FAQ's

1.  How much does a web site cost?
Several factors will affect the ultimate cost of your web site. These factors include how many pages you are going to have, if you will sell products on your website, the graphic work involved, and how interactive your future web site will be. You will also need a Domain Name and Web Hosting.

2. How long does it take to have a web site designed?
The time frame is determined by the size of your web site, the efficiency in which we recieve all necesssary content and images for your site, the complexity of your site design, and our current client design schedule. We can have a basic version of your site online within 10 working days.

3. What's needed in order to develop my site?
In order to design and format your Web Site, we need you to provide us with the following -

Photos:
Remember that the World Wide Web is a visual medium. If you have photos of your products, services, place of business or even yourself, we can (and should) include them. We can use existing brochures, pamphlets, catalogs, etc. to scan from, as well as photos.

Logos:
Again, we can always use your existing literature to work from. Usually the logos on brochures, letterhead, etc. are more than adequate. If you have (or can get) your logo in electronic file format, we can accept .gif, .jpg., and .tif files (if you have an image file that is not listed here, contact us first) on PC formatted diskettes (or they can be attached to an email message sent to us).

Text:
If you have (or can get) the text-based information you want on your site in electronic file format, we prefer it this way. Acceptable file formats are .doc, .rtf, .txt and .xls on PC formatted diskettes (or sent via email). Our next preference is to scan text from a printed page. Handwritten text is strongly discouraged (and costs extra).

25 Word Description & Keywords:
Most Web surfers use WWW search engines and directories to find your web site. These search sites use either a description or keywords in their search. Your description should include the words or phrases that someone might use to search for your business/products/services. You can submit as many keywords that you can think of. Remember these are words someone might use to try and find your site (i.e., bed & breakfast, or car repairs, etc.), so think of yourself as a potential visitor to your web site.

4. I am a small business owner. What can a website do for me?
A website can offer your business many advantages, including a:
More professional company image, Improved branding, Increased sales, Inexpensive advertising, Edge on the competition, Better customer relations, A website can help your business reach new customers, keep you in closer contact with your current customers, and enable you to respond quickly and efficiently in a rapidly changing market.

5. What size screen resolution do you design your websites for?
Most sites are designed for 800x600 computer screens. They must also be built to be compatible with different browsers (Explorer and Netscape)

6. Can you guarantee my site will be listed in all the search engines?
No, and no reputable company should make these guarantees! Due to the large number of websites on the Internet and changing criteria that the search engines use to come up with their results, we make no guarantees regarding your placement or ranking in search engine results. However, all of the sites we design, optimize and submit to the search engines are eventually indexed.

7. What is your payment policy?
Payment policies vary depending on the size and scope of the project. We require a deposit of one-half (1/2) of the project price in order to begin development. The remaining balance is paid prior to the website being launched.

8. Do you offer some kind of assurance to ensure that my work will be done on time and within specifications?
Yes, we do. To make clear our mutual understanding of the web design project, we do not undertake any project without first preparing and executing a legal Website Development Contract, which outlines in writing the terms and specifications of the proposed web design project. This Contract contains the terms (website specifications, delivery time, payment terms, etc.) to which we agreed prior to starting the project.

9. How do I get started?
If you have decided you want a web site or have any questions, contact us by filling out our contact form or call us to start the process.

10. What is a domain name?
A domain name is a specific web site address that you choose and register with a registrar such as NetSol. Domain names end in .com, .ie, .biz .net and more. This site's domain name is "fireballmedia.ie".

11. When you register a domain how much time is needed before the domain name shows up on the Internet?
When you register a new domain or make changes to old domain, the registrar requires time to update the records as do the various ISP's. This time can take between 2-5 days to complete. This is standard internet time and is due to the number of networks involved. It is unavoidable. When planning websites or configuring a domain with email please take into consideration these time restrictions.

12. When should I renew my domain name? Will I be notified?
Expiration notices/renewal reminders will be sent to the admin contact via email. You can renew at any time prior to the expiration date. When you renew your domain the time is added to the already existing expiration date ensuring that you will not lose any time.

13. What is website hosting?
Once you secure your domain name, you are one step closer to having your own web site live on the Internet. First, you will need to have your web pages hosted so they can be seen by the world on the Internet. Web hosting means that your domain name is set up and activated on a server so it may be accessed all over the world, via the Internet.

14. What is E-Commerce?
The buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the internet. Such a practice has exploded in the past year alone, as security issues have improved, and more and more consumers are buying and goods and services online also called ecommerce. Typically there are three types of ecommerce transactions: business to business (Cisco, World Pay), business to consumer (Amazon, Marks & Spencers), and consumer to consumer (eBay).

The consumer moves through the internet to the merchant's web site. From there, he decides that he wants to purchase something, so he is moved to the online transaction server, where all of the information he gives is encrypted. Once he has placed his order, the information moves through a private gateway to a Processing Network, where the issuing and acquiring banks complete or deny the transaction. This generally takes place in no more than 5-7 seconds. There are many different payment systems available to accommodate the varied processing needs of merchants, from those who have a few orders a day to those who process thousands of transactions daily. With the addition of Secure Socket Layer technology, eCommerce is also a very safe way to complete transactions.