Web Sites - The Essentials list (for a business owner)
OK. So you hear about the wonders of the Internet and now want to get started by building your very own web site. But wait! Horrors! You don't know how to build one. Well, not to worry, you say. You'll go out and get one built. Cool.
So you go with your budget and find that:
1. John Doe's (who you met last week at the Christmas Party) brother-in-law's son creates web pages.
2. Your retired neighbor has a computer and can create web pages.
3. You search the Internet and everyone tells you, you can create a web site in 5 minutes.
4. You phone a company downtown and they won't even talk to you (of course, you are offended) unless you are a "corporate" or have "$$".
And now you are confused. How do you even get started. In my experience, the following questions will typically go through a potential customer's (i.e. you) mind at this stage:
a. How do I choose a web designer/site builder/company?
b. What do I need to know before I start talking to these people?
c. What materials/information should I have before starting?
d. What are my expectations of a web site?
e. What time frame am I looking at for getting started?
And of course, many more. But this will do for a start.
I will try and cover the basics here and elaborate further in other posts. There is so much to cover (remember, people have written books on this; although the information I will share with you is not "easily" available).
At the very outset you need to know:
What you would want out of the web site and
Your budget.
Also remember that you will generally get what you pay for. If you are not sure what you will get out of a web site ask the potential web builder. This will quickly separate the sons/in-laws/neighbors from the better ones. The rookies and the amateurs won't be able to tell you. Look for creativity and originality in their answers. You are not giving a test but you don't want to hear the common buzz words as well.
Once you have a good idea about your web site you need to think of other things.
Content
Graphics
Domain name
Let me deal with Graphics first. Having a business and having printed cards does not necessarily mean you have the graphics. The amateurs will scan your business card and place that on the web site. Not good enough. Things get really bad when you resize such graphic files. You need the ORIGINALS. My own web design experience has taught me that most businesses don't think too seriously about their assets (i.e. graphics for business card). As a consequence, when it is time to build the web site, they are literally scrambling to find the "original". If you don't have a logo, create one or get one created. If you do remember your "graphic artist", ask him/her for your original. If they can "export" your logo in a common web application format (like Adobe Photoshop), you are laughing. Do not underestimate this. I have personally found that a lot of "graphic designers" are very focused in their world/work. As a result, requesting files in any other formats tends to lead you to somewhere between Jupiter and the Milky Way.
Of course, the smart web designer will simply charge you extra to coordinate/liaise or to redo the graphic. So save yourself the time, money and the aggravation.
Let's talk content. The Internet rules on content. Remember, people generally go on the Internet to research/explore thoughts and ideas. They want information. A simple rule is to provide quality information that is relevant and specific to your target market. Start thinking about what content you can provide (even if it is at a basic level). Not sure, ask your web designer. They are not sure? Ask me.
Content can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Most web designers will generally not be able to help you out in this area. However, there are some that can actually help you write content that is good, makes sense and is business relevant.
A domain name is a name that identifies you on the Internet. Think of it as a fingerprint. No two domain names can be the same. It is far more preferable to pay ($6 - $20) for a domain name registered in your name than to get a "free" name. The domain name registration fee varies depending on the "services" that company will provide. Domain names is a chapter in itself and I will elaborate on this one later as well.
So to summarize:
1. Identify your expectations from the web site
2. Decide on your budget
3. Make a list of questions to ask your potential web design "company"
4. Prepare your corporate logo and other graphics ahead of time
5. Plan out your content
6. Identify/Register a domain
This topic can go on forever. And it will. I will elaborate a lot more in future articles. Some of the topics I will cover are:
1. How to choose/register a domain name?
2. How to ensure your web site is completed on time and budget?
3. How to decide on a budget for building your web site?
4. What you need to do after your web site is built?
5. What "hidden costs" will hit you after your web site is built?
There's a lot of information that I will share with you in these postings. However, if you can't wait and need a friendly voice, talk to me.
