We at Great Big Lake have been designing websites for over 15 years. During that time we have continued to gain experience and knowledge in both the artistic and technical sides of that discipline. This FAQ page answers many of the questions that we’ve been asked by our clients.
I’ve never hired anyone to create a website. How does it work?
Not to worry. To get an idea of how your website will be created, go to our website design page and you can read about our process so that you know what to expect.
How much does a website cost?
The cost of a website can vary depending on various factors, just like the cost of a house may vary. To read more about cost, check out our blog post, “How much should a website cost?” Our website projects generally start in the $8,000 range for basic business sites and range upward depending on your unique needs. For an estimate, please fill out our Website Project Questionnaire.
How long does it take to design and build a website?
The time it takes to produce a website depends on the size and complexity of your site and the quality of content that you have ready to go. A custom website typically takes around 12 weeks from beginning to end.
Do I need my own domain name and web hosting?
Yes, we can help you get this set up and we can work with your existing host provided they are a managed WordPress host. We include hosting within our website care plans.
Will my website work on mobile devices?
Yes it will. All the websites we design work on all devices. Keep in mind, a website will look a bit different depending on the device on which it is viewed, but that is now the way things are on the web.
Do you do Ecommerce/Online Store websites?
Yes. We build WooCommerce websites (within WordPress).
What is a CMS (Content Management System)?
A Content Management System is a tool that allows you to maintain the pages of your website yourself, without the need for any technical/coding skills. A CMS allows you to edit and add pages, images, products or blog entries to your website. No additional software is required – all you need is a web browser and an internet connection. WordPress is the CMS that we most often use.
Do you provide training?
Yes. We provide all our clients with training on maintaining their website. We can also provide premium training videos from within your site if you are one of our Website Care Plan customers.
Can you help me with Social Media and Email Marketing?
We sure can. As part of your project we can include social media management and email marketing services.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Search Engine Optimization is all about getting your website higher up in the search results on search engines such as Google. The higher up in the results you are the more traffic (and customers) you’re likely to reach.
There are many aspects that go into achieving good SEO, and one of the most important is the copy (words) on your website. Focusing on well written, keyword rich and appropriate content is the key.
Will you write the content for my site?
Our website design packages don’t initially include content creation, though if you would like help creating your content, we can put together a custom package to meet your needs. Thoughtful, purposeful content that speaks to the target customer is essential. We love collaborating on both words and graphics with our clients.
Can you design my logo?
Yes we can. Sue is a trained graphic designer with many years of experience creating logos and branding styles. Please fill out our Design Project Questionnaire and we will get back to you with a quote.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is your address on the internet. Typically, this would be something like “yourcompany.com.” For tips on purchasing a domain name, check out our blog post, “Purchasing a domain name – Email at your domain.”
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows your website to be viewed on the Internet. It’s basically a computer housed in a data center that holds your website.
Can you set up email at my domain name/website address?
We no longer handle email setup. If you are interested in having email at your domain name we suggest that you purchase your domain name at Hover.com (or transfer your domain name to Hover.com) and rely on their email services, or set up a business email account with Google (Gmail Workspace) and work with their customer support to get email set up at your domain. To read more about this topic, see our blog post, “Purchasing a domain name – Email at your domain.”