How long does it take to build a website?

Our website designers can build a site within 24 hours, however, a standard site takes between 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish.

How much will a website cost?

This depends upon your requirements, however the investment level for a standard site starts from as little as £1000 +VAT. We also provide interest free monthly payment plans - which means your site can be generating the revenue to pay the monthly instalments.

Why do I need an ORCA website when I can buy a package on the Internet for £50?

Anyone can build a website, however, you really do get what you pay for. Home-made sites often look unprofessional and present a bad impression to potential and existing customers. We find that our clients use our services because they lack the time or knowledge to build their own site and also require ongoing support. We look after everything for you and get your business online quickly and very affordably. We understand the importance of branding your business effectively and therefore are able to create websites that stand out and engage your target customers. In a nutshell, we give you the edge and help you compete online by empowering you to do exactly what the big brands do, but at small business prices. We put you in control of your website and give you all the tools and support to ensure your online success.

The ORCA Platform?

The ORCA Platform enables our designers to build professional websites extremely quickly and allows you to manage and maintain your websites. All the functions that ORCA websites can include are built into the Platform. When we create your new site, it sits on the Platform and we then connect it to the functions that you require. As these functions are pre-coded; our designers do not have to write new code for new sites, hence we are able to work much quicker and keep your investment to a minimum.What is a Content Management System (CMS)?

Our unique Content Management System puts you in control and enables you to update and maintain your website quickly and easily. All ORCA websites allow you to add new pages, upload images and add and amend copy anywhere on your site. You can even assign others within your business with 'user rights' so they can perform updates, or manage a specific area of the site. You won't require any programming experience or new software as complete computer novices can quickly get the hang of it.

What kind of CMS is it? (Technical information)

The CMS runs on a Linux system (this is the server's operating system) and uses the Red Hat Enterprise version of Linux. This is a more robust version and is a popular operating system for many professional web servers. The web server uses Apache server software and all CMS content is stored in a secure postgreSQL database. The platform is coded in object-orientated PHP 5.

Do you use templates to build websites?

We use a semi-template system to build ORCA Websites. Templates often result in a rigid build process that limits the creativity, functionality and individuality of a website - therefore all sites built this way can look the same. We specialise in delivering bespoke website designs and therefore use flexible templates that enable greater creativity, whilst synchronizing with the pre-coded functions built into the ORCA Platform described above. Hence, we are able to quickly build superbly professional and creative websites that incorporate state of the art technology - but at prices that you can afford.

W3C Compatibility?

The W3C (The World Wide Web Consortium) provides best practice standards and guidelines for the World Wide Web. Their mission is to lead the World Wide Web to it's full potential and to ensure that web technologies are compatible with one another. Their standards cover everything that is web-based, including search engine optimisation, web code and web accessibility. All ORCA sites are built to meet W3C standards and are regularly checked to ensure continued compliance.

The W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines exist to provide website owners with direction on making their websites accessible to visitors with disabilities. The importance of the guidelines is strengthened by recent legislation in the UK and in particular, the Disability Discrimination Act Part III, which requires all businesses to provide equal access to goods and services for all individuals.

We build our websites to be compliant to at least Level 1 of the Guidelines and can work to higher levels when required. This includes providing visitors with the ability to increase font sizes to make website content more legible, as well as ensuring our sites are ‘screen reader' compatible. (Screen readers give the website a ‘voice' and read the content of the site to the visitor).

Hosting and Security?

All ORCA sites are hosted in our state of the art, highly secure data centres. There is no need to worry about finding a server as this is all taken care of. We run clusters of servers (many servers linked together), which are ‘load balanced' - which reduces downtime. We also monitor peak traffic usage very carefully to ensure that extra throughput is always available.

Our sites are extremely secure and are all password protected (with timed auto-logouts). They typically use SSL 3.0 256-bit certificates to encrypt information submitted by users in secure areas of the website - for example in a My Account type section. Data is submitted encrypted and then sorted in our data base. Passwords are not visible, even to our technical staff, as they are also encrypted - thereby giving very high levels of system security for users of the website.

We utilise the latest Cisco PIX firewalls in our data centre along with other security mechanisms, including VPN access to sensitive areas of the data centre, physical security measures and of course, regular network audits. Our firewalls are configured to respond to network traffic loads and we have active monitoring in place to allow us to assess threats from the web and take action where necessary to stop those threats.

Data is stored in a storage area network which utilises high grade security protocols such as SSH, SCP and VPN's for transferring files around the infrastructure. We also use encrypted databases where appropriate to store particularly sensitive information - home addresses, date of birth, etc. We are currently going through PCI/DSS Audit with a view to becoming certified in 2008. We are also looking at a number of other initiatives to introduce best practice across our systems as, and when, it is established.

How much does hosting cost?

Hosting costs £250 per annum. This fee also includes all support facilities including the technical helpline and any upgrades we make to the ORCA platform that your site will benefit from. It also entitles you to constant and ongoing training and support from your Website Consultant and ORCA Head Office Team, and full access to the unique ORCA Content Management System.

Can I Move My Site To Another Host?