Elvin Picardo
Delivering Net Results to Small Business
Author of numerous articles on web development and Internet Marketing for small business
10723 159th St, Surrey, BC V4N 3J1 Canada
NetMedian.com
Contact Elvin
So you go with your budget and find that:
1. John Doe's (who you met last week at the Christmas Party) brother-in-law's son creates web pages.
2. Your retired neighbor has a computer and can create web pages.
3. You search the Internet and everyone tells you, you can create a web site in 5 minutes.
4. You phone a company downtown and they won't even talk to you (of course, you are offended) unless you are a "corporate" or have "$$".
And now you are confused. How do you even get started. In my experience, the following questions will typically go through a potential customer's (i.e. you) mind at this stage:
a. How do I choose a web designer/site builder/company?
b. What do I need to know before I start talking to these people?
c. What materials/information should I have before starting?
d. What are my expectations of a web site?
e. What time frame am I looking at for getting started?
And of course, many more. But this will do for a start.
I will try and cover the basics here and elaborate further in other posts. There is so much to cover (remember, people have written books on this; although the information I will share with you is not "easily" available).
At the very outset you need to know:
Also remember that you will generally get what you pay for. If you are not sure what you will get out of a web site ask the potential web builder. This will quickly separate the sons/in-laws/neighbors from the better ones. The rookies and the amateurs won't be able to tell you. Look for creativity and originality in their answers. You are not giving a test but you don't want to hear the common buzz words as well.
Once you have a good idea about your web site you need to think of other things.
Let me deal with Graphics first. Having a business and having printed cards does not necessarily mean you have the graphics. The amateurs will scan your business card and place that on the web site. Not good enough. Things get really bad when you resize such graphic files. You need the ORIGINALS. My own web design experience has taught me that most businesses don't think too seriously about their assets (i.e. graphics for business card). As a consequence, when it is time to build the web site, they are literally scrambling to find the "original". If you don't have a logo, create one or get one created. If you do remember your "graphic artist", ask him/her for your original. If they can "export" your logo in a common web application format (like Adobe Photoshop), you are laughing. Do not underestimate this. I have personally found that a lot of "graphic designers" are very focused in their world/work. As a result, requesting files in any other formats tends to lead you to somewhere between Jupiter and the Milky Way.
Of course, the smart web designer will simply charge you extra to coordinate/liaise or to redo the graphic. So save yourself the time, money and the aggravation.
Let's talk content. The Internet rules on content. Remember, people generally go on the Internet to research/explore thoughts and ideas. They want information. A simple rule is to provide quality information that is relevant and specific to your target market. Start thinking about what content you can provide (even if it is at a basic level). Not sure, ask your web designer. They are not sure? Ask me.
Content can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Most web designers will generally not be able to help you out in this area. However, there are some that can actually help you write content that is good, makes sense and is business relevant.
A domain name is a name that identifies you on the Internet. Think of it as a fingerprint. No two domain names can be the same. It is far more preferable to pay ($6 - $20) for a domain name registered in your name than to get a "free" name. The domain name registration fee varies depending on the "services" that company will provide. Domain names is a chapter in itself and I will elaborate on this one later as well.
So to summarize:
1. Identify your expectations from the web site
2. Decide on your budget
3. Make a list of questions to ask your potential web design "company"
4. Prepare your corporate logo and other graphics ahead of time
5. Plan out your content
6. Identify/Register a domain
This topic can go on forever. And it will. I will elaborate a lot more in future articles. Some of the topics I will cover are:
1. How to choose/register a domain name?
2. How to ensure your web site is completed on time and budget?
3. How to decide on a budget for building your web site?
4. What you need to do after your web site is built?
5. What "hidden costs" will hit you after your web site is built?
There's a lot of information that I will share with you in these postings. However, if you can't wait and need a friendly voice, talk to me.
Elvin Picardo
Delivering Net Results to Small Business
Author of numerous articles on web development and Internet Marketing for small business
10723 159th St, Surrey, BC V4N 3J1 Canada
NetMedian.com
Contact Elvin
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