How does the internet work?
How many customers can I attract?
Why advertise on the internet?
What is a domain name?
What is a search engine and how do they work?
What is a browser?
How does e-mail work?
I have AOL, can I get my mail there?
What is an ISP?
How much faster is a cable or DSL connection?
What is a server?

How many web pages can I put on?
How do I set-up my pages?
Who maintains my site?
Do I need to be "Online" daily?
How many pages do I need?
What are page criteria?
Quality vs. Quantity?
What does "Publish" mean?
What does dashark need from me?
What is a banner link?

Is my site going to look original?
I have a company logo, can you use it?
I want my site to be interactive, how can we do this?
What is Flash?
What is Streaming Media?
Do I have to give dashark a complete layout?
Can I create a mailing list?

What is an e-commerce site?
Do I need a shopping cart?
How may items can I list?
Can I maintain my shopping cart myself?
What is a gateway?
Who processes my Credit Card Orders?
What is a database, and what kind will I need?
How do I get pictures of my products?
Do my customers get a confirmation e-mail?
Can I e-mail all my customers at once?
I want to build a site just like Amazon.com, can you do it?

How does the internet work?

The internet is an open environment that allows you to store your files so that others can view them on a server (A place where your files are stored until viewed). Anyone who has internet access can view your page for free. You have to access the internet through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) such as America Online, CompuServe, AT&T, Optimum Online etc.. If you have an ISP, you have immediate access to the internet. You pay the ISP a monthly charge but there is no charge to access the internet or any sites.

How many customers can I attract?

There are over 200 million users on the internet (with millions more coming online each day). With the constant decreasing of prices on the Personal Computer market, more and more people are signing up for internet service everyday. People use the internet for research, entertainment, gaming purposes and of course; BUYING & SELLING.  Now, more and more people are starting to see the benefits of shopping and researching businesses online. Depending on your needs, dashark can set up a marketing strategy that will "Target" who you want to view your site. If you only repair cars locally in New York or Florida, you don't need to have people from Wisconsin viewing your page.  You want and need local people finding your site.

Why advertise on the internet?

The fact of the matter is that the internet is the most inexpensive way to advertise. Besides the fact that your company now has instant credibility, you also have a "Showcase" for all of your products and services. The internet can be a valuable marketing tool for your company. Think about the days when fax machines were just coming into the business community. Many businessmen were dismissing the idea that a fax machine could help them be more productive, sell more products or even take the place of regular mail. We cringe when we think of what ever happened to those companies. Sometimes it is not how much business you can gain from the internet, it's how many customers do you stand to lose because they saw the same product or service displayed on a competitors site. Let us give you an example:
A potential new customer comes into your establishment and has many questions about your product. You take the time (time is money) and sit down to consult them. They are still undecided on the product or service. If you had a website you could tell them to check further into it, they can see the product or service you provide for themselves in the comfort of their own home and make a decision on whether to buy it or not. They may even check out your competitors to see if the product or service is less expensive or a different variety and quality. You may lose a new customer to a competitor just because they had better exposure and more convenience.
Consider the cost of advertising in local TV-Print-Media. If a ad campaign that you have instituted does not do well, it could cost your company more money just to re-submit the ad in other forms of advertising. The amount that you can spend is staggering. On the internet you can create a site that will show your products or service the way you want to, with no limitations. The only limitation you have is your imagination. There is no limit to the amount of updating you can do to your site. The internet is "Real-Time", and will display your updates as soon as you upload your files to your server.

What is a domain name?

Now we get into the "nuts & bolts" of a website. A domain name is the "Address" at which you're located on the internet. Most domain names are www.yourcompany.com but some names end with different extensions. For example you may see a .org extension, this means that a site is an organization. A .com is the most widely used extension because it means a commercial site. A .gov extension is reserved for government applications, and so on. Now that most companies are securing their own domain names, different extensions to the domain name are being utilized more and more. Examples of these would be .net, .edu, .tv, .cc and so on.
To find an address in the internet, all a person would have to do is type that address into a web-browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL). They would be instantly taken to the appropriate site. These addresses are regulated by Internic. In order to get your own name it would have to be registered by this governing body of the internet. There is no limit to how many domain names you can own.  Some people build homepages through a free service which would give their address a look like this: www.aol.members.com/joesmith/myweb/index.html. This address can be confusing for your customers. Domain names in general are the heart and soul of your website. A good domain name could mean the difference between attracting new customers or not.

