FAQs

MysticFish has been designing and creating websites since 1994 and during this period we have identified the critical steps and processes associated with designing and managing websites.  We have collated these into a question and answer to help guide you through the process of setting up your new or existing website.

If you have any questions not shown in the below, or would simply like to discuss any of these points in more detail, then do not hesitate to contact our expert web designers at MysticFish and we will be delighted to help you.

MysticFish is a highly trusted Web Design company and is used by Governmental organisations and small, medium and large businesses / companies with strong ongoing relationships in all areas.

The simple truth being that many of our competitor's web design businesses fail within the first two years or so of trading, which can cause disastrous consequences to the customer. 

With nearly two decades of trading and experience and our professional UK-based web design team, we will provide you with unparalleled service and support on what will be one of your most important business decisions of the year - who to trust with your website design project.

Some further questions and facts about MysticFish...

A) How long have you been trading? (We have been established since 1994)
B) Have you ever changed company names and if so how many times? (We have not)
C) Can you provide at least 3 years worth of Profit and Loss Reports? (We can)
D) Is my website hosted by you or by a 3rd party and if so who? (We host our own)
E) Can I verify customer testimonials, as these can be highly misleading? (Please feel free to talk to our customers)
F) Are you UK based and if so where? (We are based in the UK - Just outside of Bath)

 
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Generally what fits on the viewable area of a web browser (a computer monitor) in terms of width.

The length of your web pages is also important. It is best to try to keep pages under 3 page lengths long and if necessary split the page into 2 or more pages.

In terms of content, a balance of animation, graphical elements, photographs and text is required in order to convey the right message to your customers and prospects and ensure that the website is easy to use and performs well.

There are no hard and fast rules, but by providing us with a list (if possible) of websites that you like and believe are close to what you are trying to achieve, makes it a straight forward process for MysticFish to understand your requirements in more detail.

Alternatively, if there is nothing that you have come across yet that you like, or is close but not quite there, then our web designers have the experience to close this gap to your satisfaction.
 
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The timescale of a website design project is generally dictated by the client. If you have a deadline in mind we will endeavour to meet it for you. The most common delay in the creation of a site is waiting for content (text/images) to be sent to us by the client.
 
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In the majority of cases a meeting isn't necessary and 90% of our websites are generally completed with contact via email and telephone only. We place suggested website designs onto the Internet in a private place where only you and us can view the content. We then liaise with you regularly to discuss the web designs in order that the final result is exactly as you wish.
 
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We fully support any website we design and are always available should you encounter any problems or require any enhancements. Furthermore we can also host your website with the provision of email, website statistics and domain name registration, thus keeping the whole solution under one roof and simplifying the entire process for you.
 
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You may move your website to another web hosting service at any time. Once your website design has been completed, we send you a copy of the website on CD. This copy of your website is for your retention but please understand that we cannot be held responsible for your chosen hosting provider and all that this entails such as website uptime, email and website access.
 
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It is helpful to us if you are able to provide text and photographs in electronic form - for example, the files output by a digital camera and the words in MS word or similar format. If this is not possible, we can help get your information ready for use on the website.
 
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All our websites are created with search engines in mind and the website design is compliant with search engine guidelines. It is a good idea for your website to be re-evaluated in time as over a period of time the search engines do alter their rules and algorithms and you will want to be certain that your website is kept up to date and complies with new rules etc.
 
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You need a professionally developed website, a domain name, and hosting facilities for your website. You also need the website to be uploaded onto your hosting facilities and promoted to the search engines. MysticFish ca do all the above so please contact us to make your vision a reality.
 
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No. We discuss with you your website requirements and then price accordingly and once you have placed an order for your website design with us, that price is strictly adhered to unless you wish to change the specification before /during or after the design process and / or add other components not requested in the initial quotation. If so we will simply ensure that these questions are answered and where possible, to keep the costs down at all times. We never increase a cost without first asking for your written approval and as such there are never any hidden surprises - just great service at all times.
 
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This will depend upon the amount of information you wish to be displayed on your website. If you have many products/services, then it may be advantageous to have a database incorporated into your website design. We will discuss this in detail with you and if a database is advised we will explain in detail exactly how this will work. We can tailor your website design to suit your specific requirements.
 
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There are many different methods which can be used to update websites. The method you choose and the functionality we build into your website design is solely up to yourself although of course we will be glad to advise you which method will suit your needs.