The main reason we host all sites is to ensure access to our unique Content Management System (CMS). Should you wish to have your site hosted elsewhere, you can do so, but without the CMS. Therefore, you would not be able to manage the site (adding content, making amendments, etc) yourself. We will provide you with your site designs, source code and site content on a disc. You will then need your own hosting package, and probably a web designer's services, to manage the migration process.

Can I use my existing domain name?

Yes, we ensure that any existing domain names are configured correctly and will arrange a seamless transfer to our systems with no loss of service during the process.

What about email?

You can use your existing email service or we can set up new email accounts for you. If you keep your existing email with your existing supplier, we simply point any website correspondence to this email address. However, many clients prefer to transfer their email services to us, or have us set up new accounts, as they then have everything under one roof. This means that we can then handle any technical issues on your behalf.

How do I get my website onto the search engines?

Having a website that is easy to find is the goal of search engine optimisation. All ORCA websites contain everything required to enable the search engines and their ‘robots' to find and index them. This includes standards compliant X/HTML, tagging and META information, and a standard ‘robots.txt' file which we create to aid the indexing process. In addition, we also submit your websites to Google, Yahoo!, Dmoz and MSN to ensure you get the best possible saturation on the search engines from day one.

How do I ensure my site lists as high as possible on the search engines?

You will have full access to all META tags and other fields required for search engine optimisation via your Content Management System and are able to input your own keywords and key phrases in those fields to give your site the edge. We provide advice on the best keywords and content to place in the various parts of the website to help maximise search engine traffic. We have also created a free search engine optimization guide to give you the advantage over your competitors.

How do I sell via my website?

Our ecommerce tool makes online purchasing via your site quick, easy and enjoyable. We provide two ecommerce options: one powered by PayPal and the other is a Fully Integrated option.

The PayPal option utilises PayPal's shopping cart and order processing facilities, enabling you to take payments from customers. However, customers leave your site and ‘jump' to PayPal once they click ‘add to basket'. It's a more affordable option, but also a less professional and credible ecommerce proposition.

The Fully Integrated system allows orders to be placed by credit and debit card as well as supporting telephone, fax and postal orders. Adding this option to your website means you will gain access to our simple to use order management and processing tools, allowing you to control orders and generate substantial online revenues.

What does integrated mean?

This means that your visitor/customer remains on your site at every stage of the purchase and payment process - rather than "jumping" to an external payment provider, such as PayPal or WorldPay. ‘Integration' adds a huge degree of professionalism and credibility to your site and provides customers with the all important ‘trust' element - thus encouraging them to purchase from you. Larger, big brand websites use full integration. If you want customers to take your business seriously, you must offer the same functions as the big players. Your customers expect it.

How does an Integrated payment process work?

We process all integrated ecommerce transactions through your website via DataCash, a highly secure, online payment service provider used by many major online retailers. Datacash enables you to use your existing bank relationship to accept payments from customers directly into your business bank account as follows:

1.    A customer makes a purchase on your site via the shopping cart.

2.    Their credit card details are captured by Datacash.

3.    They are securely sent to your bank (the ‘acquiring' bank).

4.    Your bank sends the details to the customer's card issuer for authorisation.

5.    The card issuer sends the results to your bank.

6.    Your bank sends the transaction results to Datacash.

7.    Datacash sends the authorisation results to your website and the customer to confirm or decline the transaction.

8.    Your websites either processes the order or returns an error, depending on the information received.

9.    For successful transactions, Datacash requests funds to be transferred from the card issuer to your bank via your emerchant account at the end of each day.

10.     Payments are settled by Datacash immediately and cleared funds are received the next day.

What if I move banks?

Should you move banks, the website will continue to take ecommerce orders - they will simply be diverted to your new account.

Ecommerce Charges and Security?

If using PayPal, you will be charged at their current rates. If using our Integrated Payment system, then you will be charged a commission by the purchaser's credit card provider (between 1 and 3% approximately), your bank (they will charge you an annual fee and possibly a commission per sale as per a traditional PDQ facility), and by Datacash (2%) for all ecommerce transactions, totalling approximately 6% - 8%. Additionally, Datacash charge an annual fee of £250.

You will also require an SSL 3 Certificate and 3-D Security System when using our integrated ecommerce option. Orders by credit and debit card are processed using the latest SSL 3 encryption technology and we carry out (AVS) and signature strip (CV2) verification on all orders. SSL 3 certificates are charged at £150 per annum and allow visitors to submit their personal details and payment information in a completely secure way. We do not hold any credit card numbers in our data centre - this information is only held with the Payment Service Provider (Datacash). Visitors will see a small ‘padlock' icon displayed in their web browser that signifies that their transaction is encrypted and secure. Our SSL Certificates are provided by Comodo.

A similar system to Chip and Pin, called 3-D Secure, has been developed by VISA and MasterCard for people making credit and debit card transactions on the internet. When a payment is made using these systems, your liability as a merchant is removed and is taken on by Visa or MasterCard. This is a significant change in online transaction processing as it removes the risk of trading online and reduces, and in some cases, completely protects clients from charge backs. ORCA integrated ecommerce websites have this 3-D Secure function in-built free of charge.