Getting Started

Should I hire a professional website designer or web design company?
Why should I choose Create Online?
What about working from a distance?
What if we don't need a whole website?
How much and how long?
Where do I start?
What if I already have my own domain?
What do I need?
If I send you photographs can you scan them and send them back to me?
Will I be able to monitor my site traffic?
Will you submit my site to search engines?
Are search engines all I need to promote my site?
What is the difference between a static and database driven website?

The answer could be yes or no, depending on your situation. There are a lot of free website building locations on the internet, as well as packages of software that you could either download or purchase. This is a great idea for those who want a personal website and are not interested in the results that their website attains them and for those who have the time to learn web design and development and how to get their website to work for them.

If you are a business or non-profit organisation and want a completely functional and professional Internet Presence then yes, a professional web designer or web design and development company would benefit both your business and your audience to the full extent. Websites can be very complicated and require various elements of programming and functionality that most "do-it-yourself" programs are unable to fulfill. Having an in-depth knowledge of what works in the industry is essential for the success of your website. Create Online have a professional team of website designers, developers and consultants to ensure that that your project is done to the highest standard and satisfaction.

Create Online is focused on a "Total Customer Package". This means that you get maximum return on investment by providing you with an outstanding website that makes you stand out from your competitors and that attracts visitors and keeps them coming back. Our design, marketing, promotion and e-commerce packages are designed to meet all of your requirements.

Many of our client's websites are managed from a distance. We are experienced in developing in this way, and have many clients throughout New Zealand and overseas. An Account Manager is assigned to each project and will be able to assist you throughout the design and development process and take care of everything for you.

We often work with customers and other web design companies who don't need a full website but require additional functionality to be added to their existing website such as as a Secure Order Form for credit card processing, shopping cart system, search facility, database integration to their existing database, custom development of an application, message board, newsletter manager, Content Management capabilities, etc.

We would be more than happy to assist. Simply contact us with your requirements by sending a brief email to development@createonline.co.nz.

These of course, are the two most difficult questions to answer. However, we will try to make our policies as clear as possible. We do not charge a fixed per page price because while one page may take an hour to build and another may take a week. Instead, we try to anticipate how much work will be involved in a particular aspect of a site and estimate a price based on that.

Normally when a commission is finalised we will 'build' the site on paper, with each part of it clearly itemised and individually priced. More often than not with the client's approval, this blueprint may change as the project progresses and new ideas from ourselves and the client are added or sections taken away. However, we always ensure that the client knows exactly what they are being charged for and why.

Time scales vary widely from site to site. We always allocate a certain period of time in the future to a client, allowing them to gather materials such as photographs and copy for the site. If all goes according to plan, we will have the site completed within the projected time frame. Because we approach each web site as a collaboration between ourselves and our client, this can mean a greater time commitment from the client than they may have anticipated. Due to the everyday pressures of their own business, we occasionally find the site delayed while we wait for content from the client. We always make the greatest effort to avoid this by staying in contact at all times. Another cause for delays is if a significant new feature in the site is requested that requires going back over work already carried out.

Generally speaking, the development cycle for a site can be divided into three stages ...

• Conceptualisation - Ideas for the functions of the site are developed with the client. General content is agreed, and the navigational systems are planned. At this stage the size of the project is clarified and an accurate price can be agreed. The time scale for the project is estimated, and a future date for work to commence is agreed to allow the client to gather material.
• Design - This is often the longest part of the cycle as various graphics and colour schemes may be rejected before a general theme is agreed.
• Construction - This is usually the shortest part of the cycle. This is when the site is physically put together. This stage will only be delayed if content has not been supplied or if major structural changes are requested.

What we can promise any potential client is that we will always pay them the respect of being honest. The budget will not change without the client's consent and the timetable will always be adhered to unless it is due to circumstances beyond our control.

First of all, you need a plan. What do you want your website to accomplish? Do you want to convey information about your company and products? Do you want the site to act as a contact point between you and your existing and potential customers? Do you want to advertise monthly specials or promotions?

Having a good idea of what you want to say is the first step in creating a successful website, and will give you a pretty reliable estimate on how many pages you'll need to accomplish that goal. Next, you'll need to choose and register a domain name. Your domain name will be how you are recognised on the Web (www.example.com), so it's a good idea to consider it carefully. You want your domain name to be easily recognisable and easy for people to remember. You can check the availability of a domain name at www.createhosting.co.nz and if it is available, you can register it immediately online.

Most businesses already have a domain name that they have previously reserved. Before we start developing your website, we will ask you for the UDAI of the domain name or ask you to change your DNS information. If this sounds confusing, don't worry as we can assist.

The most important thing you need before building a website is content. It's a good idea to have all of the material you want to have placed on the site before development begins. Text information and photos are the literal building blocks of any website. Take a few moments and organise your content, and it will save you headaches later.

In order to design and format your website, we need you to provide us with the following:

• Photos: Remember that the World Wide Web is a visual medium. If you have photos of your products, services, place of business or even yourself, we can (and should) include them. We can use existing brochures, pamphlets, catalogs, etc. to scan from, as well as photos.
• Logos: Again, we can always use your existing literature to work from. Usually the logos on brochures, letterhead, etc. are more than adequate. If you have (or can get) your logo in electronic file format, we can accept .gif, .jpg., and .tif files (if you have an image file that is not listed here, contact us first) on either PC or Mac formatted diskettes (or they can be attached to an email message sent to us). If you have logos in a line art format we can scan from that.
• Text: If you have (or can get) the text-based information you want on your site in electronic file format, we prefer it this way. Acceptable file formats are .doc, .rtf, .txt and .xls on PC or Mac formatted diskettes (or sent via email). Our next preference is to scan text from a printed page. Handwritten text is strongly discouraged (and costs extra).

Absolutely. All physical content we receive from you will be kept in your file. When the website is complete, we will be glad to return any material you would like back.

Yes, Create Online includes website statistics with all of our web design packages. You will be able to see how often your site is accessed, collect demographic information about your visitors, and track what keywords people are using to find your site on search engines. Using this information, you will both know how your site is doing as well as what you can change to make it even better!

Yes, search engine submission is included in all of our web design packages. Though we cannot guarantee placement on any search engines, Create Online will design your site with search engines in mind. Through the use of certain coding techniques, we will make every effort to make your site search engine friendly.

Not at all. While search engines can be a useful tool, they are not reliable enough to be the sole source of marketing for your site because you are not in control of your site's placement on any search engine. We recommend advertising your domain name wherever possible. By simply placing your URL on your business cards, phonebook ad, and all of your current marketing, you will be able to use your current marketing to further promote your site and your business as a whole.