FAQ
Below you will find some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS from my design clients.
GENERAL DESIGN QUESTIONS
- What is dpi and ppi?
- Both are measurements of an image's resolution. Basically it's the amount of information stored in each image-measured by pixels per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi). The higher the number, the higher (or better) the resolution.
- What is Graphic Design?
- The definition of Graphic Design is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, websites, and any other type of visual communication.
- What is a Target Market?
- The market segment or group of customers that a company has decided to serve, and at which it consequently aims its marketing activities.
- What can I do to prepare myself for working with Nola Cooper Designs?
- Think carefully about what you want, before we get started. The more detailed you are in your descriptions, the better chance there is of your "vision" becoming reality. We always research extensively when working on any project, and knowing what you want will help us to move in the right direction.
BILLING AND PAYMENTS QUESTIONS
- How do you bill for services?
There are three ways to be billed for service:
Per Project Billing: When you have a project to complete with a set start and finish, you will get the best pricing. An example would be a website design or re-design project. Once you provide the details of your project, I will give you a quote for the final price. You then pay a 60% down payment, with the final 40% due upon completion of the project.
Hourly Billing: Hourly billing is done in 1/4 hour increments and is $125 per hour. Billing takes place exactly one month from the start of your contract, and each month thereafter on that day.
Retainer Billing: Retainer billing is also done in 1/4 hour increments, however because there is a 5 hour minimum retainer, you receive a discount. Retainer billing is $85 per hour.
If you have minimal, but regular website updating to do, you should consider one of my Website Maintenance Plans
GRAPHIC DESIGN QUESTIONS
- What is an animated graphic or ad?
- A GIF graphic file, which consists of two or more images shown in a timed sequence to give the effect of motion. Different from flash animation, which is actually an animated film created using Adobe Flash. Nola Cooper Designs does not currently offer flash animation.
- What types of Website Graphics do you design?
BANNERS AND BUTTONS: While free banner and button designers can be found all over the web, using them means there are lots of other ads out there just like yours. The only way to distinguish yourself, is to have professional and unique ads designed specifically for your business and advertising situations. We have studied trends in advertising and are familiar with the marketing tactics that are successful, as well as the ones that are not.
WEB PAGE HEADERS: A web page header needs to grab attention, and at the same time let people know without a doubt where they are and what they can accomplish while they are there.
PRODUCT PHOTOS and REPRESENTATIONS: High resolution, zoomable photos for your Shopping Cart or Amazon Store. Images such as eBook or eZine Covers, CDs, Audios, Software, Reports. Make joining your list more appealing with a professional graphic that represents your unique product!
INFOGRAPHICS: Infographics are visual representations of information, data or knowledge. There’s no better way to communicate data that you’ve compiled than with a colorful, eye-catching graphic!
ATTENTION GRABBERS: Eye catching buttons and graphics for sales pages. Filler images that make your website more interesting to look at, and help to convey your message can make all the difference to your visitors.
NOTE: Website graphics are measured in pixels, and it’s always a good idea to know ahead of time what size your graphic will need to be. If you are using the graphic to advertise, contact the publication/site to determine the correct size for your ad. Web page headers are typically the full width of your site (if the width is fixed). Please be sure to notify us if your site is a 100% aspect ratio.
- What is a Concept?
- A Concept is simply an Individual Design. Presented to you as a 'Draft'.
- What is a Revision?
- A Revision is a slight change of a draft (color, shape, font, etc.). A completely new Concept is not considered to be a revision.
- What is a brand?
A brand is the proprietary visual, emotional, rational, and cultural image associated with a company or a product. The purpose of having people remember the brand name and have positive associations with that brand is to make their product selection easier and enhance the value and satisfaction they get from the product.
A Business Identity is the tool used to carry your brand through all aspects of your business. The complete professional image that a business wishes to project to make it recognizable and distinct. A successful business identity is consistently carried through all aspects of a company’s access to the public, customers, and potential customers: print media, advertisements, website, signage, etc.
