Frequently Asked Questions?

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I am ready to do business with Chicago Web Works, what do you need from me?
Since this is going to be your website it is very important that you provide us with your logo if you have one preferably in Photoshop with layers. If you do not have your logo in Photoshop format please send us the logo in JPEG format.

 

Please send us brochures or any other marketing materials that you currently use when marketing your company. We would also like for you to list what tabs your site will need.

 

We need for you to tell us what navigational tabs that you want on your website as well as providing us with the content that will go under each tab. We ask that you provide us with all of this information before work begins on your project. Keep in mind that we work on many projects at one time and that the project that has the most content ready and prepared for there website will get done faster. It is impossible to complete a project without the content. If you have any questions please contact us and we will be happy to explain.

 

Is it expensive to be online?
Advertising your business on the internet allows you to reach a huge audience at a per capita cost that is a fraction of what you would pay for a glossy brochure, magazine, newspaper or phone book advertisement or a TV or radio spot. The speed and convenience of Internet communications can translate to cost savings in many business situations.

A business website can also significantly reduce long distance telephone and fax charges to and from your customers and business partners.

 

How Will Potential Customers Find Me?
Your website will be submitted to several online directories so there is a good chance that existing and new customers will look for you. Serve them when they want to be served - 24 hours a day, seven days a week and during holiday periods.

 

Ensure that they are presented with the most up-to-date information about your products and services. Exploit the interactivity of the web to permit your customers to show you what their needs are. It adds up to BETTER Customer Service.

 

Why Do I Need A Website?
Your website is an additional form of communication between you, your existing clients and new possibilities. It is like having a 24 hour telephone line combined with a company sales brochure that can be updated quickly as your company grows. It is also surprisingly economical. Can you afford not to have a web site?

 

In recent years we have witnessed phenomenal growth in the use of the World Wide Web which today has more than one hundred million users around the world. More and more the World Wide Web is becoming a routine part of home and business life. With accelerating numbers of your potential customers using the web to locate the products and services they need, it is essential to embrace the opportunities presented by this revolution in electronic media.

 

The web allows your business to open up new avenues to customers in the world's largest marketplace while at the same time permitting you to be more targeted in your approach.

 

I want to put my business online, but I don't know where to start. This is my first website, can you help me?
Absolutely! You do not need any online experience at all. Chicago Web Works offers free consultation on all services. We help you right from the start! You will have a team member assigned to you for all your questions along the way.

 

What preparations does my business have to do to get online?
Brochures, logos, photographs, business cards, History of your company etc. are all great resources to use. For new businesses we will help you get started from scratch. Need a logo? Chicago Web Works can create a logo for your company.

 

How long does it typically take to build a site?
There are many factors that determine the time required to complete a website, on average it takes approximately 14 to 30 days (for a basic site) or anywhere between 30 and 90 days (for a large complex site). From the date we begin the process to your website being posted on the Web.

 

How much input do I have?
We welcome your input! The more input we receive from you the better able we will be to satisfy your needs and produce a site that will have the desired look and impact that you want. It's your website, we want it to look the way you want it.

 

If I already have a site can you help me improve it?
Yes. We can usually redesign or freshen up an existing site quicker, and for less money than building one from scratch. Contact us with an idea of what you'd like to do, and we'll be glad to give you a quote. Whether your company's website "doesn't look professional", takes too long to load or the navigation is baffling to visitors, we can help.

 

Does my business need to be computer-based in order to have a website? Do I need to know about computers?
You don't need to have computers involved in your business in order to have a website. Many companies do filing, invoicing and more without a computer. Creating a website is more about exposing your business to new potential clients and generating new sales. There is no need to overhaul the way your company does business.

 

What does 'Website Maintenance' mean?
Website Maintenance refers to changes made to your website after the initial design. Keeping a website up-to-date is essential in having repeat visitors to your site. Updating the site with sales, newsletters, press releases, financial figures and links are all examples of website Maintenance.

 

If you already have a website but your business does not have the time to take care of keeping the website maintained. We offer daily, weekly, and monthly updates. Contact us to arrange a custom website maintenance contract that suits your company.

 

My company is in the service industry. Will a website help my business?
Absolutely! Over 50% of the population who are online from home or the office are doing so to research about businesses that provide services or products. Your service-oriented business can provide samples, references, location, hours of operation and more right away from your website 24hours/7days a week/365 days a year.

 

I don't think a website will do anything for me, am I right?
No, many people overlook the various products, services, or business processes that they can include on a website. Any communication or interactions that happen within your business can be made easier and more efficient by the web. Your business will save money and time while appealing to a much greater audience, the world.

 

So, I want to establish a strong presence on the Web. But where do I start?
The four easy steps that we provide below will guide you in the direction to a professionally designed, developed and marketed Web site.

 

Step One: Domain Name (URL) Registration -- This is the address people will use to access your Web site (www.yourcompany.com). Once you have determined that the URL you wish to use is available, the cost to register a name is anywhere from $8.00 to $35.00 per year. A domain name needs to be renewed every year.

 

Step Two: Design of the Web Site -- This is where the look, feel, and content of the Web site are determined and created.

 

Step Three: Hosting Your Web Site on a Web Server -- This is basically where you rent space on a computer that is always connected to the Internet. Price will vary, depending on the amount of disk space you will have and the connection to the Internet.

 

Step Four: Marketing Your Web Site -- You should be thinking about the marketing of your Web site as it is being designed. The content of the site needs to reflex the search terms you will want your site to appear on search engines.