timeforcake creative media, inc.

f.a.q.

Frequently Asked Questions


Why is the company called "timeforcake"?

Sorry to disappoint, but there's no amazing story behind the name. It's just that eRin's always had a sweet tooth and cake is one of those wonderful words that brings happy thoughts to just about everyone.

Can you fix my computer?

Sorry, we can't.

What are your payment terms?

For all websites and projects over $1,000, we typically request 30% - 40% upfront, and the remainder due upon project completion.

Do you offer free consultations?

We offer an initial free 30-minute phone consultation to anyone considering working with us. This consultation can include answers to problems you're having, solutions that may not include our work, etc. You have complete access to our expertise and recommendations for 30 minutes, free of charge. After 30 minutes we begin billing for our time.

What are your rates?

Please take a look at our pricing page.

How long does it take to build a website?

It varies on the complexity, size, and design of your website. While small, simple websites can take as little as 2 weeks to complete, larger more complex websites may take anywhere from 5 to 7 months.

What is the difference between a "Flash" website and an HTML website?

Websites built using HTML make up the majority of websites you see on the Web. The following websites are built using HTML (we did not build any of these websites):

Websites built using Flash tend to have movement, animation, or sound. The following websites are built using Flash (we did not build any of these websites):

Flash sites are often more dynamic, yet often come with longer loading times, higher costs, less accessibility, and less visibility for Search Engines (many companies with Flash sites also make HTML sites so they can rank well in Search Engines). Additionally, if a user does not have the Flash player installed in his/her browser, the website may not be viewable.

Often, a hybrid site built with HTML and a bit of Flash sprinkled throughout is a desirable solution. The website you are viewing right now is a hybrid site. We built the following websites with HTML yet also used Flash to add the finishing touches:

Will my website have Flash in it?

If you'd like sound, movement, fade-ins and outs, or animation in your website, it will likely contain Flash.

Why aren't I showing up on the first page in Google?

Has your site been live for at least 9 or so months? Google uses an aging delay that prevents brand new websites from shooting to the top of their results. If your site is older than one year and is still not doing well in the Search Engines, you'll likely require Search Engine optimization and marketing services.

When will I show up on the first page in Google?

Unless you're in a rather non-competitive industry, the odds are low that you'll ever show up as #1 in Google when people search with keywords other than your company name) unless you work hard at it. Achieving high Search Engine rankings takes time, patience, hard work, and often a good bit of money. In fact, an entire industry of full-time Search Engine experts has developed over the past few years--high rankings no longer "just happen."

You wouldn't just build a new store (off of Main Street, let's say) and expect people to find you easily and to "just know" that you're there, would you? No. You'd invest in marketing and promoting your store--and the same needs to be done if you want a high number of visitors to your website.

We are happy to recommend several different Search Engine optimization companies -- but do keep in mind that none of them are cheap!

Do you host websites?

Yep. We currently manage hosting for many of our clients.

If you do manage my hosting, how many email accounts do I get?

As many as you'd like.

What programming language do you use?

We use PHP and MySQL databases.

What is "programming"? Will my website need it?

Programming is simply the act of creating programs or interactivity within websites.

If your site contains interactivity -- such as an online store, blog, or forms for your users to complete, then programming will be required. We use PHP to program interactive functionality into your site. If your site is a simple brochure site with no forms or interactivity, it's unlikely that it will require much, if any, programming.

You've mentioned that you code to Web Standards -- what exactly are these and why do they matter to me?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops guidelines and recommendations, known as Web Standards, detailing how web pages should be marked up with valid HTML and CSS and how browsers should display that markup.

In a great article published in February 2006 on Evolt, Thomas Ashworth states, "web standards bring real tangible benefits to business. Although finding a design company that will construct a standards compliant site is more difficult than just finding a web designer, the benefits speak for themselves. By moving to a standards based web site businesses can ensure they have accessible sites which are maintainable and future proofed. Increased customer exposure and search engine prominence can all improve the level of business that comes to you via your website. Web standards are the future of the internet and to ignore it could leave your business trailing behind the online competition."

Here are the business benefits of having a site built with Web Standards:

  • Site-wide look & feel consistency
  • Pages are more compact, meaning your pages will LOAD FASTER, providing a better overall user experience
  • Better search engine rankings
  • Future-proof (your site will be viewable in all future browsers)
  • Cost of maintenance is greatly reduced
  • Your site is more accessible for people with disabilities
  • Thanks to accessibility, faster loading web pages, and compatibility with more browsers, visitors are more likely to appreciate your service and come back later