Resources > FAQ

Q. Why do I need a web designer?
A. A good web designer will help you to avoid costly mistakes that many people make when creating their own websites. Many business owners who create websites on their own divert from standard design principles to create sites that are difficult to navigate, slow to load and aren't optimized properly for search engines. These sites not only present an unprofessional image, they may actually be damaging to the company. For example, improper use of meta tags (the background coding that tells search engines what your site is about so it can be indexed for inclusion in search listings) can result in your site being "blacklisted" by the prominent search engines.

Q. My relative/friend has offered to make a website for my company. Should I let him or her?
A. Your relative/friend might have the knowledge and talent to create an effective website for your business, and have the know-how to prepare it properly for search engine submission. A few things to consider first before hiring him or her are: (1) Whether or not you've actually seen completed websites that they've designed, (2) whether you're able to bring up the sites through web searches, (3) and whether your friend/relative is offering the work at a fair price based on research you've done into the cost of having the site designed through an established web design company like B&B Publishing.

If you've investigated all of these points and you feel confident in your relative/friend's ability, then by all means hire him or her. If he or she perhaps meets the first and third points of being capable of creating a website design that you would like to have represent your company and they've offered to do the work at a reasonable price, you might consider hiring a web design company like B&B Publishing to prepare your site properly for search engine submission either in a hands on or consulting basis. However, if your friend/relative is unable to meet the standards you want and need for your business, then you should thank them for the offer and explain to them gently, but firmly that this is your business and that you will need to hire an experienced web designer to create an effective website for your company.

Q. What are meta tags?
A. As mentioned above, meta tags are the background coding that tells search engines what your site is about so that it can be properly indexed in the search listings. Meta tags include page titles, descriptions and keywords (search terms that people type in search engines to find businesses like yours).

Q. Can you guarantee my website top placement in search results?
A. No one can ethically guarantee top placement in search engine placement. Using "tricks" may temporarily get your site top placement in search engines, but the search engines are on the lookout for unfair practices and penalize sites heavily for using such tactics. Your site may even be reported to search engine companies by visitors to your site such as competing companies for using unfair practices. Why take the chance. Hire a company to optimize your site properly. At B&B Publishing, even our basic website packages for start ups and small businesses provide website optimization services and search engine submission.

Q. My site has just been submitted for for search engine submission. Why won't it come up when I do a search?
A. It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months for search engines to index a website that's been submitted for inclusion in the search engine listings. Some search engines use actual people to verify websites for inclusion in the sites. With the large amount of sites submitted daily, it can take quite some time to show up in the search results. Therefore, if you have a special event that you want to promote on your site, be sure to get it posted and optimized well in advance so you can generate interest through website traffic.

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