








What if the name I want is not available in a .com ?
As more & more people and businesses aquire .com names the choices are becoming fewer in the .com arena. Your choosen name may be available with a .biz or .net or .org - but NOT a .com. What to do? Well you could pick another name or you could consider using one of the offered alternative 'extensions'.
Keep in mind - that USUALLY
.biz Used for business websites, it was created to relieve some of the demand for the 'good' domain names available.
.org Originally intended for use by organizations.
.net Was initially intended to be used only for the computers of network providers.
.name Intended for the use of individuals' real names, nicknames, screen names, pseudonyms or other personal names.
.me Brand new, so to speak. This extension was actually registered to a country, Montenegro. In Jan 08, Montenegro partnered with GoDaddy to offer .ME as a place to register an individual's name as a domain. The unexpected rush of massive volume in requests has made for a messy start- up on this one. Proceed with caution.
There are still more choices in 'extensions,' these are a few of the most common. For most, a .com is the cream of the crop in a domain name. Some 'experts' have written much about names & selection of such. Many will say your domain name must be or include your business name. While this may carry some weight, in results with search engines, the name you choose is strictly your choice.
Where do I get my own domain name?
Here's where the choices come in. Do a web search for "where do I buy a domain name" there are lots of places on the web where you can buy a domain name. When you visit a domain name selling website one of the first things you will be asked to do is to write [type] in the name you "want". If the name you want is available, then all you do is pay for it - done! If the name you want has already been purchased by someone else, the site will usually give you a list of 'close matching' options.
How much does a domain name cost?
Imagine today something that costs LESS than it did some ten years ago or more? In 1997 the cost to register a domain name was around a hundred dollars! Today - you can get one for under $20 dollars in most cases. Of note - a domain name purchase is good for one year - unless you opt for a longer term. Most sellers will offer discounts for longer terms. Cheaper is not always better.
I have purchased domain names from different companies. Where you choose to purchase your domain name is your choice. If you hire your website design with SandyHolloway.com, you do have the option of including a domain name in your package. Use this Google Search to look around.
Where do I get a web host ?
Wow! Web hosting companies are PLENTY! How can one possibly choose? What I did was to ask around. I asked people personally known - "Who is your host?" Another way to 'shop' around is by visiting a site you trust and see who is their host. Most websites will have in 'fine' print, at the bottom of their pages information that includes WHO their host is/and or information to contact their webmaster, ask them. After days of research, I selected my Texas based, friend recommended, webhost. Even through hurricane Ike, I never lost service! For over a year now, I have found them to be very fair in pricing and a GREAT support system. They have phone, chat and a ticketing [e-mail] systems in place, for 24/7 support. The choice is yours.
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What's a Web Host - Server ?
In simple terms, a host is a "company" where your website information is stored and served to the Internet. The server is the actual machine on which the information is stored. To keep this Q&A simple, we use only the term "Host". If your domain name is your 'house address' then the city is your Host. The fees you pay to be hosted could be compared to the taxes you pay on your property. You may 'own' your house & property, but you still have to pay for services [police, schools, streets...]. On a larger scale, the host is the state you live in full of houses - it's a GIANT computer that stores/serves information for millions of customers.
How much does hosting cost?
Shopping around you can find a WIDE range of fees and services. Typically, hosting for one website can be found on a reliable server for around only five dollars a month! Now, let's revisit the homeowner's tax analagy - the monthy hosting fee covers only your hosting/land tax. If you want or need 'extras' like water, trash pick up or lawn maintainence, there will be extra fees. A few examples of 'extras' on a website, called addons, are photo albums, audio, or re-occuring changes/updates to a website. Many websites don't 'need' updating. Websites with product sales and or a changing calendar WOULD need updating. I offer hosting as well as maintanence plans only on websites I build. You can choose to do as little or as much as you like.
What if a custom website building is out of my budget, can't I build my own?
First, a custom built website CAN be affordable for most businesses and individuals. For a business, a website is the modern day equalivent to a sales rep and the phone book all rolled into one neat personalized package. Advertising costs for a 'nice sized' ad in the phone book can be crippling for a small business. A website is your own FULL page [s] ad for much less! I would not suggest you drop ANY successful advertising campaign currently in use. Certainly, a website can be a nice compliment to any business plan.
