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This FAQ is organized by topics to help
you answer commonly asked questions.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Web Hosting
Domain Registration
Search Engine Submission
Q: I need a web site. Where do I start?
A: The best place to start is to get familiar with
the 5 Basics, learn some web terminology, and take a look
at any of your competitors that are online.
The 5 Basics:
Domain name, web
site design, web site hosting,
search engine submission, and web
site maintenance. Search engine submission and web site maintenance are optional.
Q: How much does a web site cost?
A: Web site cost is completely driven by content. No
two web sites are exactly the same, and there may be varying
levels of difficulty in designing different sites of the same
size. You can do ANYTHING online - it's just a matter of time
and money.
Frontier offers free initial consultation and proposal development
with no obligation. We can help you define the scope of
your project and develop a realistic budget to attain your goals.
Request A Quote.
Q: What is the
turn around time for a web site?
A: This depends completely on our workload, the length,
and complexity of the web site you desire. We have completed
single web pages in a few hours, and larger sites can take
as long as a few weeks.
Q: Who owns
my completed web site?
A: When all fees are paid in full, you the client will
retain ownership of the content.
Q: What
about Copyright Laws?
A: It is the customer's responsibility to file for
copyright of their web site content.
Q:
Can I use any pictures that I want on my web site?
A: Yes, as long as they are NOT copyrighted or you
have properly obtaining copyright permission. As the customer,
you are responsible for properly obtaining copyrights or copyright
permission for any images supplied for use/reproduction on
your web site.
Q: Do I have to proofread the web site?
A: Frontier will use a spell checking system to avoid
the misspelling of words. We will take responsibility and
correct any typographical errors that are pointed out to us. It is
the client's responsibility to proofread all work and to
ensure that it is (a) satisfactory, (b) correct as to size, content,
etc., (c) suitable for intended use, and (d) within proper
copyright and other restrictions before the web site is opened
to the public.
Q: How
do I sell products from my Web site?
A: You can purchase a complete Web hosting and e-commerce
package that includes not only Web hosting, but also sophisticated
e-commerce functionality, including online catalogs, order
management, and the ability to sell both on your Web site
and across Internet marketplaces and auctions. Please contact
us to set up your e-commerce web site.
Q:
I want to maintain my own web site. Can I do that?
A: Yes. Depending on your needs and how your site is
constructed, there are ways you can change text content and
images quickly and without special software or training. If
your site uses a database or shopping cart, then your administration
pages are password-protected and are accessible from any computer
with Internet access.
Q: Why
can't I find my web site using a search engine?
A: Your site may or may not be indexed with major search
engines. It may be indexed, but may rank poorly using the
words or phrases you're using to search. There may be problems
with the design of your site that prevent you from ranking
well. Contact us for an evaluation of your current web site
design and coding.
Submitting your site to major
search engines and directories can be time-consuming and
frustrating. Regular resubmission, monitoring your traffic and usage, and
optimizing keywords and content are ways to improve search
engine ranking. Frontier can provide search engine
submission services.
Q:
If I already have a domain name, can I transfer it
to Frontier hosting?
A: If you already have a domain name, you can easily
transfer it during your registration process and use it
with a Frontier Web Hosting plan. Transfer usually takes between
3-5 days, sometimes longer, depending upon the provider
you purchased it from. Frontier does not charge any transfer fees.
Q: Can
I purchase additional domain names or use existing
domain names (registered with another company) and
have them directed to my site?
A: You can redirect as many domain names to your Web
site as you would like. For the appropriate plan that
fits your needs go to Pricing.
Q: Is there a way
to count how many unique users visit my Web site?
A: Yes. We provide management reports that monitor
site traffic, available as part of all of our Web Hosting
plans through your control
panel.
Q: Which Microsoft
Frontpage Extensions work on Frontier Web Hosting?
A: All the Microsoft Frontpage® extensions work
with Frontier Web Hosting. When you add Frontpage
extensions to your site you can enable capabilities such as:
Uploading and downloading files.
Setting privileges and restricting access to your site.
Setting user accounts and passwords.
Using Web-based applications on your site.
Frontpage extensions can be installed in one simple step
through your control panel. Extensions are available
with all Frontier Web Hosting plans.
Q: Can I use the
Web hosting services if I own a Macintosh computer?
