MODULAR, PROFESSIONAL, FULLY FEATURED, INDUSTRY SPECIFIC WEBSITES READY IN 7 DAYS.

But I've got a friend who will make me a website for $50

Of course you do, nowadays my dog can put up a relatively attractive looking website, if you can use Microsoft Word anyone can "design" a website, it will probably be basic HTML, non-interactive, impossible to find in search engines, difficult to update and won't actually increase your customers or give you a better image but hey, its only $50 right?

There are 2 phrases that spring to mind whenever I hear this (and I hear it a lot!) Firstly "are you rich enough to buy cheap things?" and from the legendary Red Adair "if you think its expensive to hire a professional, wait till you hire an amateur". The meaning is obvious, in the long term, a cheap, shoddy service or product will cost you more than if you had done it properly in the first place.

Whoever you want to design your website make sure they have good answers for the following top 10 questions to ask your web designer:-

1. What can you do to make my site visible?

   Whats the point of having a good website if no-one can find it? 75% of any good web development project is focussed on optimisation and marketing. Plan B manually submit your webiste to all the major search engines and have a guaranteed Search Engine Optimisation service as well as designing the site from the ground up to be Search Engine Friendly and can advise you on a range of marketing plans to help get your site in front of prospective new customers.

2. Do you provide Hosting & Domain Name Registration?

   All reputable design companies will offer these services, by offering hosting it usually shows commitment as they own or rent their own server for a number of years showing you company stability. One note, be very careful when choosing your domain name as this list of  the top 10 unintentionally worst domain names shows!
   

3. What happens if I need changes?

   How easy will it be to change your website if you need to? Will your $50 "investment" land you with a useless site that will be out of date in a few months? Plan B websites all have an easy to use administration area, either we can make any changes for you or with our FREE training you will be able to make any changes yourself.

4. If you decide not to do website development any more who will support my website?

   Good question. Plan B has been in the business of website and web application design for over 10 years and doesnt plan on going anywhere soon but you always have to prepare for the worst. Plan B uses as core for all its websites the popular Joomla! Content Management System, what this means for you is that there are a lot of experienced Joomla developers all around the world and many professional web designers use and are experienced with the system. So if all the Plan B staff get run over by a bus on the same day you are assured that there will be someone who will understand your site design and workings and can always find support. BUT as I said, weve been around for a long time and hopefully will be in the future too but we have thought about this too.
   

5. Is the website portable? (ie: can I move it off your system?)
   

   This is an important question, after all, you are paying for YOUR website, it should be yours to do with whatever you want, including moving it to another host if you so wish. Plan B web design give you a complete copy of your website and database backup to let you move your site wherever you wish.

6. What are the ongoing maintenance costs? (Hosting, name registration etc.)

   Websites need maintenance, there are annual fees for name registration and hosting, ensure you know these costs before embarking on your project, all our hosting and registration costs are here.

7. Do I own my site at the end?

   This may seem an odd question since you paid for it! But some companies will hang on to the code and if they disappear so does your website you paid for. Plan B will email you a complete copy of your website and database on completion and if a regular backup is included in your package you can be assured that your site is being backed up every month to save any changes if the worst should happen.

8. How long have you been in business developing websites and web applications?

   Theres nothing wrong with giving a startup one man business a chance but ensure that they have a serious business plan and their primary focus is website design and the developer(s) have the experience, skills and qualifications to make the site you want.

9. What web browser do you use?

   There IS a correct answer to this question, "All of them", Plan B uses all the available web browsers and also tests from the Apple Mac & Linux platforms as well to make sure your site looks and performs the same no matter who accesses it. Can your "friend of a friend designer" offer the same attention to detail?

10. What support can I expect?

    Make sure whoever does your website can offer all the help and support you may need in the future. Plan B prides itself on customer support and offers a range of on and offline services including:- Downloadable Instructions and Manuals - Video tutorials and FREE to download addons for your website. We are always available via EMail and Telephone and an on-site support service ensures you will have help available when YOU want it.