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There are hundreds of Web design companies out there. What makes you different?
There are many people who think that since they simply own some Web publishing software, they can put up a Website and call themselves professional Web Designers.
At Kalico Productions, we take your project seriously. We have years of experience and formal education and are constantly taking new classes to improve our skills and keep up with the evolving Web world. We’ve invested in what we consider to be the best Web design software on the market and more importantly, we know how to use it to give you the results you want and need.
In addition, since we operate a small business, we are able to give each and every client the personalized attention that they deserve.
Unlike most other Web design firms, we have taken additional time to educate ourselves in the areas of search engine optimization. We are able to provide you with keyword analyses, keyword saturated copy, concise and effective META tags and a design that helps – rather than hinders – your positioning.
Finally, we gladly work with Internet startup companies, providing the site design, logo, copywriting, search engine compatibility and other elements you need to succeed.
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Why should I hire a professional to design my Website?
In many cases, your Website IS your business. It is the image you present to the Internet world. We also know that there is a lot going on behind the scenes that contributes to your site functioning properly. A professionally designed Website will give your business the foundation it needs to succeed by using the latest technologies and design applications, by being search engine compatible and by displaying correctly in a variety of browsers. When you hire Kalico Productions, you get the skills, knowledge and expertise that only come from years of hands-on experience.
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Why should I hire a professional copywriter? Can’t I do it myself?
Your Website copy is your “salesperson.” It is the only persuasive element of your site. Copy – if written properly – is what reaches your customers on a personal level and shows them how you are the solution to their problems. Words are our sole source of communication. They trigger our emotions and are the defining factor in most of our decisions (especially our buying decisions). A professional copywriter understands how to blend emotion, the communication style of your target customer and the details and facts about your business into a harmonic flow that is well received by your clients and triggers a desire to buy.
In addition, if search engine positioning is of importance to you, you need to realize that the selection of effective keywords and delicate balance of keyword saturation in your copy is absolutely vital to success.
So the answer is “yes.” If you feel you are able to accomplish the things listed above, you can certainly compose your own copy; however, we strongly suggest enlisting the talents of a pro!
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What products do you use to develop Websites?
For Web publishing, we use Macromedia Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver generates very clean HTML code that meets W3C validation standards.
For Web graphics, we use both Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop because they provide clear, compressed graphics that load quickly so your visitors won’t be kept waiting. Some other products that we use include Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Flash.
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Why don’t you use FrontPage?
The reason we don’t use FrontPage is because it generates a lot of HTML code only recognized by the Internet Explorer browser. This means that a site built with FrontPage will often display beautifully in Internet Explorer (as both FrontPage and Internet Explorer are both owned by Microsoft), but will be a jumbled, illegible mess in the Safari or Firefox browsers.
We believe that cross-browser compatibility is important and we design Websites so that they view properly, and work as intended in Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox.
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How much will it cost?
Unlike other Web design companies who hide their pricing, create arbitrary quotes based on how much they’d like to make or charge monthly fees, we are honest and up front about our pricing structure. Nothing you don’t want or need is forced upon you. You’ll have a clear understanding of the cost before the project begins and no surprises when you receive the final invoice. And… once you pay for it, there are no further payments—you own it outright.
Please see our services page for details.
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How long will it take?
If you have the copy (text) for your site written before the design process begins, it generally takes 2-6 weeks from start to finish. Copy should be in electronic format, preferably in Microsoft Word. Not having your copy completed before the design process can significantly delay the production of your site.
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Who owns the completed Website?
Once the final payment is received, you will have 100% ownership of your Website.
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What is a domain name and why do I need one?
Every Website must have a domain name. A domain name is your Website's unique address on the Internet.
As an example, the domain name for Kalico Productions is http://www.kalicopro.com. The most common domain names will end in .com, .net or .org, but there are many more to choose from.
Although you are free to use any domain registrant you choose, Kalico Productions offers domain name registration for only $20 US/year — discounted $15 US off the Network Solutions regular price of $35 US/year. After your registration, you will be given full access information to your own, personal domain name control panel. Manage, update, transfer or change your registration information any time you choose with no hassle, no waiting and no additional charges.
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What is Web hosting and why do I need it?
Your Website needs a home on the Internet—a place for domain name, Web page files and graphics to reside. You buy or rent Web space through a hosting company. Most hosting companies offer monthly, quarterly and yearly packages.
Hosting fees vary greatly depending on your needs. Your hosting package will need special features if you plan to have a storefront on your Website, if you will be connected to a database or if you have other special programming requirements.
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What services do you provide?
We provide:
- Professional Web Design
- Logo Design
- Website Maintenance
- Website Analysis
- Website Banners
- Website Graphics
- Technical Writing
- Or Click Here for an expanded list of services we offer.