For an individual it can still be affordable too. For less than the cost of a great dinner & movie or a couple of nice tickets to a sporting event or concert, you too can have your very own personalized website online. You can always add bells & whistles later, if you decide you want more. Share photos with family and friends, keep a journal [on the Internet, it's known as blogging] that can be shared or your private place, turn a hobby into cash, the possibliities are endless.
And OF COURSE you can build your own. Most hosting companies offer 'packages' that include website building software. With time and patience you could build a 'template' based website. Keep in mind a template is a standard pre-set pattern, in which you fill in your own information. So, it can be 'personalized' but not one of a kind. If you decide to have a web design done here, you can rest assured - no two are alike! All of my sites are made from scratch - just like Grandma's cookies used to be - heck maybe yours still are!
So MANY more questions can be asked & answered ~
We have covered most of the basics so far. Some questions need to be answered on a per site basis. Here are just a few more 'general' questions and answers. If you still have more, please fee free to e-mail me, it's FREE. Most questions can be answered in 24 hours or less.
I have my text and photos, how do I get them to you? Easy as pie! Send it to me, via e-mail. Text can be right on a regular e-mail page or in a word doc. I prefer images in .jpeg [the most common photo file] .gif [developed for 'flat' images] .png [the new kid on the block, multi-purpose]. Note some old browsers do not support .png files. Please read more on browsers below.
I have a very BUSY schedule, do I have to miss work for a meeting?
Never! An entire website can be built via e-mails. Here's two examples of websites I built entirely via e-mail. www.pasttimeartifacts.com and www.audiringpillows.com
I have photographs, but they are not digital - can I still use them? SURE! If you have a scanner, you can scan them into a file & e-mail it. No scanner? Send the photo to my mailing address [in a photo mailer] with return postage, I can scan it & mail it back. If you are local and need photographs taken, for an additional fee, I can come to your location & shoot them for you. There are a few exceptions, but nearly all of the images on www.widlifecatch.com and www.cornfusedmusic.com were shot by me.
Can I 'see' my website before it's on the Internet? YES! Even before you pay for it. After I recieve text & images for your website, I will build your first page & publish it to the web. It will be located on a URL address sent to only you. After you preview the page, upon approval, I will complete your website. I will send you details on how payment can be made. I will soon have a PayPal account that client's can pay into. I also accept personal and business checks. [checks must clear before the site is published on the Internet with your own domain name]
What's an Internet Browser? A browser is a means of finding & delivery. It 'finds' the website you want to see & delivers the website to your screen. Like the waitstaff in your favorite coffee shop - they all bring your order, but one may be faster than another. And one may bring cream & sugar, without you asking, knowing you may want it. Different browsers work at different speeds [which also varies by you own computer speed] and offer different 'extras.' Safari, Firefox and Opera are a few examples of browsers.
Why do Internet Browsers matter? Like in most any field of product or service sales, industry offers us, the consumer, choices. Let's use television as an example. How do you get your programs? From one of the cable companies or satellite. You have a choice. The same can be said for browsers, you have a choice. You may choose to have company "A" while your neighbor & co-worker has company "B" and "C". You all have TV, but each of you may see 'different' programing. You can even all watch the same show, BUT, with a different "view" if one has HDTV and one does not. While many people use the 'free' and built in browser that comes with their computer system - look around on the web and you'll find other free browsers you can download.
How do browsers effect your website design? Back to your TV. How are your TV viewing choices effected by the provider you select? You say "everybody gets the same programs", well maybe not. Local cable companies often have their own station that can NOT be seen, if you subscribe to another 'cable' company. Bay News 9 - in Tampa is a prime example, if you subscribe to Direct TV you can't get Bay News 9. On the other hand, if you subscribe to Direct TV you can get the "sports" stations, that BrightHouse can't deliver. In a sense, web browsers are the same. They each have their own 'programing' - no two are exactly alike. So, if you view a website with the Firefox browser, you most likely will see something 'different' than someone who views the very same website in the Safari browser. Overall the same information will be there, it may just 'look' different. Images and text can sometimes take different positions as well as fonts appearing differently. Across the board, there is a short list of 'web safe' fonts, that all browsers and computers display the same. Going 'outside the box' is when you see differences. In an instance of 'fancy' text being a must for a headline it can be converted into an image, so all veiwers see it the same. This is another subject, much has been written about - it's a clash of design and computer code.
