Knowledge Base Articles
Frequently Asked Questions (view Answers)
What is Web Hosting? top
Think of a website as a physical object. Every object must be somewhere... and a website is no exception. It needs to have a home, where people can visit if. Without this, it is inaccessable and non-exsistent to the world.
Web Hosting means that we give your website a place to live.
What are your fees? top
That varies greatly depending on the project. We have different rates for different job classifications, and most of our work is custom.
Do you design logos? top
Absolutely! In fact, we're pretty good at it. Take a look at some of the latest logos designed.
What is a database? top
A database driven site gets its content from a central database. It requires complex coding to create a database driven site. Once developed, database driven sites are extremely easy to maintain. Managing your database driven site requires no programming knowledge. Routine changes are implemented in a user friendly desk-top interface. Unlike static html sites, database driven sites are dynamic.
Why do I need a database driven web site? top
While more powerful and easier to maintain, database driven web sites are not always needed. Sometimes a simple brochure web site is more appropriate. If you do not plan to make changes to your web site content on a regular basis, a brochure style is fine. If want to keep your web site content fresh and up to date, then a database driven web site is the solution.
A database driven web site not only tells your story, it provides a dynamic and interactive environment. With database driven web sites you can:
- Create and manage newsletter lists
- Track inventory and client orders
- Provide visitors with easily accessible information via search queries and calendars of events.
- Build and manage online communities
- Sell your products/services online
- Do just about anything you can think of (within budget)
What is Flash? top
Flash is a solution for producing high impact web sites, alive with animations, sounds, innovative interfaces and amazing graphics. Sites created with Flash allow developers to integrate mp3 audio, video and quality graphics into interactive websites.
Why should I use Flash? top
As with any marketing tool, Flash is only effective if used judiciously and in the proper environment. Here at 14 East we will provide you with an honest assessment as to whether or not flash is appropriate for your particular situation. Flash can be used to create highly interactive, very impressive web sites, introductions, training CD's and presentations. You can utilize flash for an entire web application, or embed a Flash element into individual web page.
What's the difference between a well designed Flash application and a poorly developed Flash application? top
As previously stated, Flash is dynamic and exciting, but it is not for everyone. The first rule to getting a well designed Flash application is to be certain that it is the right medium for your project. Beyond that it is important to find a developer who will build a user friendly application. Beware of Flash applications that are all smoke and mirrors with little to no attention to practical issues such as usability and load time.
What is multimedia design? top
Multimedia designs use computer technology to deliver a message and fully immerse the target audience. Text, graphics, illustrations, photographic images, animation, full motion video, narration, music and sound effects may be used to create an engaging and memorable environment. A variety of applications may be utilized to "package" a multimedia message, including Flash, Powerpoint and Macromedia's Director.
What makes a good logo? top
An effective logo speaks to your target market, lends credibility to your business, is unique and memorable, reproduces well in black and white, is visually attractive and is able to retain its impact whether appearing on a small business card or a large billboard. Do-it-yourself logos generally look cheap and amateurish. They are ineffective in that they generally fail at one or more of the aforementioned criteria. First impressions are crucial - for best results hire a professional.
What is a brochure-type web site? top
A brochure-type web site is a basic html site made up of only a few pages. It provides general information about your organization, contact information and information on its products and/or services. This type of web site often goes with advertising or verbal communication that tells customers to 'visit our website for more information or details'. While a brochure site gives customers general information about your business, it does not allow for the advanced customer interaction required by E-commerce sites or dynamic sites.
What domain name should I choose? top
This depends on how you are going to use it. If you are going to be telling people over the phone, choose one that is easy to say and spell out loud. Above all, choose one that is memorable and not confusing.
What is the difference between a "static" and a "dynamic" web site? top
A static site is one that is written in HTML only. Each page is a separate document and there is no database that it draws its content from. What this means functionally is that the only way to edit the site is to go into each page and edit the html code - so you'd either have to do it yourself using a web page editor like Dreamweaver, or pay a company like us to go in and edit the site each time you wanted something changed.
A dynamic site is written using more complex code and can do a lot more. For instance, I can make an area where you can log in and change various parts of the site, such as adding information or products. This is because each page is constructed based on the information in a database, and the information in that database can be changed via another interface.
Dynamic sites can reduce ongoing maintenance costs if you don't want to change things yourself with a webpage editor or with the HTML. They usually cost more to develop, as they require more complex coding and a content management utility needs to be developed to help you manage your website information.
Another benefit of dynamic sites is that they allow you to change only the content of the site and not the design, so you will not be able to accidentally break the visual style of the site. They have other benefits when sites start to get very large, as they make data management much more efficient and your site more expandable.