If you have a small website consisting of just a few pages and will only wish to make changes very infrequently, then usually it is more cost effective simply to ask MysticFish to carry out these changes for you. Other methods which are frequently chosen are largely dependant upon how much data or information and pictures you have and how you store this information at present.

We can provide a secure and easy to use online content management system where you can either update individual products/pages/services or particular sections of your website. E.g. company news / special promotions / testimonials etc, etc...

Alternatively we can provide functionality such that you can upload your entire product ranges to the website in one action using spreadsheets etc. We can also add databases if you wish.
 
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No - once your website is designed it belongs to you and you can commission anyone to update it for you - although of course we would like to think that you are happy with our services and will continue to use us for your website maintenance.
 
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Your website visitors will see some things differently depending on their browser, screen resolution setting and their individual computer settings and toolbars. We design sites with that in mind and preview them in several browser types and resolution settings before publishing. Obviously as technology alters then eventually all websites may need re-evaluation.
 
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No web hosting service can guarantees 100% uptime. However we can say that our servers have had high uptime for many years.
 
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Yes we do use Flash as and when required. It is important to note that there are times when Flash animations can be an asset but it would be unwise to use "Flash" to create an entire website or even entire pages of your website as search engines are not able to read the content of Flash and therefore any words used in animations will not be indexed by the search engines.

Generally it is best to use Flash for smaller banners, advertisements or demonstrations and incorporate the Flash animation into a web page which also includes some written text in html. This way the search engines will be able to index your information.
 
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Yes you can have email and you will probably wish you set-up several email addressed e.g. sale@your-domain.com, info@your-domain.com, john.smith@your-domain.com
 
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Yes we provide online secure website statistics software which records where you visitors are coming from and which pages they looked at, which search engines are being used, which phrases are being typed into which search engines and many more interesting web tracking facts which you should find useful for future marketing campaigns.
 
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No is the simple answer.
 
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Yes you can. We have Secure Servers (SSL) which use the latest encryption methods to ensure that your customers can buy from you website knowing that the information they enter is secure and safe. If you wish your customers' payments to be "cleared on line" we can interface to organisations like WorldPay, PayPal, or whichever third party you wish to use (and we can support).
 
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If the website we have designed for you includes a Content Management System then you can access your administration areas from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection and make updates instantly as frequently as you wish. If your website is a smaller website and was designed without using this type of system and you don't have any HTML. Skills, then we can update the website for you. Our charges are very reasonable.
 
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The Content Management Systems are really very easy to use and do have explanatory notes included where necessary. On each new website we run through the administration screens with you but please understand that this is not full training but merely an introduction - however if at any time you have any questions we are available at the end of the telephone to run through the procedures or answer any queries you may have.
 
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The cost of a web site varies depending on the site and complexity. A web site with just a few pages would cost around £449. If you give us a call we will be pleased to discuss your requirements and give you a fixed quote.
 
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There are various methods availably to you. We would need to talk to you to establish your requirements and the best method for your company. There are essentially two main methods of accepting credit cards. The first method is where you use your own PDQ. Card machine and process the card payment yourself and the second method uses an online clearance company. Once you are sure which method you wish to use, we can design accordingly.
 
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As many as you like. From a search engines point a view - The more the better!
 
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Yes, we would be happy to look at you existing website and give you a quote for updating it.
 
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Yes we do. We can redesign, retaining your company corporate style or we can redesign to give you a complete new image. Is your website up to date - let us provide you a Free of Charge Website Evaluation - we can redesign your website to take advantage of the latest web technologies.
 
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Absolutely not! - It's your website and you have total control over the contents and who advertises on it.
 
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We will provide you with up to 2 designs and based on this a 3rd and final draft to meet with your approval. Our aim is to design for you a website specific to your requirements which you are completely happy with.
 
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We always design websites to be search engine friendly.
 
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Yes you can arrange to host your website on one of our fully owned high performance web / database servers.
 
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Yes - we can set up as many email boxes as you require and we also have an excellent Spam Filtering Service which gets rid of those unwanted spam emails. Our spam filtering service automatically reads every email sent to you and decides whether to move it to a special spam holding mailbox or to send it on to you.
 
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Does your email address look professional? Is your web hosting company flexible? It is amazing to find that in this day and age, some companies have still not realised how important their email communications are. Your email address may actually be more important to your image than your logo, letterhead or business cards combined!
 
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