Solidmark(tm): Web Design For Professionals

	Does Solidmark offer hosting? No, Solidmark does not offer dedicated or virtual hosting of its own. At this time, Solidmark's focus remains primarily on what it does best - design and development. We do, however, in the planning stage of a project, make full considerations regarding hosting solutions and can choose a reliable hosting solution for you.
	What is hosting? All websites are a combination of files that reside on a server that has access to the internet. The server allows people using a web browser to access this combination of files. That's called hosting. There are currently three major solutions to the hosting problem: Virtual, Dedicated, and in-house. Virtual hosting is good for most small businesses that expect a moderate amount of traffic to their site. With virtual hosting, many websites reside on a different folder or partition on the same server. The server is maintained by the web hosting company. The disadvantage to this solution is that traffic to other websites on the same server will stall access to your own website. Dedicated hosting is when a web hosting company rents out an entire server to you, instead of a portion of the server. The server is ordinarily set up, maintained, and backed up by the web hosting company so you don't have to. This solution is appropriate for any business that requires more advanced access to the server, that expect a medium - high level of traffic, that doesn't need to have a technical team in-house, and that doesn't need the server to be set up with any special configuration. In House hosting is when the company owns, maintains, and backs up their own private server and that server is the machine that people access through the web. This solution is usually appropriate for large businesses or corporations who need to have a complete corporate infrastructure / intranet as well as internet presence, and who have a technical person or staff who can maintain the server(s). This option costs the most, has the most flexibility, and requires expertise in installation and maintenence. Solidmark's job includes helping you choose which hosting solution, platform, and configuration is right for your type of business and working to develop your project with it in conjunction seamlessly.
	What about maintenance? We will work out a solution for maintenance depending on your needs. In most cases, we can build the site in such a way as to allow our clients to modify sections of text within the site without any knowledge of HTML or special programming code. Or, we can maintain the site based on an hourly rate. In most circumstances, we will be able to make minor changes with a next day turnaround.
	How does Solidmark include security considerations in its projects? Most crackers break into a website as a result of poorly designed and undertested code. Solidmark takes great care to see that all projects are thoroughly and completely designed to seal all security holes possible.
	Should we get a domain name now? Immediately. We recommend a registrar like Network Solutions (www.netsol.com). Registering a domain name is the first thing to do even before choosing a web design company to design your website. The longer you "sit on it", the sooner someone else may take the domain name you want. Choose a domain name that will be simple to remember and easy to spell. The rule of thumb is: it should be easy to communicate over the phone or radio. Solidmark advises against using hyphens or anything else that may be confusing.
	Should we have Solidmark register our domain? You don't have to. Domain registrations may be done online easily at Network Solutions (www.netsol.com). You don't have to be a professional to register a domain name, but domain names should be registered as soon as possible even if there is only a partial possibility that your business may use it.
	Why Solidmark? We have the expertise and experience to oversee your entire project from start to finish and complete it. We will oversee every aspect of your project, from design, functionality, usability, and marketing perspectives. We can get your project done.