Stanton Street’s Frequently Asked Questions

8 May, 2013 in Design & Development by Naomi Dhillon +

We know you have some burning questions for us, so we’ll beat ya to the punch!

Why should I hire Stanton Street?
Cause we’re cool and we know what we’re doing! In all seriousness though, we value our clients and take pride in our work. We’re confident that you will be happy with your site and the services that we provide.

What services do you provide?
We can provide practically everything you need for your online marketing efforts.

Web Design & Development

Intranets
Web Applications
Smartphone Applications

Internet Marketing

Search Engine Optimization
Pay-Per-Click/AdWords
PostMarketer Newsletters
Social Media Marketing
Photography
Political Campaign Services

Website and Email Hosting
24/7 Technical Support

How much will a website cost?
All of our websites are priced based on your business objectives. If you have a particular budget in mind, we can provide you with the best solutions within your parameters. We can also work with you to develop your site in phases. Call now for an estimate (915) 351-8440 or fill out our online form.

How long will a website take?
It depends on what kind of site you want. Obviously the more detailed and more functionality, the longer it will take. Unlike other developers who use templates, our code is customized to your website. Since we code from scratch, basic sites typically take 3-4 months, larger more complex ones take around 6 months.

What is a domain name and why do I need one?
A domain name is used to identify a webpage. Each domain name is unique and has to be registered through a registrar, which is something we do on a regular basis. A domain name should be memorable and related to your business. If planned properly, your domain name also helps with search results.

What is hosting and why do I need it?
When we host your site that means your site and all the associated files (like pictures, text and other files) are stored on our server. You need a place to host your site otherwise users will not see your site at all.

Who will I be working with?
On most occasions, your team will consist of an account manager, project manager, designer and developer. Each person plays an important part in making sure your site is done correctly, on-time and on-budget.

What role does each person play in building my site?
Account Managers are the day-to-day contacts for clients and potential clients. For clients, they are the go-to person for anything pertaining to a site before or after development. For potential clients, they pull together estimates for desired projects and seek new business opportunities.

Project Managers oversee the scheduling and resources once a project has been approved for coding.

Designers control the overall look and feel of your site and provide sketches, color variations, font selections and other important details that add professionalism and usability to your site.

Developers write the code that makes your site come to life. They combine all of the functionality and final design into the online representation of your organization.

Can you explain the website development process?
1. Scope of Work
We’ll meet with you to identify your specific goals and needs. When applicable, we’ll also map out the flow of your site. This helps us to create a document that captures the content, features and functions you desire. Once the scope of work and sitemap are approved, we move on to creative development.

2. Creative Development
Once we’ve gathered all of your input, our designer will work up a few sketches. These sketches will be used as the foundation for your site.

3. Technical Development
When the sketch is signed off on, our designer prepares all of the graphics for the developers. Then our programmers take over and bring the site to life.

4. Project Delivery
The site is handed over to you for inspection and minor adjustments. Once it’s approved, we launch it.

5. Public Relations
We automatically send out press releases to area media and trade publications special to your business. This way everyone knows you have a sparkly new site.

How many changes can I request to the design sketch?
Your scope of work document should cover how many rounds of revisions were budgeted for your site. If it doesn’t, feel free to ask for more.

Can I make changes after I approve the design sketch or live site?
You can make changes to the design sketch or live site within reason. Changes such as updating a text or an image are considered minor. Redesigning the homepage or adding a complex functionality will require us to revisit the scope of work and start the process all over again.

The best way to explain is to think of a website as a house: Blueprints are created, a foundation is laid and the structure is built. If we need to redo the foundation, we’ll have to break apart the structure to get there then build it back up again. The same theory applies for websites.

What is a secure site and how does it work?
If information such as addresses and credit card numbers are to be transmitted through your site, you will need to secure it so hackers don’t have access to it. A website can be protected using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). An SSL protocol protects the transmission of sensitive information by creating an encrypted channel for it to pass through.

Will everyone see my website the same?
The only way everyone will see an identical website is if every user had the exact same computer, browser and download speed. Since everyone accesses the Internet differently, we build and test our sites on several browsers. We also test them on PCs, Macs and smartphones (if we’re building a mobile site). Read more about browsers and how we make sure your site is beautiful for every user.

