Frequently Asked Questions

About our services

General

Q: How long have you been in business?   A: We started doing website design in 1998.   GreaterGardner.net and MonadnockRegion.net were launched in 2000.  ToytownWeb.com and GreaterWorcester.net were launched in 2001.  About Us

Q: Do you have physical offices?   A: Yes, our offices, web design studios, and production studios are located at 39 Orchard Lane, Templeton Massachusetts Directions to Us

Q:  Are you taking new clients?   A:  Yes, we are.  

Q: Why don't I see "Designed by Web-Tech" or "Designed by US WEB Design" on your websites?   A:  Very simply, doing that hurts customers.  When search engines scan your website, you want your information to stand out, not any reference(s) to a web design company.   We view it as being like putting someone else on your business card.   The practice simply enhances the ego of the web design company and does nothing for the client except reduce relevance on search engines for their legitimate products and services.

Q: What services do you offer?   A:  We offer a wide array of business services including web advertising, domain registration, web design, web hosting, online radio advertising, audio, video, and print production, business documents, and other multimedia services.   Please view the complete listing.

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Q: What's involved in getting an ad on GreaterGardner.net?    A:  Contact us and we will come to see you.    We'll design an ad which closely matches your business signage or logo and stands out on its own.   Ad will link to your website, but remember - most of the ad's value is in the exposure to our thousands of readers. We will place your ad on one, some, or all of our online magazines depending on the nature of your business and your budget.

Q: Why do you only accept two advertisers per category?   A: Because our sites are so popular, advertising with us actually helps your website rankings in the search engines.   Taking too many clients per category would dilute your results.

Q: What do I get with my ad?   A:  The banner ad you purchase, bolded listings, website links, link to map page, inclusion on moving to... page, Business Service Directory listing, and  inclusion in Home page advertiser index.

Q: Why Internet Advertising?   A: The Internet reaches 90% of the people out there.   You might as well say the Internet reaches all of your customers who have money.  Everyone is growing up with the Internet.   It is a growing medium at a time when traditional media like newspapers have eroding circulation.

Q: Why advertise with Web-Tech Online Magazines?   A: We have the audience.  We got in on the ground floor and our sites do fabulously.   Great place for an ad!

Q: How much is the advertising?  A: Cost varies by online magazine and by size of banner ad.    Please see our rate information.

Q:  What banner sizes do you accept?   A: From 120x60 pixels and up.   Please see our Banner sizes page.

Q: What is your coverage area?    A: Coverage area varies by online magazine.   Please view our coverage map here.

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Q: What is your service area?  A:  Web-Tech services the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, Worcester County, portions of Middlesex County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Berkshire County, and Cape Cod in Massachusetts.  

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Q: What do you mean by Multimedia?  A:  We use the term to describe different types of media which are typically used in advertising.  We can prepare just about any type of ad or promotional piece for you.

Q: What type of media can your produce?   A:  Audio in mp3 or CD format,  video movies in most common forms including windows media for the web and DVD, print ads in pdf format or requirements of newspaper,  and business publications in formats acceptable to most local and online printing services for professional brochures, newsletters, full-color business cards, postcards, etc., and of course, websites from simple to complex.

Q: What is your experience with multimedia?   A: Owner has 30+ years of media experience to include high school and college settings, radio station production/sales/ management, IT certifications, web design since 1998.   We currently operate a group of online magazines, produce material for businesses, and run an online radio station.

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Q: How do I get my own domain name?   A:  We sell domain names so we can help you get yours.   Go to our domain registration page.    If you are a local business, just call us and we'll take care of getting you the domain name, setting up hosting, and even designing your website if you aren't doing it yourself.   If you wish, you can register your domain name and order hosting all online right here.

Q: Now what is next?   A: Type in a name you might like such as 1234hardware.    Click Search.   The next screen will tell you that 1234hardware.com is available.  If you want to register the domain name, click continue.    Follow the on-screen prompts to create an account and pay for your domain name.   Be sure to write down the order number and any password information you type in.

Q:  What is web hosting?   A: Your domain name links to your web hosting server.  Web hosting is simply a place to put your website files which have been linked together in a presentation known as a website.   The web hosting service provides the ability for multiple internet surfers to view information from your website at the same time.    View our web hosting plans.   Select your hosting plan and you will have a place to put the website created for your new domain name.

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Q: What is web design?   A: Web design refers to the service of putting a website together for you.

Q: How expensive is it?   A:  Our basic package includes 5 hours of design at a reduced rate of $200.   Additional hours are $65 each.   See website package.

