What is wonderful is that we have full control of the Web site content and imagery and because it is such an easy system to use, we simply update it ourselves as we need to.
It’s a very effective solution, allowing us to create pages, deactivate them, create new sections on the site and decide on what our visual layout should look like.
We have not only received plenty of positive feedback from clients about our site – mentioning that it is so comprehensive and easy to navigate – but PAD Website Solutions has also been very supportive, and they have literally been a phone call away whenever we have needed any help.
Joanna Collard, Marketing Manager for Ibo Island Lodge
Thanks for your attention to detail – I work with other developers and they battle with the finer details. Your service is excellent. From a satisfied customer.
Zelda @ The Studio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Some answers to your questions: Below you will find a list of the most frequently asked questions.
How long will it take me to build a site?
How big a site and how much content you create is completely up to you.
On their own, some of our clients have built entire sites within hours; others have built theirs over the course of several months. Some members update their web sites daily; others only seasonally or less frequently. In other words, while you can get a basic site up and running quickly, maintaining your web site is an ongoing process that can take as much time as you're willing to invest.
How easy is your Site Administrator to use?
If you can click and drag your mouse and press keys on your keyboard, you can build a professional looking web site. You'll discover that it's quick and easy to produce good-looking and effective results.
How do I build my application?
When you have the URL of your application, you log into it as an Administrator. You chose from a menu which aspect of your application that you wish to work on. PAD presents you with a page of information showing you the current configuration of that section. By changing the information you are building your application in easy stages.
How flexible is PAD for the look and feel of the application?
PAD's application building functions are flexible. Also HTML can be added and the basic templates which determine the appearance of PAD can be modified if required.
Do I need to know programming or HTML to create a site?
No, our tools were created so that you would not have to do any programming of any kind. You just copy and paste the information into place right in your browser window, upload your graphics, pictures or files and place them where you want them. You make changes to your site the same way -- just access your Account Administration page and then make any changes you wish to make. Our easy-to-use tools put the power in your hands.
I live outside South Africa. Can I still use your service?
Yes, international members can use our entire service. This is after all the Internet however we currently only provide documentation in English. We are working to open our system up to further internationalization and to provide the capability for international partners to offer our services entirely in their native languages.
How will I get assistance if I have a problem with the PAD application or with my account?
If you ever have a question about PAD application, go to our Contact page by clicking the Contact Us link from the main page while in the Administrator. There you will find the User Guide and an e-mail Contact form. Questions submitted through the form on that page are submitted immediately to our support staff.
Why do you need an e-mail address and password to signup?
We need your existing e-mail address so we can send you your username and passwords for the PAD application and send you information you'll need in order to get started. We also use this e-mail address to send you important information about your account status and urgent news. We will not send you spam or sell or give your e-mail address to anyone else.
We ask everyone to create a PAD application password to use along with an e-mail address as an additional measure of security when signing in to our service. This PAD application password helps to keep your web site information safe and your personal information protected. Please keep in mind that the main password you create to administor your PAD application account is different from the passwords you will create for each e-mail account.
Do I need to purchase a domain name?
If you currently have a domain name, you can transfer it to our servers. Or, you can create and purchase your domain name at the time of registration through our site.
Can I use my own web address (or domain name) with my site, or do I have to use a web address that includes your domain name?
Our business is to help you create your own Internet identity. This begins with the establishment of a unique domain name for you or your business. You can transfer and use your existing domain name or register a new one. We will buy the name for you and continue to renew each year as long as you are still a member. You own the name and have complete control over it so, you can transfer it any time. This domain name will be the basis for your website and e-mail addresses, and we remain totally behind the scenes.
Can I use the pages I create with the PAD application on another web site?
No. While you own the content and pictures you provide for site we host for you, and are free to save and reuse these with another web site, PAD application web pages themselves are dynamically generated by our service. As a result, PAD application pages can't be moved to another website. Of course, any custom backgrounds, text, graphics and photographs, in addition to any other files (PDF's, etc.) belong to you, and you should keep backups of these files locally.
