10 random questions and answers about our Web Design Services:

(We know you'll think of more. It's OK to contact us.)
1. What makes RDesign great at web design?
2. Do you have to know all about the business you are making a site for?
3. Are web sites easy to update and change?
4. Do you use design templates?
5. Do you host web sites?
6. Do you host email?
7. How do you start a new web site?
8. How long will my web site take to develop? How do you price web design?
9. Have you ever hosted or created a video web site?
10. What's your favorite web site?

1. What makes RDesign great at web design?

There are graphic designers who are visual people. They focus on colors, style and pizzazz. They won't be bothered with the nuts and bolts of how a website works, as long as the end result looks good.
Then there are programmers. They love computer code. They are enthralled by databases. They tend to make websites that are well built but look about as exciting as a phone book.
We create web sites that look great and function well. We design, we program, and we spend a whole lot of time studying internet trends and search engine behavior. Why? Because that's what it takes to succeed on the internet. That's what gives you an effective, productive, exciting web site.

2. Do you have to know all about the business you make a site for?

That depends. Some clients want to write the text for their web site. Some clients want to use text from their written marketing materials for their web site. However, the more research we do, the better we will get to know the products, services and audience - and then we can create a better site.

3. Are web sites easy to update and change?

Lots of clients rely on us to make regular small updates and changes to their sites for them. Some have a staff member familiar with web design software, such as Dreamweaver, and we give them the FTP information to make changes themselves. Database driven websites, such as online stores listing multiple products, include a system that users can log in to for adding, editing and deleting inventory.

4. Do you use design templates?

We choose to create all of our web sites from scratch - both the design and programming. We feel this allows us to make the best site for each client that is made to suit their needs. However, if there is a template you have seen that you want to use, we will use it. Or if you already have a site that is built from a template that you need help with, we will try to assist you. And yes, we are familiar with Joomla and Wordpress.

If you need a custom designed template that your IT staff can use to create a site, we can design one.

5. Do you host web sites?

Yes. You can learn more here.

6. Do you host email?

Yes, email accounts are included with web hosting prices.

7. How do you start a new web site?

When we begin working on a web site with a client, we speak to those involved with the project about the goals for the site, the products and services of the company, competition in their industry, things they do and don't like about other web sites, corporate colors or graphics we need to match, marketplace trends and a lot about their target audience.
Next, we sign a contract with each client ensuring them they will own the finished product - and can receive all of their web sites files and passwords if they need them.
Finally, we hit the drawing board. RDesign staff members talk about design ideas and elements that should be included in the site, and some sketches or samples are emailed and discussed. And the rest is history!

8. How long will my web site take to develop? How do you price web design?

Have you ever thought about how long it takes to build a house? Doesn't it matter if it's one story, two story, 3 bedroom, six bedroom? ... When we meet with you and have an idea of what you want on your web site, we can estimate how much time it may take us to complete it. All the features of your site need to be taken into consideration, and they will differ from everyone else's site because your project is unique to your business. (But it won't take as long as building a house. )
Once we have outlined what your project consists of, we estimate how many hours it will take to develop, and the work that we do is billed at an hourly rate.

9. Have you ever hosted or created a video web site?

Yes, we are familiar with embedding videos in web sites. We can create accounts for users to view and upload photos and videos. We don't have samples here because of copyright protection.

10. What's your favorite web site?

Brian: I'm pretty much addicted to twitter.com, but I rarely go to the website because I use other tools to access my friends' feeds. I'm a fan of snopes.com to quickly dispel stupid myths that often get spread through email.
Raffi: I frequently use Google for search, thesaurus.reference.com when writing, Facebook to connect with people, Amazon for customer reviews, GoDaddy for domain name purchases and baynews9.com for weather. An innovative site that I absolutely love is thankyou.thisisgrow.com.
Kelly: I use Google for searching, keep in touch on Facebook and chat using Skype. Favorite design blog is Veerle's Blog. Favorite miscellaneous blog is Tiny Gigantic. Coolest new site I have seen lately Comcasttown.