What is a search engine & how do they work?

Basically there are 2 different types of search engines. First there are "Spider" search engines such as Excite, Alta Vista, Lycos, Infoseek, HotBot, etc. These search engines will spider a site (search through the entire site) and look for the keywords to complete a search. This means that a site must be structured correctly for a person to find you when they are searching for a specific item or service. The other type of search engine is a "Category" type such as Yahoo, Looksmart, NBCi. These search engines will place you in a category but will also check for individual pages that match content of a search. Again, your page will need to be properly set-up so that potential customers can find you.
Search engines are strange animals, we at dashark recommend either NBCi or Yahoo. These particular search engines seem to bring the best searches. There are so many new engines coming online everyday, just keep trying new ones until you find one that you like the best. How many times have you done a search for "Electronics" and get results pouring in about the weather in China? dashark understands the frustration this can bring, we also understand how these search engines can be made to work for you.

What are Web Browsers and how do they work?

A web browser is the actual viewing tool that is used to view ANY internet site. They are very different in many ways. The most popular ones are Netscape & Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you have an AOL account, you are using IE. (Although the new AOL may be equipped with Netscape). These 2 different browsers view pages very differently. What may be seen by IE may not be seen by Netscape and visa versa. Your pages should be compatible with both. There are also different versions of the same browser. For example, Netscape Navigator 2.0 will react differently than version 4.0 and so on. You should always have the newest version of a browser. dashark designs all of their sites with these facts in mind. Cross compatibility of the different browsers are always a top priority to us. 

How does E-Mail work?

Ahhh, E-Mail. One of the most exciting things about the internet is E-Mail. You can INSTANTLY send a type written message, a picture or file to anywhere on the planet in seconds. If you are using AOL, your e-mail address would be your screen name plus an "@AOL.com" at the end. If you have a domain name, your e-mail address would be anything you set it up to be. Example, if your name was Joe and your company domain name is www.abc.com you could set up an e-mail address to be joe@abc.com and let everyone e-mail you effortlessly. You can still have an account with AOL because you still need an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to access your e-mail. dashark also can fax you your e-mail if you have no such service. You can simply have your e-mail forwarded to you AOL address. It's that simple!
dashark can custom configure your e-mail service for 1 or 1,000 users with the ability to retrieve any e-mail from any browser, anytime or anywhere. Alias' e-mails can make your company stand out amid your competitors. Ask us today for more information.

I have AOL, can I get my mail there?

Yes. dashark can custom configure any e-mail account to be forwarded to any other account. The easiest way to get your e-mail is through a e-mail program (such as MS Outlook) that will automatically check for new messages. If you prefer, you can keep on using AOL.

What is an ISP?

An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that can connect you to the internet. Companies such as America Online, Compuserve, NetZero and Optimum Online are just a few examples. You need an ISP to connect. The price of an ISP will vary greatly depending on the service they provide.

How much faster is a cable or DSL connection?

Broadband is here to stay! 56K modems are becoming more and more obsolete thanks to the new generation of ISP's. Cable and DSL can be as much as 10 times faster than a 56k modem. Anyone who enjoys surfing the internet can attest to the benefits of High-Speed access. Websites that are more dynamic and entertaining are popping up all over the web. High speed access providers are becoming less expensive everyday and the demands of the new web are feeding the frenzy. If you have high speed connectivity in your area, you should look into this further.

What is a server?

A server is a location that stores your "Files", so that when other people access your site, they can view your pages. Most servers charge a pre-determined rate for the amount of storage you need. Without a server, you cannot receive e-mails or have a website. A good reliable server is essential for your website. If you intend to have people view your site, the server must be capable of handling all the requests in a timely manner. If a server goes "Down", people have no access and consequently, you are out of business. dashark offers affordable server plans integrated within all of our project pricing. For more information, contact us today.

How many pages can I put on?

