Clean Web Designs by Hampshire Web Designer Gethyn Jones (faqs)
Why choose Gethyn Jones - an independent Hampshire website designer?
I'm independent and care about my work and reputation.
What appears to be an easy and cheap option isn't always what it seems. No lump sum and paying a fixed fee every month might seem attractive – but after a while the money you are spending tots up a lot and it goes on indefinitely. And exactly what is the web company you signed up to doing for that money?
By paying an acceptable fixed fee, as you do for most things in life – you will have a website that works to your satisfaction and will not carry on and on costing you more. And I will ensure your site is kept fresh (mostly for free).
What are domain names?
Domain names are your website’s formal title e.g. www.bbc.co.uk I will purchase and manage your domain name for a small fee. However, you are perfectly entitled to choose and purchase your own but you will need to be conversant with the way domain control panels work to get your site on-line. That’s fine if you have the time and the inclination.
Web Hosting?
This is the annual fee you pay for renting your section of cyberspace where your website will live. My server is based in Los Angeles and is reliable and fast. At £50 p.a. it’s a great deal.
Updating your own website?
It sounds like a great idea but updating your own website is fraught with problems. Most sites designed to be self-updated are pretty limited in what they can achieve and the scope for layouts going wrong is considerable. That’s why web designers exist – to practise their skills on your behalf. Some systems are very good but will require some web design knowledge. A Content Management System is more costly at the outset and there’s every chance that you will be charged less for your updates by your designer – and be guaranteed that your site still looks good. Do you do your own plumbing? Do you build your own conservatory?
Minor text alterations will be made free of charge and clients will only incur fees when significant design changes or additions are requested.
If you do want to manage your own site I will work with Joomla or Wordpress systems which are highly recommended by web designers universally.
Will my site be seen ahead of the competition in the Search Engines?
Anyone who promises you a Google no.1 should be treated with suspicion. Your site’s ranking in reality depends on the quality of the build, its valuable content - and regrettably, the vagaries of Google and Yahoo etc. Watch my video for an introduction to SEO web design and read more abour Search Engine Optimisation on this site
Yes, you can buy AdWords and be at the top of the page but when the payments stop, your ranking plummets. Use this ploy only for marketing special offers.
If you’ve already had a website you will have been blitzed daily by companies offering you free ‘health-checks’ and a no.1 spot in Google. Beware.
Get a good designer who will get your site high in rankings by good ‘organic’ design. This, in reality, can take up to 6 months. So are you in this for the long haul or not?
How much will it cost?
I can produce a simple one-page ‘business card’ site for you for around £200.
This would comprise a static text header, up to three photographs (if provided), contact details and general text. This page would be originally produced and not an adaptation of another site. The finished site would be submitted to Google and Yahoo. Further features, e.g. slideshows, artwork, contact form would obviously increase the price.
Look here for more information about my web design prices . It's not so much how many pages are involved - more the time taken to fill them. Time of course is the costing factor.
Do I have to pay up front?
I usually ask for for 50% of the quoted figure in advance.
Is a physical meeting necessary?
This depends on you – if you want one and it’s practical it can be arranged. However, most communicating can be done either on the ‘phone or by email, saving you valuable time.
How do I provide material and text?
All information that is to be included in the website should be in digital format. Text can be sent as Word documents and graphics should be digital, too. Send these by email or on a CD by post.
NB: If sending photographs please ensure that they have been taken by you or someone that you have appointed – and that they are copyright-free.