Q: What can I expect my total cost to be?  A:  If your needs are very basic, the above should cover it.  However, it is very common for total costs to run in the $600 to $1500 range depending on your requirements.    All the time we spend consulting with you and designing your site is billable.   Any text you have in electronic format rather than paying us to type it will save you money.  

Q:  Will you give me an estimate?    A: Yes, we can estimate the cost of your project only after we have met with you and discussed your needs.

Q: What about updates?   A:  Updates/site maintenance billed by the hour.

Q: Do you offer maintenance plans?    A: Yes, we do.   A contracted number of hours per month gives you a 10% discount and you are billed a flat rate monthly for this plan.    A contracted number of yearly hours gives you a 20% discount and you pay in advance for this plan.  We don't recommend a maintenance plan (even though it would make us more money) because frequently clients on maintenance plants end up paying for hours which are not used.

Q: What is the downside to a maintenance plan?   A: Because the hours do not carry over from month to month, you could be paying for services you don't use.

Q: How do I know if people are going to my website?   A: Each website is set up to gather data by the hour, day, and month. 

Q: What sets you apart from the competition?   A:  We get things done quickly.   Our turnaround time is days, not weeks.   We don't sell you a $2000 website if all you want today is a simple web presence.  

Q: If I use your service, when do I see my website?   A:  As soon as we register your domain name and set up your hosting account, you will see something on that site.  Typically it is the same day or next day.   We continue to work on the site in collaboration with you until it is complete.  

Q: What happens next?   A:  As soon as possible, we submit your website to the search engines.    Our ambitious goal is to have your website listed on Google within 1 week of your first visit to our door.

Q: Why do other design firms tell me they need from 3 weeks to 3 months to get my site on the Internet?    A:  Some do things differently.   Our owner is like a bull in a china shop and likes to get things done right, but in a timely manner.  If you are the type of business owner who likes to drag your feet and won't be forthcoming with information about your business, you should go with another company who will charge you up to 6 times as much for the same service but make it seem like they are doing a helluva lotta work.

Q:  What is your background?   A:  The owner's 30+ year background is varied, including:  (1)  stints with local stations WINQ-FM of Winchendon MA and WGAW-AM of Gardner MA with roles as radio announcer, talk show host, sales manager, and General Manager. (2)  IT department at  Franklin Pierce College in Rindge New Hampshire providing technical support including user websites (3) US WEB Design since 1999 designing local and corporate websites. (4) Media owner in Pennsylvania in late 80s, early 90's. (5) company: Web-Tech Online Magazines with now 12 online community magazines serving several hundred thousand people.

Q: What extras do you bring to the table?   A: Not only can I provide the design implementation, but also I have the marketing savvy of an ad agency, the skills of a graphic designer, and the common sense of a long-time New Englander.

Q: Can you provide redesign services for existing websites?  A:  Yes, frequently we have been called upon to improve an already existing internet presence.

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Q: Where did the term "online magazine" come from?  A:  We started using the term when we established Web-Tech Online Magazines as a way to tie in the web work we had done for so many years in developing our various community websites.

Q: When did the term start being used nationally?   A: In 2006, we wrote a starter article for Wikipedia which mentioned our work.  Wikipedia quickly followed up with a complete article on the subject, of course not mentioning us.   We pioneered the use of the term "online magazines" in the United States.   Previously the term (when searched for on Google) turned up only Canadian sources.

Q: Do you have proof of the above claim?   A:  Yes, we do.   Here's the original article: pdf format    Here's the user chronology.  pdf format    Here's the complete wikipedia article ;pdf format.    Here's the current article on Wikipedia today.

Q: How many online magazines does Web-Tech have?  A:  At this time, 12, including those under development.   Links to all appear at the top of this page.

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Q: Where can I find out information about all your services?   A:   Our multimedia creation page is a good source   For a complete list of services, put your mouse over the About us page, then services to reveal a complete menu.

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Q: What is the secret to good search engine results?   A:  There are many elements involved in good search engine positioning.    In a nutshell, many factors on your site influence how relevant your particular website is to a user's search.

Q: How will you help me achieve good search engine results?    A: We have an excellent track record in this area.   Our own online magazines do very well and our client work speaks for itself.   See these examples of positive results just on Google.   Note that results at any time could vary.  Search Engine optimization is an ongoing battle.  Obviously, for reasons of confidentiality, we can't give away our strategies.

Q: How much does it cost?    A: There are many factors involved.   However, we code all of our sites to show up on the search engines without major expense to the client.   We will tell you honestly in advance before you spend any money how achievable your goal is.