This page is packed full! When looking for my own design choices, I felt many web building companies left me 'in the dark' ~ as to how the process actually works. I feel it's very important that all of my clients have an understanding of what it takes to build and maintain a website before they take on such a project. A website can be short & sweet or it can be big and have the 'works'. It can be 'no maintainece' 'low maintainece' or 'high maintaince' - the choice is up to you. You may also decide WHO does the maintanince ~ Many of these questions were my own, before I built my very first website. Some questions come from clients. After reviewing this page if you still have web related questions you don't see here? Please feel free to ask. If I don't know the answer, I'll find it for you! Rather than build a dozen pages to cover this information, I've included it ALL on one LONG page. Each new topic is in BOLD TEXT, hopefully making it easier for you to find information you seek and skip over what you already know.
Google Search on your own website is one of the many addons you can have!
With all of that said about Internet browsers, there could be MORE said! Currently there are around thirty different browsers being used on the web. According to the 'experts' the most commonly used browser is not even the best option. One of the most challenging aspects of web design is building a site that's multiple 'browser' compatible. The clear answer is to build and test on various browsers. At the present time all of my sites are tested on the top 5 most popular and most used browsers. Opera, Safari, IE, AOL, Mozilla Firefox.
Why do some websites take a long time to open? A number of things can cause a website to be slow. Usually the first thing to consider is the connection speed. Believe it or not there are still people in places that do not have a high-speed connection. Many people still work on older computers that are slow in today's standards. As quickly as computers advance, a 'slow/old' computer could be only a couple of years old! Something to consider, if one is thinking of building a website with 'the works.' In design, the term is 'heavy.' The heavier a page is the longer it takes to load. Then you may ask what makes a page heavy? Images, which can be actual photos or drawings OR special text which has been converted into an image [remember how browsers read?]. Audio and most any other addon will pack on the pounds.
How do I get a Sandy Holloway design on my host? There are a couple of different ways this can be done. I can e-mail you docs with the HTML code and you simply upload the coded files into your control panel. You may elect to have me load it into your control panel. This would require a one time release of your control panel password. Remember to always change your pasword, after allowing access to another computer.
How much does a Sandy Holloway design cost? Rates are based on complexity of the website and how long it takes to build. Here are some examples of already completed sites and what their catagory would be. After the site examples, you will find a full description of each catagory.
"Fully Loaded" PLUS! This website has 18 pages, over 70 images including a 24 photo gallery and more than 25 outside links. Research and text completition 120 hours.
"Short & Sweet" Three pages of all the necessary basic information. Point of contact numbers and e-mail options. FREE* to Non-Profit and charity organizations! This site also includes and addon photo gallery.
"Just Right" Though only three pages, this site packs a punch! Instead of additional pages, the client requested using his own PDF files to provide more information.
Base rate includes custom designed three pages that link together, one image per page and up to six images on any one page. E-mail link to your own address. Up to four outside links. Site submission to Google. Copyright* logo and link to my design page.
Base rate includes up to five custom designed pages, all linking together. Photo options two per page and one page with a six photo slide show. E-mail link to your own address. Up to six outside links. Site submission to Google. Copyright* logo and link to my design page.
Base rate includes up to seven pages of a one of a kind custom design, all linking together. Photo options, up to three per page and one page with a photo gallery or slide show - up to 9 photos. Google search box. MP3 player with up to four songs, client must provide MP3 files. E-mail link to your own address. Up to 10 outside links. Site submission to Google. Copyright* logo and link to my design page.
How do I get Google to list my site? You don't have to - I submit the URL [your www.heremynewsitelistitnow.com] for each site I build to Google. Each website also has an 'invisible' site plan, this 'tells' the search engine where all of your pages are. In a case of a website with 100 pages or more, the site will also have a human viewable site plan.
How can I get my website on Google's first page? Fact of the matter is, we can't - don't - won't make a promise to anyone, as to where there site will "land" in a Google search. There are 100's of web businesses doing SEO, that will make such promises. According to Google - there is NO sure way. Google goes so far to say, they do not even guarantee a listing in their search when one submits a URL. Their reason for this statement? I have yet to submit a site that has not been listed, nor have we spoken to anyone with said experience. Please refer to the 'updates' on my index page for more landing info.
