Don't feel bad if you are uneasy discussing issues pertaining to website design and the Internet. This is an extremely new industry that changes constantly. Fortunately, we stay on top of current trends so you can rely on us to pass new techniques on to you, our client. We will make your website project easy and fun, while providing you with professional and honest service. During the next few days, we will be adding many of the questions already encountered in our seven(7) years of business; other questions will be added as they arise.

I don't understand all this internet jargon

We have listed the most commonly used words: Click here to see the glossary.

Why do I need a presence on the internet?

Having a website increases your possible customers exponentially. With a website, people from all over the world can find your company/organization 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, there is no limit to how much product/service information you can offer on a website. It is estimated that 200 million people use the Internet, and that number will increase to 500 million in the next 5 years. However, not every business needs a website but every business should at least consider it. There are many factors to consider in answering this question. As a web design company you may find our answer to be biased, so instead we will try only to ask you some questions that may help you answer this question for yourself.

		What type of business do you have?
		Are you successful?
		Does your success lie within word-of-mouth, aggressive marketing, advertising, referrals?
		Do you require sales literature and brochures?
		Do you offer time sensitive material that needs to be updated regularly?
		Are your products and services purchased right away or do people need time to decide?
		Can and should your products be sold online?
		Is a website economically sensible for you or your company?
		Are you finding yourself spending a large amount of time devoted to customer service?
		Would your clients need to have your information available to them 24-7?
		Are your clients and/or customers ecologically conscientious?
		Would they prefer digital or paper access to your information?
		Are you targeting a local, national, or global market?
		Where will you be five years from now?

These questions will help get you on the right track to answering "Do I need a website?". It is important to us that you know what you need and that we are here to help, even if that means helping you decide that you do not currently need a website. We do not want to sell you anything you do not currently need, it is simply not a smart business practice. We believe that if we help a customer get what they need, they will return as their needs continue to change.

I want to sell online. How difficult is it to develop an e-commerce site?

Although there are a lot of details to consider, an e-commerce site is not that difficult to develop. The difficulty really lies in developing economically when a new business is unsure of its potential sales. The key to the successful development of an e-commerce site is having a product line fully developed and ready to market. A business needs to know its products and services intimately and how to get them to the consumer upon purchase. If the business has all its other elements in place, the development of an e-commerce site is not so difficult.

I want to accept credit cards but I really don't want the expense of having a shopping cart or merchant account. Is this possible?

Absolutely. Gateway uses the E-Commerce solution backed by "The Wall Street Journal". Click here to learn more.

Is E-Commerce really secure?

The security of your information, transactions, and money is the core of our business and our top priority at Gateway . Come explore our Security Center and learn why it is so safe to do business with Gateway .

I would like a website. Where do I begin?

The first step is to choose a web designer that you are comfortable with. Remember, price does not necessarily reflect quality. Don't opt for a designer that wants to ´show off´ his or her talents. Choose a designer who puts your needs first.

To minimize the involvement and cost of the website designer:

Supply as much information as possible:
		Decide what you want on the web
		Set your goals - What do you want to accomplish
		Organize your ideas into Main Topics
		Decide on a look (Colors, Layout ideas, Similar sites you admire)
Supply as much preprinted material as possible:
		Company Brochure
		Company Logo
		Anything that tells the world about your company

This is where the web designer starts. Select the following link for a typical business web site presentation outline of organizing content into main topics: Business Storyboard.

Why should I hire a web designer?

To save time. Hiring a website designer will help you save precious time so that you can concentrate on your business, your vocation, or your organization. Even the best website software takes time to learn. Many are expensive. Some limit creativity and are not compatible with each other. Gateway can implement proven skills to create your website quickly and efficiently.

I can get a website for under $100 custom designed for me, should I do it?

You want to be very careful that your webmaster will be there when you need them. That your site belongs to you and not the web designer. That you are not forced into hosting with the company that created your site. Also remember that you can lose customers very quick with a poor online image or poorly designed site, even if you have a great product or service. Look for testimonials, or ask previous clients of their experience with the company or designer.

