Frequently Asked Questions

I hope this FAQ page answers some of the many questions you may have regarding my services. If you don't find your question here, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to assist you.

Why do you need so much information on the Request a Quote form?
I assess your project from the information you provide when you request a quote. If necessary, I will ask you for more details about your needs and goals in order to provide you with the best possible service and value for your money.

Accurate and complete information about your project is essential. The more you tell me about your what you want, the better.
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What's in the contract? Do I have to sign one?
To receive services from Dirt Cheap Web Designs, you must sign a contract. The contract lists the names of the parties involved, the design elements to be included in your project, design and service plan fees, and time for completion. It also addresses issues of copyright and trademarks, performance liability, and the right to terminate service, along with various other "legalese".

While I would love to have a one-page contract that simply says, "Sign here", in today's world of lawsuits I feel it's necessary to protect both my clients and myself. If you decide to use the McDonald's logo on your website without permission, and I agree to place it there for you, I don't want to be sued. And because I'm a sole proprietor, you want to know that you have a legal right to access your website files and accounts even if I were to get sick or die. (Not to be melodramatic, but nobody lives forever!) Domain names can be especially tricky. I have several clients who actually LOST their domain names because an unhappy ex-webmaster decided to lock them out. That's just not right!

You can see a sample contract here.
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How do I know what I'm getting for my money?
After you request a quote, we'll discuss what how many pages, images, contact forms, etc. that you'll need for your website. It may take just one brief email or several discussions to get a clear understanding of the size and scope of your project. Once we've established and agreed upon which features will be included in your design project, I list those items in your contract.

I've found this process works very well. It provides an easy-to-read list of what you're paying for. It also allows the flexibility of requesting different design elements for inclusion before signing the contract. Don't be afraid to ask if you're not sure of something.
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I already purchased my domain name from XYZ Provider. How do I use it with my new website?
If you're going to purchase web hosting service from my preferred hosting provider, iPowerWeb, the best course of action is to transfer your domain name to iPowerWeb. By doing so, your domain name will be free for as long as you host with them.

It usually takes one to two weeks to transfer a domain name, and certain conditions must be met before the transfer can be completed. For detailed information, please read my article "A Basic Guide To Getting and Keeping Your .com"

The alternative is to continue paying for your domain name where you purchased it, and edit your domain settings to point to your hosting provider's server. I can assist you with making the necessary changes.
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Can you put my existing company logo on my website?
Yes, if I can scan it from a business card or letterhead, or duplicate it with my imaging software, I can put it on your website. Even better, the company that designed your logo may be able to provide a web-friendly version. If you have special concerns about your logo, please include a note when you request a quote.
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What if I don't have a digital camera? Can you still put images on my website?
A. Sure. You can send your photos to me to be scanned, or I can purchase professional stock photos for $1.00 - $5.00 each.

Before purchasing stock photos I will consult with you to make sure my selections fit your needs. You can even do your own searching if you'd like to find just the right images. For professional photos and illustrations at an affordable price, try iStockPhoto and Dreamstime.
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I don't like to (or can't) type. Do I have to send all of my information through email?
A. I accept materials on CD, through email or through traditional mail. If you send paper materials through the post office, I will convert them into electronic format for you. You'll be billed for this service at the current hourly service rate. (See Pricing) If you need this kind of service, ask for it specifically ahead of time to avoid unexpected delays in completing your project.
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What services don't you provide?
Dirt Cheap Web Designs focuses primarily on affordable services for small business. The following items are either beyond the scope of my training or can be obtained more cost-effectively elsewhere.

• Websites that are completely designed in Flash
• Large corporate accounts that require extensive database applications
• All interactive website features are written in PHP and may be integrated with a MySQL database. Limited support is available for existing Javascript, Coldfusion or Perl applications.
  Other programming languages and database types are not supported.
• Studio Video Production (however, video editing and conversion are available)
• Logo design, when the logo must be created according to strict specifications
• Design for websites of an adult (pornographic) or other legally restrictive nature

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