F.A.Q's

• What is a Domain Name? - Expand
  
  A domain Name is the unique identity registered for use on the internet. Anyone on the internet can establish this identity by registering the name of their choice if it's available. However you can make creative modifications to produce an effective domain name.
  
  
• Does TCOB Designs handle domain registration? - Expand
  
  Yes. Actually we prefer that you have us register your Domain Name. We can search to see if a Domain Name is available, and based on it's style ( .com .org .net .biz ect.) let you know how much it costs. Then we will arrange to host your domain name with our servers.
  
  
• Can I transfer an existing domain to TCOB Designs? - Expand
  
  Yes. Be sure to specify that you are requesting a transfer and NOT a new domain. You should keep the service at the present site while waiting for Internic to complete the transfer. This can sometimes take up to 72 hours.
  
  
• How long does it take before my domain name is active? - Expand
  
  Once your Domain Name payment clears it usually takes about 72 hours before it is active world wide. All internet providers must update their records (DNS tables) to reflect new site locations. This is called propagation.
  
  
• What is interNIC (Network Solutions)? - Expand
  
  Network Solutions, also called interNIC is the agency in charge of domain registrations, domain transfer etc. They are much like your local courthouse where you register business names. Once you register your domain name you own that name.
  
  
• What are some reasons to be on the web? - Expand
  
  

  • On the Internet, your company can be as big as the largest company in your industry.
  • It's the great "equalizer" where you can compete right alongside the big guys.
  • Also it's a great way to communicate to potential clients or customers - 24/7!
  • To increase the visibility of your company, your products and services.
  • To support your traditional advertising by adding to it "For more, check out our web site at..."
  • To set your company apart from your competitors.
  • Note: As more and more companies get on the web, this will cease to be a benefit so ACT NOW! Web sites can be made far more attractive than Yellow Page ads, and can be changed at a moments notice. When was the last time you heard someone say: "Wow! That's a really cool Yellow Page ad!"
  • People that are searching the Internet for your product or service are already qualified as "interested" - traditional promotion can't guarantee that?

  
  
  
• How much does it cost to have a site on the Internet? - Expand
  
  This will vary depending on the size of the site, how much technical work is required, and if there are any special requirements. This being the one-time charge for the initial set up of the site. Beyond that you would pay us a monthly fee to keep the site up on the Internet. This called "Hosting". If we are developing a new site for you, we recommend hosting with us as well. This way we can handle any technical difficulty that might arise for you.
  
  
• What is the process of getting a web site? - Expand
  
  Contact us to make arrangements for pre-sales support. There you can tell us what your needs are and we can get an idea of what to start on. We require a deposit to begin work. You will be required to submit to us all text, pictures, brochures and marketing materials you would like incorporated into your web site's design. We then work on the design and layout. We upload work in progress to a private area of our web site where you'll be able to see it take shape and have us make any adjustments and refinements that may be necessary.
  
  
• Can I start small and then expand my web site later? - Expand
  
  Absolutely - and depending on the circumstance and your particular needs we will sometimes recommend this. A web site can be begin as an "Online Brochure" or "e-presence", and gradually expand.
  
  
• What types of graphic files do you accept? - Expand
  
  We can accept any graphics file format that is Windows/Linux compatible. Apple users should covert files to a multi-platform format prior to sending to ensure the best possible conversion. Our preferred format would be JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TGA, and DDS files are acceptable as long as they are good quality . We can also work with good quality photographs by scanning the images. Occasionally, this will be an additional cost because of the time involved in transferring materials into digital format through the use of a scanner or manual input. If you are local to us we can meet with you and get everything we need. If possible you can e-mail graphics files and document or mail the information to us. Many times clients will end up doing both because not all of the information they would like us to include is in digital format.
  
  
• What is a secure server? - Expand
  
  Though no method is completely foolproof, there is a method of purchasing across the Internet that is very safe. Order forms that are on a secure server encrypt all data before sending it across the Internet for processing. Encryption is a method of jumbling the data so that only your computer and the secure server can read it. This greatly reduces the probability of your credit card information and precious data being viewed by unwelcome eyes. An insecure transaction is basically an "open" transaction that can be seen by anyone who knows how - which could mean your credit card information could be captured and used. Always make sure the web design company and host you use makes order form pages secure. You should see a little locked padlock in the bottom of your browser, as well on the toolbar of your browser. If the padlock is open, it means that page is not secure and there is a risk of a third party accessing your information.
  
  
• How do I know if I'm on a secure page? - Expand
  
  While on a secure page the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to unlocked, or open, when you are just surfing.
  
  
• What are search engines? - Expand
  
  Basically, search engines are web sites where you can type in words and phrases called "key words" to help you find what you're looking for on the Internet. It's important to be indexed on as many search engines as possible. Although we would advise getting it professionally done, rather than attempting it yourself. Some search engines offer this as a free service, but more and more of them are now starting to charge fees.
  
  
• What are search engine robots? - Expand
  
  Think about a visit from the eyes of a robot. He finds a site, usually from links on other web pages, then records the text from the page or saves the page. He extracts just the text from the page without the HTML coding, including the title. He uses a mathematical equation to catalog all the words on the site (this is called an algorithm). He follows the links on your site and retrieves any information he finds. All this information is then stored. Now he knows how many pages you have, how significant your site is for a given keyword. How many "outside" links your site has, and can give your site a "score" based on how it is set up. This is how your site ends up being ranked high or low.
  
  
• What do search engines do with the information? - Expand
  
  When someone searches for a phrase or keyword, another search program takes over using the information the robot found. A person types in the keywords and the search program returns the thousands of pages matching their keywords. They also consider the following: How large is the web site? Was it properly constructed? How many other web sites link to this Website?
  
  
• Common Internet Terminology - Expand
  
  

  ISP - (Internet Service Provider) provides connectivity to the Internet, usually via modem and dial up lines (we DO NOT provide ISP services).

  IPP - (Internet Presence Provider) provides presences on the Internet, usually provides web hosting and e-mail services. WWW - (World Wide Web) refers to the vast web sites and such that span the Internet.

  POP - (Post Office Protocol) physical e-mail accounts you log into with a username and password to pick up any e-mail sent/forwarded to that account Email Alias - aliasing allows you to have multiple e-mail addresses sent to a specific POP e-mail account (ie. pick up This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , etc. from one POP account rather than from several separate ones. Email Forward - forwarding allows you to have e-mail forwarded from a specific address or POP account to another POP account (ie. have all e-mail sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. sent to your POP account provided by your ISP.

  HTML - (Hyper-Text Markup Language) the name of the standard coding used to create web pages, most web pages are written/coded in HTML. Domain - this is the convention used to access a web site (www.whatever.com , etc.) Domain names must be registered with InterNIC to be valid and usable on the internet. Non-domain - this is usually a sub-site on someone's domain (www.whatever.com/subsite). Non-domains do not have to be registered with InterNIC.

  InterNIC - (Network Solutions)the regulatory agency that handles the assignment and database tracking of active/inactive/available domain names. Each country has their own NIC registry service for handling foreign (or domestic) domain names. Propagation - a period after a domain name is registered or transferred when the domain name is updated among all the nameservers found on the Internet around the world. This period usually lasts 3-7 days and may result in visitors not being able to visit the domain name until the period is over.