Frequently Asked Questions

We get it, this stuff can be confusing.

Website Design

What is included in your custom web design?

Anything and everything! We will create as many pages as you need as well as custom graphics, an integrated blog, stock photos (we include $20 worth of stock photos for free), contact forms, basic search engine optimization, and more.

We will upload any text, audio, video and images you send us to the website, and if you need help with content writing, our team’s copy writer can help you for a reasonable fee.

Do you build sites with Flash technology?

No. Flash technology is not viewable on iPads and iPhones, so if one of your potential clients uses one of those devices to view your site, they will only see a blank page. However, we can create similar “flash-like effects” using jQuery, which is viewable on iPads and iPhones. To see jQuery in effect on your iPhone or iPad, check out www.epicstone.net.

I’m not a designer. How can you help me make sure the design is right for my company?

Not a problem! We start by learning about you. We will discuss your company’s personality and character, as well as your goals and the image you want to portray to your potential clients. We will probably ask you to show us a few websites you like to give us an idea of designs that are visually appealing to you. We then build a clean, modern and professional site based on that information and incorporate your logo into the design for a nice, cohesive flow.

Internet Marketing

Is online marketing or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) included in your custom web design?

We structure all of our websites to be Google friendly, and we consult with each client on how they can best optimize their site going forward.

We understand that SEO is never complete, so we get our clients going with the proper foundation and are always available to answer their questions and help them keep their site optimized.

What else can I do to market my business online?

To increase your online presence and boost Google rankings, we recommend the following:
• Content and blog writing, to provide education and information about your business and industry
• Press releases for announcements, sales or new products
• Email marketing
• Video marketing
• Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Yelp

There are many different ways to market your business online. At Website Muscle we stress that our clients focus on the highest ROI activities first, such as the ones listed above.

Technical

What is WordPress?

WordPress is web software you can use to create websites. The WordPress platform is known as a CMS (Content Management System), which enables you to easily manage and update your website using just your web browser.

Is WordPress easy to update?

Yes! WordPress is very user-friendly and intuitive. If you can edit a Word document, you can use WordPress. To ensure a fast and easy learning process, we provide online video training through www.wp101.com and will always be available to personally answer any questions you may have. And, of course, we will also perform updates for you if you desire.

Is there a limit to the number of pages I can have on my website?

Nope! Website Muscle can provide any number of pages for your business. We will work with you to determine the best way to structure your site so it will be most effective and meet your objectives.

Do you build websites on other platforms such as Joomla or Drupal or Expression Engine?

While we have built websites on other platforms, we highly recommend and build our sites on WordPress. Currently it is the best CMS (Content Management System) in the world, and the most intuitive for small business owners to use. Many of our clients log in to their website on a monthly basis, and they don’t want to have to relearn a system every time. Also WordPress has great SEO (search engine optimization) benefits which can help small business owners rank well with Google.

How long will it take for you to build my website?

The time frame depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of your site, as well as our current workload. Most of our websites are launched within one to two months of commencement, but some take up to three months. Our Proposal will include an estimated date of completion. One thing is for certain: we won’t leave you in the lurch. We communicate with our clients and will provide regular updates on the status of your project.

We will try our best to expedite the process if you’re in a rush to get something up and running. We can also upload a “Coming Soon” web page while we are building your site.

Will I be able to edit my website?

Yes. Our sites are built on the WordPress platform, which is a Content Management System (CMS). You will be able to log in and edit your site (photos, content, etc.) whenever you like. We also provide in-person training on how to use WordPress, so you’ll be equipped to handle it. Nevertheless, we are always available to help and answer any questions you may have.

Who maintains the website?

That’s up to you. We are always ready and willing to help our clients in any way. Many of our clients want to maintain their own sites, so we build our sites on the WordPress platform to allow that capability, and we provide in-person training to equip you.

Can I get a business email address?

Yes. Most of our packages include setting up a business email through Google Apps, which offers them to small businesses for $5 per user per month.

Do I have to supply my own content for the website?

No. As a small business owner, you may not have the time or energy to prepare content for your site. We responded to our clients’ need for assistance in this area by adding a full-time content writer to our team. A simple phone call to determine the content you want on your site, and our content writer will prepare professional quality content promptly and to your satisfaction, at our hourly rate of $75.

Pricing

How much does a website cost?

The cost of a website is based on many factors, including the complexity of the site’s design and coding, the use of stock images and custom graphics, and the amount of search engine optimization.

We provide pre-designed websites (built by Website Muscle) for you to choose from starting at $2,000 and completely custom, ground-up websites start at $4,000. Most businesses we work with prefer something in the middle – a little more customization than the pre-built sites provide, which would fit with our $3,000 option.

How do your prices compare with other web design companies?

We probably fall somewhere in the middle. You may be able to find a website cheaper by someone who does websites “on the side.” Unfortunately, you may end up with a poorly constructed website – or one that never gets finished. This isn’t how we moonlight; website development is our full-time job AND our passion. Our goal is to serve our clients with excellence according to their needs. We produce top-quality work at a fair price, with impeccable customer service.

What is the annual hosting and domain name cost?

Hosting with Rackspace is $120 per year and the domain name cost is about $15-20 per year. Domain names must be set up with a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Register.com.

Can you host websites?

We do not have our own server on which to host websites; however, for only $10 per month we can set up and maintain your hosting account through Rackspace (that includes dealing on your behalf with any problems that may arise). We prefer Rackspace because of their quality, ease of use and their policy of Fanatical Support.

What is the cost of ongoing maintenance?

After your site is launched, it is important to periodically update your website, not only to keep it fresh and current for prospective customers, but also for the purposes of search engine optimization (in other words, to keep it ranking well with Google). Some updates are quick and simple and some are more time-consuming and complex. Our hourly rate for maintenance projects is $100. Call us with your questions and we will recommend the best course of action for you.

Are there any other costs?

We do not charge a monthly maintenance fee because most of our clients don’t need maintenance on a monthly basis and we refuse to charge them for something they don’t need.

To further optimize your online presence, we do offer monthly content writing for $75 per hour.

Payment and Terms

What types of payment do you accept?

We accept checks and credit cards.

Do you require a deposit to get started?

We usually require half of the total cost up front to commence work, and the other half upon completion, prior to final launch.

Am I required to sign a contract?

We like to do business professionally, amicably and with a full understanding of our clients’ needs. Contracts are useful for laying out both parties’ obligations and avoiding any miscommunications, so yes, we do require that you sign a contract.