How do I generate traffic?
Your account manager will discuss the importance of keywords in content and how this affects your search rankings. If you’d like to actively pursue traffic, we’ll arrange for you to meet with our Internet Marketing Specialist. She’ll guide you through the fantastic world of Pay-Per Click (PPC) and AdWord campaigns.

Once the site is complete, can I make changes and updates to it myself?
If your website was built with a Content Management System (CMS), you can definitely manage the content on your own. We’ll provide you with the proper training on how to navigate your CMS.

What is your payment policy and what type of payments do you accept?
Typically we request 50% down, 25% upon approval of the design, 25% at project delivery then a final payment at the end of your project. We accept credit cards and checks.

Do you have other questions not covered here? Feel free to give us a call at (915) 351-8440 or fill out our contact form!

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tagged FAQ's, Questions, web design, web development, website cost

The Cost of a Good Website

8 May, 2013 in Design & Development by Naomi Dhillon +

We get several calls a day asking how much a website will cost. As a custom web developer, the answer isn’t a simple one, especially when there are so many things to consider. We do our best to provide potential clients with a base price and range for what they are looking for but sometimes we don’t have time in that short phone call to explain the basics of web design costs. We’ve gathered up some thoughts on the matter and have detailed them below.

The Price Gap
We understand how confusing it can be when one company tells you they can build a website for $500 then another says $15,000. The first thing is to be sure that you are comparing apples to apples. There are many developers to choose from and not just in El Paso but everywhere. Some are great, some are bad, and some are in between. The goal is to make sure you are comparing the same features and functions from similarly-sized, equally-experienced and regionally located vendors.

“If you think good design is expensive you should look at the real cost of bad design” – Sir Michael Bichard, The Design Council Chair (UK)

The Value of Expertise
Another thing to consider is the company’s skill set. Reputable website development companies employ professionals who have many different skill sets such as client management, site architecture, strategy, design, programming, copywriting and search engine optimization (SEO). This assures that you receive top notch customer service and the very best in what they have to offer.

$500 Website! No Contracts! No Commitment!
We all know the adage – if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Bottom line? A quality website should not cost $500. In most cases, websites in this price range are templates with your logo, copy (text) and images plopped in it. Note that with templates, there is little to no flexibility in what you can do. And… if you really think about it, how does a company stay profitable offering websites for that much? It means that once your site is done, it’s done. No follow up, no updates, no changes. We would hope that your online presence means more to your company than $500 worth of work.

Websites are and should be priced according to what a business needs, not advertised as a one-size fits all price. Don’t make the mistake of selecting a web design company based solely on price simply because more often than not, you end up paying more in the end. Bad SEO, poor coding, terrible user experience, no return on investment… those are only a few of a growing list of things we fix. If you’re interested in finding out what your project will cost, give us a call at (915) 351-8440 or fill out our contact form!

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How Much Should A Website Cost?

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tagged $500 Websites, Cost of Website, El Paso Web Design

Enter the Nerds…

21 Jan, 2013 in Internal Stuff by Naomi Dhillon +

Here at Stanton Street, we’ve never been shy about our technical aptitude. That’s why we’ll be featuring a few of our employees in our upcoming ad campaign. Keep your eyes peeled for incriminating awesomeness!

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tagged nerds, web design

Cloud Computing and the Haboob of Technology

21 Jan, 2013 in Technology & Trends by Naomi Dhillon +

By now I think we can safely say that most people know what Cloud computing is. They may not be able to explain it in exact detail, but they have more than likely used it whether they realize it or not. The fact is we’re surrounded by clouds.

The idea of cloud computing has been around for quite a while. Simply put, it’s the idea of using a service outside of your desktop computer. For example, one form of cloud computing is if you use or have used an email service like Gmail. This system allows you to log into your email from ANY computer. This means the actual Gmail program is not located on your computer but on a server living somewhere in Google-landia. Once you use your username and password, that server pulls up your emails and other stored files through an Internet connection.

Remember that snazzy USB or flash drive you used to use to share pictures, music and other files with your friends? If you store your files with a cloud storage service such as DropBox, you probably won’t need it anymore. You simply add individuals to share your files with or keep them private. The best part is your files are – again, accessible from ANY computer.

