UberEcho Web Development Solutions

Design is the artistic signature which makes your web site unique.

Web design includes the following core elements:

Logos/branding	Text
Color	Site continuity
Graphics	Navigation
Layout	Linkages elsewhere

UberEcho.com will consult with you about all of these design issues to create a stunning and easily navigable web site.

FAQs

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions we get concerning Design.

Can I use my own logos/branding/images/graphics, etc?
Of course! This is our preference in fact. The more information, artifacts, ideas clients bring us, the quicker we can get their site up and running with the look and feel their customers already anticipate. However, marketing is such a critical component to any organization, it shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to a web site.

Is the design a collaboration, do I do it, or does UberEcho do it alone?
All of, or any of, the above! We strive to represent our client's vision as much as possible. We have years of experience and feel we are excellent consultants in the web design world; but should a client wish to design the site him/herself without consultation, so be it. As long as the client is satisfied with the end result, we feel we've done our job well.

Can I show you web sites I like to be used as an example of what I want?
Yes! Please do this. In fact, it is very likely we will ask our clients to provide examples of web sites they like (and the reasons why), as well as example web sites for what they would like their site to actually look like (at least for layout).

Who owns the design when it's complete?
Once the site is designed and our contract for services has been satisfied by both parties (meaning we've delivered all the services agreed upon and the client has compensated us for all our work), the the client owns the web site completely - including design, images, graphics, logos, branding, etc. UNLESS ANYTHING IS COPYRIGHTED BY A THIRD PARTY OURSIDE OF UBERECHO WEB DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS' CONTROL.

Can I change the design if I don't like it?
Yes and no. The contract for services will explain exactly what services we provide to the client. This may include one revision, several revisions, unlimited revisions, or no revisions. This is a point of negotiation during the contracting phase. In theory, any web site can be redesigned any number of times...for a price. The price for our clients is money, and the price for us is time. We try to understand the needs and expectations of clients as well as possible so we provide a design that needs little modification from the start.

Will my design be one-of-a-kind, or will there be other web sites like mine on the internet?
This too is a contracting phase issue. UberEcho uses both web templates, usually at a much more reduced price, as well as creates customized web sites. Having said that, web pages are considered an "open-source" medium. That means anyone can view the programming code for any web site. Further, like making a movie or writing a book, there are only so many ways to say the same thing...or build a web site. In fact, consistency enables visitors to easily navigate web sites, so it shouldn't be so off the beaten path that it frustrates users.

Who writes/changes/updates the text for the web site?
Unless the contract for services says differently, all textual content will come from the client. UberEcho does not, as a general rule, write any of the text for the web pages. The client is in the best position to communicate in words to their web site viewers. When a web site is constructed we will add Latin text filler to demonstrate what the text will look like.

Once the client provides the text, we will add the text to the web site. We will make a limited number of textual changes or updates to the site initially. The contract for services will outline the number of changes, or hours, if any, UberEcho will provide the client for site changes or text changes after the initial development and deployment are complete.

Can I give you a web site designed by someone else and have UberEcho do the Development, Deployment, Maintenance, etc?
Of course! We are happy to help at any stage of the web development process you choose. There may be, and we will clearly state when necessary, technical, or in some cases, legal, reasons why we cannot help. We work hard to provide whatever services we can whenever possible.

What are web site templates?
Web site templates are pre-fabricated web sites, essentially They provide the client with, in many cases, a much more affordable option because the site structure is already constructed. Minor modifications and content additions are all that's needed to get the site ready for deployment. It is possible that there is another web site somewhere out in cyberspace among the hundreds of millions of other web sites using the same template. In all likely hood the client, nor anyone else, will ever see the same template used twice. Templates are not meant to be highly customized - that defeats the cost-savings purpose of a template. However, if a client chooses to use a template and customize it, we can accommodate that request.

What copyright issues should I consider?
If the client provides no content from a third party, and we do not use content from a third party, then there should not be any copyright issues. However, any photographs, clip-art, fonts, logos, brands, templates, quotes, etc. provided by the client, or added by UberEcho may create a copyright situation that will need to be resolved. 99% of the time we can take care of all the copyright protections for third parties. We discuss the other 1% with clients when we feel it's necessary.

Concerning clients' sites and copyrights for their material - legally anything they publish, write, or otherwise create on their own is protected under the copyright laws of the United States. There is no formal legal process a client needs to undertake to protect their content. However, there are legal measures one can take if he/she so desires. We can discuss this during the contracting phase. Finally, it is the internet - people all over the world will have access to everything clients choose to add to their web site, so we ask that they please consider if the content is appropriate for mass consumption - whether that content is free or spay-for-services.

What are the technical limitations of the design?
Currently there are not many technical limitations. Most computer programmers, or Information Technology professionals will tell you "anything is possible...for a price." That's generally true. Things we currently cannot do:

Use copyrighted materials without consent
3-D
Provide scents or smells
Cause the viewer's screen or computer to dance

Can I add a search feature on my web site?
Of course. We use either Google or Verity. Others by request (dependant on compatibility).

Can I add a site map on my web site?
Yes. However, site maps are sometimes useful, but usually the site can be constructed in such a way as to avoid using one. They are rarely used by surfers, and costly to construct and maintain.

Can I add a photo gallery on my web site?
Yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges photo galleries

Can I add a guest book on my web site?
Yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges guest books.

Can I add a bulletin board on my web site?
Yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges bulletin boards.

Can I add a chat room on my web site?
Yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges bulletin boards.

Can I add a blog on my web site?
Yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges blogs.

Can I add an RSS feed on my web site?
Yes. This is fairly easy to design. However, RSS feeds are most powerful when frequent site updates, or "news," are made. This assumes the web site information is dynamic (frequently changes) and that clients keep their site current with the latest information. The long-term maintenance will require a budget.

Can I add streaming video/audio on my web site?
Yes. This is a "bandwidth-intensive" application however. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate the bandwidth policies of that company.

Can I add a PODCast on my web site?
Yes. This is a "bandwidth-intensive" application however. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate the bandwidth policies of that company.

Can I make my web site into a bitTorrent site?
Yes. This is a "bandwidth-intensive" application however. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate the bandwidth policies of that company.

Can I make my site an FTP site?
Yes. This is a "bandwidth-intensive" application however. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate the bandwidth policies of that company.

Can I sell items on my web site? Is it secure?
Yes and yes. If a client uses our hosting package, this is no problem. Please see Deployment for more information. If the client wants to host the site elsewhere, we will need to investigate how the hosting company arranges shopping carts and secure certificates.