontPage?
The
reason that we don't use FrontPage is because it generates a lot
of HTML code that is only recognized by the Internet Explorer browser.
That means that a site built with FrontPage will often display beautifully
in Internet Explorer (as both FrontPage and Internet Explorer are
owned by Microsoft), but will be a jumbled, unreadable mess in the
Netscape or Opera browser.
We
believe that cross-browser compatibility is important and we design
Web sites so that they view properly, and work as intended in Internet
Explorer, Netscape, and Opera.
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How
much will it cost?
Unlike
other web design companies who hide their pricing, create arbitrary
quotes based on how much they'd like to make, or charge monthly
fees for life; we are honest and upfront about our pricing structure.
Nothing you don't want or need is forced upon you. You'll have a
clear understanding of the cost before the project begins and no
surprises when you receive the final invoice. And... once you pay
for it, there are no further payments - you own it outright.
Please
see our rates page for details.
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How
long will it take?
If
you have the copy (text) for your site written before the design
process begins, it generally takes 2 - 6 weeks from start to finish.
Copy should be in electronic format, preferably MS Word format.
Not having your copy completed before the design process can significantly
delay the production of your site.
For
your convenience, we offer reduced rate copywriting / Web design
packages that provide you with additional savings when choosing
both services.
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Who
owns the completed Web site?
Once
the final payment is received, you will receive 100% ownership of
your Web site.
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What
is a domain name and why do I need one?
Every
Web site must have a domain name. A domain name is your Web site's
unique address on the Internet.
As
an example, the domain name for MES Webguys is http://www.meswebguys.com.
The most common domain names will end in .com, .net, or .org, but
there are many more to choose from.
Although
you are free to use any domain registrant you choose, MESwebguys
offers domain name registration for only $15.00/year - discounted
$20 US off Network Solutions regular price of $35 US/year. After
your registration, you will be given full access information to
your own, personal domain name control panel. Manage, update, transfer
or change your registration information any time you choose with
no hassle, no waiting and no additional charges.
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What
is hosting and why do I need it?
Your
Web site needs a home on the Internet - a place for all your domain
name, Web page files and graphics to reside. You buy or rent Web
space through a hosting company. Most hosting companies offer monthly,
quarterly, and yearly packages.
Hosting
fees vary greatly depending on your needs. Your hosting package
will need special features if you plan to have a storefront on your
Web site, if you will be connected to a database, or if you have
special programming requirements.
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What
services do you provide?
We
provide
- Professional
Web design
- Logo
design
- Web
site maintenance
- Web
site analysis
- Web
site banners
- Web
site graphics
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Who
will I be working with?
Who
you will work with depends on what your needs are. Web design and
logo design customers will work with either Anthony or Leroy. Database
customers will work with Anthony.
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How
many changes can I request to the drafts?
We'll
make as many changes as necessary until it meets your approval.
We do ask for a final approval to the design before adding the text
and content to the pages.
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Can
I make changes after I approve the draft?
Yes,
however design changes performed after you have approved the draft will be charged
at an hourly rate of $65.00 US.
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What
kind of guarantee do you offer?
We
completely guarantee our design work. After viewing the initial
draft(s), if you are not satisfied and wish to discontinue work
on the site, we will refund 100% of your deposit.
If
you decide to continue to work with us, we offer you unlimited revisions to the draft until the point
that you are 100% satisfied.
Once
the draft is finalized, your copy, links, forms and other elements
will be added, and your site uploaded to your hosting service.
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Can
you explain the design process?
We
have a five-step process as explained below:
Step
One - Contact Us
Simply
use our contact form to send us a short description
of your project. Together we can review the details, specific requirements
and the end result you want for your site.
Next,
we'll provide you with a quote for the total cost of your site creation.
This interaction provides us both with the information and insights
we need to decide if our relationship will be mutually beneficial.
If we are agreed - we move onto step 2.
Step
Two - Make a deposit
You'll
be provided with an invoice for 50% of the total of your quote.
This deposit can be made via our secure server using Visa or Mastercard.
We also accept PayPal payments.
We will accept personal checks but we do require 100% of the estimated
total up front. There is a 3 to 5 business day waiting period for
all payments remitted by personal check. Your project will begin
once your payment has cleared.
Step
Three -Your insight is vital!
While
we may be the Web design professionals, you have vital information
about your business, your customers, your likes and dislikes that
will make your site a success. In order to make the exchange of
information quick and easy, we offer you a choice of two different
Web design worksheets.
- The
Comprehensive Worksheet is highly recommended
for those who are unsure of their Web site needs and design preferences.
It will help you define your goals and vision for your site while
giving us insight into your individual taste and style.
- The
Quick Start Worksheet is for those who
already have a good idea of what they want their Web site to do
and how they want it to look, or those choose not to fill out
the longer comprehensive worksheet.
Step
Four - Provide us with feedback
We
will provide you with two rough drafts for viewing within one week
of receiving your completed worksheet. Your feedback will help us
to determine which direction to take. We may only need to do some
tweaking, or we may completely start over. Either way, we offer
you UNLIMITED revisions until you are 100% satisfied with the final
product.
Step
Five- Test and launch
Once
you have approved the final design, we add and format the copy (text)
to all the pages and set up your desired features, such as contact
forms. Once everything has been approved by you, we upload your
site to the Web and fully test its functionality. We make sure that
your site can be viewed as intended in Internet Explorer, Netscape
Navigator, and Opera versions 4.0 and above.
The Web design process generally takes anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks.
To alleviate any unnecessary delays, we recommend that you have
the majority of your copy written before your design begins. MES Webguys offers discounted copywriting and Web design combo
packages as a one-stop solution to your Web design needs.
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Once
the site is complete, can I make changes and updates to it myself?
Yes,
but you will need to invest in Web publishing software and you will
need to learn how to use it. You will also need to learn how to
transfer files to and from the Web.
We
recommend using Macromedia Contribute. Contribute allows you to
make text changes to your Web site at your convenience, while maintaining
site standards for style, layout, and code.
We
do not provide support or offer training for FrontPage, or any other
Web publishing program other than Macromedia Dreamweaver.
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What
is your payment policy and what type of payments do you accept?
We
receive 50% of your estimated total as a deposit prior to beginning
work. We accept Visa, Mastercard or PayPal payments. The final payment
is due immediately upon completion of the project.
We
will accept personal checks but we do require 100% of the estimated
total up front. There is a 3 to 5 business day waiting period for
all payments remitted by personal check. Your project will begin
once your payment has cleared.
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What
are your office hours?
Our
office hours are
- 9:00am
- 5:00pm Monday -Thursday, Eastern Standard Time
- 9:00am
- 12:00 noon Friday, Eastern Standard Time
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