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Choosing web design firm can
sometimes be a daunting task. While there are a myriad of questions
one can ask, here is a helpful list of the top 5 most important
questions that should be answered before choosing web design
firm.
1. "Can I see
your portfolio?"
The immediate answer
should be, "yes." A portfolio says a lot about a firm. Ideally, a
design firm should be able to show you previously completed websites
with similar goals and attributes, or that are within the same
industry as yours. The firm should be well-rounded and versatile in
both design and development. It is also important to ask for client
testimonials or references. Choosing a firm is both a commitment and
an investment, so reviewing a portfolio is imperative before
choosing a firm.
2. "Do you
provide Search Engine Optimization?"
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of editing a website in order to
increase its ranking in search engines. SEO is a comprehensive
process to help a website gain high ranking on the organic (free)
listings. It is important for any web design firm to have the
capability to perform SEO on a website; if no one can find your
website, your investment in a new site will be unprofitable and ineffective.
3. "What
browsers do you design for?"
The correct answer should be, "all." Visitors use a large variety of browsers
and platforms to view websites. It is vital that your chosen firm
design the website to be compatible with all browsers. A website may
look ideal in Firefox on a Mac, for example, but could have major
layout or functionality issues when viewed in Internet Explorer on a
PC. A design firm should create all of their websites with
multi-browser and cross-platform compatibility in mind. Here is a
helpful list of commonly used browsers and platforms:
Browsers
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer
7
Internet Explorer 8
Mozilla Firefox
Safari
Google Chrome
Safari for I-Phone
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Platforms
Windows
Vista
Windows XP
Macintosh OS
Windows Mobile
Blackberry OS
Opera I-Phone OS
Palm OS
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4. "Who owns the code after
completion of this project?"
You should own the intellectual property rights to the website and the specific
code within. There are firms that attempt to retain the ownership of
both the code and the art files, but their customers usually do not
realize it until after completion or when they change firms. Before
signing a contract, make sure it includes a statement about the
intellectual property rights.
5. "Are you able
to provide future updates, and if so, how much will it cost?"
It is just as important to make constant updates to a website as it is to have a
strong web presence. Search engines show favor to websites that are
frequently updated, so it is important to find a firm that will be
responsive to your future maintenance requests. Make sure you find
out the costs associated with the monthly or yearly updates before you begin a project.
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5/20/2009-The Missing Link
Google changed its logo on this day
to celebrate and honor the findings and unveiling of the 47-million
year old beautifully preserved skeleton of a monkey-like creature,
which scientists claim may provide a missing link in human
evolution.
6/6/2009-Anniversary of
Tetris
25 years ago today, June 6, 1984,
Alexey Pajitnov launched a puzzle video game called Tetris. He
derived its name from the Greek numerical prefix "tetra- (all of the
game's pieces, known as Tetrominoes, contain four segments) and
tennis, Pajitnov's favorite sport.
Jones
Law Office, PLLC is offering a National Trademark
Package for $1800 (reg. $3550). Included
are 7 comprehensive elements to insure the proper filing
and the protection of both your Trademark and your
investment. More details >>
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