A: Yes. You can use your favorite Macintosh-compatible
Web-authoring tool and use an FTP application to make your
changes. However, when you upload files to your site, be
aware of any compatibility issues that could arise for users
with different platforms from Microsoft® Windows®.
Q: How secure is
the server? Can I make it more secure by signing up with
a service like VeriSign?
A: We make every effort to ensure the security of
our systems. As part of any of our plans, you may also
select to use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to provide additional
security for your site visitors.
Q: How do I access
my control panel?
A: To access your control panel go to www. yourname.com/cpanel.
If you want to access the control panel before
your domain has been transferred you may log in at http://www.frontier-consulting.com:2082/.
Q: What is the simplest
way to set up my e-mail address?
A: If you have Microsoft Outlook all you have
to do is go to your control panel (www.yourname.com/cpanel)
and automatic configure your e-mail.
Q: Where can I
access 24/7 web support?
A:You may contact the help desk at: http://helpdesk.frontier-consulting.com
Q:
How long does it take to register a domain name?
A: Only a few minutes to process the paperwork,
and within 72 hours a confirmation will be sent!
Q: How long do I own the domain name?
A: Forever, as long as you renew it, when your
reservation period expires.
Q: Which domain
name extensions can you register for me?
A: We can register a domain name with a .com,
.net, .org, .biz, .info, .us extension as part of our
signup process. Register
now.
Q: How do I check to see if a domain
name is available?
A: You can search for a domain name by using our
domain search tool. Search
now.
Q: How much
do you charge for domain names?
A: Unlike some registrars who charge $35 per year,
Frontier saves you over 60% on domain names. For details,
go to Domain Registration.
Q: Are you a domain registrar?
A: No, Frontier is not a domain registrar. We
have partnered with DirectI, an ICANN accredited registrar,
to offer domain registration to our customers. By forging
a strong partnership with the number one company in domain
registration services, the Frontier team can focus all
our efforts on providing reliable and affordable web
development and hosting services.
Q: If I sign up a new domain name,
who owns it?
A: Technically, no one owns a domain name. By
paying the domain registration fee, you license the rights
to use that unique domain name throughout the world for
a specific time. Therefore, should you ever cancel your
Frontier hosting account, you will still own the rights
for that domain name, for as long as you continue to
pay the registration fees.
Q:
Is there a limit to the length of my domain name?
A: Domain names can be up to 67 alphanumeric characters and hyphens.
This includes the .com, .net, .org, etc. extension. In addition, domain names cannot begin
or end with a hyphen and .biz and .info domain names must have at least four
characters (not including the extension).
Q: How long does
it take for the world to recognize my domain name?
A: After ordering, Frontier will update our internal
DNS (domain name servers) within 24 hours. Our domain registration
partner, Network Solutions, will update their DNS within
48 hours. After these steps, it is up to the Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) around the world to update their DNS to
recognize your domain name. Most major ISPs, such as Earthlink
and AOL, update their DNS several times each day. However,
smaller ISPs may update their DNS less frequently. Therefore,
most of the world will recognize your domain name within
a few days, but it may take up to a week for the entire
Internet community to access your domain name.
Q:
What is considered a top search engine position?
A: Recent studies indicate that if people can't find
what they're looking for within the first 30 listings of a
search query, they will enter a different search term and
look elsewhere. With that in mind, we consider a top position
to be a listing in the first 30. Of course, everybody wants
to be number one in every search engine, but in reality, no
search engine optimization company can absolutely control
what a search engine does. Our objective is to do what it
takes to secure prominent positions across all major search
engines.
Q:
What is a keyword?
A: A keyword (or key phrase) is the set of words that
is typed into the search box of a search engine to find a
particular business or topic. Our service requires that keywords
consist of 2 or more words, as single words cannot be effectively
promoted. Examples of keywords would be "web site designer",
"commercial landscape developer", "Texas bed and breakfast",
"integrated circuit manufacturer", etc.
Q:
Can you help me with my keywords?
A: Yes. Our optimization process includes an analysis
of the keywords you submit to determine which keywords, and
variations of your keywords, will be seen most often. We will
review the words you provide us, analyze historical search
data, and then work with you to determine the best search
terms that will drive traffic to your site.
Q:
Why are we limited to a number of keywords?