Simple answer.
As many as you may want or need. There is no limit to the amount of pages that can be put on the internet. The only thing to remember is that if you have a budget, it may be a good idea to consolidate your pages to maximize the exposure you desire.

How do I set-up my pages?

The set-up of your pages are consulted on a individual basis. dashark has always been a design company that believes each website should have it's own characteristics, flow and personality. After a consultation with us, we will recommend what type of set-up you should choose.

Who maintains my internet site?

You can either maintain your site by yourself or have dashark do it all for you. Some people enjoy the challenge of administering their own site. You can take care of your site yourself, but you will need to get training. dashark offers this type of training. We have several different plans to help you keep your site looking "Fresh".  For more information, E-Mail us below or use our simple "Request Info" page.

Do I need to be online daily?

NO, unless you want to be. dashark encourages all of our clientele to get involved. The more involved you are with your site, the better it will suit your needs.

How many pages do I need?

This is very difficult to judge. You would definitely need to consult us and see how your pages should be structured in order to get the maximum amount of exposure that fits into your budget. E-Mail us or click on the "Request Info" button.

What constitutes a page?

Everyone has a different concept of this question. We believe a well structured page should be one that loads onto a visitor's computer in less than 30 seconds. How many times have you gone into a website that seems to take forever to load (and then leave without viewing it's contents). The speed of a downloading page varies because of the speed of different modems. If the viewer is using a 28.8kbps modem, his download time will be much longer than a person using a 56k modem. The best case scenario is a person using a cable modem which is up to 10X faster than 56k. We judge all websites by 56kbps which seems to be benchmark of modem technology.
A page has different sections within it that manipulates the amount of time it takes to load. Text loads faster than images. A page just consisting of just text can load in any computer extremely fast. The more graphics, pictures and animations you put on a page, the slower it loads. Another new technology is Streaming Media, for an explanation about this subject, see our Streaming Media FAQ.

Quality vs. Quantity

We at dashark believe that you should concentrate on a quality page. The reasons we believe this is simple:
It gives a better impression to the viewer.
It shows how much you pay attention to details.
It shows that you want to put your best foot forward.
It can make a small company seem like a large one.
It can "personalize" an impersonal situation.
Pages that are just "put together" and have no continuity are very hard to navigate through. This could lead to potential customers getting frustrated and leaving your site for a competitors.

What does "Publish" mean?

Publish or Publishing means that the content of a website is sent via the web to a server that holds all of the information until a viewer calls for it by typing in your URL (Address, www.yourcompany.com)

What does dashark need from me?

dashark needs to evaluate a few things before you begin to build your site. Some examples of what we may need are as follows:
Information on your company
Who is your primary customer
What your company intends to gain with the internet exposure
What is the timeframe for the intended unveiling
The budget you are working with
All of these questions and more will be answered in the initial free consultation between you and dashark . We can make arrangements to come to your office at no charge and identify what your needs are and how you can achieve your goals.

What is a banner link?

dashark has always believed that a banner link is one of the most important design features you can get with your site. A visibly attractive banner can attract many viewers to your site. in every project dashark undertakes, a banner for linking purposes is always included free of charge.

Is my site going to look original?

One Word....
YES!
dashark does not "borrow" any graphics from other sites and implement them into yours. There are no "templates" for new sites. Every site that we build, reflects the individual business it represents along with a personality of it's own. Just view some of our client sites in our portfolio page and see for yourself. The cost of not being original, outweighs the cost of doing something different over the long term.

I have a company logo, can you use it?

Yes. dashark can incorporate any images, logos, pictures that you may already own into your site. As a matter of fact, we encourage the use of all these items.

I want my site to be interactive, how can we do this?

Interactivity of a site can be accomplished through all sorts of ways. Flash, Easy Navigation, Streaming Media, Creative Design are just some of the specialties dashark excels in. We are proud to be leaders and are not afraid to tackle new challenges. Some of our sites have won many different kinds of awards for interactivity, ease of use, design and content. See for yourself, visit our Portfolio Page.

What is Flash?

