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Web Development FAQ
Building a Web site is a collaborative effort. Since your contribution is critical, we want you to understand the process, the terminology, and the timetable.
Refer to this FAQ for tips on maximizing time, providing assets and putting the project in its proper perspective. And, since additional time translates into extra cost, following these tips will help keep the project on budget and on schedule.
Click on a heading to expand its content.
How It Works
We refer to Web site development as "building a Web site" rather than "designing a Web site" because building a Web site is much like constructing a house. In fact, the term "design" reduces the scope of a Web project to something strictly visual. But like building a house, it is much more complex.
To build a house, you would hire professionals to complete the interior and exterior of your house. To build a Web site, you'll also need professionals with different skill sets to build the "front end" (design) and the "back end" (programming) of your Web site.
Professional Web design requires these skills:
- Information architect
- Information design (graphics)
- Software programming
- Interactive marketing
You require at least three of these skills to build a Web Site that meets your business objectives.
Your Requirements
We provide the expertise; you provide the direction. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a document that clearly states your objectives and is an effective starting point for the project. Click here to see a sample RFP.
If you do not have an RFP, you need to give us visual direction. It will save us a great deal of time if you tell us up front what you like and don't like. If you hate green or love circles, tell us. We will develop designs that reflect your business and your preferences.
We suggest that you look at different sites, including those of your competitors. Let us know what you like or dislike about those sites.
The more specific the direction, the more the project stays within the budget.
How Costs Are Calculated
Web design projects are based on the estimated TIME it takes to complete the project.
Refer to the chart below for guidelines about the cost of the different components. These are general guidelines. Adding another five images may not affect the cost. However, adding another 200 images will result in an exponential increase in costs.
We will provide you with an estimate based on your specific requirements.
Time
| Components | Hours |
| A typical small website (5-6 HTML pages) | 35-45 |
| Additional Options |
| Flash animation (ex. a 10-sec simple fade ot text animation) | 2-3 hours |
| Catalogue of images (ex. 20 images) | 4-5 hours |
| Shopping cart (approx. 50 products) | 20-25 hours |
| Interactive tools (blogs, bulletin board, etc.) | 3-5 hrs |
| Custom programming | Depends on the requirements |
Materials
Materials generally relates to the hardware (computers, servers, etc.) Since we do not provide hardware, all our Web site development costs are based on time.
Guidelines
Any material that you provide - copy, images, logos - must be in digital format. We can convert your materials but you may incur additional costs.
Image Requirements
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Logos
Logos must be provided as EPS files with the relevant PMS color number for maximum rendering of the color.
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Other images should be provided as JPGs and should be:
- 600 pixels wide (optimum for shopping cart enlargements)
- saved with file names that indicate the image, i.e., "girl-black-jacket.jpg" or "girl_black_jacket.jpg" with no spaces
- provided on a disk
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Catalogue Images
To make the product stand out in a catalogue, the optimal images should be:
- "silhouetted" with no distracting background elements that would compete with the page background or other graphic design elements
- clear and crisp to show as much detail as possible.
The Color Wheel
We know that color may be very important to your company's image or product. However, colors do not look the same on all monitors. What you see as fuchsia, someone else may see as purple. Colors also often look different on PC than they do on a MAC.
We strive to get the closest color match that also offers maximum compatibility with all computers. For the closest match, pick your design and layout colors at http://www.pinkrat.com/reference/Color-Cube.html
This link will open in a separate window.
Keep in Mind
Converting print publications
Unlike a printed page in a magazine, an image on the Web is seen differently by each viewer. We program a Web site to ensure maximum compatibility with all types of:
- machines
- browsers
- screen resolution
- connectivity speeds
For example, we optimize screen resolution for 800x600 pixels because that is the lowest common denominator. This will enable your Web page to be viewed effectively on all screen resolutions. However, if you look at your page on a monitor set at a high resolution, for example 1200 pixels, it will appear smaller.
Look at the monitors below to see the same Web page at different resolutions:
Typical Resolution
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Hi Resolution
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Low Resolution |
Click on the image to enlarge. Click on the close button in the upper right corner. If the large image does not appear on your screen, drag it to the center by clicking on the top white border.
Changes Big & Small
There are always changes, but they make a difference in time and cost.
Small changes can include text or moving of images at minimal cost.
Big changes relate to the site architecture. Look at the example below of a Web site for a small jewelry company. See how the pages are linked together through the navigation. Removing or adding a section requires changes to the navigation. Changing the sequence affects the entire site.
It is critical to consider the flowchart before any programming begins. Any change to the navigation adds time and expense to the project.
Let it go!
At Pink Rat, we maintain the highest standards of information design. We are committed to your success. But sometimes, we have to insist that you make a decision.
Don't agonize over every little detail. Your hesitation over the right shade will not affect the success of your site. It will cost you money. WE BILL FOR TIME. And since you delay the launch of your site, you're losing potential customers as well.
| So we will do whatever you want, but .... |
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RELAX! Keep in mind:
- Web visitors spend 30 seconds on a Web page and if they don't find what they want, they click off
- Your customers don't make the decision to buy based on the site graphics - unless you're a graphics firm
- The color of a line won't encourage or deter someone from making a purchase
- The only people scrutinizing the details will be your competitors
- Your competitors are NOT your customers.
Legal Issues
You should be aware of the intellectual property rights regarding your site.
- Are you sure that you have the right to use the content on your site?
- Is it your content?
- Is it copyrighted?
- Do you have the right to use the name under which you're doing business?
- Is the name of your business a registered trademark?
If you are not sure of any of the above, we suggest you contact your attorney. If you need an attorney, you may contact Pink Rat's counsel, Galvin & Palmer.precious lawyer
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