Can I change packages after signing up?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your package at any time and there is no further setup fee for this. You will be billed the new amount at the beginning of the next billing cycle. There will be no refunds for downgrading between billing cycles, since our service is billed prior to usage.
How do I get updates for your service?
Our integrated application enables us to easily and seamlessly update our system without interruptions to your service. You will receive an e-mail indicating what is to take place and when. If an unseen problem arises, a notification will be sent out. We do our best to avoid interrupting your service for any reason, and we are constantly working to improve the PAD application for the benefit of all our customers.
How will customers find my website?
You can submit your site to search engines (such as Google and AltaVista) and directories (like Yahoo!, About.com, and the Open Directory Project) to help new and existing customers find your site. Also because you have your own domain name you should have it printed on your business cards, letterhead, brochures, etc. Advertising a website is a good idea to turn a little advertising into a lot of exposure.
How do I get my website into search engines and directories?
Your website will be periodically "crawled" by all the major search engines like Google and Yahoo. This probably won't happen right away, but it will eventually. You should make sure to give your site a clear, simple title that accurately reflects how you'd like users of search engines to find your site. It should also include a brief description that includes certain keywords for which you wish to be found. In addition, we provide the ability within the administrator for you to edit your keywords "meta tag" to supply search engines with the keywords for which you'd like your site to be found.
How can I contact the people who visit my website?
Visitors to your site can contact you by e-mail if you place a Contact Form module on your site. This is found under the Select Features menu and is automatically linked with the e-mail address that you specify.
Can I link to another site from my site and vice-versa?
Yes, you can simply add links to other sites to your own by selecting text to use as a link or an area on the page to serve as a link. Use the Links menu in the Site Administrator to add and edit links.
Can PAD
handle the more complex business functions such as tax, international shipping,
discounting, sales order processing and online payments?
Yes. PAD has
all these features as well as many others integrated with our e-commerce solutions partners solutions.
Can I upload PDF's, spreadsheets, word-processing and other kinds of documents to my site?
Yes! You can upload Microsoft Publisher, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, PDF's, text files, Rich Text files, HTML files and Word Perfect documents to be served from your website. These kinds of files will be represented on our system as icons and will open in a separate browser window. We're currently extending our system to allow you to be able to upload other types of documents. If you have a particular request, feel free to let us know.
Does the PAD application feature e-commerce capabilities?
Yes. PAD is pleased to announce that it has partnered with WorldPay and Setcom to provide Merchant Facilities to our clients. Once up and running a site can be upgraded easily and seamlessly to an e-commerce service for online trade.
How can we integrate PAD with our normal web site?
PAD includes
navigation back to your 'Home' site. You can use PAD's Look and Feel and Template
options to duplicate the design of your home site.
Can I upload via FTP to my website?
PAD handles uploads automatically, you won't need an FTP program.
Is PAD compatible with HTML?
Any HTML that you have created can be embedded within PAD's text pages, therefore
it is compatible with any HTML development tool that produces standard 3.2
HTML.
Does
the content interface provide WYSIWYG editing functionality?
Yes, PAD is bundled
with a WYSIWYG editor by default. It works much like a word processor, giving you full control of your page and layout.
What is a Shopping cart?
A Shopping cart is a program which your Shoppers use to view and buy products
online. It works on the principle of placing products from a shelf into a basket,
then going to a secure checkout page to pay for the goods.
How do I
get access to my PAD application once I have paid?
You will receive
an email detailing how to access your application from PAD once you have been accepted
as a customer and we have received your payment.
How many products can PAD support?
PAD can handle unlimited
products, but bear in mind that you are limited to the available web space of the PAD product you select. This can however be upgraded at any time.
I want to allow Shoppers to download a file once they have paid for it online.
How can I do this?
PAD offers a downloadable goods facility. Following a successful transaction,
the shopper will have access to the downloadable goods for a length of time
that you specify. The goods can be any type e.g. software, images, information
etc.
How long will it take me to build a site?
How big a site and how much content you create is completely up to you.
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