FAQ

Pre-Purchase

This is my first time purchasing a website.    How does this all work?

I will take the time to lookup the domain name you would like to see if it is available. Once we find out that it is open I will then secure the domain name to ensure that no one else can claim it. From there on I finish the setup for you to make your experience hassle free.

Do we own the completed website?

You always have full ownership over your website. Although I would be sad to see you go, you are 100% free to move your website to a third-party company. And, since your website is built using WordPress, you will be able to transfer it to just about any web host.

How long does it take to finish a website?

It really depends on the size of your website. On average I can have a website launched within 3 to 6 weeks. This timeline can be longer or shorter depending on how proactive you are with your content.

Do I need to have all my content prepared prior to contacting you?

No. I can get started by using placeholder content while you work towards completing your content. I can also give you guidance on the type of text and images that would perform best on your website. If you are local and in need of photo content I can come to your location and capture images that I will later use and professionally edit for your website.

I've received quotes that are much higher than your prices. Are you cutting corners to offer lower prices?

No. I can get started by using placeholder content while you work towards completing your content. I can also give you guidance on the type of text and images that would perform best on your website. If you are local and in need of photo content I can come to your location and capture images that I will later use and professionally edit for your website.

I’m not local to your area. Can you still make my business' website?

I sure can! I am great at communicating via phone and email and some of my clients come from all over Wisconsin.

I have an idea for a website but it's not exactly a small business. Should I still contact you about my project?

Sure! I have done websites for many other types of businesses, like nonprofits, or for people to use for blogging. I'll listen to your idea and let you know if we would be a good fit for the project.

Can you revise my current or finish my incomplete website?

My answer is normally yes, but you will have to contact me to discuss your exact situation. We can see and work with what you have or, in some cases, it may be more affordable and of best practice to start over from scratch. We will know once I look at the existing website content management system.

Design + Development

I keep seeing the term "responsive web design". What does this mean?

Responsive web design is a technique used to build a website that adapts its layout to fit the size of any device. Instead of having to build an additional website for mobile devices, I only use a single website- which also helps lower the cost. When the desktop version of your site is approved and meets your expectations, I then go through each page to ensure that all content is responsive for all device sizes.

Do your website designs work on mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.)?

Yes. The majority of website traffic from mobile phones (typically over 55%). I put a high emphasis on making sure the website experience on a phone is second-to-none and go through page by page to ensure this.

How many design revisions do you allow for?

My goal is that you are 100% satisfied with your initial design so you won’t have many changes to make to the site. However, you are more than welcome to send me a list of updates at any time that you would like made. I am always happy to help and offer affordable pricing for the time that is put into the revisions.

Do your website include content management system (CMS) software?

Yes. I exclusively use WordPress, the leading CMS currently in use on the Internet. It provides the right balance of customization and usability for small businesses.

Payments + Guarantees

Are there any recurring costs involved with owning a website?

Yes. Many design companies won't mention recurring costs before starting your project. At a minimum, you'll need monthly web hosting and an annual domain name registration. My website plans are a single-rate solution which include monthly hosting, domain name registration along with managed maintenance to keep everything running smooth.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept all major credit cards. My payment processing is handled by Square and/or Wave Apps, and payment information is never stored outside of their secure systems.

Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?

I offer a 30-day money back guarantee. If you're unhappy with our service for any reason within the first 30 days of the site launch, you are free to terminate your contract with Sally’s Services and I will refund your payment.

Do you offer a warranty?

Absolutely! Bug fixes are included with each of our monthly website packages. We'll keep your website running in the same condition it was as the day it launched. This is one of the biggest benefits of being on a monthly plan.

What is your refund policy?

If you're unsatisfied and want to terminate your contract within the first 30 days, I will refund your payment. I do not offer refunds for any services after the first 30 days.

Search Engine Opt (SEO)

What is search engine optimization (SEO)?

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of improving a website's rank on search engines like Google or Bing. Having your website show up higher than your competitors on these search engines often lead to more visitors and customers. While there are industry standard techniques used to help improve your rank, SEO techniques are subjective and can be thought of as an artform.

Does my website need search engine optimization (SEO)?

Yes, in some form. Many people are surprised to learn SEO isn't a single process that takes place. Google has thousands of different factors it weighs in order to rank your website. How fast your site loads, ease of use on mobile, how long people stay on your site, and more are all taken into consideration.

Does Sally's Services offer search engine optimization services?

My premium plan includes SEO Content Optimization and is perfect for small businesses looking for an extra push. I perform keyword analysis and make content modifications to help improve your ranking. The premium plan also includes Local Search Optimization where I list your business on "Google My Business" and other major directories. This is an excellent way to gain visibility if your business operates within a small geographical area.

Can you help me to get my website to show up on Google?

Yes. It's almost always possible to get your website to show up for "branded" searches, meaning someone typing in your business name. It can be much more difficult to compete on industry keywords if your market is oversaturated.

Can you guarantee my website will show up first on Google?

No. If someone is making you this guarantee, be very careful. There are bad actors who claim this is possible. They typically use techniques that can penalize your website or even get you removed from Google. Every business's circumstances are unique, and the outcome of every SEO strategy is different. A more realistic goal is to have your website show up on the first page of Google results.

Support + Maintenance

What happens if my site is inaccessible or displays incorrectly?

Contact me immediately. If your site is hosted with Sally’s Services, I can almost always resolve the issue with a single phone call or email. If you are hosted with a third-party, it's possible the issue could be on their end. In these instances, I will look into it and let you know the source of the problem so you can contact the third-party host.

Do you charge for technical support?

As long as you're on a monthly plan with Sally's Services, there is no charge for technical support.

How long does it take for someone to respond to an email?

I try my best to respond to all emails within 24-48 hours. If you have an emergency, I recommend calling us at (608) 606-9821. If it is outside of normal business hours, leave a message and I will return your call as quickly as possible.

Hosting + Domains

What is web hosting?

Web hosting refers to the server which responds to requests to view your website. It's simply another computer connected to the Internet for the sole purpose of transmitting your website to users. Any time you visit a website, there is another computer somewhere in the world you connect to in order to view it. Sally's Services offers the best in hosting security to ensure that your websites foundation is safe.

Do I need web hosting?

Yes. This is what makes your website accessible through the Internet.  All of my plans include web hosting at no extra charge.

Do you offer website hosting services?

Yes. "Fully-managed" web hosting is included with all of my plans. Simply put, I gladly take care of everything for you.

Do you offer email accounts with your web hosting?

Yes! I offer professional domain emails for your business on both the Small Business Plan and the Advanced Business Plan.  Having a professional email is a critical part in building credibility and trust with your viewers and customers.  I can also setup your professional domain email to your current preferred email provider (Gmail, Outlook, etc.).

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a memorable phrase used to access your website, often "yourbusinessname.com". Every computer connected to the Internet has a long string of unique numbers used to identify itself called an "IP address". Without a domain name, you would need to remember the IP address in order to view a website.

Domain names are purchased using a "registrar" which acts like a phonebook. When someone types in your domain name, behind the scenes your registrar will look up your domain for them and return your IP address back. Their computer will then know where to find your website.

How do I purchase a domain name?

If you don't already have a domain name then I will purchase and register a domain name on your behalf- at no additional charge.  As long as you’re on one of these plans, I will automatically renew your domain for you annually. So the process is as hassle free as possible for you.