FAQ - Web Frequently Asked Questions (in laymen's terms):

Why should I have a website?
We have found a very useful article that addresses this particular question, so instead of reinventing the wheel on this one, we will include the link to where the document is located on our site for your quick review.  It will open in a separate window so that you can easily return here.  Click Here for Article on Web Advantages.  When you access the article you can enlarge it by using the directional icon that will appear on the page when you hover over the article with your mouse.

What is a Domain Name?
A Domain Name is the name selected by you for your website.  Ex: www.yourname.com
You purchase your domain name if it is available via a provider.  Some names are held but not used by others in hopes that someone will want it and will pay big dollars to have them relinquish it.  There are a variety of options for each domain name.  Ex: www.yourname.com or .net or .info or .gov or .biz etc.  Some suggest that when you purchase your domain name, you also purchase the variable options to avoid a similarly named site from surfacing and detracting from your site's name or intended purpose, or to avoid them directing your intended traffic away from your site.

What is Hosting?
Hosting is placing your site on a server so that you can in turn display it on the internet.  It is similar to renting space (in cyber space) for you to house your website.  Various hosting companies exist and there are a variety of pricing structures and also differing qualities of service available.  It is suggested that you research carefully to compare pricing and also assure that the hosting company you go with is reputable.  Creative Finesse utilizes www.GoDaddy.com for these services for our business and also for our clientele.  They offer very reasonable pricing and superior service, which we are pleased to pass along to you.

Why does Creative Finesse suggest a minimal two year registration or hosting?
The bigger search engine companies, ex. Google and Yahoo, rank the sites based upon importance, relevance and content but they also factor in the length of time that a site has registered its hosting for in order to better assess whether it is a legitimate, trusted site with longevity in mind, or if it is possibly one that is up one night, down the next which may indicate that it may have ill intentions or be a ruse.  Along with the technological age, many threats were ushered in that cause concern over the security and intentions of certain sites.  The longer a site has been up and functioning and the longer it is noted to be up and functioning, the more trust is placed in that site.  That is why we recommend a minimal of two years, but one year is also acceptable.  The decision is entirely yours and you need to factor budget and planning into your final decision.

What is web maintenance?
Once you have a website that gives you a presence on the internet, there is still more to be done.  Most sites require at least a refresher of content every now and again, some quite often.  If you do not have the skills and ability to provide these updates, you typically will require someone to do so for you.  This is where maintenance comes in.  Depending upon the extent of the updates and what an update for your site entails, the price for maintenance will vary.  If you only require a slight change in text i.e. to update the name of a person listed on your page, then this would be very simple and could possibly be negotiated with a reasonable site developer for a bare minimum cost, maybe even free.  If you require constant updates of large amounts of text and content, then you could expect to pay more for this service.  Establishing a relationship and a level of comfort with the person who will build your site should include determining your needs in terms of maintenance and whether or not this is a service that can be provided at a reasonable cost by the person you are considering.  Keep in mind that a major overhaul of the site's content, look and feel are not included in typical maintenance.  Instead, this is a site rebuild and will therefore be more costly.  It is important to develop your site to grow and change with you at a minimal of revision to keep future costs at a minimum.

What is Flash design?
If you visit a site and see things moving and changing, you may be seeing an item designed in Flash.  This is a special program used to develop the "cool" aspects of the web.  Often times you will visit a site and see a surrounding box on a specific item that says click here to activate and when you do, then things begin to happen.  This is typically an indication that this portion of the site was developed using Flash.  It is a nice way to liven things up and bring attention to certain aspects of your site.  Keep in mind though that not all computer owners allow Flash to run on their computers, so sometimes the items that you pay the designer extra to have do that something special, wont do it for all computers.  You determine what you want done, we make it happen in Flash.  For a sample, go to our home page and look for the moving items. Click Here.

What is a SSL Certificate and why pay to have one?
A SSL Certificate provides Secure Socket Layer protection to your website.  This is a safety and security measure that is provided to protect you and your website visitors from the potential harm that exists on the internet.  When you operate your site with a SSL Certificate, your visitors feel more secure and recognize that you have taken the added steps to assure their protection when visiting your site.  Often you can recognize a secured site by the little safety lock symbol that you see at the bottom right hand side of the web browser or in the top of the browser window.  Sometimes, based upon your security settings for accessing the internet, you will receive a notice that informs you that you are now entering or leaving a secure site. 

If you are on a site and plan to transmit personal or sensitive information, especially to make purchases or submit passwords or other confidential information, knowing that the site offers this added layer of security affords you a peace of mind that you would not have were this not the case.  Many phishing and email scams exist and the internet is not always a safe and secure environment, as you well know, so when you consider visiting or building your website, keep the concept of the SSL Certificate in mind.  Watch for the little secure lock emblem to assure your safety and check the page (right click and go to "Properties" then check for the "Connection" to see if you see SSL there).  Also click on the box at the bottom right that says "Certificate" and it will provide you with the pertinent information to confirm the security of that page.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Not ALL pages require a SSL Certificate.  If the page is only to provide information or display content, you typically will not see a SSL Certificate.  But if you are shopping, entering information on a form, transmitting confidential information, or require security for any internet activity, check for the SSL Certificate!  You want to confirm that what you see is what you are getting.  If you ever have a question or a cause for concern, it is best to be safe rather than sorry. 

When building your own site, if you plan to request sensitive information, offer items for purchase, or simply want to be sure you are operating your site as securely as possible, you should consider the option of the SSL Certificate.  We provide that option for you courtesy of GoDaddy and our site is secured by them as well, as you will see if you enter any of the sensitive areas described above.  Ex. Form, Shopping Cart

What is Privacy Registration?
When you become a website owner, you would be amazed at the number of people who want to know who you are.  I say this with a smile.  Often time we design or desire a website with the intention of becoming known.  But sometimes you want specific details on your identity to remain anonymous.  When you obtain a domain name and then decide to host it, there are certain criteria and information requirements that must be met.  Part of these are your name, address, phone, etc.  If you don't want this information made available to the public courtesy of sites that provide this service such as www.whois.com, then you may desire a privacy registration.  This is a service that is offered by GoDaddy for a small fee and when you register your site according to the legal guidelines, they can then mask your identifying detail and provide theirs instead.  You may want to do this if your home information is listed or if you prefer to remain known by your business name and identity, not your personal.  It can come in handy and we make it available to you courtesy of GoDaddy.

Why use Creative Finesse for my web design?
Well this is the best question of all, don't you think?!   We would be honored to take on your website design project for you.  Creative Finesse offers something that most "web developers" do not - affordable pricing, quality service, along with ample time, patience, and understanding to work with you to bring about the vision you desire and you deserve.  We offer assistance with your site text at no extra cost (unless you opt to provide all text on your own) and since quality presentation is important to us, we edit and go over the content with a fine tooth comb and red pen in hand so that the final result conveys professionalism that you and your site visitors will appreciate.  We are flexible and we want you to have the important presence of a website that enhances your business and personal image, which is what Creative Finesse was developed to do!  We offer website maintenance at reasonable costs and wont just build the site then leave you all alone.  We will remain with you for the long haul, or for as long as you would like us to.  Contact us, you won't regret your decision to allow us to add our Creative Finesse to your vision for your web presence.                                                                                                                                                                      Back to top