I bought web design software that I can create my own site, why do I need a professional?

As a web designer we can recognize these sites as well as the novice potential customers. Without understanding HTML, it is very easy to create a site that is a disaster to update or redesign. Gateway uses concepts such as Cascading Style Sheets , Java , and database administration to make your site run smooth and be a breeze to update. Since designer sites are much more intense, you benefit most from a reputable web designer with graphic design and creative skills . It will save you time and frustration and give you a great looking yet functional site. Our goal is to provide affordable and professional website design with excellent customer service. Some business owners try to create there own website and end up hurting their business instead of helping it.

My friend or relative said he/she will do it for me for free, why do I need a professional?

Customer service and knowledge in the web design field is a must. Are they going to be there when you need them? We see time and time again people trying to get access to there site, or contact there original designer, and fail to get results. If you can't reach who designed your site, do you know how to update it when needed? Can they "truly" give you the professional look you want your business to have online? Are they graphic artists or just someone that bought web page creator software? Can they guarantee you they will keep your content fresh and up to date? For how long?

How do I know if I need a web designer or a web developer?

A web designer transforms your website needs and requirements into a design. The designer whether a person or entity usually takes the role of a graphics artist and marketing specialist. Additionally, the designer can also take the role of a developer by transforming the design into a finished product. A web developer usually works from a design that has been defined by the client or designer. The developer then transforms that design into a finished product. The developer may create the graphics or have the client provide the graphics. In addition, the developer may also act as a designer or web marketing consultant for the client. The main difference between the two is that the web designer has much more control over the design of the website than the web developer. If you want to put emphasis on the graphics design then you probably want a web designer. If you know what your site will entail, how your site will be designed, and where the graphics will come from, then you probably want a web developer. Based on your needs, Gateway can perform all aspects of web site development very well while having emphasis on certain tasks.

What is a domain name (URL Universal Resource Locator/Web Address)?

A domain name is more than your Internet address, it's your Internet identity, your online brand. It puts you on the map of today's online world, opening you to literally millions of clients worldwide. When you register a domain name , you'll join millions of others who are reaping the rewards of being online. The best part, a domain name is a unique name you choose for your website (www.yourname.com) that allows anyone in the world to find your site without having to remember a long complicated string of names and symbols. If you're serious about a website and do most of your marketing online, you must reserve your domain name as soon as possible !

Do I really need a domain name?

Several businesses don't have memorable domain names. If you are only considering putting up a small website for personal use, you can even use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP's usually offer their dial-up customers a space to put up a small website (such as www.yourISP.com/~yourlogonname/). But, every business serious about advertising on the web registers a domain name . If you are going to depend on search engines for your traffic, a domain name that includes carefully chosen keywords will add to your ranking. Some experts say this is a myth. It has been our experience that websites using a domain name do get indexed by search engines faster than those carrying a URL like: http://www.mywebhost.com/myusername.

How do I transfer my domain name?

Just contact us to authorize the transfer and we will get started right away!

What is web hosting?

Think of it as property/lot rental. Web hosting is simply a place to locate your website; typically with a company that provides space on their web server, for a fee, to "host" your site. To learn more, please read our summary on choosing the right website host for you.

Do I need a website host and can I choose someone other than my Web Designer?

Yes and no. As with the domain name, if you are only considering putting up a small website for personal use, you can even use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP's usually offer their dial-up customers a space to put up a small website But, every business serious about advertising on the web needs the right website host. If you are going to provide information or run a business from your website, make a sophisticated investment in your business/organization. In a recent survey conducted on our site we found that over 95% of web surfers polled consider the pop up advertisements that you find on most free hosted sites to be a major aggravation. First impressions often determine the length of time a surfer remains on your website. Pop up banners are a dead give away. They imply the message that your internet intentions aren't really that serious. With Gateway , you are free to choose any host you wish. We strongly recommend that you shop around and get to know your options before you sign up. Should you decide to choose Gateway , you can cancel your hosting at any time if you are unsatisfied in any way. We may also be able to save you money over your current host by reassessing products/services that you do not currently need. Discover if Gateway is the right website host for you.