Frequently Asked Questions

Websites are not simple to create. They can be simple to navigate, or simple to understand. But creating a website comes with a weighty load of considerations. Even a one-page website can have a host of complications. There are hundreds of combinations of modes of browsing, browsers, screen sizes, screen types and operating systems. They all need to be accounted for and tested. There is no simple way to accomplish that.

Also, some things that seem simple to create, might actually be really complicated. And some things that seem complicated, may turn out to be simple.

First, let go of your expectations.
Next, consider your budget and your needs.
Then, contact me to discuss these considerations.

We can work together to arrive at a solution that works within your budget and meets your needs.

But regardless, the solution will not be simple and that’s okay. If it fits within your budget and meets your needs, what else about the investment really matters?

This can vary depending on the scope of the project. A one-page website will have a much shorter time frame than a twenty-page magazine site. eCommerce sites also tend to take a bit longer.

Contact me for an estimated time.

You will need to provide me with:

1.  A Registered Domain Name
2. Hosting Account ( Also SSL Certificate if you plan to have a store)
3. Payment Gateway (Paypal, Stripe, etc) if you plan to have a store
4. Logo, images, and copy
5. A deposit paid

If you have all, some, or none of the content and accounts above it’s OK.  I can guide you through the bits only you can do, and for the rest, I will do it for you.

All the websites are built to be mobile and tablet friendly and compatible with modern browsers.

I require that you provide all of the text content for your website. You are the expert on your business, so it’s always best if it comes from you.

If you need  assistance, I  have a copywriter on who can help clean up or write original content for  your website at an additional cost of $120 per hour.

WordPress developers in Northern Kentucky offer a wide range of services including website development, theme customization, plugin development, website maintenance, website optimization, and website security.

I do not offer website hosting for two main reasons:

1. If your website is hosted by a third party, and if anything ever happens to me, you will still have access to all of your website files and databases.
2. Website development involves an extensive amount of skill and knowledge in a field that is always changing. Website hosting also involves a different extensive set of skills and knowledge in a different field that’s also always changing. It makes the most sense (and is far less exhausting for me) to let others be experts in hosting. Then I can focus my energy on keeping my development and design skills current and well tuned.

What I can do, is recommend some excellent website hosting options that offer fantastic performance, high security and excellent support.

I recommend putting the brakes on. Websites require care, planning and thought. If you have marketing opportunities coming up soon, maybe consider creating a simple “coming soon” splash page with a newsletter sign up form. That way, you can collect leads generated from the marketing opportunity while also taking the time and care required to build a fantastic solution that helps your business thrive

I can, but creating walk-throughs that help you to maintain the site yourself take a lot of time. That will cost the same as the first two months of a care plan. Also, there are some gotchas that can mess up your website if you’re not extremely careful.

I can only provide a general overview of the main maintenance tasks. I can’t make you a web developer. I will only be able to cover the basics in any documentation I provide.

Almost every client I’ve had, that didn’t sign up for a care plan and left to maintain the site themselves, has been hacked at some point. Most often it’s because they didn’t keep up with running WordPress and Plugin updates on a regular basis or they used insecure passwords or shared their passwords.

Maintaining a website yourself is risky and difficult. You probably don’t need that stress in your life. Take a minute to check out the package I offer, and see what’s included and then, if you still want to maintain the site yourself, let’s chat.

Website hosting is difficult to do well. It can’t be done for less than the cost of a cup of coffee/month. When hosts charge less, it’s not because they’re offering less in the way of “fancy features”. They tend to cut corners on security, performance, tech support and stability.

If it was a car, it would be like choosing a car without breaks or door locks, with bad wheel alignment, and that mechanics don’t know how to fix. And choosing it only because it’s $4/month and because it’s located nearby.

Some things are worth spending money on.

When visitors come to your website, the logo can help them know that they’re in the right place. But, the logo isn’t the reason they’re browsing your website. Visitors are there for the content. So, instead of thinking about what you want to show to people, try to put yourself in your visitor’s shoes. What would you want to see when you arrive at a website like yours?

Your logo is like the avatar or signature of your business. Imagine Twitter changed its design, so the avatars were huge and the tweets were tiny. It doesn’t make much sense, does it? It’s helpful to know who tweeted something, but you’re there to read what they have to say. Not to see their avatar.

Or, instead, imagine someone wrote you a letter and kept the main paragraphs small but made their signature take up ½ of the page. Again, I’m sure you’re glad to know who wrote to you but that’s not why you’re reading the letter.

It’s the same for logos. Logos should be clear and easy to read, but should not be over-shadowing the information visitors are actually looking for. Even if your logo is stunning!