What's SEO? In short, Search Engine Optimization. Entire websites, books and training manuals have been written on this one aspect of websites. The most popular search engine, Google, offers their own 'suggestions.' With no guarantee that following their guildlines will insure you a 'top' listing. It does help to play by the rules. Combining one's desire for a particular design and the SEO rules can often seem daunting. Because there is so much information on this topic, I would suggest you do a Google search if you need more data. Or ask me any specific question you have.
Every effort is made to comply with Google Webmaster guides when designing your site. If you'd like to read more, I would suggest a Google search of "SEO."
Should I really be concerned with Google & SEO? Yes and No is the short answer. Yes, if you have a business that you need to advertise for sales of a product or service. Especially, if you do not advertise your website in your print advertisement [you should]. Not so much, if your website is for personal use - or - if you have a means of getting the word out. An 'established' entertainer, for example that builds a new website, can simply 'advertise' at gigs, in print or over the mic, "Check out our new website".
How much does it cost to make changes to my site or add more features?
All extra features, not included in a package are called addons. The fees range depending on the feature you choose and if the feature has 'options.' For example a Google Search addon is a one time adjustment, one file to your site, one set fee. A photo album or gallery fee, as well as that of an MP3 player, will vary depending on how many photos or songs [files] you want to include in such feature. Hourly rates for changes on existing S.H. websites apply, monthly plans are available.
How do I get started?
Each website we design is based on some simple questions you answer.
Is your site for business? Do you have a logo? Do you have company colors? Do you want a formal or casual presence? Can you supply one to three photographs ~ images related to your business? Please submit photos without text, a 'dated' photo is usually ok, the date can be cropped off. Do you have a company 'resume' - any written text that you would like to use to convey who you are and what you do? Even if you can't answer yes to those questions, I can help!
Is your site for personal use? What's your style? Serious? Fun? Country? City? North? South? Are you a writer, a tutor or a clown for children's parties? Can you supply one to three photographs ? Can you supply written text about yourself or the message you want to convey?
ABOUT THE TEXT - company or personal. You don't have to be a "writer," to make this happen. Generally, if I can get a 'base' from a client, I can 'fill in the blanks'. Of course the more detailed text you provide, the more personal your website will be.


* if you have concerns as to how the law protects your © information on the Internet ~ I would highly suggest you seek an attorney in this matter. I do not offer legal services or protection against theft of information.
I do offer an addon service - "page lock" that prevents right clicking, on some browsers e-mail encryption as well as other features. View the "more" page for information.
Here are a few examples of addons and what their costs are. As with any 'building' project, it's easier to have extras done at the initial build. Going into a published website and make changes, the entire layout of the page must be reconstructed. Hourly service rate IS included in the following fees. If more images or more songs are requested, the hourly rate is NOT included in the fees listed. Any additional service is billed at $30.00 per hour. On the MP3 rates listed below, client must provide MP3 files*. You don't have to own an actual MP3 [or iPod like device] to purchase MP3 files online. Do a Google for MP3 files or ask me for help. I have purchased music from iTunes, without a problem ~ they have options for an Apple or a PC. If you do not have your own files, let me know how many songs you want and what the songs - artists are, then I can work up a fee for you.
Google Search $15.00 with a new design package
Google Search $30.00 on an exisiting S.H. design
Photo Slide Show $40.00 with a new design package, 6 images
Photo Slide Show $55.00 on an existing S.H. design, 6 images
MP3 Player $50.00 with a new design package, 4 songs*
MP3 Player $65.00 on an existing S.H. design, 4 songs*
As you can see, there are unlimited possibilities when building a custom website. I need to know exactly what you want to be 'served', before I can quote you a fee for a website design. Just as you could not go into your favorite restuarant and ask your waiter, "I want to eat until I'm full, how much will it cost?" Would you expect an honest answer ? He doesn't know what you are eating, fish? chicken? steak? salad? dessert? BUT, you can look at a menu and figure out your costs. I stand behind all of my quotes. Once I give you a fee, that is your total cost. There are no 'hidden' tips added to your bill. The ONLY time your quoted fee would increase is if you decided to make changes to your website.
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