Here are some tips in finding the right people for the job and some considerations to be taken into consideration.
1. Introduction
Many businesses look for a web design service as if these were shopping for an overall item item such as a lamp -- i. e. All websites are equal and paying the 16 year old student on a computer course to build the site will experience exactly the same dividend as paying a specialist web development agency. Other businesses often feel they have to spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on a website for it to achieve success.
Let us dispel these beliefs
Contrary to what many believe, web design is only one component in the production of your website. Some web-site designers can talk day and night about how pretty your web site can be, but if it isn't functional, user-friendly, or capable of assisting you meet your online goals, then all the shallow beauty in the world isn't going to help it serve it's purpose. The design theme of a website is only one part of developing a successful online presence.
Choosing a Web design service is not an easy task! -- Here are some tips...
There is much more to web design than simply making a few web pages look pretty if you want to succeed. You need to consider your target audience, underlying message, content, desired reactions, visitor impact, online goals, how you are going to measure the success of the site and more. There is much more to web design than simply making a few web pages look pretty
2. Defining Your preferences
If you have no idea why you will want website or what you want the website to achieve, it is as well to sit down and think it through, rather than flowing to put up a "White elephant" that doesn't serve a motive. Every website must serve a motive, and that is usually where many websites falls short. They serve no purpose because the business owner never gave much thought to it. It's not the online site's fault. A website is inanimate. It is only what you make it. The only life a website has is the one fond of it by its designer and owner. If the human element doesn't execute a good job of defining the building blocks, the website will serve no purpose and eventually die be sure you death. Every website should have a distinct purpose Keeping that in mind, . suggest the first stage would be to define the "Goals" of the website in relation to the prerequisites and ambitions of the business or organisation involved.
Defining the Goal
Every website should have a distinct goal or number of goals that are measurable. A target can be anything from communicating with friends and associates through which making profits by selling products online (e commerce). Your goal in the beginning may even be to have a web presence so potential clients don't regard your organisation as being backward! Once you have defined a target (or number of goals), it's equally important to define:
The objective audience. i. e. Who you want/expect to visit your website.
Those things you want to result from their visit. i. e. Making an online sale, getting them to make an query etc.
What benefits you are giving and receiving from having the website.
Defining the key Functions (Those things)
Once the goals of the website have been established, it's important to define those things required by site visitors to meet the goals. An action is any traceable sequence of events carried out by the person.
Examples might include:
Obtaining it touch -- either by phone, email or via an online form.
Disseminating Information.
Becoming a member of a newsletter.
Completing a list of questions
Commenting on a Blog
Downloading or buying products
Using an online tool
Of course, there are other intangible benefits that your website might provide to an person that don't result in direct "actions"... i. e. simply providing "peace of mind" to an existing or prospective customer would be considered as such. If you haven't already done so, then it's also useful to check out the competition, for ideas, needs and wants.
Establishing Your Design & Development Preferences
Once you have developed the goals and functional requirements for the website, it's time to start building images of how you anticipate the site coming together -- with regard to structure and design theme. This doesn't need to be a definitive exercise -- Your web design service should be able to add a lot of input and suggestions at a later stage, but it helps to have some tricks to feed into the requirements you approach the designer with in the beginning.
As follows are a few that we feel should be mandatory:
The website should adhere to realised standards. The site should be written to conform and verify to the standards defined by the world wide web Consortium (W3C) -- this will in turn, mean your site should be cross-browser friendly (i. e. Appear the same across various different types of internet browser).
The website should be accessible. In web terms, this means that it contours to the Handicap Splendour Act (DDA).
The website should be clean, crisp and fast packing.
The website should be easy to use and inoffensive (see below).
Our Tip: Easy to use and Inoffensive -- The WOW factor
Webbies often get asked to make a website with the "WOW factor". The "WOW factor" is a term that means different things to differing people. Often, the person or business commissioning the website have grandiose plans for extensive animation, splash over screens, shows, garish designs... This is not the WOW factor -- A bold garish design with "off the wall" colour schemes may seem bold and innovative to some people, but may really put off other site users -- Find the happy medium.
If a person wants to buy a pair of shoes online then their mission is actually to find the desirable footwear for women at the right price in the fastest possible time. They don't visit an e-commerce site to watch an animation of shoes tap dancing across the screen. Leave shows and pointless animation that add zero value to those experts in their own field. People watch the Simpsons for that type of entertainment. They likely won't be visiting your website for (or be impressed by) to be "dazzled" by immaterial attempts to stand out.
