identitydesignwebsitedesign
faqs
the things people ask (remember, it’s rude to point).
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How much will this cost?
Hmm, let's just say there are probably cheaper options out there. But realistically, minimum spend on a Flying Solo site is likely to be around £2000 ex VAT. Some cost slightly more. Some, and at least one of us is quite pleased about this, cost a lot more.
Of course, every design project is different, so it's difficult to give ballpark figures upfront. But if I submit a proposal, I'll give you itemised costs wherever possible. And stick to them, unless you change something major... but I'll let you know in advance if the invoice will vary by more than 5%, so there won't be any nasty surprises. At least, not in an envelope.
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How long will it take?
Usually I've got several weeks work scheduled in advance, but it varies. Once we agree a schedule, though, I’ll stick to it. Unless someone offers me more money, obviously, in which case I’ll lie to you and do theirs first.
But very often I find myself waiting for clients to do something - approve copy, take photographs, finalise prototypes, save up enough money, etc. So projects which actually represent perhaps 6 or 7 days work can typically take several weeks or even months to complete. Depressingly, my accountant insists I can only charge you for the hours I actually work on your stuff.
If you've got everything ready to go, it is possible to build sites very quickly. If there’s a required timescale to tie in with an exhibition or product launch, for example, let me know at the start.
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Are you any good at this design stuff?
Yes. Bloody brilliant actually (well, you asked). Not inclined to take my word for it? That may be reflected in your invoice should you become convinced in due course – or you can look at the work and testimonial stuff. Alternatively, I have a tape I can send you which you should play while you’re asleep each night.
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Can I update my site myself? Without a degree in computer science?
Almost certainly. Most sites I build are client-managed using nothing more complicated than a computer. If all you need to do is the occasional text update, maybe adding the odd link to another site, pic or PDF – all sites which I host allow you to update precisely the bits I let you touch, and nothing more. (So don’t upset me, or I won’t let you touch anything, and you’ll have to sit with your hands in your pockets).
If you need something more sophisticated you’ll probably require some sort of database-driven CMS (Content Management System). As ever, talk to me at the start of the project and I can advise and demonstrate the options..
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How do I know if anybody looks at my site?
Every site I build has stuff included to tell you who’s looking at it. Not their names and addresses, and what they like to eat, but how many of them, where they’re from, which search engine they used to find you and stuff like that.
You can tell other stuff too from these statistics– eg. which are the most (and least) popular pages, how long visitors spent on your site, why you shouldn’t wear comedy socks if you’re old enough to have left school, etc.
Every website develops its own distinct pattern of usage. You can see why this might be useful. Just don’t tell anyone you find it interesting. They'll only laugh.
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What's this stuff about Accessibility?
Well, in the UK, it’s covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Put simply there is a set of ‘web standards,’ suggested by the W3C (basically the people who invented the web and some of their chums) which are recommended for building modern sites. (These are closely linked to accessibility compliance).
All Flying Solo sites have been built to these standards since January 2005. This has proven benefits for search engine performance and ensures sites won’t ‘break’ in new versions of browsers which are designed to work with web standards.
NB. Some older browsers (eg. IE6) don’t work to web standards, and are what we technically refer to as ‘crap.’
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Sounds plausible. So what happens next?
First we can talk about what you think you need. We'll wonder if we're going to get on. (We don't have to be best friends, but there has to be a certain empathy). You'll worry about how much it might cost. I'll worry about telling you how much it might cost (but not for long).
Then you go back to your office and I'll look up the price of something expensive I'd like to own so I can decide on a fee for your design project.
Next time, I'll tell you about my ideas. You'll go ‘wow!’ If we're in my office, you'll be so excited you'll even forget about trying to steal my cool stuff. And when you get to the page in my proposal where it says I probably want at least 50% of the fees in advance, you won't even choke on your biscuit.
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What's hidden in the ‘small print?’
Not much actually. Unless you've annoyed me. When I give you a proposal document, there will be lot of stuff about which formats I need for artwork and copy, what exactly is included in the quote, what isn't, dull stuff about technical specs, testing sites and why you shouldn't believe anything you read on the internet.
All you care about is that it works, right? Actually, that's all I care about too, it's just I have to test it in lots of different browsers on different computers. There are more of them than you might think. Browsers, not computers. I don't know how many computers you think there are.
so miles, tell me...
How busy? Exactly?
As well as confirmed work in progress, I’ve normally got a number of proposals for new design projects on the go.
Most of the time I'm really really drunk busy, and because there are lots of you, but only one of me, you might have to wait a few weeks before I can take on anything else, but get in touch anyway.
Of course, if I think your project is either really exciting or hugely lucrative (ideally both) I’ll put down this beer and get started immediately.