1. What does it mean when you say you charge by the page?

TopNickel Design charges by the page: Which means there's a basic page (static or dynamic) cost plus the cost of any other things like (flash, pictures, logos, illustrations) you decide on putting on that page.

*Client content to be supplied by mail, email, cd, diskette (Microsoft Word).

We do this because it takes the guesswork out of the final cost of the project, leaving no surprises when you receive the final invoice. And secondly you pay a predefined amount regardless of the time the designer spends on the project. Pages are subject to client approval.

Creating a customized layout and graphics template is a process that involves a high amount of artistic ability and creativity. The amount of time that it takes to design a new project can vary greatly depending on the knowledge the designer has about your industry and available resources.

The template TopNickel will create is the foundation of the website that consists of developing a page layout to be used through out the site, designing a navigation scheme to represent places where users can visit on the site, developing graphics to support page layout and navigation scheme.

2. Is it better to hire a local web designer to do my website?

TopNickel Design can create web sites for clients who are local, as well as out state. By using the Internet, email and the telephone, it is possible to communicate effectively with clients in any location.

3. How long will it take to design my web site?

The amount of time it will take to complete your web site will depend primarily on four factors:

• The type of site: static or dynamic
  A typical e-commerce site takes longer to develop just by the nature and the complexity of making it dynamic as related to the capabilities it offers.
• The size of your website which is based on the content you provide or you have us create
• The amount of original graphic work require
• Our current client schedule

Typically we would be able to give you a general time frame for the work to be done and completed.

4. Is there a contract?

Yes. After the initial consultation, what we agree upon will be put down on paper for your signature and ours as an agreement. TopNickel requires a deposit of half of the amount of the quote submitted to our client at the time of signing the agreement.

5. How long does my contract last and what happens after that?

The contract is for the work TopNickel agrees to do with you as a client on your website and ends with the satisfactory completion of the agreed-upon work. Any further work would be based on a new agreement.

6. What is it likely to cost me for my web site for one year?

There are costs related to development of a website beyond the design of it.

Costs beyond the creation of the site include a webhost as you will need to have somewhere to put your site online. There is value for shopping for what you will need and we can make recommendations. Usually costs to host the site are renewable on a year to year basis and some are monthly.

Also there's the cost of buying a URL name (domain name).Which is your online address on the Internet.

Typically in the range of $150 dollars a year beyond the development costs. Some contracts are monthly and some are yearly for hosting your site.

As for the design and development of your website, all the work and costs to get you on the web with a unique web address with your company name will be based on your unique needs.

After the development and the hosting decisions are made, then a decision needs to be made on who manages the site.

TopNickel Design can manage your website or you can take control of it.

If you want TopNickel Design to make changes after the website is completed, they can be made at a cost of $80 an hour. Small changes in details are likely to be accomplished in fifteen minutes for only $20.00.

Most sites are set up and put on line with only a few changes, with the cost start to finish figured dependent upon the size of the site as quoted.

In today's business environment, websites are recommended to be freshened or redesigned at least every six months.

7. If I chose to have someone else do my website after the development contract expires, can I keep my domain and have someone else administer my web site?

Yes, you can hand over the administration of your web site to someone else at any time after the contract expires. You can keep your domain name and/or transfer it to another web host at any time after the contract expires all fees incurred are the responsibility of the client.

8. How will photos be placed on my web site?

You can provide photos for TopNickel to scan, crop and enhance for your web site. You can have TopNickel come to your location and take digital pictures during the setup period without additional charges.

9. How will text be placed on my web site?

You should provide text in a digital format either on disk or by email to Tom@topnickeldesign.com If you provide handwritten text or a typed paper format instead of a digital format, additional charges will be assessed at $80 an hour for any typing work that takes more than one hour.

10. Will I have email addresses from my domain name?

Yes, typically when you decide on what web hosting package you can buy you can have as many email addresses as you need with your domain name, for example: yourname@yourcompany.com.

You can have email forwarded to any address, automatic responses to those who send email to you and web or Outlook Express access to your email accounts,some charges may apply.

11. Will I get a copy of the work on disk?

Yes. We will burn a CD containing all elements of the work upon completion and uploading of your website and mail to you, at no extra charge.

12. Why can't I find my web site in the search engines?

Once your site has been submitted to the top Search Engines, it may take several weeks, or even months , typically 30 days however, to actually send out there spiders to list your web site in their search directory database. How fast your site is listed depends on each individual Search Engines database update schedule. Watch your server traffic logs located in in your particular webhost for visiting spiders. A unique domain name will benefit you in your effort to get found online with the search engines.