Website DesignGo to Web/Database Programming

We provide low cost web solutions for small businesses, churches, and non-profit groups. More and more companies are using the web as a primary marketing tool.  The web is the place to sell products, the place to provide information to clients, the place to make yourself known. Reach customers across the street or across the world.

We are a small business helping small businesses.  We take the time to listen to your desires and develop a website to meet your needs.

Please check our list of Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Why do I need a Website?
Do I need a computer to have an effective website?
Do I need to sign up with an ISP?
Do you provide website hosting?
Will my ISP advertise my website?
Do I need my own domain name?
Can't I make my own website?
What do you need to develop my website?
How much is this going to cost?
What can't I just use one of those template website services?
 

Why do I need a Website?

    Reach national customers as well as local customers.

    Broaden your horizons! A website enables a small business to efficiently and effectively advertise to potential customers: locally, nationally, or even internationally. National exposure through radio, TV, or national magazines was expensively prohibitive. The web opens your door to the world.

    Strengthen your ties with customers, employees, and vendors

    A website is more than a sales medium. You can provide the latest company news, new product information, or frequently asked questions.  A customer can retrieve information without your assistance, thus freeing up internal resources.  The website may also include a customer response section where they provide feedback or questions via email. You, of course, would answer them in a timely matter.  Email is becoming a preferred form of communication.

    Enhance your promotional efforts by cross-marketing them with your website.

    Point people to your website by including your website address and email address in every other marketing efforts: TV, radio, magazines, direct mailings, newsletters, brochures, catalogs, letterhead, and business cards.  Customers can view your website anytime, 24 hours a day, for updated information.

    Information is kept current and lowers marketing costs.

    Website information can be updated quickly and often with little cost. It is immediately available for customers to view. A brochure requires much time in determining content. A brochure requires printing time and costs. A situation may render a brochure obsolete within a month. If a situation renders a website information obsolete, then change it quickly.

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Do I need a computer to have an effective website?

    NO!  You may have a website with the above features minus the email capability.  Orders and information could continue to be handled by phone or mail.

    However, more and more people prefer dealing with business that provide online capabilities: email response forms or online ordering. A computer with access to an internet service provider (ISP) is highly recommended. We can even recommend an area ISP.

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Do I need to sign up with an ISP?

    If you want to send and receive email, then you definitely need an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Prices start around $20 per month. Most ISP's include several megabytes of disk space for your website too.  Some ISP's charge higher rates for business customers. So you'll need to shop around. We can recommend an ISP for you.

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Do you provide website hosting?

    Yes, we provide website hosting, if needed, for clients in which we design and maintain their websites. We do not provide website hosting for those seeking just a hosting service.  A hosting service provides you with a web address and many megabytes of disk space for your website. If you don't own a computer or don't plan on sending or receiving email, then a hosting service may be all that you need. The hosting business is highly competitive, monthly prices start as low as $13. If your needs require just hosting, then we can recommend a hosting service. You probably need an ISP though.

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Will my ISP advertise my website?

    They may advertise your website on their site, but don't rely on them to bring you business.  Just as you obtain a phone number from the phone company, you don't rely on them to bring you business.  Sure your number is listed in the white pages, but it takes the yellow pages to get noticed. We will submit your website address to the top search engines and portals including Yahoo!, AltaVista, Snap, Excite, Netscape, Northern Light, among others.

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Do I need my own domain name?

    Your web address will become as much a part of your business identity as your street address or phone number.  The web address your ISP gives you is based on their domain name and your name, such as www.isp.com/~yourname.  If you ever change ISP's, then your web address would have to change. You would have to re-establish your identity as well as reprint your letterhead and the like.

    It is not necessary, but it is highly recommended that your business have a domain name. Your own domain name will provide your business with a unique identity (web address).  Without getting into the technical reasons, your domain name remains unchanged if you ever change your ISP.

    We will help you select a name and perform a search on its availability. Your name will appear like www.yourname.com.  InterNIC administers domain name registration for the Internet. Currently, InterNIC registers a domain name for $70 for two years. Your ISP will register your domain name for you for a fee. We will help fill out the appropriate paperwork required by your ISP and InterNIC.

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Can't I make my own website?

    Yes! There are great software packages out there. But, ponder these questions.

    Do you really have time to design a website?

    Do you design your own catalogs, brochures, and letterhead just because publishing software exists?  Or do you hire an advertising agency or printing company?

    Are you going to stay abreast of the latest web technology?

    Do you own a professional quality scanner?

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What do you need to develop my website?

    Images: The web is a visual experience.  Use photos to display your products, your place of business, or even yourself.  Besides photographs, we can scan any existing brochures, pamphlets, or catalogs.  We can scan your logo from your letterhead or brochures too.  You may also supply electronic images; acceptable formats are .gif or .jpg files on a PC formatted diskette.

    Text: We'd prefer to receive text in acceptable formats such as .doc, .xls, or .txt on a PC formatted diskette. You may also email the text. If neither of those are possible, then just write it down.

    Backgrounds: Possible backgrounds and colors will be demonstrated when we meet to discuss your website. Give us your ideas.

    Keywords and Description: Many of the web search engines use keywords and descriptions in their search.  Supply us with keywords describing your business.  Also, include a 25 word description of your business. For example, keywords used by On Track are web consulting, programming, database, web developer, website design, Java, EJB, JSP, CGI, Perl, JavaScript, SQL, Denver, Littleton, Colorado.  On Track's 25 word description is "A Littleton, Colorado company providing web/database programming using UNIX, Perl, and Java.  We also design websites for small businesses, churches, and non-profit groups."

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How much is this going to cost?

    An initial website consisting of 5-6 pages is $300.  This includes scanning of 5 photos and the creation of simple button and banner graphics.  Website design work thereafter is performed at $60 an hour.

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Why can't I just use of those template website services?

    The template services offer a cookie-cutter solution to website design.  It's downfall is its sameness.  Do you really want one that looks like everybody else's website?  We'll design a custom website with a unique look.

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