Our own model of the "WOW factor" is a site that is a snap to use, clean, crisp, user-friendly, fast packing with great content. Basically, the site that delivers it's underlying message quickly and concisely is the most effective. Google has the WOW Factor and you don't see slow packing animation on that website. The WOW factor should mean Winning on the web and nothing else.
Ok, so you've mapped out some goals and requirements web design atlanta time to start looking for the right guys to just implement the solution for you.
3. Selecting a Web design service or Developer
Initially, a good option to begin is by putting together a active check-it-out of designers. You might choose to do this in several ways but here are some suggestions that you might wish to aspect in:
The venue of the prospective designer. This may or may not be one factor for you. Some people are happy to work remotely yet others prefer some in the flesh interaction. If the latter is essential to you, then you will need to focus on designers in your local area.
The designer's collection. It's usually a key aspect in any shortlisting process. You might choose to give preference to designers who have worked specifically in the sector you are targeting, or you may simply like other unrelated websites they have developed.
Independent Word of mouth recommendation. You may have received glowing reports on particular designers and their after-sales service. Don't overlook this.
The size of the company. Generally speaking, the size of the company provides you with little idea to the quality or work they can produce or the services they can provide. Some SMEs prefer to work on a more personal level with smaller providers or freelance designers with larger corporates preferring the other.
The cost -- Most professional web-site designers tend to produce work on a unique basis, tailored distinctly for each client -- and a large proportion do not publish prices. (We do). However, a preliminary discussion should be able to provide you with a "ball park" figure at least based on your preferences outline. Some designers can provide cost-effective "out of the box" solutions at a fixed price.
Tip: Get a fixed price quote rather than an constant rate. Let's face it... an constant or daily rate is meaningless as a measuring stick when your consider it might take one designer twice as long as another to complete the same job.
Web-site designers will typically showcase previous work on their own websites, but be sure to consider that they are gearing a web-site's design and structure to requirements presented by another party that likely won't match your own. It's more important that you are confident that they can implement your solution than perhaps reading too much into other design work that you might not necessarily like.
Another consideration you may should take into account is the attitude a designer shows when you initially make contact. You can often gauge whether or not they are genuinely interested in the project and whether they're going to be aggressive -- and if they can provide a active of support. Designers not providing a landline cell phone number or a business address may be harder to make contact with when you need them the most. Trust your instincts and exercise common sense.
Tip: Don't base everything on price and make sure you compare "like" with "like". Also, don't be afraid to share with you your finances with the designers during initial discussions and then see what they can deliver within it. Time is often wasted if you are discussing the project over days or weeks and then end up being miles apart on pricing expectations.
The more information you give furnish the designer with, relating to your goals, requirements and design preferences, the better. Also make sure that you discuss timescales and payment schedules (most designers will ask for a deposit in advance and a final balance payment when the project is completed. There may also be interim payment milestones for larger projects). Additionally, enquire about any recurring charges for support, future amends, website hosting, areas etc. Neither party will need hidden surprises.
4. Questions You will be Asked
It's always preferable to be prepared when you approach web-site designers... they will also have their own queries to determine a the prerequisites, gauge the work involved and furnish you with a quote.
Typical questions you might be asked add the following:
What does your company do?
What are the Unique Selling Points that your company has to offer?
What is the intention of the website?
How do you see the website growing in the future?
Do you have any existing branding? i. e. Logo, colour schemes or other marketing materials?
Who are your competitors?
Do you require e commerce or an online payment mechanism?
Can you provide links to other websites which you like from a design perspective?
Can you provide links to other websites which you like from a functionality perspective? (i. e. How they work)
What is your finances? Don't be afraid to disclose a budget figure -- it can benefit a lot.
If you are unable to get an immediate quote, request that the designer gets back to you and set up a timescale for this to occur. As you can probably tell, choosing a web design service isn't just a straightforward process if you are seeking the right fit for your project. The more detailed research and preparation that you carry out, the better.
5. Going ahead
When you make a decision on proceeding with a designer, make sure to get the quote on paper and make sure the it's clear that the copyright of the website is yours once completed. Ensure all charges (including any future and/or recurring charges) are spelled out to avoid any ambiguity and problems further down the line.
Ideally, once you need to proceed, your web developer should create a test web site, where you can monitor ongoing development and provide feedback throughout.
Part of a broader strategy
Your website should integrate with and complement your other marketing activities. Promote your site address where you can. Consider putting it on your business cards, invitations, merchandise, delivery vans, carrier bags, customer invoices and on your shop front. Drive people to your website through online advertising campaigns, search engine marketing and active traditional promotion.
Owen Gigg is the Lead Web Developer at the Award Winning Web Agency Westwindmoves.
