Design FAQ

1. Do your hosting plans include page design?

No, and with good reason. Charging a flat rate only proves to be a losing proposition for everyone concerned, including the customer. If designers and programmers worked on a flat rate basis (which they don't) even the simplest of jobs would have to be as expensive as the most complicated and time consuming interactive form, image, or logo. In all likelihood, custom work would be impossible without exorbitant flat rates. In the long run, hourly rates are not only more fair but more economical.

2. Can you supply some information on designers at CloseRange?

There are a number designers at CloseRange. Since technologies are constantly in a state of flux, the programming expert of today might be something of a novice tomorrow. At CloseRange, however, all designers are experienced desktop publishers and have professional understanding of the basic principals of page design. We have designers that been doing professional layout and design with for ad agencies for nearly ten years, while a few understudies have about five years of experience each. Our designers have written articles that have appeared in national magazines, won national awards, and have taught design at the university level.

They have worked on both the Mac and IBM PC and are experienced with PhotoShop, Quark, and PageMaker (to name a few favorites). Add up the team's collective experience, and it's scary, nearly half a century! Yet experience isn't enough, because everything keeps changing so very fast. So our team keeps learning new programs, and new tools, but more importantly, the team has the craft to use them.

3. What does it cost to get pages designed at CloseRange?

We charge an hourly rate for page design. The hourly rate is determined by the type of work being done. The more experienced web users might find our "Optional Services" page useful (it's accessible off the Services and Rates page), but it won't tell you how much time a designer needs to do the work. How could it? Flat rates? In a flat world perhaps, or if you wanted your pages that way. You don't. If you contact us, we can give you a fair estimate. Can you ask for more than that? Yes, you could! You could ask for great job. We do that too!

If you think we are trying to dodge the issue, consider this: We just raised it! Why would we do that if we trying to dodge it?

4. How do I figure out what I need?

Don't be too hard on yourself if you feel you don't yet know what you need. First of all, everyone's idea of what they need should be constantly evolving anyway. Last month's fad is... well, last month's fad. Even the best of ideas get old when everyone starts using them, and they are encountered everywhere. With fashion having the such a short half-life, there would be something wrong with anyone who was absolutely 100 per cent certain of what his/her web pages should have on or look like. If you are on the other extreme, and you don't have any ideas about what you need, you needn't worry. You will at least be able to tell us what web sites you like, and which ones you don't. That's a start. Telling us that, along with some information about your business will get the ball rolling. We won't think any the less of you because you aren't sure what you need. In fact, we take it as a sign of intelligence!

5. Can you design a logo for our home page?

Yes! Designer's at CloseRange design logos for businesses all the time, and not only for web clients. So, if you need a logo designed for the web, or for use off of the web, let us know.

5. What web elements do you provide?

We can provide just about any type of element, or artwork. For those that wish to pay for customized elements, just about anything goes (within the bounds of taste and decency). Customized elements include graphic images, buttons,bars, icons, animations, and interactive CGI, Java, and Active-X driven routines. Even for those on a tight budget, we have a wonderful array of elements within in the public domain.

7. If we already have pages designed, can we use them?

Of course! We are only too happy to host your pre-designed pages!

8. Can CloseRange improve our existing pages?

You may not have designed that award winning page just yet. So why not submit your current web to us for a face lift? Sending us the pages for an estimate does not obligate you in any way. If you like, we'll give you several alternative design routes at different price points so that your new face also has a smile to go with it.

8. Is it possible to use Java and JavaScript to have interactive sites?

We use these scripting languages, but use them sparingly. Some amount of interactivity is always nice to have. However, too much of a good thing will detract from your web site, and make visitors wonder if you were considering their needs or your need to impress when loading them down with all those "new fangled buttons" and what not. Simplicity and economy are two principals that drive some of the most elegant looking site on the Internet.

We might suggest using a well designed rollover or small Flash movie in place of a Java applet. Less is more.