From Wikipedia: Example of Cloud Computing Network by Sam Johnston

Recently, the cloud has blossomed into a big business for companies like Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google. They have given consumers a way to store, manage or download files from servers using almost any type of device like a smartphone or laptop. Streaming music, movies, downloading applications and collaborating on documents has never been easier.

If you’re on a social media site like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram all the images and posts you share with your friends are stored on their servers. Some users post everyday, others very little. Their servers accommodate the user surges and lulls, so when you see that one of them is down that means they’ve met their “room” capacity. Social sites also maintain and update their platform so users can continue to upload images, post messages and share links.

Cloud computing is also giving businesses of all sizes an opportunity to “virtualize” their network. Companies are encouraged to take advantage of the flexibility of the cloud, renting space and services based on their usage needs. Many cloud computing service providers offer packages from basic hosting to full-blown infrastructures that live on the cloud. Because of this, many employees now have the ability to work remotely since they are no longer restricted to using one computer to get the job done. Is the cloud changing the workplace as we know it? All answers point to “yes.”

Here at Stanton Street we also have a few cloud-type services such as email hosting and protection. Heck, most of our websites are hosted on a cloud. We also access various applications from vendors’ clouds and stream music in our office. We collaborate using Google Drive and, we even write about clouds…

There’s no doubt that clouds exist in almost every aspect of our lives. Frankly, cloud computing is so widespread and evolving so quickly and furiously we should actually be calling it a term most of us Southwesterners know: “A haboob.” Yep. That’s it… “A Haboob of Technology.” You heard it here first folks. No need to credit us, just pass it along.

If you’d like to know more about the cloud and how it affects you or your business, shoot us an email or give us a call at (915) 351-8440.

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tagged cloud computing

Holiday Hours

21 Dec, 2012 in Announcements, Internal Stuff by Naomi Dhillon +

In honor of the Merry Holidays, we’re giving our employees time off to go home and snuggle with kittens, loved ones and possibly a turkey sammich. Our offices will be closed December 24th – 25th and January 1st.

If you have a web-related emergency on any of those days, feel free to use our ticketing system. If you’re not sure how to log in, give us a ring before the holidays and we’ll get you all set. Have a wonderful & safe break!

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tagged holiday hours

2013: The Year of Responsive Design?

19 Dec, 2012 in Design & Development, Technology & Trends by Naomi Dhillon +

Image courtesy of Cloudspotting: Responsive Design

From the nineties until about five years ago, the main concern web designers had was browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari. We’d monitor which ones were used the most, what new versions or types were available and we’d build our sites for them. For instance, when Google Chrome decided to develop a browser we needed to modify our code based on the strengths and limitations of that particular browser. Then, when a browser’s usability dropped below 1%, like Internet Explorer 7 today, we’d drop support.

In the early 2000’s something changed web design forever. A friendly little device called a smartphone strolled into our lives. Web designers adapted and began applying various fixes behind the scenes to assure that the experience users had on their various smartphones was similar to the one they had on their desktop. We’d also continue to keep an eye on top browsers and build sites accordingly.

These days, web consumption is evolving at an alarming rate. Over 50% of the population has a smartphone and within only two years of their introduction, tablets have infiltrated one-fifth of the homes in the U.S.* Add to that a plethora of devices such as game consoles, netbooks, Mac-minis, televisions that all have various resolutions and aspect ratios that we’d have to design to.

Wait. Is this a Calgon moment for web design? Probably.

Since 2010, some very smart people have been discussing theories on how to approach the ever-changing climate of web design and the challenges we’re running into. Their solution? A technique called Responsive Design which takes one web design and makes it look great on any screen size. Unfortunately this is not a fix-all solution and with most new theories or applications this is going to take a while to perfect.

The technique of responsive design is most useful for clients who produce news or blog-style content. Simply because the reason for visiting these particular sites stems from one purpose: to read the content or view images. Right now, anything with complex, multi-purposed content will more than likely not work in a responsive design format because the code that will be used to build it is very complicated and data-heavy. This means load times will suffer and user experience flies out the door which is a one way ticket to “No-No Land” for us development people.

As we dig deeper into responsive design, there is no doubt that the web development community will come up with effective and more streamlined solutions. Until then we will continue to work with our clients to provide the best strategies that accomplish their online goals. Is responsive design for you? Contact us or give us a call and find out: (915) 351-8440.

