// Frequently Asked Questions
What is it that you do?
Just in case the name ‘Alpha Blog Designs’ doesn’t tell you enough, we specialise in creating custom-made blog designs (primarily) on the WordPress platform.
You may not have realised it yet, but ‘blogging’ is fast becoming one of the most powerful forms of communication. Many businesses, and hopeful entrepreneurs are experiencing the positive impact a blog can have in growing your business, and creating opportunities you may only have ever dreamed of.
We create beautiful, functional, and effective blog designs for small businesses, entrepreneurs, or anyone wanting to differentiate their online presence from the crowd.
Why should I hire you?
Blog designers are popping up everywhere it seems, so I’m well aware of the fact that you have a huge choice. Surely it’s just a matter of choosing the cheapest, and fastest?
To be honest, I don’t know what you want me to say, which will make you hire us. I think our prices, combined with the quality of our work, speak sufficiently. However, I would say this, our hope is that our next client, will be the proud owner of our best work yet!
How much will it cost?
Our prices are very affordable. However, please appreciate that we’ll be able to give a more accurate price once we’ve properly discussed what your needs are.
How long will it take?
Let me get something out of the way before I answer this. I don’t care who they are, if you come across a blog design service, which promises you a coded design within a few days, then I can guarantee you’re not getting their best. Ask them for their second-class fees!
We’re different. For starters, we understand that if you’re wanting to pay for a design, then you’re looking for something which will capture the essence of who you are, or what your business is all about; an extension of your personality, and what you have to offer.
In order to do this, it takes time, (and coffee). However, I would hope that in most cases, you should definitely be ready to launch within three weeks (dependant on your requirements, and how busy we are).
So what are you doing in all that time?
Believe it or not, there’s a process.
Design, blog or otherwise, isn’t just about the final product. To get the best solution, it is necessary to research, in order to provide what you need. That’s what we do.
After going through the questionnaire (which we’ll send after you contact us), and verifying all that you’ve requested, we’ll begin to do all we can to get to know your business. This may entail not only analysing your answers, but going through any content you may already have created.
We then begin the brainstorming, and sketching, using all we’ve discovered to guide us.
“Sketching? You mean with pencil and paper? Are you serious?”
Although we’re in the digital age, ideas flow best when you can create them as freely, and quickly as possible. This is still achieved best in the old fashioned way.
After we’ve got some ideas of where we’d like to go with the design, we get on the computer, and seek to create an initial draft. This will be the best idea we’ve come up with under the directions given, and everything we know about your business.
We then send this off to you for feedback. You then tell us how great it is, and we then code it up for you. Well, actually, there’s a chance you’ll want a few modifications, or maybe something completely different. Basically, within reason, we keep working and sending you designs until you say, “Awesome!”
When that happens, we code it up with valid CSS and XHTML, and check to make sure it works across the most common browsers, zip it up, and if necessary, help you to load it up.
Can you make my site to be exactly like joebloggs.com?
If I painted sunflowers, exactly like Van Gogh, would the painting be as valuable?
Although we encourage you to point out sites that you’d like yours to be like, we will not copy. Every site we design is a testimony to our abilities (or lack thereof), and we do not believe copying another designer’s work will help build our credibility.
If you’re adamant, we’ll politely ask you to go elsewhere.
What is the payment process and how can I pay?
Once we’ve been in contact, and you’re satisfied that you’d like us to design your site, you will be required to pay 50% (non-refundable) of the quoted fee before we begin. The remaining 50% will be paid once your design is complete, and only when you’re happy.
We prefer the payments to be made via PayPal. It’s fast, and secure for both parties. However, if you would like to suggest an alternative form of payment, then please let us know, and we’ll try to accommodate.