- What are the different image file types used for?
- Typical uses are listed below by file type:
.ai - layered source (vector) file (used by print shops)
.bmp - printable, high resolution file
.eps - printable, high resolution file (used by print shops)
.jpg - higher resolution web file (not typically printable resolution)
.gif - lower resolution web file-can have transparent background
.png - higher resolution alternative to .gif and .jpg files
.psd - layered high resolution PhotoShop file (used by print shops)
.pdf - high resolution file for printing (used by print shops)
.tif - high resolution file (typically photos)
WEBSITE DESIGN QUESTIONS
- What is Web Safe Color?
Web safe color is a "standard" color palette for website design/viewing. The colors are considered to appear similar on all computer screens, despite manufacturer/brand. While color is still affected by the individual monitor settings, these colors tend to vary the least...based on research.
With the onset of High Definition monitors, and better technology, web safe color is not as widely used as it once was. You should still understand that your choice of colors may not look the same (especially in intensity) on all of your visitors' devices.
- What is a Mockup?
A Mockup is a life sized screen shot of your overall website design. It includes the website elements such as background, layout, navigation placement, color scheme, etc. You will typically receive a two-part mockup: (1) Home page; and (2) General Interior page.
Because your mockup is a screen shot there is no functionality of the navigation or links within the mockup.
- What will my website include?
Sites are Built on WordPress - The web's most popular Content Management System.
Designed from Scratch - your site is unique and designed from a clean, blank slate. No free themes. Your questionnaire combined with my market research gives you the perfect look!
Cross Browser Compatibility - I make sure that every site I design meets W3C compatibility standards, so your site will look the same in every browser.
Responsive Design - Your site will perform optimally on a wide range of devices (from mobile phones to desktop computer monitors).
User Acceptance Testing - Live testing of your site design and functionality on my server before it's installed on yours.
Live Chat - I'm available via Skype Chat during regular business hours for questions or discussions. (nola.cooper)
Optional Website Hosting available with discounts on your first year.
Basic SEO - Every site I design is Responsive, Mobile Ready, and includes basic Search Engine Optimization to give you a jump start with the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
- What is a brochure site?
- A brochure website is an informational site with content that does not regularly change. Typical sections of a brochure site would be: Home Page, About Page, Contact Page, Products/Services Description Page. Many service providers utilize a brochure site, to provide general & contact information, directions to an office, and hours of operation in an easy to access website.
- What is a blog?
- A blog is a great way to interact socially with your visitors. A blog is basically an ongoing chronology of information segmented into articles or “posts”. Typically, the newest “post” by the author or authors is listed first, and the visitor is given the opportunity to “comment” on each post. A blog also includes archives of older posts, and is usually categorized into different topics or sections. Blogs have what are called feeds wherein special software accesses the site automatically to look for new content. This allows visitors to receive updates via those feeds on the newest content posted to a blog. With a WordPress blog, there are an incredible number of plugins that increase the function of your blog. You can schedule your posts for the future, add photos to the posts, share the posts with your social networks, and be published to a world wide audience..all with just a few clicks. Blogs also include a search function allowing visitors to easily find information that’s not on the “front” or “home” page of the blog. Every blog I design uses WordPress as its CMS (Content Management System), and the themes I create are designed to work seamlessly with that system. A theme is a template or “skin” that controls the look of the blog. There are many themes available to WordPress users…both free and custom. Learn more about blogging with WordPress. You can easily get started by installing WordPress on your host, and using a free theme. As you build your blog, you might then want to consider purchasing a custom theme to better match your blog’s content. If you already have a website, having a custom theme designed to match your site can be very advantageous. It allows you to post news aobut your business, and communicate with your customers, while looking and feeling like a part of your website.
- What is a dynamic website or CMS?
