Faqs

Web Things Explained

For the Uninitiated

Don't be intimidated about setting up on the Web. We'll help you and explain everything. The U.S. Census Bureau says 84% of the public depend on Web sites to learn about and access their community, and that number is growing. Businesses and organizations need to have a Web presence.

Yes, it's spelled correctly.

W-e-b s-i-t-e. Two words, so says Merriam-Webster.

Accessibility

The internet is an enormously useful communication tool for the home-bound, and the handicapped. Special devices help people overcome sight and hearing problems to view web sites, but only if those sites are built accessibly–compliant as dictated by Federal law Section 508. Bethesda Design Web's sites are built with such coding. Sometimes compliant sites post a “508 Compliant” link near their copyright notice. Read more.

Standardized Coding

Professional web development procedure is to build sites using valid, non-deprecated XHTML and CSS code based on the rigorous standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium. Look for validation links in a site's footnote.

What's so Special about Standardized Coding?

A site with validated code is like a building with sound structure. It is more likely to load faster, truer, and at all! And it is widely believed that the famed web traffic jams are borne of sites heavily laden with non-validated code clogging the works. Of course browser (IE, FireFox) inconsistencies are also contributing factors, but validated code is a necessary starting point.
Still not convinced? Read this.

Copyright Law Policies

We, at Bethesda Design Web, abide by United States Copyright Law in all matters regarding text, images, graphics. Thus we request, as do most Web designers, that clients provide proof of ownership of images, such a purchase receipt or camera-raw.

The Flash Controversy

We offer our clients a Flash banner that we tuck tidily into an info-filled page. These are popular. Flash introduction pages are no longer. The current studies show visitors feel inconvenienced by the delay that Flash entrance pages pose. Other forms of Flash we offer includes an RSS Newsreader, and a Flash calendar. The only problem with Flash is that the codes must be tweaked to achieve both accessibility and SEO optimization, and even . Do you want to see our banner?

Blogs

Blogs are the hottest trend, primarily because new content is picked up by search engines fast via the RSS feed, and because clients can refresh the content themselves. Small businesses are finding this electronic journal to be the networking tool of the century -- a few quipy thoughts by you on a regular basis and suddenly your blog -- and business -- have a following. Bethesda Design Web offers a WordPress Blog, considered a top utility in the industry. We can make it your site, or attach it as a category to a multi-page web site. Have you visited ours? BethesdaWebDesigner.com

Your Site's Future

Bethesda Design Web provides free basic maintenance such as checking functionality and links. Beyond this, we offer a subscription rate for client updates. If you want to be found by those using search engines, you'll want some level of SEO.

Defining Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the art of getting your site name to show up in the first page of a search return for your industry's words. Placing high on the list is not important for a family reunion site and we wouldn't optimize such a site. But to a Bethesda small business, getting found by a Google search is important. In fact, it's probably the whole point of getting the web site in the first place. High listings drive customers to your site who are searching specifically for your product or service. SEO begins with the first stroke of the mouse and continues through the life of the site. All of Bethesda Design Web small business sites are built to support a strong SEO; family and private sites are given special coding and passwords to keep their content private and hidden, even from search engines.

What about SEO after the site is live?

Ongoing site optimization involves many elements, and even the experts don't always agree on them. One element that is clear, however, is the need for the site's construction to be SEO optimized, as are all Bethesda Design Web sites. The second is that a site's content must be kept fresh, using a newsletter, blog, or just frequent home page updates. And the third involves ongoing submission to search engines, directories, relevant sites, and link building. And then there are the nuances. Ranking high is a tricky business, and a Bethesda Design Web site gives you a good start. For a continued effort after your site is live, consider one of our intense SEO programs. See Price Info for details.