FAQs
Web Developer Comparisons
Determining the best solution for a website design and implementation can be a very daunting task. There are thousands of options from which to choose. There are small developers and large corporations. Costs range from virtually free to millions of dollars, and every Web designer and developer will tell you that they are the best. So, where do you start and how do you choose? The following checklist will help you make that important decision. It will enable you to make a decision that you feel comfortable with.
1. How long have you been in business?
We started our business in 2007, but have worked in Web design and development for over ten years. We have spent nearly thirty years consulting to Fortune 500 companies, helping them get their message across in the form of print, personal computer software and Web media.
2. Are you local or national?
We are available to travel within the United States when the project requires. We primarily serve the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and are located in Gold Canyon, AZ.
3. Where can I see samples of your previous work?
You can view many of our projects through our online portfolio at: http://www.rightpointweb/portfolio/portfolio.htm
4. How do you measure the success of your websites?
We measure success by measuring the satisfaction of our clients. Our goal is effective communication. This is both our responsibility and that of our clients. We work with you to achieve your goals. If you are not satisfied, please let us know. Your goal will most likely be a positive return on investment. An effective website can clearly help ROI for very little expense, but determining the effect a website has on investment return is not a clear and exact science, despite the fact that other Web developers attempt to apply metrics to these values and profess success. We are dedicated to keeping our customers happy. At this stage in our lifecycle, client opinion matters and your feedback is essential.
5. Do you have a formal process?
We definitely do. Our process has evolved through years of experience with hundreds of clients on projects big and small. Project management principles for software development and client management form the basis of our Web design process. Each project has meetings, milestones, deliverables and tasks applied to a schedule that is agreed upon before the project work begins. Deliverables are presented to the client for approval before movement to the next milestone.
6. What role does the client play in the development process?
The client plays a critical role in the Web development process. Some Web developers will say they can handle everything and that client involvement is minimal. We expect that the client will be active in the development process, but we also understand that you have a business to run or other things to do. The level of sophistication of the website and the amount of content that is required will determine how involved you will need to be. After all, you are the person who knows your business the best.
7. How will you communicate the status of my project throughout development?
Communication through the Web development process is critical, but we also understand that you have other things to do. At the Planning Meeting we will discuss the amount of time and availability of resources to keep the project on track and adjust the implementation schedule to meet the needs of both sides.
8. What happens after I decide to choose you to develop my website?
A contract will be drawn up and a specification document describing the fundamental aspects of the site will be attached. Once the contract is signed and sent back to us with initial payment, then work can begin on the Web project.
9. How long will it take to develop my site?
The amount of time will, of course, be dependent upon the complexity of the site. While a site can be up and running in a couple of days, we like to plan at least one month for the smallest of our projects.
10. When will I need to provide materials for the website?
Materials such as text and graphics that are to be supplied by the client will have a specific deadline. If a client misses a deadline, the website delivery date may be delayed. We will do all we can to keep the project on schedule, however, shifts to the timetable will often lead to delays that will require a new set of milestone dates.
11. How much will it cost?
It depends. Websites can vary considerably in price from nearly free to millions of dollars. We can create a simple one-page site for as little as $500.00 with annual costs for hosting and domain registration of about $100.00 per year. The ultimate cost of the site will depend on a number of factors such as the amount of text content, graphics, number of pages and links. Our fees are typically in the $2,000 to $5,000 range for mid-sized projects.
12. Are there any other costs associated with a website?
Maintenance costs for websites can vary depending upon the number and frequency of the updates we are expected to do. These costs can be minimized if you are able to perform updates yourself. The cost for domain name registration and hosting runs from $100.00 per year for small sites to as much as $500 or more per year for large sites. Factors that affect the cost include the disk space to store the content on the server and the amount of data transfer per month when the site is accessed. We will be available to make changes on an hourly or project basis. Site marketing is another cost that can vary considerably based. Increasing traffic to your site and getting good search engine rankings depends on a number of issues related to your business and your competition. We will be happy to work with you on these issues.
13. Do you build your websites to optimize search engines recognition?
Yes. Search Engine Optimization can be important to you, or not. Sometimes businesses do not want to be recognized easily because the amount of calls that it could generate could be more than your business can handle. We will work with you to get the Web presence that you want now and in the future.
14. Are you able to guarantee a high ranking with your search engine optimization strategy?
There is no way to guarantee a high ranking and if anyone does provide a guarantee they are probably not being truthful. In fact, a high ranking should not be your primary concern. Quality material on your site will provide the reason for potential clients to call. If your site is unique, then there is a much better chance of getting a high ranking. If you are in competition with hundreds of other companies, it will be harder and more expensive to get good rankings. Marketing for search engines is a business consideration that must be analyzed over time.
15. What is your payment structure?
We will work with you to set up a payment schedule that fits your accounting needs. Typically, we require 40% at start of project, 30% at delivery of text content and graphics, and 30% on completion. Larger projects are billed on a monthly basis.
16. How can I be assured of the proper charges?
We go to great lengths to define the project and how we work. When changes are required that do not fit the agreed upon Specification Documentation we will provide a scope change description that both sides agree upon for work to continue. We emphasize throughout our process that up front documentation and prototype work precede coding of the development site. While this system is not perfect, particularly when the discussion involves creative work, it goes a long way to ensuring agreement.
17. Are you able to integrate streaming audio and video into your websites?
Yes. We have extensive experience in audio/video editing.
18. How do you ensure that my application will meet all of my requirements while remaining on budget and on time?
We will work with you to define all requirements before the project begins. It is our goal to meet and exceed our customers expectations, therefore, we will not commit to doing anything that will jeopardize our goal. If your goals exceed our ability to accomplish them we will inform you up front and will not promise to do something that we have no direct experience. While we are constantly refining our methodology and changing with the times we will not do so at our clients’ expense.
19. How do you ensure that my application is free of errors?
While we have extensive experience in systems testing, we also know that most sophisticated systems have bugs and that problems will occur from time to time. The development tools used to create websites have bugs. We are not dealing with a static environment that doesn’t change, such as the text on a piece of paper. Our goal is zero errors, but a developer that can ensure no errors at all is not living in reality.
20. Do you provide hosting?
We can obtain dedicated and shared hosting services. We are affiliated with a world-class hosting companies that manage their servers 24x7.
21. Do I have to host with you?
No. We recommend that our clients host with us because we are familiar with our host and can manage our business better through them, but we will work with you on a hosting solution that fits your needs.
22. Does your hosting allow me to manage all my Web services?
Our shared hosting plans allow you to manage e-mail configuration, server statistics and more.
23. Do you handle my domain name registration or transfer?
Yes, we take care of your domain name registration at no extra cost, if we are handling your design or development needs. You are also free to handle registration yourself if you prefer to do so.
24. Do I own the domain name used for my site?
If we acquire the domain name for you, ownership will be transferred to you upon final payment for your website.
