Information FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Does Village Fair operate its own servers?
What sort of special hosting services do you offer?
I just want a place to put my own web page. Are there content restrictions?
How do I know you're capable of creating a good site?
Do you design sites for any sort of entity?
What's a 'domain name', anyway?
I don't have an email address. Can I still get you to build me a website?
Do you provide email addresses?
I've been pricing web design services. Why is there such a large difference in costs?
Why not just use a program like Microsoft FrontPage and design my own? Why pay you?
If I want my web site on a different server, will you still design it?
What information do you need to price a web designing?
I already have a web site, but would like to have it redesigned, or just need a few services. Do you do this?
I've already got a web designing, but I don't understand how all this works. I need a consultant.
Do you require contracts? Who owns the copyright?
Does Village Fair operate its own servers?
- No. Village Fair leases server space through web hosting companies on the Internet, and then resells that space. Village Fair chose this method because hosting companies usually guarantee 99% uptime, have staff on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and because they constantly upgrade their servers and services. It's much cheaper for both Village Fair and for the client, offering them the best service for the best price.
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- Standard features on most servers chosen by Village Fair include secure transactions, forms, CGI, Java, Microsoft FrontPage extensions, multimedia capabilities, Real Audio, Real Video, counters, bulletin boards, chat, and much more. Some of these enhancements are free; some are not. If you have a special request, please write Webmaster@VillageFair.com
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- Sorry, but yes, there are content restrictions. Village Fair strives to offer web pages that are family "clean", and will regularly review web sites that are housed on its domains to make sure they comply with this standard. Basically, no pornographic material; no spam sites; no marginally legal MLM schemes; no hacker sites; no sites designed to prey on the less fortunate, such as credit card come-ons; no bulk emailers; etc. If you have a question about this policy, address inquiries to the Webmaster.
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How do I know you're capable of creating a good site?
- If you're not convinced after reading About Village Fair Web Designs, let us offer some additional assurances. Through cooperative efforts with other webmasters who have different expertise, if you have a request we cannot fulfill, chances are we know someone reliable who can. Through Lisa Hightower's experiences with Prodigy, she has become a part of a network of webmasters who are willing to share their knowledge and talents.
We also work hard to make sure you're happy. Every Village Fair package has an approval option; if you're not happy with my work, I will work until the finished product satisfies your needs. (Please note, though, that if a Village Fair proposal is refused, and I find the design used for the business on another server, I will likely prosecute. Fair is fair.)
The vast majority of our clients are the result of referrals from other satisfied clients. We have yet to lose a client. We believe that speaks for itself.
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Do you design for any sort of entity?
- No. Village Fair will design for many sorts of businesses, organizations, and individuals, but there are some restrictions.
Non-Compete. Village Fair doesn't design for competitors of current clients. There are some exceptions; non-profit organizations, certain entertainment sites, or approval by current clients. A current client is defined as a client who has hired Village Fair to build--and maintain--a site, whether the maintenance be through hosting or design upkeep.
Objectionable Materials. Village Fair is concerned about content. As stated elsewhere, Village Fair will not host adult/pornographic sites, or sites which are not family oriented. Neither will it design such sites, even if hosted on other servers.
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What's a 'domain name', anyway?
- An example of a domain is www.villagefair.com. Domains are registered for a fee through Internic, also called Network Solutions. It's much like the name of a business. Internic associates your domain name with an IP address; which is much like the physical address of a business.
Assets: Domain names are easy to remember, and can be a great advertising tool. The right domain name can make it possible for customers to find your business without searching for it through directories or search engines.
Liabilities: They'll cost you. Internic charges domain owners $70 (U.S.) per domain name for the first two years, and $35 for each year thereafter. If you don't have a large site, it may not be worth your while. For some businesses, a sub domain may be the answer--it's less expensive, and doesn't require registration through Internic.
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I don't have an email address. Can I still get you to build me a website?
- Yes, you can still have a sub domain, as long as you've got a phone number, fax number, or some way for people to contact you. Keep in mind, though, that if you plan to put a business on the web, you'll have a much higher success/response rate if you have an email address to provide. For the average Internet surfer, it's much easier (or preferable) for them to click on an email link or form to fill out than it is for them to write to an address or make a possibly long distance phone call.
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Do you provide email addresses?
- If you plan to maintain your own sub domain, or plan to have a business on its own domain, POP3 email addresses are available; but these are for the purpose of maintaining accounts receiving information. They do not allow you Internet access. Village Fair is not in the business of providing Internet access. I can make recommendations, but that's as far as it goes.
In addition to this, if I receive reports of spamming, transmission of pornographic or obscene materials, or other breaches of known Internet Netiquette, a @villagefair.com email address owner is subject to warning or termination of service. Village Fair seeks to maintain a respectable persona, and violation of that goes against Village Fair's policies.