Read More about Responsive Design:

*Nielsen: Watching TV? Don’t forget your Smartphone, Tablet

Cloudspotting: Responsive Design

B2C: The Cure for the Common Website

Patrick McNeil: A Crash Course on Responsive Design

Ethan Marcotte: Responsive Web Design

Forbes: Mobile Apps: The Trouble With Using ‘Responsive Design’

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tagged responsive design, web design, web development trends

IE 7 Bites the Pixel Dust

19 Dec, 2012 in Announcements, Technology & Trends by Naomi Dhillon +

To view the most current stats, click to visit http://gs.statcounter.com/

Stanton Street has discontinued support for Internet Explorer version 7 due to a steady decline in the number of people who use it. As of November 2012, version 7 was being used by less than 1% (0.87% to be exact). Compare that to 35.72% for all versions of Chrome, 21.06% for Firefox and 17.65% for Internet Explorer 9.

Why do we stop supporting certain browser versions? Every time we build a site, we check all top browsers and their versions to make sure it works properly for each one. While there may only be a dozen or so main browsers and versions, every page and all functionality within the new site must be tested. All those pages that don’t work will be fixed and then tested again and then if that doesn’t work… well… you get the idea. It can be quite a consuming task. As browsers continue to update, it’s not the first time we do this and it won’t be the last!

Help us help you have the best browsing experience possible by keeping your browser up-to–date. Typically, your browser will let you know when it’s time for an upgrade by displaying messages such as “Click here to update.” If you’d like to upgrade now, visit our friends at Browse Happy.

Questions? Comments? Public displays of love and affection? Leave a message here or call us at (915) 351-8440.

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tagged browser, Internet Explorer

Stanton Street Is Now Offering Online Political Campaign Services!

7 Nov, 2012 in Announcements, Design & Development by Naomi Dhillon +

The Beto O’Rourke US Congressional campaign has given Stanton Street the opportunity to dive head first into the political sphere with effective, smart tools for reaching prospective voters and candidate supporters. We’ve had the opportunity to put our methods to the test and now we are able to make our game-changing services available to you!

Acti-Vote: Our Flagship Product

Acti-Vote is a social-engagement campaign tool geared toward wrangling up voter support and gathering valuable data from the online voting community. Utilizing various touchpoints, this product is able to access and build a large, powerful database giving any politician’s campaign the ability to recruit, communicate and mobilize various target audiences.

Acti-Vote is based on the idea of relationship-mapping, a very important component for building a base of strong candidate supporters or campaign volunteers through people they already know. Committed supporters are identified and their information is saved in the database. They are also asked to recommend or identify othersupporters within their social network thus growing the foundation for a successful political campaign.

Campaign captains are then given access to a database to manage and monitor individuals within their network. Captains are also given the ability to communicate directly with this circle of campaign supporters with letters of encouragement, exclusive events and voting reminders.

Supplemental Political Campaign Services

Aside from the ability to build a smashing candidate campaign website, create your social media profile and assist you with your online campaign strategy, Stanton Street also offers the following services for an effective, impactful political campaign:

Mobile Data Capture

Mobility is a key factor when it comes to empowering a volunteer base. We’ve made it easier for political campaigns to enter voter information as they are block-walking or attending events with a simple, mobile-friendly interface. Once the information is saved, it’s automatically added to the existing database housed on the campaign website.

Data Services

As many candidates know, there is very little that is more important than data and research. Aside from the services provided through Acti-Vote, we can dig deeper into your prospective campaign supporter base through customized mailing lists based on voting history and other defined characteristics and data visualization using GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Copywriting

From social media posts to e-newsletters, the messaging for your campaign must be focused and direct. We can help you reach your target audience by identifying the strategy and desired outcome of the message itself. Want more followers on Facebook or need clear, articulate directions for campaign volunteers? Let us help you cross those “t’s” and dot those “i’s”.

Event Photography

As mentioned in a previous article, photography is most definitely a key component in reaching your online audience. Political campaigns can do nothing but benefit from high-quality, professional imagery that maintains a positive, consistent and shareable image of the candidate or issue. Luckily, we’re able to fulfill these needs as well.

Interested in what we can do for your political or issue-based campaign? Give us a call at (915) 351-8440!

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tagged Acti-Vote, copywriting, data, mobile, photography, political

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