FAQ/Terms
I hope that the following information will hep you to decide if I’m the designer for you. If you are not clear about anything, please do email me.
How much text constitutes a web ‘page’?
I haven’t got a domain name. Can you sort that out for me?
How long will it take to build my site?
What if I want to add a page at a later date?
What if I want you to amend my text, Jan?
Do I have complete control over the content? (includes a link to some help with creating content)
What about search engine visibility?
What will my website cost?
I develop dynamic WordPress sites which clients can readily update themselves and which can also be used as blogs now or in the future. These sites start from £550 (if you have artwork already) rising to £700 (if you require me to design a simple banner and colour-scheme, or if you’re an artist requiring me to build you a gallery). Large sites which require a lot of technical functionality will be costed individually.
How much text constitutes a web ‘page’?
I suggest that a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 600 words constitutes a ‘page’. Longer pages than this will require additional design work and links to enable site visitors to navigate around the page and I will give an estimate of costs related to the additional work involved
I haven’t got a domain name. Can you sort that out for me?
It’s best if you do this yourself, though I can help you make decisions about what it should be, point you in the right direction and even talk you through it on the phone.
Many web designers will do this for you and even host your domain. Believe me, if you ever decide to move to a different designer, extracting your site can be quite tricky. And what about the ‘run over by a bus’ scenario? I prefer my clients to register their own domains and arrange their own hosting. It gives you autonomy. As a client said recently, ‘It’s more grown up’! 
IMPORTANT: if you are opting for the flexible, dynamic site mentioned above, you must ensure your domain host has this facility available. I am happy to advise you on this for no extra charge. The company I use and recommend is www.machinenetworks.co.uk. US-based clients may prefer to use a US-based company for their domain registration and web hosting.
How long will it take to build my site?
I will agree a time schedule with you including a proposed completion date. This time schedule is dependent upon you providing the content and feedback as agreed, any delay will impact on when I can complete and this may be affected by other contracts.
When do I pay you?
I start work on receipt of ½ of the agreed total fee. You pay the rest when the site is complete and before it is uploaded to your web host. Payment can be made by cheque, PayPal or by bank transfer.
What if I want to add a page at a later date?
Additional pages for static sites are normally charged at £100 per page. The arrangements regarding payment outlined above will apply.
What if I want you to amend my text or add additional features, Jan?
I can do this for you – my charge is £60 an hour and pro rata. Clients find I can do a great deal in just 10 minutes, and I can always give you a quote if you need it.
Amazing speed and efficiency and an unfailingly friendly response. Paul Roberts, Concert Pianist
If I want to change one word or several paragraphs, it is discussed, amended and complete within hours and I only pay for the time that it takes Jan to make the adjustment, which never seems to be very long at all! June Gamble, Life Coach
Do I have complete control over the content?
You certainly do! Your site must truly represent who you are; authenticity is vital in marketing your business therefore I encourage you to write the text yourself or commission a copywriter to do it for you. I will happily point out any typos I spot and any grammatical errors, clichés etc.
Download my FREE ebook “Just Plain Friendly – a guide to creating websites that can be found easily, tell people what they want to know and look good” (now slightly out of date, but the principles still apply).
What about search engine visibility
Having your website is simply the first stage – you then have to make sure people can find it. I will upload your information to Google (the major search engine), but you should be aware that, for example, a recent search under “life coach” threw up 385,000 pages.
I use search engine optimisation strategies when building sites; however, much is dependent upon how clear you are about precisely who you are focusing your marketing towards. One thing you’ll need to do is identify ‘keywords’ (i.e. the terms people would type into the search engines in order to find you) and then include those in your text. We can talk about this when you commission the site.
Ask me a question – email me and ask more
