Frequently Asked Questions
- I already have a website, can you update it for me?
- How long will it take to design my website?
- Can I modify my own site?
- How and when do I pay?
- Who owns my domain name?
- Can I cancel my hosting and maintenance?
- What's so important about web standards?
- Can you create online shopping sites?
I already have a website, can you update it for me?
Yes, although this may depend on the agreement with your current service provider. If you have full access and rights to the website we can update it in situ or move it entirely to our own webspace and manage it from there.
How long will it take to design my website?
We normally have a website designed, tested and ready a month after we've agreed on the design and content - although it does depend to some extent on the size and complexity of the particular site.
Please note that search engines and online directories often take some time to list new websites.
Can I modify my own site?
If you need instant access to change details on your website, we can incorporate a content management system or blog software which will allow you to use a password to log in via a web interface and make immediate changes.
Integrating these systems into a customised website adds complexity and will therefore increase the fee we quote.
How and when do I pay?
We accept cheque or cash and will invoice you when your website is ready. We require payment within 28 days. Hosting and maintenance is paid for annually in advance.
Who owns my domain name?
The registrant is considered the legal owner of a domain name. When we register a domain name on behalf of a client, we use their details as the registrant. Our details are entered as the admin contact. To find out who the registrant of a particular domain name is visit:
- Nominet UK for all .uk domain names.
- InterNIC for all non-uk domain names.
Can I cancel my hosting and maintenance?
You may cancel your hosting and maintenance contract with us by notice in writing at any time. In these circumstances we will make available to you a copy of your website code and related materials. There is no additional charge for this. You will not, however, receive a refund of any part of the annual hosting charge where the contract is cancelled part way through the year.
What's so important about web standards?
While is is quite possible to create a nice looking website with no regard for web standards, there are several reasons why web standards matter.
- Browser compatibility - Many web designers create websites with only one browser in
mind - usually Internet Explorer - and use elements specific to this browser.
The result is that the growing number of people who use other browsers, (eg: Firefox,
Opera, Safari), see the page badly laid out or with certain parts missing.
Web standards are intended to create consistent formatting across all browsers. If a website does not comply
fully with web standards it may not display correctly in future browsers and therefore need redesigning.
- Accessibility - Accessibility guidelines are an important aspect of standards compliance
as websites are required by law to be accessible by users with disabilities - for example blind persons using
screen readers or those with physical disabilities who are unable to use a mouse. Compliance with
accessibility guidelines also makes websites easy to use for the increasing number of people who
are surfing the web on mobile phones or other devices that don't have full sized screens or mouse controls.
- Easy maintenance - Through the application of CSS and web standards at the design stage
we are able to offer low-cost maintenance as part of our hosting package.
- Search Engine Compatibility - An increasing number of search engines prefer websites which meet web standards. Conforming to these standards can make indexing and searching more efficient.
For these reasons our websites conform to XHTML 1.0 Strict wherever possible. Where we implement forums or content management systems, however, server-side software can prevent us from adhering strictly to web standards in all cases.
To test whether a website conforms to web standards simply type its address into the form at W3C Markup Validation page.