Frequently Asked Questions about Web sites

I’m not interested in technical stuff. Can you just handle this for me?

Absolutely. I’m not interested in crawling into my basement to fix my pipes, which is why I pay a plumber to do this for me. I wouldn’t expect you to necessarily know or want to know how a web server works or how to code HTML.

My neighbor’s kid is learning web design in school – can’t he just do this for me for free?

Sure. And it will look like your web site was designed by your neighbor's kid.

Web development is a profession that requires training and experience; some of the more basic elements can be grasped quickly and implemented cheaply. But just as you would not hire an amateur electrician to re-wire your house, we suggest you not hire an amateur developer to handle your web site.

I’ve seen services that will give you your web site – hosting, design, and maintenance - for anywhere from $30-100 a month. What is the deal with that?

There are a few basic facts you need to know about all-in-one web service companies:

• Because of their low prices, these services must earn their money in bulk business. The chances are pretty high that no one is going to be tending to the nitty gritty details of ensuring your web site stays running smoothly. You may or may not get swift responses to your queries, and you may or may not be able to install customized elements or third-party software applications.
• Frequently they handle the domain registration and web hosting for you; if you check the small print, you may find that they, not you, hold copyright rights to and ownership of your web site.
• Many services run on template-based designs. That means that your competitor down the street may select the same template that you do. Nothing worse than showing up to the annual ball wearing the same gown as another woman.
• Many services run their sites through database management systems whose content they own. That means when you wish to move your web site to a new host, you will not be able to take any of your data because you do not own it!

Why are prices for web services all over the map?

Didn't you know that "www" stands both for "world wide web" and "wild wild west"? While the web community has been working hard towards achieving standards, there is still great disparity in the industry amongst professional developers; there is also a huge number of amateur developers, some of whom are very good, and some of whom muddy the waters considerably.

Our prices are competitive for the DC metro area, and because we are a home-based business we do not need to factor in large overhead charges in our rates, as you may find with larger companies. However, your neighbor's kid probably charges less than we do.