So, I want to establish a strong presence on the Web. But where do I start?
The four easy steps we provide below will guide you in the direction of a professionally designed, developed and marketed Web site.
- Step One: Domain Name (URL) Registration -- This is the address people will use to access your Web site (www.yourcompany.com). Once you have determined that the URL you wish to use is available, the cost to register a name is anywhere from $8.00 to $35.00 per year. A domain name needs to be renewed every year.
- Step Two: Design of the Web Site -- This is where the look, feel, and content of the Web site are determined and created.
- Step Three: Hosting Your Web Site on a Web Server -- This is basically where you rent space on a computer that is always connected to the Internet. Price will vary, depending on the amount of disk space you will have and the connection to the Internet.
- Step Four: Marketing Your Web Site -- You should be thinking about the marketing of your Web site as it is being designed. The content of the site needs to reflect the search terms if you want your site to appear towards the top of search engines.
What is a URL?
It stands for "universal resource locator". This is the address typed in to view your web page on the Internet. For example, you would type in http://www.gonzosystems.com to access our home page.
What domain name should I choose?
This depends on how you are going to use it. If you are going to be telling people over the phone, choose one that is easy to say and spell out loud. Above all, I would choose one that is memorable and not confusing.
What is the difference between a “static” and a “dynamic” site?
Each page is a separate document and there is no database that it draws on. What this means functionally is that the only way to edit the site is to go into each page and edit the code - through our webpage editor (ADMIN TOOL).
A dynamic site is written using more complex code and can do a lot more. For instance, we can make an area where you can log in and change various parts of the site, such as adding information or products. This is because each page is constructed based on the information in a database, and the information in that database can be changed via another interface.
Dynamic sites usually cost more to develop, as they require more complex coding and a content management utility needs to be developed to help you manage your website information.
Another benefit of dynamic sites is that they allow you to change only the content of the site and not the design, so you will not be able to accidentally break the visual style of the site. They have other benefits when sites start to get very large, as they make data management much more efficient and your site more expandable.
Many clients do a combination, having some dynamic areas such as a product catalog where they have to change information or pictures regularly, and leave other pages such as contact information as static pages.
What is Ecommerce?
Ecommerce stands for electronic commerce; we will use the term Ecommerce to refer to Internet sales of services and products. In particular we will use it to refer to doing the whole process online: from selecting what is being ordered to accepting payment.
What is real-time credit card processing?
Real-time credit card processing is when a user enters their personal information along with their credit card information into the order form and they get a response as to if their credit card was accepted or rejected right away. Most merchant account and software combinations allow for this but some do not ,so make sure if you want to do this, that yours has the ability.
The other option instead of real-time credit card processing is manual credit card processing. What this means is if a user enters an order at midnight then it would go into a queue, which you would then have to check in the morning. If the order looked legitimate you would then process the credit card. Doing the credit card processing manually adds another step to the process and the more steps there are the more chance there is for mistakes to be made.
Should I accept credit cards?
Yes is the short and simple answer. Ask yourself how many items a week you buy that you really do not need. Then figure out how many of those items you bought using a credit card. In retail stores it is pretty well known that accepting credit cards increase impulse purchases between 50% to 80% and that is why any retail store you walk into accepts credit cards. When a customer walks into a retail store the customer can pay with cash, check, or credit card. In the online world cash is not possible and no one ever sends in a check to buy an item from an online merchant. Accepting credit cards online is the only way to have a viable business.
Do I need SSL (https://)?
Yes, you need SSL because it secures the information being sent between the users computer and your web server. If this transaction is not secured then personal information along with credit card information could fall into the wrong hands.
How do I accept credit cards?
There are two different ways to accept credit cards. One is to sign up for a service like PayPal where they actually accept the credit card and then they send you the money. This might be okay for a smaller site but if you are serious about doing Ecommerce then you should get a merchant account. A merchant account is very similar to a bank account but it is only used to accept payments from credit cards and online checks. The money is then transferred into your normal business account. The time it takes to go from the merchant account to your business account depends on a few variables, which will need to be discussed with the company you setup your merchant account with.
How do I know if I need an Ecommerce Host?
If you want to sell products or services online then you are going to need an Ecommerce host. Unless you want to take a chance that people will send you a check to order a product from a site. Gonzo Systems can customize an Ecommerce solution for your website and business.
How can I accept credit card orders on my web site?
