Passionistta Web Design

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic things I need to set up a website?
How do we collaborate on the project?
What will you need from me?
How long will it take you to design my website?
Will you maintain my website for me when we're done with the project?
What are stock photos?
Are you a bionic woman?

What are the basic things I need to set up a website?

First, you will need a domain name for your website so you have your personal address. A domain name looks like this: www.yourname.com. The cost for a domain name is usually $10 (USD) per year.

Nowadays, when you register a domain name, you only have to pay for web hosting service as most web hosts now offer a free domain name when you get one of their packages. Web hosting, by the way, is like your own hard drive on the Internet where we will put all your website files. There are several web hosting packages offered, but I recommend their 2 or 3-year plans where the cost can get as low as $6.95 per month (long-term plans offer lower rates). You will have to pay for the entire 2 years worth upon registration but it's very reasonable when you think about it since you're set for two years. I highly recommend Bluehost for this, but feel free to look for other web hosts you might like.

We can start discussing your plans through email. Once we are set to begin the project, I will give you your account information to our secure collaboration website where we can track our progress, send messages to each other and keep all our files organized in one place. This online collaboration system allows me to work with local and international clients, so it doesn't matter even if you're a thousand miles away.

It will make such a big difference in efficiency (and I will greatly appreciate it) if all the materials are prepared beforehand so as to have a clear direction regarding the scope of the project. Everything you want to put on your website (text, photos, products, etc.) need to be available before we start to avoid delays and unpleasant surprises.

Also, as we are going along our project, a sign off for every milestone is needed for every accomplishment to make sure that we are on the same page regarding our progress.

Simple websites take about a month to finish, while more complicated websites with e-commerce will take two months. The whole process of designing, coding and testing are included. It is, however, possible to finish earlier granted that the materials are complete and we are communicating at a regular basis.

If it will be more convenient for you, yes. Based on experience, most clients only want to be able update their blog on their own. Actual content updates are passed to me and I just bill them accordingly since they are usually busy tending to the more important things. You can just email me the updates and I'll gladly do it for you.

Stock photos are photographs or imagery of common landmarks, concepts, people and events that are bought and sold on a royalty-free basis and can be used and reused for commercial design purposes. It is a cost-effective method to obtain professional photos. They can be purchased through a subscription and downloaded from a stock photography distributor's website.

Actually, most of the elements you see here in my website are stock photos I purchased. It really made it easier for me to have exactly the images I wanted immediately as I design. Apart from that, it helps to have a peaceful mind knowing that I didn't steal pictures from the Internet. I have a subscription in Dreamstime.

Unfortunately, no. I'm pretty much the only employee right now as a one-woman-team but I am able to handle every aspect of my business. I take pleasure in designing and coding and even if I expand in the future, I will make sure that I'm still very much active in the projects. I want my business organization to be purposely small so my relationship with my clients remain personal.

Maybe in the future I'll design a robot so I can take the role of the janitor off my list. :)