How
to Choose a Web Designer - Our Answers
How long have you
been designing web sites?
We created our first web site
in 1995, before Netscape, Internet Explorer, Google and
Earthlink were even around.
How long have you
been in the business of designing web
sites?
We created our first commercial
web site in 1996. Trailhead Web Design
was formed at the end of 1996 and the Trailhead
web site was created a couple months later.
Do you plan to be
in the business three years from now?
Yes, we have grown our business
slowly so that we can offer excellent customer
support and maintain a healthy business
position.
What software and
tools are you familiar with?
We primarily use Adobe Dreamweaver,
Flash and Fireworks to create our sites
but we have used Front Page and other web
editors. For graphics we use Fireworks,
Illustrator and PhotoShop.
What are your strengths?
Customizing the project to what
the client wants, listening carefully,
evaluating, making suggestions and then
creating the web site in a professional
and honest manner.
How do you plan to
find out what I need and or want on my
web site?
We like to meet all of clients
face to face. We'll sit down, show you
a few things we have done and then we'll
listen to you. As the discussion goes along
we will ask you some questions and answer
your questions. Usually we spend at least
two hours with a new client before we even
sign a contract for a project.
How well and efficiently
do you communicate with clients?
We respond to phone calls at
the end of the day and emails throughout
the day. We have an emergency number that
is available at all times. Changes and
work requests are usually completed in
a 48 hour period.
What other kinds
of web sites have you done?
We have done web sites for illustrators,
photographers, organizations, health care,
individuals, schools, travel agents, health
and beauty companies and many others.
Can I see some of
your other web sites?
Sure, go to the portfolio
section of our web site and you will see some of
our more recent sites.
Can I talk to some
of your other clients?
Absolutely, but out of respect
for their privacy we aren't going to post
their names and numbers right here. Just
ask us.
How much does it
cost to create the complete web site?
As low as $599 and then up to $5000.
What are the additional
costs after the initial web site creation?
Hosting, domain names and maintenance
are the primary costs. Hosting is $120/
year, domain names are $20/ year each and
maintenance runs $40/ hour.
What kind of web
site maintenance do you offer?
After the site is complete we
offer 1 hour of additional maintenance
included in the price. After that our
normal hourly rate is $40/hour.
What kind of educational
opportunities do you offer?
We'll teach you some of the basics
at your home or your office if you need
them but we also offer a series of classes
with the Community
Learning Centers program. These classes
are taught every semester at a local junior
high school.
Will you help me
setup email and my computer to better
work with the web?
Yes we can install and upgrade
software on your computers for a nominal
fee. You can also download the software
free from our web site and install it yourself.
How do I make changes
to my web site after it is complete?
Most of our clients choose to
email their changes to their site and then
we update the site within a few hours.
Some of our clients update the site themselves.
Who owns my domain
name?
We register it for you but you
own it. If you ever chose to stop working
with us you could take your domain name
with you.
Who owns my web site
and the work done on the web site?
You do. Our contract with you
is pretty clear. You hire us to create
custom work for you and you own it.
What if I decide,
after the project is complete, to change
web designers?
We hope you don't, but if you
do we could give you your whole web site
on a CD and your designer would be able
to use all or some of the web site we created.
Do you have any kind
of referral program?
Yes, if you are a current customer
we will credit your account with a referral
fee if you send someone to us. More information
about the amount and how it works can be
found on our web site.
Will you submit my
web site to search engines and Internet
directories?
Yes, after we finish your site
we automatically submit to the major search
engines - after that we can resubmit the
site again every few weeks to keep your
rankings high. It only takes a little while
and we just take the time out of the included
maintenance. |