A dynamic website includes a scalable Content Management System (WordPress) that gives you the ability to add unlimited pages and to completely control your own website content. The site will include a search function, contact form, search engine optimization tools, social media integration, custom navigation menus that you control, database backup tool, a mobile theme, video integration tools, and Google Analytics.
Optional enhancements include: blog function (for news or articles), photo gallery, slideshows, testimonials, ratings, reviews, form creator, mailing list, calendar, memberships, Google Maps, and more!
- What is Responsive Design?
A web design approach aimed at crafting sites to provide an optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling—across a wide range of devices (from mobile phones to desktop computer monitors).
All websites I design (since 2013) are responsive.
- Do I need eCommerce?
If you plan to sell products from your site, then you'll need an eCommerce solution. Typically, this means installing a shopping cart, as well as having some type of Merchant account and payment gateway.
When it comes to a shopping carts, I prefer to use MarketPress on the WordPress Platform. This cart offers what I consider to be the best functionality, on both front end and back end. When you purchase a website design that includes eCommerce, I'll do all of the shopping cart integration, for you, and I'll add your first 10 products as part of your design package.
Setting your website up as a "store" where your customers can purchase your products online, requires a few extra components. If you also own an off-line (often referred to as "brick and mortar") store, then you probably already have a merchant account.
Merchant Account: A "bank account" established with a payment processor for the settlement of credit card transactions. Any merchant who wants to take credit card orders must establish a merchant account. Internet merchants need a 'Card Not Present' Merchant Account.
Internet Merchants also need a payment gateway to process payments online.
Payment Gateway:
A payment gateway is a service provided by a billing processor, which allows credit card information to be collected and passed over the internet. A payment gateway can be thought of as a digital equivalent to a credit card processing terminal.
If you do not have a merchant account, there are ways to accept credit cards online, without having one. The companies who offer this service generally take a percentage of each sale as the fee for using their service. Many times this can be economical for a small, start-up company. We recommend that companies with a larger sales volume set up a merchant account and gateway from the start, as the fees will generally be less in the long run.
- When you develop an eCommerce website, do you add all of my products?
- No. I will add up to 5 products as a part of my basic website contract. Anything over 5 will require an additional fee. Training will be provided so that you will be able to easily add additional products or edit the products that I have added.
- When does my website go "live"?
- Upon receipt of final payment of all monies due, unless otherwise stated.
- When my website is complete, will I be able to edit or add content?
- Yes. Your website is built on a platform that makes it easy to add pages and edit your content. I provide up to one hour of training once your site is complete, so that you will understand how to maintain your website. Additional training is available through my website maintenance plans.
- Do you guarantee the security of my website?
The security of your site is your responsibility. You must keep your plugins and your WordPress version up to date via your website dashboard. If you do not, you risk being hacked. A security plugin can be added as part of your project, but if it's added after you have problems, then chances are your problems will continue.
I offer maintenance packages to help you with keeping your site updated, for a monthly fee. However, if you contact us after trouble has begun, we cannot guarantee any type of security.
PRINT DESIGN QUESTIONS
- What types of Advertising Materials do you design?
I can professionally design any of your advertisement needs, including:
- Brochures
- Vinyl banner advertisements
- Bulk mailing postcards
- Magazine and newspaper ads
- Point of purchase displays
- Rack cards
- Signage
- Vehicle magnets
- Floor vinyls
- Window Clings
- What are the different image file types used for?
- Typical uses are listed below by file type:
.ai - layered source (vector) file (used by print shops)
.bmp - printable, high resolution file
.eps - printable, high resolution file (used by print shops)
.jpg - higher resolution web file (not typically printable resolution)
.gif - lower resolution web file-can have transparent background
.png - higher resolution alternative to .gif and .jpg files
.psd - layered high resolution PhotoShop file (used by print shops)
.pdf - high resolution file for printing (used by print shops)
.tif - high resolution file (typically photos)