Why choose LEAR Web Design?
In skillful hands, the web is one of the greatest marketing tools of all time and yet 95% of the web sites out there are under-utilized, un-visited and non-productive for their owners - don't become a statistic. There are only a few key criteria you should use when choosing your web designer... With so many web design firms out there it can often be difficult to decide which web designer will actually meet your needs. Keep in mind that a web site is just like any other business tool. You "acquire" the tool and then you "use" the tool.
For some reason, many small business owners feel the need to have a website without a real understanding of how one is used and why you should have one.
The reason for this can be traced back to web designers, who themselves, don't understand the purpose and use of a web site and mis-educate prospective buyers.
For many designers, a web site is merely a collection of pretty pages and imagery about a company that hopefully gets seen by someone - a tremendous waste of money in this case.
Simply stated, a web site is an advertising and public relations tool that should be used in such a way, as to:
(1) reach your target market
(2) position an idea about your company into the mind of your target market
(3) promote your products and services to them
(4) facilitate the exchange of goods and services.
Notice that the above 4 items all have to do with the use of the tool? That's right folks, just like a car needs to driven or a wrench needs to be turned, a web site needs to be "worked and used" in order to bring any benefit. A web site sitting out there idly in cyberspace amongst 3 billion others is not going to help anyone.
So, cut through the hype and showmanship when you meet with a prospective web designer and see if they mention 1-4 above during your meeting. If they are very anxious about building you a "great site" but don't heavily stress 1-4 above, then they are simply lacking a fundamental understanding of what a web site is for and how it is used.
If you would like to find out more about how to use a web site in your business contact me. I'd be happy to explain how I can put 1-4 above to work for you. And yes, I can also design you a great web site too!
What's the difference between a Web Designer and a Web Developer?
Web Designers create the style/look of the web site to be, plus other small graphics, buttons and icons.
Web Programmers code the advanced applications that web sites need.
Web Developers utilize all the graphics and programs created by the Designers and Programmers and put it all together into the final working version of the web site.
Web Masters maintain the web sites after the web sites are done being created/developed.
There are some people who have enough skills to play more than one role.
How much does a web site cost?
There are a few factors that affect the total cost of your web site. These factors include how many pages you are going to have, if you will sell products on your website, the graphic work involved, and how interactive your web site will be. There are also side costs involved that are not part of the actual web site creation, such as domain name registration and web hosting and licensing of software/applications that might be needed.
What are the excepted payment methods?
I accept checks and PayPal. If a check is issued, I wait until the check clears to begin work. This is for flat rate projects; in the case of hourly work, I bill the client after work is rendered.
When are payments due?
At the beginning of a project I draw up a contract and 50% of the total contract is paid up front. At the end of the project or 30 days from the signing of the contract (whichever comes first) the other 50% of the contract amount is due. In some rare cases we may break up the payments into 3 or more payments depending on the situation.
If I take hourly work, the payment is due immediately after the work is complete. If hourly work is short I will do entire work then ask for complete payment. If hourly work is long, I will stop work after a predetermined amount of debt has been accumulated, then ask for payment of balance. After balance has been paid I will continue with hourly work until predetermined amount of debt is reached again, and I will continue this pattern until all hourly work is complete.