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I've been pricing other services. Why is there such a large range in costs?
- These days, the urge to get on the Internet is extremely popular. The facts are that there aren't many web designers with good, solid experience in Arkansas. Remember, though, that when you choose a web design service, you're purchasing their experience. Deal with a professional who has a proven track record, and you'll likely be happier.
- Global River Click on services for pricing information.
- Ozark Advertising & Communications, who offer hosting , and virtual server services.
- World Lynx, an Internet Service Provider, who offer web site design and hosting services. This is a framed site; for navigational purposes, I haven't provided the direct links to these areas. Click on Web Site Design.
- M.R. Productions offers a range of web design options and services.
- Kimmy's Web Designs offers hosting and design packages.
- Web Imagery Designs offers designing and hosting services.
- Aristotle is the Cadillac of web designers in Arkansas, and their design prices aren't for the faint of heart.
- Net Connections offers design and hosting services.
To see how Village Fair's pricing structure stands up against other web designers in Arkansas, check out the following links (which will open in a second browser window). As a side note, check whether their design experience is well-known or with recognizable entities, as well as the speed of their web sites and navigation. Here they are:
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Why not just use a program like Microsoft FrontPage and design my own site? Why pay you?
- You're certainly welcome to do that if you prefer. You may prefer to create your own web design, and simply house it on Village Fair's domain. Microsoft FrontPage extensions are supported, but please let me know in advance if you choose to do this.
- Photos or graphics for scanning.
- Any applicable logos or concepts for logos.
- A basic outline of what sort of information you'd like to see on your web design.
- Brochures or product information to be included.
- Any special additions you'd like: secure server ordering, databases, shopping cart, special forms, etc.
- Design concepts: how would you like your web design to look or feel? What sort of customer are you targeting? What are the demographics? Is your customer base likely to be computer users?
Before you convince yourself that this is the cheapest option, though, consider what the price of the software is, and how much that amount will buy when purchasing a design, such as a template. Consider, too, that to create an effective web design, you'll also need the capability to scan your photos/images, and have a good graphics program to manipulate those finished images.
When buying these programs, you're not finished; you should also possess the artistic capabilities to create an eye-appealing site, know enough about how web sites are created to make them functionally easy to navigate, and understand the dynamics of Internet traffic as well as the preferences of the average web user. You should be able to know what elements are best used for effective listings in search engines, and maintain a high ranking. Add to that, you should be capable of determining what will work on a wide range of web browsers.
And if you can do that, maybe I've got a job for you! (grin)
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If I want my web design on a different server, will you still design it?
- Yes. Hosting and design services are separate. You may have your site designed by Village Fair and hosted anywhere you choose.
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What information do you need to price a web design?
- If your site requires custom building rather than choosing one of the available templates, you should, at a minimum, provide the following:
Of course, there are other considerations, as well: each business is unique. Village Fair will be glad to guide you through the process of pinpointing the most effective method of appealing to your target audience.
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I already have a website, but would like to have it redesigned, or just need a few services. Do you do this?
- Yes. Village Fair is willing to work with existing websites, provided they are not in competition with current clients or offer inappropriate content. Village Fair can do anything from simply adding standard updates (maintenance) to adding chat, bulletin boards, guestbooks, and entire design overhauls. You can choose to spruce up your web site based on existing graphics, or go for a whole new look.
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I've already got a web site, but I don't understand how all this works. I need a consultant.
- Village Fair does act as an intermediary/consultant. If you have an existing web site, or are considering one, Village Fair can offer guidance and intervention regardless of whether or not you use Village Fair as a design choice. We enter into such understandings unbiased; we are not here to take business away from another hosting or design firm. Village Fair has been in the business of dealing with other companies since its beginnings, and does so with a professional approach. We also strive to keep you informed about the way things are done on the Internet, in language you can understand.
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Do you require contracts? Who owns the copyright?
- Village Fair does require contracts for initial web design services. These contracts cover only design, and do not include hosting or additional services. Hosting is on a month-to-month basis, unless the hosting package chosen is for an entire year. Additional services (maintenance, etc.) are on a case by case basis. We believe that if you are happy with our services, you will continue to use us. We have yet to lose a client, and the vast majority of our business is a result of referrals from satisfied clients. We believe that speaks for itself.
When you pay Village Fair to design a web site, once the design is approved and paid for, the copyright belongs to you. After all, you paid for it. The owner of Village Fair, Lisa Hightower, owns several literary copyrights and was published before choosing to enter the career of web site development. Her understanding of copyright leads to a profound respect of ownership. While it may be legal for web developers to retain copyrights to the paid sites designed for clients, she believes this practice to be unethical.
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