The usual process for most Online Candidate clients is that someone from the campaigns initially calls us to make sure there’s actually people behind the site (there is), ask some questions, and then order a hosting package.
We tend to get similar questions from prospective clients. Some questions don’t really fit into the more serious FAQ page, so we’ll address them here, for the benefit of the curious…
How long have you been doing campaign websites? Why?
We worked on a local campaign and built our first campaign website in 2003. The site was successful and had an impact on the campaign. It forced the opponent to spend (a lot of) money on a competing site. It also helped raise issue awareness. In the end, our candidate won!
After that, we had the idea of using our web skills to help other local candidates. Most local campaigns don’t have a lot of money, so Online Candidate was envisioned as a turnkey solution to allow campaigns to create and update their own sites. But the key was to make the sites not look like cheap ‘turnkey’ websites you find with other website building platforms. That’s where the custom templating and support comes in.
Do you work with Democrats or Republicans exclusively?
We’ve worked with Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Green Party, etc. We don’t run a partisan service.
How does the website process work?
After you order, we will be in contact with you to work out a template design for the site. While the design is completed (1-3 days, depending on the client’s ability to provide photos, etc.), you can build out your site content. Once the design is approved and uploaded, the site can be generated and go live.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. You choose the hosting package and any special features you want. Initial hosting is for 12 months. Additional hosting time after the first year is$200 per year.
What is the content management system (CMS) based on? Is it open-source?
We built the CMS ourselves. It’s home-grown, and designed specifically for it’s purpose. The issue with choosing a CMS is balancing features and usablity. Our goal was to create an easy to use system that allowed for an attractive, full-featured website. We think its pretty easy to use. Check out the website demo to get a feel for how it works.
What are the website design limitations?
All of our website designs are custom, based on the client’s specifications. The page template header, colors and page fonts can be edited to create a unique look. The headers can be tall or short, we can add backgrounds or match any campaign color scheme.
The only general restriction to the design is that the navigation bar remain on the left. You can change the name and order of the navigation items, and because of that, it’s difficult to use a horizontal navigation system. Also, a left navigation bar makes the content area more narrow and easier for vistors to read.
If I have a problem or a question, what should I do?
Call us. Or email us if it’s not time-sensitive.
What kind of server do you host the Online Candidate websites on?
All Online Candidate websites are hosted on our own private server. We run the server and we control it. The only websites on this server are our own websites, our client’s websites, and other Online Candidate sites.
How do you handle e-mail?
Most campaigns work well with email forwards, meaning an email sent to contact@yoursite.com will be forwarded to one or more different email accounts. For a small cost, we can set up POP email accounts for the domain.
A basic mail list system is included with the regular Online Candidate package. If you are running a larger campaign with greater email needs (autoresponders, HTML messages, tracking), we recommend aweber. We can help integrate the product into your site.
What are the digital products?
In 2008, we added downloadable manuals, such as the Campaign Letter Templates and Campaign Slogans e-books. We are looking to add additional campaign material templates in the future.
What if I have other questions?
You can check our real FAQ page, contact us directly, or ask them below!
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