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With whom will I be working?
Who you will work with depends on what your needs are. An experienced Kalico Productions professional will be assigned to your project and work directly with you till your completely satisfied with your end results. Visit our About Us page to meet the members of our staff.
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How many changes can I request to the drafts?
We’ll make as many changes as necessary until the drafts meet your approval. We do ask for a final approval to the design before adding the text and content to the pages.
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Can I make changes after I approve the draft?
Yes; however design changes performed after you have approved the draft will be charged at an hourly rate of $65 US.
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What kind of guarantee do you offer?
We completely guarantee our design work. We offer you unlimited revisions to the draft until the point that you are 100% satisfied.
Once the draft is finalized, your copy, links, forms and other elements will be added, and your site uploaded to your hosting service.
**NOTE, we need to add more content to this question!
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Can you explain the design process?
We have a four-step process:
Step One: Contact Us
Simply use our contact form to send us a short description of your project. Together we can review the details, specific requirements and the end result you want for your site.
Next, we’ll provide you with a quote for the total cost of your site creation. This interaction provides us both with the information and insights we need to decide whether our relationship will be mutually beneficial. If we are agreed, we move on to Step Two.
Step Two: Make a Deposit
You’ll be provided with an invoice for 50% of the total quote. This deposit can be made via check or Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express through PayPal.
Step Three: Provide Us with Feedback
We will provide you with two rough drafts for viewing. Your feedback will help us to determine which direction to take. We may only need to do some tweaking, or we may completely start over. Either way, we offer you UNLIMITED revisions until you are 100% satisfied with the final product.
Step Four: Test and Launch
Once you have approved the final design, we add and format the copy (text) to all the pages and set up your desired features, such as contact forms. Once everything has been approved by you, we upload your site to the Web and fully test its functionality. We make sure that your site can be viewed as intended in Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and Opera versions 4.0 and above.
The Web design process generally takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks. To alleviate any unnecessary delays, we recommend that you have the majority of your copy written before your design begins. Kalico Productions offers discounted copywriting and Web design combo packages as a one-stop solution to your Web design needs.
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Once the site is complete, can I make changes and updates to it myself?
Yes, but you will need to invest in Web publishing software and learn how to use it. You will also need to learn how to transfer files to and from the Web.
We recommend using Macromedia Contribute. Contribute allows you to make text changes to your Website at your convenience while maintaining site standards for style, layout and code.
We do not provide support or offer training for FrontPage or any other Web publishing program other than Macromedia Dreamweaver.
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What is your payment policy and what type of payments do you accept?
We receive 50% of your estimated total as a deposit prior to beginning work. We accept Personal Check, Visa, MasterCard or PayPal payments. The final payment is due immediately upon completion of the project.
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What defines a Web page?
A Website consists of many different Web pages. Every Website has a home page (often called the index page). The rest of the site is made up of inner pages. Some examples of common inner pages are:
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Testimonials
- Articles
- Products
- Portfolio
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Use or Disclaimer
- FAQ’s
- Order
- Resources
- Rates
Our per-page rate is the same regardless of the length of the page; however, pages cannot be combined. For example, you cannot combine the About Us page and Contact Us page into one Web page. If you do so, it will still be charged as two separate pages.
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Why do we charge by the page for Web design and layout?
Creating customized layout and graphics is a process that involves a high amount of artistic ability and creativity. The amount of time that is takes to design a new project can vary greatly depending on the knowledge the designer has about your industry, available resources, and even the creative mood of the designer.
Most Web Designers charge anywhere from $75-$125 per hour for Web design services. Kalico Productions charges by the page because:
- It takes the guesswork out of the final cost of the project – there are no surprises when you receive the final invoice.
- You pay a predefined amount regardless of the time the designer spends on the project.
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What’s included in the pay rate?
- Complete customized design and layout of your Website
Includes two initial rough drafts and unlimited drafts and revisions (up until final approval). By offering unlimited drafts and revisions, we can guarantee you will be thrilled with the final product. (A final approval is required before we begin to add content to the pages.)
- Simple JavaScript programming such as:
- Navigation buttons that change when the mouse moves over them
- Print This Page links
- Bookmark This Page links
- Pop-up windows
- Addition of company logo and any pictures that you provide
- Unlimited contact and subscribe Forms
- Cross-browser compatibility
- Your Website will display and function properly in:
- Internet Explorer
- Netscape Navigator
- Firefox
- Unlimited Links
- Upload of the completed Website to the Web
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Our Invitation to You
Call or send us a short description of your project. Together we can review the details, specific requirements and the desired end result you want for your site.
We’ll provide you with a free, no obligation quote for the total cost of your site creation. This interaction provides us both with the information and insights we need to decide whether our relationship will be mutually beneficial.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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