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 Mount Evans Designs, 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.
Unlike most other Web design firms, we have taken the added time
to educate ourselves in the areas of search engine optimization.
We have aligned ourselves with both a copywriting organization and
search engine optimization consultant who help create your site
in such a way that it receives prime consideration for inclusion
with the major engines. We are able to provide you with keyword
analyses, keyword saturated copy, concise and effective META tags,
and a design that helps - rather than hinders - your positioning.
Finally, we gladly work with Internet startup companies, providing
the site design, logo, copywriting, 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 Mount
Evans Designs, you get the skills, knowledge and expertise that
only comes from years of hands-on experience.
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Why should I hire a professional copywriter?
Can’t I do it myself?
Your Web site copy is your "salesperson.” It is the only
persuasive element of your site. Copy - if written properly - is
what reaches your customers on a personal level and shows them how
you are the solution to their problems. Words are our sole source
of communication. They trigger our emotions and are the defining
factor in most of our decisions (especially our buying decisions).
A professional copywriter understands how to blend emotion, the
communication style of your target customer, and the details and
facts about your business into a harmonic flow that is well received
by your clients and triggers a desire to buy.
In addition, if search engine positioning is of importance to you,
you need to realize that the selection of effective keywords and
delicate balance of keyword saturation in your copy is absolutely
vital to success.
So the answer is “yes.” If you feel you are able to accomplish
the things listed above, you can certainly write your own copy.
However, we strongly suggest enlisting the talents of a pro!
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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. Click
here to see a side by side comparison of how a site built with
FrontPage displays in Internet Explorer and Netscape.
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 Mount Evans Designs is http://www.mountevansdesigns.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,
Mount Evans Designs offers domain
name registration for only $20.00/year - discounted $15 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
- Web site copywriting
- 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 Viki or Liann. Copywriting
customers will work with Karon. Visit our team
page to meet the members of our staff.
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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. Mount
Evans Designs 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, Mountain Time
- 9:00am - 12:00 noon Friday, Mountain Time
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© 2000 - 2007 Mount Evans
Designs
51 Fawn Creek Ln., Evergreen, CO
80439
All rights reserved.
With the exception of specifically identified materials, reproduction
of any portion of this site without prior, written consent from
the owner is prohibited by law.
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