1. Introduction
Many businesses look for a web design service as if these were shopping for an overall item item such as a lamp -- i. e. All websites are equal and paying the 16 year old student on a computer course to build the site will experience exactly the same dividend as paying a specialist web development agency. Other businesses often feel they have to spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on a website for it to achieve success.
Let us dispel these beliefs
Contrary to what many believe, web design is only one component in the production of your website. Some web-site designers can talk day and night about how pretty your web site can be, but if it isn't functional, user-friendly, or capable of assisting you meet your online goals, then all the shallow beauty in the world isn't going to help it serve it's purpose. The design theme of a website is only one part of developing a successful online presence.
Choosing a Web design service is not an easy task! -- Here are some tips...
There is much more to web design than simply making a few web pages look pretty if you want to succeed. You need to consider your target audience, underlying message, content, desired reactions, visitor impact, online goals, how you are going to measure the success of the site and more. There is much more to web design than simply making a few web pages look pretty
2. Defining Your preferences
If you have no idea why you will want website or what you want the website to achieve, it is as well to sit down and think it through, rather than flowing to put up a "White elephant" that doesn't serve a motive. Every website must serve a motive, and that is usually where many websites falls short. They serve no purpose because the business owner never gave much thought to it. It's not the online site's fault. A website is inanimate. It is only what you make it. The only life a website has is the one fond of it by its designer and owner. If the human element doesn't execute a good job of defining the building blocks, the website will serve no purpose and eventually die be sure you death. Every website should have a distinct purpose Keeping that in mind, . suggest the first stage would be to define the "Goals" of the website in relation to the prerequisites and ambitions of the business or organisation involved.
Defining the Goal
Every website should have a distinct goal or number of goals that are measurable. A target can be anything from communicating with friends and associates through which making profits by selling products online (e commerce). Your goal in the beginning may even be to have a web presence so potential clients don't regard your organisation as being backward! Once you have defined a target (or number of goals), it's equally important to define:
The objective audience. i. e. Who you want/expect to visit your website.
Those things you want to result from their visit. i. e. Making an online sale, getting them to make an query etc.
What benefits you are giving and receiving from having the website.
Defining the key Functions (Those things)
Once the goals of the website have been established, it's important to define those things required by site visitors to meet the goals. An action is any traceable sequence of events carried out by the person.
Examples might include:
Obtaining it touch -- either by phone, email or via an online form.
Disseminating Information.
Becoming a member of a newsletter.
Completing a list of questions
Commenting on a Blog
Downloading or buying products
Using an online tool
Of course, there are other intangible benefits that your website might provide to an person that don't result in direct "actions"... i. e. simply providing "peace of mind" to an existing or prospective customer would be considered as such. If you haven't already done so, then it's also useful to check out the competition, for ideas, needs and wants.
Establishing Your Design & Development Preferences
Once you have developed the goals and functional requirements for the website, it's time to start building images of how you anticipate the site coming together -- with regard to structure and design theme. This doesn't need to be a definitive exercise -- Your web design service should be able to add a lot of input and suggestions at a later stage, but it helps to have some tricks to feed into the requirements you approach the designer with in the beginning.
As follows are a few that we feel should be mandatory:
The website should adhere to realised standards. The site should be written to conform and verify to the standards defined by the world wide web Consortium (W3C) -- this will in turn, mean your site should be cross-browser friendly (i. e. Appear the same across various different types of internet browser).
The website should be accessible. In web terms, this means that it contours to the Handicap Splendour Act (DDA).
The website should be clean, crisp and fast packing.
The website should be easy to use and inoffensive (see below).
Our Tip: Easy to use and Inoffensive -- The WOW factor
Webbies often get asked to make a website with the "WOW factor". The "WOW factor" is a term that means different things to differing people. Often, the person or business commissioning the website have grandiose plans for extensive animation, splash over screens, shows, garish designs... This is not the WOW factor -- A bold garish design with "off the wall" colour schemes may seem bold and innovative to some people, but may really put off other site users -- Find the happy medium.
If a person wants to buy a pair of shoes online then their mission is actually to find the desirable footwear for women at the right price in the fastest possible time. They don't visit an e-commerce site to watch an animation of shoes tap dancing across the screen. Leave shows and pointless animation that add zero value to those experts in their own field. People watch the Simpsons for that type of entertainment. They likely won't be visiting your website for (or be impressed by) to be "dazzled" by immaterial attempts to stand out.
