FAQ

Read through these questions. If yours isn't here, submit it in the form below. We'll be sure to answer you as soon as we can

Do I need to have a computer and Internet access to have my business on the Internet?

Although it is nice to be able to respond to E-mail, it is certainly not necessary. How do your customers reach you from advertising now? Just put in your phone number and location, as usual.

Do I need to buy special software?

No.

How will people find my site?

After your site is on the Web, we will submit your company's Web site information to the Web's most used Search Engines. A Search Engine is a Web based database that allows visitors to enter 'keywords' in order to locate specific Web sites from around the world. By submitting your information to the various Search Engines, potential customers and clients from around the world can find your Web site more easily.

There are many ways to market your web site. You should not simply sit back and rely on someone searching the Internet. Successful marketing of your web site starts on the Internet. But don't stop here, for your web site to be successful you must market traditionally as well. This means to advertise your web site address on your stationary, business cards, and in your advertisements. Add it to your signature on E-mails. When at all possible add your web site address to everything.

Once you have gotten people to visit your site, make sure they have a reason to return. Be informative, tell as much about each product as possible. Add new content to your site, have a monthly special, coupons, run a contest.

How do people see my web site?

Your site is placed on our server. A 'Server' is a special computer that allows visitors from around the globe to access and view your Web site. All Web sites on the Web are 'stored' on a Server. Once your Web site information has been placed on a Server, your company will now be on the World Wide Web. Your site is yours and you can place it on any server.

What is a Domain name?

A domain name is the name that a customer can type into the line at the top of their web browser to go directly to your web site. To get to this site, with almost all browsers, you can just type in design42.com. This would take you directly to this web site.

Your domain name is your online identity. It is the contact point for your business, organization or project. Everything that happens on the Internet relies on a domain name. It is used to conduct e-commerce, display web pages, deliver email, and more.

You can register any domain name ending in .com, .org, .net, .tv, .ws, .to or .cc. There are also country extensions, such as .co.uk and .org.uk. The number of extensions keeps growing. As long as the name is not already owned by someone else. design42 can help you research potential names for your needs, and register them for you.

Many businesses register several domains -- one to represent their primary brand, one to represent each key product & trademark -- some companies even register extras such as their stock ticker or other names as a defense against competitors and vocal critics. Frequently they register misspellings and have them redirect to their site, to avoid lost traffic (and lost business.)

Do you own all the domains relevant to your business? Let design42 find out for you.

Should I register a Domain name?

That's entirely up to you. It is a lot easier to find your company if all you have to type in is yourcompany.com, but if you would like to try your site first as http://design42.com/yourcompany/, we offer this free for 6 months. But, you have to admit, it's kinda unwieldy.

How do I register a Domain name?

We can help you search out an available 'Domain Name' (www.yourcompany.com) for your business and register your Domain name. This service is usually included at little or no charge.

How do you know what kind of web site I want?

Mail us the materials and ideas you have for your web site. These can be photos, text, and even sketches of what you want. Tell us some web sites you like. The more information you give us about your taste, the more it will be reflected in the finished product. We will create and design a Web site to your specific needs and specifications. We can scan your camera-ready artwork from an existing advertising campaign or brochure, or if you'd like, we can custom design artwork for you.

We have a survey you can fill out that will help us to understand your requirements. We also have considerable experience in usability and platform issues, so we can help steer you toward the best use of your resources. Why not get started with our design survey now?

I am setting up my web site to take Credit Cards myself. What numbers can I use to test it?

Use these numbers in test mode: