| So, you've finally decided that you need a web site | | | | and launched" and then "In one moth after the web |
| for your business? Well, there are a few key-points | | | | site is launched, we will evaluate it to see what needs |
| to remember BEFORE you make one of the most | | | | to be adjusted", etc. (these are just examples, by |
| crucial decisions for your business. | | | | the way. the details included in one of my actual |
| Choosing the right designer for your new business | | | | worksheets gives exact dates and more specific |
| web site: | | | | milestones). |
| When it comes to choosing the right web designer | | | | And what about the web hosting for your new web |
| for your web site, you should always shop around | | | | site? Usually, a web designer will provide some kind |
| first to check out all of the available options. There | | | | of insight as to which hosting company they |
| are many web design companies out there to choose | | | | recommend. Web designers in general have a |
| from. And most of them are pretty good at what | | | | preference for a hosting company that they know |
| they do. | | | | will be a good choice for your web site and they |
| Always ask to see samples of a web designer's | | | | should assist you in making this selection. |
| previous work and examine their portfolio. This will | | | | Fortunately, we have our own web server here at |
| help you get a better feel for the style of sites any | | | | Digital Spiral Web Design so we can do all of the |
| particular web designer is capable of doing. Most of | | | | hosting ourselves. This is very beneficial because we |
| the time, web designers have their own unique style | | | | can make sure the web server stays up and running |
| and you can easily spot which designs they've done | | | | and if there is any maintenance that needs to be |
| in the past. I mean, it's similar to any other artist's | | | | performed on the server, we can do it ourselves in a |
| style; you can definitely spot their previous works | | | | timely manner. Plus, we will always cut a deal for our |
| based on the general layout, color scheme, and | | | | web site hosting services to any new business who |
| over-all visual appearance of the sites. | | | | chooses us to do their web design. |
| Experience is also a key factor here. Just like any | | | | Will your new web site require any specialized web |
| other craft, web designers get better with | | | | programming? Well, the answer to that question is |
| experience. So naturally, you'll be better off by | | | | based solely on the needs of your Branson web site. |
| choosing a web designer who has more experience | | | | What kind of site will it be? Does it need a shopping |
| under his or her belt. | | | | cart for e-commerce? Will you be implementing any |
| Another key point you should define is whether or | | | | special web applications or online forms for your |
| not the web designer can make you a 100% custom | | | | viewers to fill out? Will it be a web site that requires |
| web site. Or will it be just a basic template web | | | | your viewers to fill out registrations and sign up so |
| design that 100's or even 1,000's of people already | | | | they can login? If you answered "yes" to any of |
| have across the Internet. Pretty much anybody | | | | these questions, then chances are you'll need a web |
| these days can create a basic HTML web page in | | | | designer who can also program. |
| Microsoft Word or Publisher and change the title of it | | | | Web developers and designers must be skilled in the |
| to reflect their Branson business. But you must ask | | | | art of web PROGRAMMING (something that is very |
| yourself: "is this really what I'm looking for"? | | | | different from regular web DESIGN). Web |
| Web sites that are truly custom built will stand out | | | | programming involves the implementation of different |
| more the rest of the basic template web designs | | | | web programming languages like JAVA, PHP, Flash, |
| that so many people are using these days. A custom | | | | SQL, or.NET. All of these web programming languages |
| web design will catch the eye of your potential | | | | need highly skilled individuals to code them and |
| customers and show them that you have a really | | | | develop web programs with them. |
| professional web presence and you mean business. | | | | I personally love PHP! I use it for pretty much |
| A lot of web designers these days choose to do the | | | | everything. I won't go into the details of PHP in this |
| template web sites for one of 2 reasons: | | | | article (I would have to write an entire book about it |
| It's cheaper to use a basic template web design. | | | | to cover all of it). But with PHP, I can create pretty |
| They might be lacking the necessary skills needed to | | | | much any web application that is logically possible. |
| develop a fully custom web site. Whatever the case | | | | So, make sure you choose a web designer who is |
| may be, make sure you go with a designer who is | | | | also capable of coding any special functions that your |
| capable of creating a custom web design for you. It | | | | new web site needs. This decision needs to be |
| will inevitably cost you more for a custom site. But it | | | | discussed and gone over by any potential web |
| is totally worth the extra money spent. Trust me, in | | | | designer you might use to create your Branson web |
| the end you will be much happier with your web site | | | | site. |
| if it is a site that's unique and created for just your | | | | And finally, you should always check with the |
| business and not everybody else's. | | | | potential web designer's previous clients to make |
| Communication with a potential web designer is also | | | | sure they give him or her a good reference. |
| critical in the development of your web site. You | | | | Remember: it just like any other service. You need to |
| need to be perfectly clear and define your goals | | | | verify a web designer's references and make sure |
| up-front, before you actually sign a web design | | | | they can do what they say they can do. |
| service contract with a designer. Make sure you | | | | So, just to summarize all of the tips I've mentioned: |
| know what you are getting for your money and | | | | Ask questions, questions, and more questions before |
| make sure you get it in writing! I have a 9-page web | | | | you choose a web designer. Clearly define your goals |
| site design contract that I use every single time I | | | | from the beginning. Ask to see the web designer's |
| design a new web site. Included in this contract is an | | | | portfolio and samples of their previous work. Make |
| itemized list of all work that is to be performed | | | | sure they can help you with choosing a web hosting |
| during the development of the web site. Things like | | | | provider. Get documentation to show exactly how |
| the exact number of pages, the exact number of | | | | many pages will be included in the project and the |
| graphics to be designed, whether or not I need to | | | | estimated time before completion. If your Branson |
| create a logo, the estimated time before completion, | | | | web site requires special web programming, make |
| whether or not routine site maintenance will be | | | | sure the designer can handle it. I hope this article |
| performed after the site is 6 months or 1 year old, | | | | helps anybody who is getting ready to have a new |
| etc. | | | | web site designed. A good web site can really do |
| Defining these things will help you in the long run and | | | | wonders for your business! |
| will also make sure you and the web designer are on | | | | Here at Branson website design, we specialize in |
| the same page. | | | | affordable custom web design for all businesses! We |
| I also use what I call my "web design planning | | | | also offer very affordable pricing for our web hosting |
| worksheet". This worksheet gives "milestones" or | | | | services. If you would like to know more about our |
| deadlines for each phase of the web design project. | | | | services or to see our web design portfolio, visit our |
| Things like "In 2 weeks the general layout will be | | | | main company web site at the link below. We offer |
| done" and "2 weeks after that, the site will be coded | | | | affordable custom web designs! |