Question: How much time should I dedicate to promoting/ updating / maintaining my Web site?
Answer: Many people make the critical mistake of putting lots of effort into building a Web site and then simply leave it at that. Then they wonder why it never really takes off. I mean, it may get some hits and, if it’s an ecommerce Web site, some orders, but it never really becomes a success. I will start off by saying building a Web site takes effort, period. If you’re not willing to put effort into maintaining & growing your Web site will not be all it can be.
Question: How can I find a quality web developer?
Answer: Beware of the digital hustler. Many developers out there are out for one thing… money. They spend 10% of their time learning their craft and the remainder of their effort is spent tugging at your purse strings. Once they have your money, you are at their mercy. They will put more effort into making excuses than they will into delivering results.
On the opposite side of the coin is the meticulous technician who spends the majority of his time fine-tuning his skills and is reluctant to promote himself if he does not feel they are perfect. This developer is going to be a lot harder to find, because he is motivated by delivering quality products for the money he is paid.
I have been developing Web sites for seven years, and this Web site is the first time I am promoting myself. You can trust in the fact that I stand behind what I do.
Question: How can I prepare my files/text/data to streamline the Web site building process?
Answer: We can work with most forms of digital media. We prefer databases to be sent in a spreadsheet or other delimeted format. Written content should be sent in a single Microsoft Word compatible document with a new heading for the content of each new page. If you can, try to name your files and images with only alphanumeric characters and don't use any spaces. For example, name an image file "site_image_1.jpg" vs "site image 1!#.jpg"
Why is choosing a Web site developer such a pain?
It doesn’t have to be. In the normal exchange, the customer requests a quote, the client keeping their budget hidden, the developer then delivers an estimate. We find this approach to be counterproductive. We believe in an honest, “what is your budget?” approach to doing business.
Also, in building a Web site, we build a relationship. Trust is important in long-term business relationships. As a business owner, I can say that one of the most important factors in determining the success of a business relationship is communication. Let’s face it, when a client has to chase down a service provider who does not promptly respond to emails or phone calls to get updates on the status of a project, it does not inspire confidence.
Our goal is to make sure we communicate effectively and in a timely manner. It’s just good business.
So tell me about your photo equipment.
We shoot with a pair of Canon 5D 12 megapixel pro cameras wit an 8megapixel camera for a backup. Although the camera body is an important factor in getting great images, the most critical part of the camera is the lens.
We use Canon L-series professional lenses. The same lenses that professional sports photographers and photojournalists use the world over. Aside form that, a good eye for composition and lighting and supreme technical composition skills assure we get the shot you are looking for.
In addition, formal university training in the science of photogrammetry, image processing and satellite remote imaging assure technically superior results.
What software do you use in developing Web sites?
Many developers make no mention of their software & techniques to “mystify” what they do in order to charge more. We use:
1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Dreamweaver
3. PHP and MySQL server technologies
4. Microsoft Visual Studio
5. Code Charge
6. ArcGIS
7. Manifold GIS
8. Photomodeler 3D
9. Oscommerce
10. And several more