Many clients do a combination, having some dynamic areas such as a product catalog where they have to change information or pictures regularly, and leave other pages such as contact information as static pages.
How do I get my web site listed on the major search engines? top
Major search engines like to find your web site naturally, through a variety of different ways. There are many tricks we know of that lend to rapid inclusion in the databases, but we can't tell you here!
Do you offer Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services?
top
Yes we do. Chances are you probably found us from performing an online search. If you would like the same exposure and visibility that we have generated for ourselves ot some of our clients, then take a look at what we offer here.
What is FTP? top
The process by which files are transferred to the web server is called "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol). You have unlimited access via FTP 24 hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your own computer and upload files to your web site at your leisure.
What is HTML? top
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the set of markup symbols or codes inserted in a file intended for display on a World Wide Web browser page. The markup tells the Web browser how to display a Web page's words and images for the user. Each individual markup code is referred to as an element (but many people also refer to it as a tag). Some elements come in pairs that indicate when some display effect is to begin and when it is to end.
HTML is a formal recommendation by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is generally adhered to by the major browsers, Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator, which also provide some additional non-standard codes. The current version of HTML is HTML 4.0. However, both Internet Explorer and Netscape implement some features differently and provide non-standard extensions. Web developers using the more advanced features of HTML 4 may have to design pages for both browsers and send out the appropriate version to a user. Significant features in HTML 4 are sometimes described in general as dynamic HTML. What is sometimes referred to as HTML 5 is an extensible form of HTML called Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML).
What is a merchant account and how do I open one? top
A merchant account is a bank account that tracks and transfers all credit card transactions on your site. In short, it allows you to accept credit card payments. To open an account you just need to apply for one.
I already have a website. Can you update it? top
We not only generate original websites, we can revamp or update existing sites. It may be time for a second generation website, or time to replace outdated information. We can help. Let us know what your needs are.
Where can I download the latest version of Netscape Communicator/Navigator? top
You may download the latest version of Netscape Communicator/Navigator from Netscape's website:
http://wp.netscape.com/products/index.html
Who Are The Major Search Engines? top
More than half of global Internet users rely on Google for their search needs. See recent usage share percentages below. Google is also ranked number one in the United States.
Search Engine Global Usage Share
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Google 56.4%
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Yahoo! Search 21.1%
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MSN Search 9.2%
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AOL Search 3.8%
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Terra Lycos 2.0%
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AltaVista 1.7%
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Ask Jeeves 1.7%
I've seen free web page makers; why pay a designer? top
Almost anyone can create a web site with software available today. However, the success of a site is dependant on methodical planning and design that functions well and appeals visually to its intended audience. Software of this nature produce commonly used templates, so your site will lack flexibility and have the look of other common, software generated pages. Only a skilled, creative and an experienced web designer can create a tailored design for you, based on your own requirements. It's really a case of the level of professionalism you want to project to your audience and the effectiveness you want your site to achieve!
I am a small business owner. What can a website do for me? top
A website can offer your business many advantages, including a
more professional company image Improved branding Increased sales Inexpensive advertising Edge on the competition Better customer relations A website can help your business reach new customers, keep you in closer contact with your current customers, and enable you to respond quickly and efficiently in a rapidly changing market.
What do you mean by keyword analysis? top
Whether you are creating a website or preparing for search engine optimization, keyword analysis is the most critical phrase in any marketing campaign. Keyword analysis is the process of analyzing and selecting search words and phrases that your potential customers are likely to use when looking for your information, product or service.
This process includes analyzing your competitorﾒs keywords as well as the effectiveness of each keyword or keyword phrase. Ultimately, you want to select relevant keyword phrases that are actually used by your prospects and are not extremely competitive.
What material do I need to supply to get the job going? top
To get the job rolling, we need to know first, what all you would like included in your website. Second, you will need to supply us with any photos you would like included, as well as the text, as you would like it to read on your site.
We recommend that you simply email the text to us either in the body of an email or in an MS Word format. Photos and images can also be emailed, or supplied via regular US mail.
Will my site be secure for shoppers? top
Yes, sensitive information like Credit Card numbers will be securely transmitted by SSL encryption and display the little lock in your browser that indicate that information cannot by read by a third party during data submission when people place an order. Sensitive data will also be securely stored and will be accessed by passwords.
Can I have a form that the user enters information into? top
Yes. We can create a page on your website that has multiple fields that can be filled out by users, and we can have the site automatically email you the results when the user clicks Submit.