Our own model of the "WOW factor" is a site that is a snap to use, clean, crisp, user-friendly, fast packing with great content. Basically, the site that delivers it's underlying message quickly and concisely is the most effective. Google has the WOW Factor and you don't see slow packing animation on that website. The WOW factor should mean Winning on the web and nothing else.
Ok, so you've mapped out some goals and requirements web design atlanta time to start looking for the right guys to just implement the solution for you.
3. Selecting a Web design service or Developer
Initially, a good option to begin is by putting together a active check-it-out of designers. You might choose to do this in several ways but here are some suggestions that you might wish to aspect in:
The venue of the prospective designer. This may or may not be one factor for you. Some people are happy to work remotely yet others prefer some in the flesh interaction. If the latter is essential to you, then you will need to focus on designers in your local area.
The designer's collection. It's usually a key aspect in any shortlisting process. You might choose to give preference to designers who have worked specifically in the sector you are targeting, or you may simply like other unrelated websites they have developed.
Independent Word of mouth recommendation. You may have received glowing reports on particular designers and their after-sales service. Don't overlook this.
The size of the company. Generally speaking, the size of the company provides you with little idea to the quality or work they can produce or the services they can provide. Some SMEs prefer to work on a more personal level with smaller providers or freelance designers with larger corporates preferring the other.
The cost -- Most professional web-site designers tend to produce work on a unique basis, tailored distinctly for each client -- and a large proportion do not publish prices. (We do). However, a preliminary discussion should be able to provide you with a "ball park" figure at least based on your preferences outline. Some designers can provide cost-effective "out of the box" solutions at a fixed price.
Tip: Get a fixed price quote rather than an constant rate. Let's face it... an constant or daily rate is meaningless as a measuring stick when your consider it might take one designer twice as long as another to complete the same job.
Web-site designers will typically showcase previous work on their own websites, but be sure to consider that they are gearing a web-site's design and structure to requirements presented by another party that likely won't match your own. It's more important that you are confident that they can implement your solution than perhaps reading too much into other design work that you might not necessarily like.
Another consideration you may should take into account is the attitude a designer shows when you initially make contact. You can often gauge whether or not they are genuinely interested in the project and whether they're going to be aggressive -- and if they can provide a active of support. Designers not providing a landline cell phone number or a business address may be harder to make contact with when you need them the most. Trust your instincts and exercise common sense.
Tip: Don't base everything on price and make sure you compare "like" with "like". Also, don't be afraid to share with you your finances with the designers during initial discussions and then see what they can deliver within it. Time is often wasted if you are discussing the project over days or weeks and then end up being miles apart on pricing expectations.
The more information you give furnish the designer with, relating to your goals, requirements and design preferences, the better. Also make sure that you discuss timescales and payment schedules (most designers will ask for a deposit in advance and a final balance payment when the project is completed. There may also be interim payment milestones for larger projects). Additionally, enquire about any recurring charges for support, future amends, website hosting, areas etc. Neither party will need hidden surprises.
4. Questions You will be Asked
It's always preferable to be prepared when you approach web-site designers... they will also have their own queries to determine a the prerequisites, gauge the work involved and furnish you with a quote.
Typical questions you might be asked add the following:
What does your company do?
What are the Unique Selling Points that your company has to offer?
What is the intention of the website?
How do you see the website growing in the future?
Do you have any existing branding? i. e. Logo, colour schemes or other marketing materials?
Who are your competitors?
Do you require e commerce or an online payment mechanism?
Can you provide links to other websites which you like from a design perspective?
Can you provide links to other websites which you like from a functionality perspective? (i. e. How they work)
What is your finances? Don't be afraid to disclose a budget figure -- it can benefit a lot.
If you are unable to get an immediate quote, request that the designer gets back to you and set up a timescale for this to occur. As you can probably tell, choosing a web design service isn't just a straightforward process if you are seeking the right fit for your project. The more detailed research and preparation that you carry out, the better.
5. Going ahead
When you make a decision on proceeding with a designer, make sure to get the quote on paper and make sure the it's clear that the copyright of the website is yours once completed. Ensure all charges (including any future and/or recurring charges) are spelled out to avoid any ambiguity and problems further down the line.
Ideally, once you need to proceed, your web developer should create a test web site, where you can monitor ongoing development and provide feedback throughout.
Part of a broader strategy
Your website should integrate with and complement your other marketing activities. Promote your site address where you can. Consider putting it on your business cards, invitations, merchandise, delivery vans, carrier bags, customer invoices and on your shop front. Drive people to your website through online advertising campaigns, search engine marketing and active traditional promotion.
Owen Gigg is the Lead Web Developer at the Award Winning Web Agency Westwindmoves.
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