Flash was created by Macromedia and has been around for a while but has seen limited usage because of modem limitations. Since high speed access is becoming more widely available, so has Flash. Most of the major companies on the web use some sort of Flash in their respected sites (Disney, GM, Universal Studios, Six Flags, etc.). dashark has been for years, producing Flash presentations and interactivity for our clients. Examples of some Flash sites can be seen in our Portfolio Page.

What is streaming media?

Streaming Media is the ability to send images from the server to a browser while a customer is already viewing a section. Simply put, it means that a browser does not have to download an entire presentation before viewing it. It now means that while a presentation is downloading in the background, the viewer is not staring at a blank screen.

Do I have to give dashark a complete layout?

No. dashark understands that you are not a web designer and we are. We will take your ideas and vision and make it a reality. We are experts in taking notes and observing your business needs and designing a site. It is not uncommon for a client not to know what to do, but dashark has always managed to somehow make it happen. Give us a try.

Can I create a mailing list?

Yes. A mailing list can always be set up so you can easily send out numerous e-mails to the people that want it the most. All a person would have to do is subscribe with just a few keystrokes. dashark can even design the e-mail so the person can un-subscribe anytime.

What is an e-commerce site?

An e-commerce site is a site that sells either products or services over the internet. This definition is broad, and could mean that ALL sites are e-commerce sites. We feel that an e-commerce site is not necessarily a site in which there are isles and thousands of products and services. An e-commerce site could be as simple as a showcase site that displays your products and or services and gives a phone number to call. As long as you are conducting business on the web, you qualify as an e-commerce site. There are many different ways to show or sell your products and or services, not all of them have to include a budget that will surely bankrupt you. Examples of simple showcase sites can be found in our Portfolio Page.

Do I need a shopping cart?

A shopping cart site is a more complex type of site. It utilizes a database to operate, and can be very intimidating and challenging to design. dashark's designers are database experts and can maximize all the features that database interactivity can offer. Whether it's a simple e-mail list or a full service retail operation with thousands of products, dashark can help. Since many shopping cart-database sites require extensive coding which can take several weeks to months before a final product is produced, a consultation with a dashark representative should be your first step. Not all shopping cart sites are the same and the cost varies depending on features. You can view some successful shopping cart sites in our Portfolio Page.

How many items can I list or display?

There is no limit to the amount of products you can list. Every shopping cart site that dashark builds can accept an unlimited amount of products.

Can I maintain my shopping cart myself?

Yes. dashark designs our shopping carts with you in mind. We make it easy to update pricing, add products, delete products, edit products, upload pictures and even view all your orders in a searchable format from your own computer. Not only does this make all your storefront editing easy, it also enables you to keep design and input costs down by allowing you to do some of the work.

What is a gateway?

A gateway is a service that a shopping cart can send customer information to for processing of credit card and payment. dashark has already designed shopping cart sites that integrate with major gateways such as Authorize.Net, Cybercash and more.

Who processes my credit card orders?

You can process your credit card orders in house with your present form of transaction service or you can access a gateway and they will do it for you. Details of each service vary and will be discussed by a dashark representative during a consultation.

What is a database, and what kind will I need?

A database will allow your site to access information from a remote location and display the results onto a web page when asked by the viewer. In simpler words, it means that a user of your site can ask for information and get it customized to what they want to see. Database sites are usually easy to navigate through and makes the time spent on your site more productive for the end user.

How do I get pictures of my products?

You can either take pictures of your products, scan in the products or have dashark take the pictures. We can do it all for you, effortlessly and affordably. You tell us what services you need and let dashark do the rest.

Do my customers get a confirmation e-mail?

Yes. All shopping cart sites are designed for you. What this means, is that, we try to automate everything in the sales or purchases of your products. We understand that your time is better spent running your business, rather than answering countless e-mails with the same questions over and over. There is no substitute for a well designed site that does almost everything for you. Just ask our customers that are selling more products than ever before without all the headaches.

Can I e-mail all my customers at once?

Yes. If you ask dashark to integrate a e-mail database. It's simple, one click and thousands of e-mails go to there respected recipients.

I want to build a site just like Amazon.com, can you do it?

Sure, but realize that sites like Amazon.com took the cooperation of thousands of people and years to build. If you have the time, energy and resources, dashark can do it (we just have to clear our schedule for a while).