These basic elements are the foundation of accepting online orders via credit card:
- A credit card merchant account with a bank
- A method by which to collect orders and credit card information (order forms or shopping cart system)
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption - to provide your customers a secure method to transmit their credit card and ordering information to you
What is a credit card merchant account?
A credit card merchant account allows your business to accept credit cards for payment of goods and services. A customer provides his or her credit card number when you make a sale. You submit the credit card number, expiration date and amount of the sale to your merchant account provider (typically a bank). Within 3-5 days the funds are electronically deposited into your business bank account.
How do I obtain a credit card merchant account?
Most banks and financial institutions offer merchant account services. Check with your current bank and ask for an application. There are also companies that specialize in providing merchant account services in addition to the lease and sale of credit card terminals, processing software, etc. These companies are listed in abundance in the phone book or via a search on the web for "merchant account providers". One such provider is Card Services International at http://www.cardservice.com. Fees can vary greatly amongst merchant account providers, so you will want to do some comparison shopping before choosing a merchant account provider.
When should I use a simple stand alone online order form?
- If you have a small number of items available to purchase (less than one or two dozen unique products or services).
- If are looking for an inexpensive solution or have a limited Internet budget
- If you are a novice or intermediate web designer and want to start with a simple, easy to build order system
When should I use a shopping cart system on my web site?
- If you have a larger number of items available for sale (more than a dozen)
- If you wish to automatically total a customer's order including shipping, tax
What is web design?
Web design involves designing the web pages. It involves the use of text, images and Graphics.
Why do I need a web site for my business?
A web site helps you 24/7 i.e. 24 hours a day 7 days week to target your market. Your online business is always open.
What should I have in my web site?
The web site should produce a detailed description of your business and products. You should also invest in Ecommerce so when your site visitors see something they like, they can easily purchase it.
This is my first project. How should I prepare myself?
Decide your target audience. Since your web site provides 24 hour marketing service, be conscious about your content and design. Remember you want your visitors to stay on your site a long time, you also want to make sure your site is easy to navigate and user friendly.
What can a website do for me?
First a website can reach millions of people that might not otherwise be available. Second, customers can view products, services, or whatever you want to share from the comfort of their own home. No matter what type of business you are in, there are ways to grow and make money on the web for you. Any communication or interactions that happen within your business can be made easier and more effecient by the web. Your business will save money and time while appealing to a much greater audience, the world.
Why does it matter how it looks as long as it works?
When you receive a visitor to your site, they will instantly percieve the quality of your services or products. The first impression a customer or potential customer gets depends on the appearance of your website. A visitor will be interested and explore your site if it is appealing and easy to navigate. You are marketing yourself and your business to the world over the Internet and it is important to show your best. Presentation is 90%.
How much does web site cost?
The cost of your site will depend on how many pages you are going to have, the type of Graphic involved, whether or not you will be selling products on the site. Apart from web designing you must consider web hosting and domain name registration. Moreover price varies from client to client, as our web starter kit starts under $800 (including ADMIN TOOL to edit your own website). We strongly encourage you to contact us for a free quote.
How long will it take GonzoSystems to get my web site up and running?
The duration depends on the size and complexity of the design. A professional web site with 5-10 pages will take 2-3 weeks for us to build and move LIVE. We also offer expedited web design, we can get your web site up in 24 hours. Call for prices.
What makes Gonzo Systems unique from others?
We spend time with each customer, because YOU come first. We take the time to listen to you and make suggestions based on your business needs. Gonzo Systems is a professional web and database design firm helping your business meet the marketing demands in today's competitive business world. We give your business unique presence while keeping it simple and cost effective. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
What is a site redesign?
It is the process of working with your existing web pages and bringing them up to date; with concentration on Overall strategy, Functionality, Ease of Navigation, Overall Graphic Presentation, Reduce Download Time, Search Engine Optimization.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the act of renting space and bandwidth from a company so that you may publish your web site online. You can either opt for free hosting that is usually supported with banners and pop ups, or may opt to get paid web hosting, which gives you complete control over your site content.
Can I use any ISP to upload my files, if hosted with Gonzo Systems?
Yes, you can use any ISP of your choice.
Can I use flash animation (.swf files) on my hosting?
Yes, you can use FLASH animation with any of our hosting packages.
How do I get my files to my web site?
You need to use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) package such as Cute FTP or WS_FTP. Internet Exploror can also be used to upload files to your space. However, we build customized ADMIN INTERFACES allowing you to upload content, images, documents as easy as using WORD.