Do I need a domain name?
In order to have a website, it is necessary to have a domain name. A domain name is the web address used to view a website, for example: www.yourwebsite.com.au.
If you aren't sure about the process of acquiring a domain name, we can help you out with that.
Will I need web hosting?
Web hosting is online data storage that can be accessed via the internet. If you want to have a website, you'll need hosting to store your website's files. It is best practice to use a web host with servers in the same country as the majority of your website visitors.
At e-CBD, we offer a reliable web hosting service on superfast Australian servers.
What is a responsive website?
A responsive website is able to automatically adapt and change its appearance based on the size of the screen it is displayed on. This means your website will function correctly and look good whether it is viewed on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet device or mobile phone.
At e-CBD, we believe the web should be accessible to everyone. All of the websites we build are responsive - this is standard practice and included in our prices.
What is a content management system (CMS)?
A CMS is online software which makes up the "back-end" of your website. A CMS allows a user to log into your website to create, manage and modify the content of your website without the need to code.
All websites that we build are powered by a CMS - we usually use MODx Revolution, WordPress or Shopify depending on the level of functionality required for the website.
Can I update the website myself?
Each website we build is powered by a CMS such as MODx Revolution, WordPress or Shopify. This will allow you to log into the back-end and update the content (text/images/video) on your website.
We encourage you to self-manage your website which is why we offer a free training session when your website is launched.
However, you're never left to fend for yourself. We pride ourselves on our after-sale service. If problems arise or you have questions regarding your website, our friendly team of website experts are always available by phone or via email.
I don't want to edit the website myself - Can you help with content updates?
Certainly. Many of our simply want to focus on running their business and don't have time to do website updates.
If this sounds like your situation, you can simply phone or email us your update and one of our web designers will take care of it.
We charge $120 an hour for website updates and charge purely on the time spent. For example, if your web update takes us 10 minutes, we only charge you for the 10 minutes of work.
How much does a website cost?
The cost of every website is going to vary depending on the requirements. Some factors that influence the price of a website include:
- How many page templates will need to be "mocked up" during the concept/design phase.
- How many pages are required overall.
- What functionality will be required such as online forms, image galleries, social media feeds, embedded videos, login areas etc.
- How interactive the website will need to be.
Each website is unique which is why we don't really offer "fixed price packages".
We offer discovery meetings and strategy sessions to help us ascertain your requirements based on your needs and the goals of your business. Once we have created a scope of requirements, we'll put together a customised quote for your website design project.
Are there on-going costs for having a website?
Yes, there are:
Domain Names - Your domain name will need to be renewed once every 2 years.
Web Hosting - This is usually billed annually.
Maintenance - Depending on the requirements of your website, you may need an on-going monthly website care plan to keep your CMS software and any other website functionality up-to-date. This will keep your website running smoothly and prevent it from getting hacked.
What is your process for designing and building my website?
Our usual web design process looks something like this:
- Initial meetings: Zoom meeting or face-to-face with our team to brainstorm ideas and get a sense of the project requirements.
- Web design proposal: We create a document for you to sign that outlines the project scope, deliverables and costs.
- Design Phase: We create website mock ups depicting the overall look, feel, colours and content of your home page.
- Development: Once the deigns are approved, we start coding to turn the mock ups into a functioning website that is accessible on your internet.
- Testing: We run extensive internal testing on your website and send it to you for approval.
- Launch: After your final approval, we launch the website and submit it to popular search engines like Google.
How long will it take for my website to be built?
The timeline for building your website will due to the size and scope of the project.
If you have a specific deadline, we'll do everything we can to accommodate you. Usually, it takes us between 2-6 weeks to go from concepts and design through to launching your website and training you to update it.
The most common delay in the creation of a new website is waiting for the client (you) to provide the required content (text/images/video).
If you know you're going to need your website quickly, it is a good idea to prepare a list of desired pages along with page content before engaging a Gold Coast web design company.
Do you outsource your projects or send work overseas?
No, all of our work is done in-house, right here in Southport, Gold Coast QLD.
We are the designers, developers, programmers and project managers – when you work with e-CBD you'll get professional and personalised service from the beginning to the end of the project.
Why can’t I find my new website in Google?
Once your site has been submitted to the top Search Engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo) they may require days/several weeks to crawl your website and index it.
How fast your site is indexed depends on each individual Search Engine's update schedule. At e-CBD, we'll submit your new website to Google (the most popular and widely used search engine) which will significantly reduce the time it takes for your website starts to appear in search results.
If you want your website to appear or rank higher in the search results, you will need to consult our digital marketing team about Search Engine Optimisation.
