Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of some of the questions that we are asked again and again. To make life easier on you and of course us, we have compiled them all for your viewing. If there is a question you have that is not answered, please feel free to ask us through use of the contact us area.
1. Why do I need a web site?
2. How much time and effort will it take me to get my web site completed?
3. How much does all this cost?
4. Who will maintain and update my web site?
5. Do you take care of web hosting and domain names?
6. I already have a web site but it is out of date. Can you update it/improve it for me?
7. I would like you to design my site, what do I need to do?
8. Do I need to buy a domain name and/or hosting?
9. Do I need to send a deposit for the work?
10. What if I want to redesign an existing website?
11. What is a domain name?
12. Who owns the website once the website design is completed?
13. Why should I choose MyApricot for my web development needs?
14. Do you carry out PC Maintainance?
15. Will I have support when the site is finished?
16. Once my website design is completed can you provide web hosting?
17. Will I and my customers be able to find my website on the search engines?
18. Do you display any banners or pop-up ads on my website?
19. What if I do not like a design?
20. I have made up my mind and I want you to design my site. Now what do I do?
21. I don’t know about content, what should I put on my site?
22. What is search engine optimisation?
23. Will we need to have a meeting?
24. What does standards compliant mean?
25. What is a URL?
26. Why is my website not showing on Google?
27. What are your Payment Terms?
1. Why do I need a web site?
The Internet is the most cost effective way of reaching a huge volume of potential customers. Without a web presence, you are missing a huge opportunity to engage with potential customers. As well as this, with our Search Engine Optimization techniques - your page will be at its highest potential level in a Google Search listing. This means that when a potential customer searches for a product/service which you provide - your name (link to your web site) will appear close to the top of the list.
2. How much time and effort will it take me to get my web site completed?
Not much time and effort at all. We can visit you at your place of work so that you can explain to us what you need, in a convenient way. We can do this many times - our goal is to provide you with the web site YOU want and need. We aim to have the project completed in a number of weeks.
3. How much does all this cost?
We pride ourselves on being affordable. With a little information on what you require - we can provide you with a quotation within 24 hours.
4. Who will maintain and update my web site?
Whenever you need your web site updated/maintained, please contact us and we will complete it as soon as possible.
5. Do you take care of web hosting and domain names?
Yes. We take care off all web hosting/domain name issues and we can also transfer web hosting/domains if necessary.
6. I already have a web site but it is out of date. Can you update it/improve it for me?
Yes. We can update your web site and improve it. We can keep the same theme (colour scheme etc) or revamp it - depending on what you require.
7. I would like you to design my site, what do I need to do?
You would simply need to contact us by telephone or email and inform us of the domain name you would like to use and send us a brief idea of your requirements. If you already have a web site then a brief description of the new look you wish to have will help. We will then design an initial web page for you.
This is then refined in consultation with the client until a satisfactory design has been reached. We will then need you to forward content and images for your site and start to design the website for you. It is a simple as that.
8. Do I need to buy a domain name and/or hosting?
No, you do not have to worry about domain names or hosting. If you wish, we can take care of those elements for you.
9. Do I need to send a deposit for the work?
This is really dependant on the work we carry out for you. If it is a large project, a 20% deposit is normally required. We will inform you are the time of discussion.
10. What if I want to redesign an existing website?
Feel free to contact us and we will evaluate your existing site and provide suggestions for improvement.
11. What is a domain name?
It is your online home. It is the unique name that identifies an Internet site. On the Web, the domain name is the part of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that tells a domain name server where to forward a request for a Web page. For example, the domain name of this web site is myapricot.com.
12. Who owns the website once the website design is completed?
The website belongs to you. We send you a copy of the website on CD or upload it for you. This copy is for your retention and should you wish to use another web design or web hosting company, you are completely at liberty to take this copy to them for them to use.
13. Why should I choose MyApricot for my web development needs?
We are an established web design company delivering graphic and video related internet development services of any complexity to clients throughout the UK and Ireland. We bring enthusiasm and a keen eye for detail for each and every project.
14. Do you carry out PC Maintainance?
No, we are not a hardware maintainance company. We can however give advice as to who to contact regarding certain issues you may encounter.
15. Will I have support when the site is finished?
Yes. After your web site has been launched, MyApricot is available to answer any of your web site related questions. We are glad to maintain and update content or offer training to our clients who choose to make their own web site updates. We understand the importance of customer service and as a business we pride ourselves on our excellent customer relationships.
16. Once my website design is completed can you provide web hosting?
Yes you can arrange to host your website on our high performance web server.
17. Will I and my customers be able to find my website on the search engines?
Yes, MyApricot always design websites to be search engine friendly.
18. Do you display any banners or pop-up ads on my website?
We most certainly do not. It is your web site.
19. What if I do not like a design?
This is not a problem at all. If you do not like the design that we have suggested for you, we will discuss further with a view to ascertaining what type of design you would prefer to see. It is important to us that you get your specific requirements from each and every project.
20. I have made up my mind and I want you to design my site. Now what do I do?
Simply call or e-mail us and we will get straight to work. We then develop some initial designs from our conversations. Once you are satisfied with the design, we complete the coding and deliver your finished project.
21. I don’t know about content, what should I put on my site?
You have to ask yourself, who is my target market? Content really depends on the purpose of your web site. If you run a business web site, you would include as much information about your products or services that your customers would need to purchase.
22. What is search engine optimisation?
Most people only check the first five or six results from a Google search. These top sites have been optimised for excellent rankings. All web pages should be 'optimised'. This will enable your site to gain a high search engine ranking. It revolves around the Meta tags on your web pages and the search engine that your web site has been registered to.
A web page that isn't optimised won't appear in the search engines to any great degree and therefore, you will receive less customers to your site.
23. Will we need to have a meeting?
No. We know how busy people can be, and in the majority of cases a meeting isn't necessary. 60% of our sites are generally completed with contact via email and telephone only.
24. What does standards compliant mean?
Web Standards are a set of recommendations made by the World Wide Web Consortium (known as the W3C) and include recommendations for HTML, XHTML and CSS, the languages used to create your website.
Good web developers create standards compliant websites following these recommendations to make sure that the websites they create will be; accessible to the widest audience (including those with disabilities), perform better in the search engines (as a standards-compliant website separates content and design), load faster and allow easier updating of layout & design.
Although many websites do not comply with web standards, responsible web developers ensure that their sites comply because it is in the site owner's best interest.
25. What is a URL?
It stands for "universal resource locator". This is the address typed in to view your web page on the Internet. For example, you would type in http://www.myapricot.com to access our home page.
26. Why is my website not showing on Google?
A newly launched website can take time to appear in the search engines such as Google. Whilst we design all websites with the search engines in mind and will submit your new website to Google for you there is no guarantee that it will be immediately picked up.
There has been talk of a 'Google sandbox effect' whereby new web sites do not tend to show up in Google for some weeks whilst they assess the worth of the website. If it is an existing web site then you may require search engine optimisation.
27. What are your Payment Terms?
For projects over £300 in value we ask for a 25% deposit upfront, with the remainder payable upon completion of the project. Payment is due within 14 days of invoice, we currently accept payment via cash, cheque and bank transfer.