What is responsive web design?
Responsive Web Design prepares your website for visitors on the go. Unlike static websites responsive web design will dynamically re-size for any device whether it is a big screen TV at home or the tiniest of smart phones. Your website will look clean and professional any way they browse. This means your website will look great even when potential customers are not at their desk. All of Edge Weaver’s website designs are responsive so you will look good on the latest smart devices.
What is SEO and why do I need it?
SEO- Search Engine Optimization
One of the easiest ways for a potential client to find your website is through one of the many search engines available. Search engines use algorithm based computer programs to “crawl” websites. This means that they use a computer program to check through your site and catalog what your site is and what is does. Edge Weaver can help you make sure that when a search engine checks your site it will catalog your site correctly and thoroughly. This can help ensure that not only are people finding your site but that the right people find your website. Nothing is more important to a business then making sure potential customers can find you.
What is a CMS and how do I choose one?
CMS- Content Management System
A CMS is very important for any website. It allows you or your IT professional to manage all of the information on your site. It controls what your site displays to visitors and how they will see it as well as what functions your site can perform. A CMS is designed to make these adjustments easier so that non-technical users can manage and maintain their own sites without the help of an actual computer programmer.
There are a lot of CMS options to choose from. Every CMS is different and they each have their specific strengths and weaknesses. You should always choose a CMS based on what you want your website to do and what technical skills you have. If your website is primarily informative and doesn’t require a lot of updates or user interactions you should go for a simple CMS that wont take up too much space or require too long to learn. If on the other hand, you are going to run an e-commerce site that requires regular updates, is constantly getting information from users and is taking payments you need a more robust CMS. It may take you longer to learn all of the features but they will make your site run more efficiently in the future. Edge Weaver can help you make an informed CMS decision. Based on the functions you require from your website, we can help you choose CMS for your site and build a design template to go with it.
What is a payment gateway?
A payment gateway is a type of web application that allows you to take credit card payments online. This is the cornerstone of an e-commerce website. There are several varieties of payment gateways depending on where you are located, what monetary denominations you do business in and who you bank with. Private companies that specialize in payment gateways offer some of the most popular options but there are many banks that provide payment gateways as well. Usually a payment gateway takes some percentage of the transaction as a fee and some a have a monthly or yearly service charge in addition to the percentage. Each one comes with its own rules and regulations that you should read carefully and understand before choosing. Also you should consider what is compatible with your bank. Not all banks accept all payment gateways and you have to work with your bank to make your payment gate work successfully.
What is an SSL certificate and does my website need one?
SSL- Secure Sockets Layer
An SSL certificate encrypts information sent via the web so that it can only be read by the correct person as well as authenticating that it is sent to the correct location. Essentially it locks the information and gives the key to whomever you intended to send it to. You know a website has an SSL certificate if your browser puts a padlock icon or has a green bar by the website url and puts https before the url. There are a variety of SSL certificate suppliers as well as different types of certificates. Some require more verification then others and some offer broader website protection.
We all want to protect data coming to and from our websites so why doesn’t every site have an SSL? One reason is cost. Most SLL certificates are only vaild for one year and every year you have to pay to get a new one. They range in price but can get expensive if you need a high end certificate. They can also slow down your website because the information needs to be encrypted, it takes longer for information to get transferred. This can be mitigated but requires additional resources to do so. If your website is information only and there is no transfer of data there is no point in having the cost and the slowed performance.
There are several reasons why you should get one. If you have an e-commerce site you have to have one. All payment gateways require that your site have a SLL certificate, with out one you cannot take payments online. Additionally if you are transferring any private or sensitive information such as, bank details, legal information, usernames or passwords you should have an SSL certificate to protect both you and your users. It will give your users confidence in your products or services to know that their information is being protected. The level of protection depends on your needs, such as the size of your payments, the number of users you have or the sensitivity of the information. We can help you decide if you need and SLL certificate, what kind you need and of course help you install it on your site.