What if we need a logo designed?

Since your company's logo design is a very important aspect of your marketing strategy, we would design your logo first, before the website.

What is a domain name and how do we get one?

A domain name is a unique name that identifies an Internet site (i.e.: www.yourcompanyname.com). You can register your domain name through various domain registrars - a cost is involved with this and you will need to renew your domain name every 1-2 years depending on the registrar you used to register your domain name. A domain name should be registered before the design process - VirtuOffice can take care of your domain name registration.

What is web hosting?

A web host is a company that leases space on their server to hold all your website files and displays them on the Internet. A monthly fee is determined, depending on how much server space you require and what other special features you would like to have installed on the server, such as how many mailboxes, statistics, SSL, etc. VirtuOffice provides web hosting services.

Why do we need a template?

Templates create consistency for all elements of your website. Having the navigation system and all common elements in the same place throughout your site, makes it easier for your visitors to find information, and makes browsing through your site an enjoyable experience. Also, creating new pages is simple when you have a template to work from. Depending on the various content you have, you may require more than one template.

What is search engine optimisation and web promotion?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) involves making your web pages more search engine friendly, so that your website can achieve top ranking. Our web developers follow search engine rules when writing code and content on your web pages, according to the criteria that major search engines consider the most important factors in terms of relevance, ensuring that your site is optimised for maximum results. We recommend monitoring your website statistics to continuously adjust your web's positioning and include other marketing tools in your online marketing strategy.

FAQ's about web design and development process

How does the web design process work?

Step 1: Contact VirtuOffice

After you contact us we will ring you to run through a questionnaire which will provide us with information to help us design a site that will best suit your business and objectives.

We will then develop a proposal for your website taking into account your competition and target market.

On acceptance of our web development proposal, you will be asked to sign a Service Agreement and depending on the financial package you have selected, will be required to pay a percentage deposit before we can commence working on your project. On receipt of your deposit, we will proceed to Step 2 below.

Step 2: Gathering content

We will require you to submit to us all of the content that you will want displayed on your website, either via email, post or courier. This will include all the text copy, your logo, and any additional photos or graphics you would like to include in your website.

Step 3: Evaluation and structuring of content

We will then review the content you will submit to us and make suggestions for the layout and structure of your website. We will recommend a design and structure of your website, including the layout, navigation system, stock photography, etc.

Step 4: Reviewing design and revise

We will upload a web copy (GIF or JPEG) of the website and provide you with a "username" and "password" to access your private directory to review. This is your time to review and decide on the website concept that best suits the direction of your company. Make a list of anything you wish to change and let us know. We will repeat this until you are satisfied.

Step 5: Creation of web pages and inputting content

Once the home page is finalised, all the main pages that are linked from the home page are created and content is inputted - this is when the CSS style sheet and templates are created. The navigation system is linked to the newly created main pages. Then, the working site is uploaded to your domain.

Step 6: Final review of web pages and navigation system

This is your chance to do one final review of your web's layout, content and navigation system. If you have further changes to make, make a list of revisions you would like implemented and discuss them with us.

Step 7: Uploading your web

When all revisions are made, the entire website is uploaded to your domain. You will need to review your website one final time, before the design process of your website is considered complete.

What are CSS style sheets?

Cascading Style Sheets are instructions that tell Internet browsers how to present the content of your website to your web visitors. Style sheets can include typographical information on how the page should appear (such as fonts, font size, colours, and spacing). This ensure that all your pages are consistent in style and makes style changes much easier - if you change your mind about a font type or colour, we only need to change the CCS page instead of every single page. You can also lay out the design of your page using CCS. This is becoming more and more popular.

What are HEX web safe colours?

HEX web safe colors image

Web safe colours used to be more of a concern than they are now. Many computer users used to only have 256 colour (8 bit) monitor in the past, but this no longer applies. Now, the majority of Internet users have monitors that display thousands or millions of colours. Basically the choice to use web safe colours is determined by your target market, whether or not the majority of your visitors use very old or current systems. Although the colours in the chart are not all the possible variations, they are the variations that will not cause 'dithering' in browsers on most platforms. Dithering is where a colour shade is simulated by using a cross-hatch or other pattern to give the perception of a different colour shade. Therefore, it is recommended you stay with a non-dithered colour whenever possible.

What are frames?

Frames are a technique used in web pages to divide the page into multiple windows, where each window is called a frame and can contain its own separate page. With frames, often you have one frame acting as a 'control frame' while the other is the 'target frame'. In many instances, a few frames will remain static, while the inner frame can be scrolled to view the contents.

There are many reasons not to use frames, and they tend to outweigh the reasons to use them. Several browsers still do not support frame sites. Frames can also interfere with search engine optimization (getting ranked high in search engines). Often, the functionality of frames can be achieved with standard HTML, and is often the better choice.

How can we assess our website's performance?

Apart from orders and website feedback you may receive from your website, you can analyse your website's statistics to monitor your site's activity. Ask us for more information.

Can you update and manage our site for us?

Yes, we can do any updates you require in minimum of 15-minute increments at our normal hourly rate. All client update work orders are treated on a first come first serve basis, unless it's a technical problem that is required to be fixed urgently.