A: The keywords we need should pertain to the entire
theme of the site. In Our Keyword optimization process, we
start with the keywords you provide us, and based on our analysis
of actual search terms and the content on your site, will
create variations of those keywords to use in optimizing your
site. We may use common misspellings, plural or singular versions,
repeat them using all capitals, etc. Generally we like to
start with no more than 12 keywords because people tend to
get carried away, thinking they can be found for any search
term they add to their meta tags. If you would like us to
work with more keywords, our fee is $30 for each additional
keyword.
Another factor to consider is "keyword density" which can
play a major factor in determining where your site gets ranked.
Keyword density is the number of times your keywords appear
in relation to other words on your web page. For example,
if your page had only the words "Movie Theater" on it, the
keyword density would be 100% for the keyword "Movie Theater".
If your page had on it, "Our movie theater is the best", then
the keyword density would be 50% because each word is 25%
of the entire text (search engines ignore common words like
"is" and "the". Keyword density is a factor by which a search
engine can "measure" your site to determine how relevant
it is to the searcher.
Q:
How do search engines determine rankings?
A: Most search engines
use programs called "spiders" to
crawl through web pages. These spiders follow links to capture
information about your web site, and each page's contents
in an index. This index, essentially a list of words, is
updated by recrawling your site periodically. Effective search
engine optimization provides spiders with the kind of information
that can influence where your site gets ranked. Search engines
are also placing greater emphasis on site "popularity" -
giving sites that are linked to many other sites higher positions.
Q:
Do you ever use questionable or unethical tactics
to "trick" the search engines?
A: While other companies may resort to questionable
or unethical techniques to get results, we don't. The major
search engines now actively target tricks such as keyword
stuffing and page cloaking. If your site is identified as
using such tricks, it could get banned. Our job is to stay
abreast of what the major search engines are looking for
to achieve results without having to resort to unethical tactics.
We use only legitimate techniques and strategies, and would
do nothing to compromise your business reputation.
Q:
Our web site is already optimized. Can you still help?
A: If your site has already been optimized, but you
don't want to deal with the hassle of submissions or resubmissions,
we can help. Just select our Bronze Package. We will submit
your site to over 1,000 search engines and directories.
Q:
My site is hosted with another company. Is that a
problem?
A: Not at all. You do not need to host with us to
take advantage of our services. If you are with another host
company, you will need to provide us with information (hostname,
username, password, and initial directory) to access to your web
files via FTP.
Q:
How long will it take to see listings?
A: With more than 5 million web pages being submitted
each day to the search engines, it generally takes at least
6-12 weeks to begin seeing listings, so patience will be
required. However, if we submit through a paid subscription
programs of the search engines your site is guaranteed to be reviewed
within 24 to 48 hours, and your listing should appear within
2 days once it is accepted.
Q:
Why is Search Engine resubmission is important?
A: Over time your positions will change as new pages
get submitted and inevitably, some will get ranked higher
than yours. Search engine companies will also change their
ranking programs from time to time, and drop unpopular
pages in order to deliver the most up-to-date content they can
to their audience. Search Engine resubmission will keep
your pages in front of the search engines through periodic submissions
and allows to keep your site updated to the latest industry
guidelines. Resubmission also allows you to revise or add
keywords, as your business needs change.
Q:
How often should a Search Engine resubmission performed?
A: The frequency of resubmission depends on the specific
needs of your business. If you just completed a significant
revision of your site, you may want to get your updated
pages submitted to and listed in the search engines. If
you operate in a highly competitive industry that relies on its web
site for generating revenue, a monthly resubmission may
be required to maintain a top position. If your site is not business
critical, a quarterly or annual resubmission may be all
you'll need just to make sure your keywords and other meta tags are
up to date and your site is optimized to score well with
the latest search engine programs.
Q:
Do you guarantee positions?
A: Search engines will change algorithms, delete sites,
change submission criteria and do all sorts of things without
revealing their secrets. Although we do our best to stay
on top of what the search engines are looking for, we cannot
control positions, and thus cannot guarantee exactly where
you'll be listed. We can strongly influence, but not directly
control positions. (No other company can directly control
positions, either). One thing we can guarantee is your satisfaction.
It will take a minimum of 3 months to fully index and position
your site. If after 6 months, you are not completely satisfied
with our service, we will gladly refund your money, less
any actual fees paid to
submission services (such as Inktomi, Lucos, altavista,
Yahoo! etc.) |
