Considering launching a new website or, even, refreshing your existing digital footprint? There’s a lot to consider from who to tap for the job to what services are must-haves versus nice-to-haves and, ultimately, what comes next. Start with these frequently asked questions, then get in touch with the expert team at Cobblestone Media Group to learn more and get your website project off the ground.
Does my website need to be mobile-friendly?
In short, YES. Today, more than HALF of all web traffic comes from mobile devices—and that means if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re likely missing out on significant engagement and conversions. If your current site isn’t mobile-friendly, let’s talk. And if you’re starting from the ground up, be sure you’re working towards a mobile-friendly or, even, mobile-first site that meets the needs of today’s consumers.
At Cobblestone, we only build responsive websites and create mobile user experiences—think buttons, calls-to-action, visuals and content views—based on device and screen size. Once complete, your site will be fully responsive so it looks good however a user accesses it.
How long do web design projects take?
Like pricing, timelines for web design projects depends on the assets, extensions and add-ons required. In most cases, a basic website can be completed in a few weeks. A very in-depth site could take a few months.
Beyond that, though, several factors can impact the design process once we’ve kicked off. All estimates are based on timely client feedback and approvals—if your team requires more time, it may take us more time to revise, finalize and push live. Same goes for provided versus created assets. If your team can photos and images, videos and other critical content available and accessible, we can typically reduce costs and turnaround time.
What is a website conversion?
A conversion is when a site visitor completes a desired action on your website. So, for example, if your goal is to get site visitors to opt-in for your email newsletter, each time someone does you’d count it as a conversion. Conversions may also refer to purchases, social shares and other positive actions taken.
What does "above the fold" mean?
“Above the fold” refers to the upper half of a website—in other words, the portion of the page that’s visible immediately, without scrolling down.
Can I own the copyright to the website?
Once your website is completed and approved, you’ll own the copyright. If you opt to have an internal admin manage the site at that point, you’ll also be able to change content, visuals and the overall user experience (UX) anytime you want.
What happens to my website if I sell my business?
Since you own the copyright, you’ll be able to package your website as part of the business sale. That said, we aren’t able to transfer ownership of proprietary code such as WordPress, stock photos or source code—keep that in mind if you do decide to sell. You also can’t sell your site to others on its own.
What is a Content Management System?
A content management system (CMS) is a simple backend tool that enables you or your admin to manage your site pages. Because of the way today’s CMS are structured, it’s usually very easy to maintain pages, add pages or update blog posts with little or no technical experiences or expensive software—all you should need is an internet connection and browser.
At Cobblestone, we typically work with two CMS: Wordpress and Shopify. If you have questions or want to review alternative systems, get in touch.
What if I need more website pages?
Once your site is complete, you’ll have full access to your presonalized CMS, making it easy to add or remove pages, as needed. If you need more support or, simply, want to have our team jump back in, we offer content marketing and SEO plans as well as ongoing maintenance for new and existing clients. Contact us to learn more.
Do you provide training?
Absolutely! We’ll work with you and your team to develop a comprehensive training and support approach to ensure everyone can jump right in. And if you need more support or training down the road, get in touch and we’ll be happy to troubleshoot, as needed.
Can you write the content for my site?
Yes! While some businesses opt to write or supply their own copy, many of our clients look to our expert marketers and copywriters to develop customized content. Following our initial consultation, we’ll develop a proposal that includes all elements needed to get your site off the ground, including copy, creative, SEO and other marketing support.
Can you maintain my website for me after the design work is finished?
Again, absolutely! While you’ll have access to your CMS which enables easy self-updates, our team is always standing by to assist. We offer monthly retainers as well as hourly packages to ensure you always have the support and servicing you need when you need it.
I just saw a site I really like. Can you create that for my business?
We always encourage clients to share sites they like with us, whether they’re in their industry or not. By reviewing other live designs and UX, we can quickly get a sense of what you respond to, enabling us to develop a better proposal right out of the gate. That said, we never want to “steal” another site’s look and feel—every brand is unique and we want your site to speak to what makes your business special.
All of this said, be sure to share the sites and functionality you like early on. Once we’re in the beta stage additional fees will apply for any new, significant additions.
Do you work with every client?
We’re experts in a diverse range of brands, industries and businesses, so don’t hesitate to come to us with any requests. That said, our goal is to ensure you’re working with the right design and development team for your business—and during our initial consultation we’ll work together to determine if it’s the “right” fit on both sides.
How many changes can I make to my site before you start charging me more?
With each proposal, we’ll provide a set number of hours—think of this as an estimate for how long your web design project should take. In calculating this number, we look at everything from the number of web pages needed to how much content we’ll be writing to graphics, videos and other special features required. Here, we also build in two or three rounds of revisions based on the size and scope of the project.
Once we’ve exceeded these hours, we may need to add more billable hours to the scope of work. Keep in mind, hours will only be added if delays are due to your team’s delayed response, indecisiveness or last minute changes/additions. If we exceed hours due to unforeseen circumstances or technical issues, you will not be charged.