15 Things You Should Do Before Talking to a Web Designer
Chances are you know you want a new or redesigned website but don't know what to do next. Here are 15 simple steps you can take to prepare yourself for your meetings with potential web designers. While a website can be developed without the preparation, the more of these items you can get together, the smoother and more quickly the process will move along:
1. Secure your URL
/domain name. If you already know which domain name you want, you can go to a domain registry such as the ones listed below and lease it for a specified period. The cost is relatively low.
Or, if you'd rather skip the hassle, you can ask your web designer to do it for you. Just expect to pay a premium for their time (about 20% additional).
2. Prepare a site map for the website (which pages you want -- Home, About Us, Contact Us, etc.). Think of a site map as a page outline of your website that has main categories and sub-categories of information you want on your website. It will give the designer a general idea of the size of the site and a basis for a cost estimate. He or she also may have some recommendations based on some prior work that has been accomplished.
Sample Site Map:
- Home Page (include images/text/Flash banner)
- Our Services (include text providing general overview of services)
- Consulting Services (include description of service)
- Training Services (include description of service)
- News & Announcements
- About Us
- Contact Us
3. Identify the target implementation date, if any. The amount of time to develop a website varies depending on the website's size, complexity, graphic design, etc., so you want to be sure you do not wait until the last minute before kick-starting the website project. Take into consideration other deadlines like product launches, trade shows, or promotions.
4. Develop a website content plan. Using the site map you developed above, determine who will write the content for each page. Are you using content from your existing website? Are you writing from scratch? Do you need copywriting services? It is also important to consider search engine optimization when you develop your content. Your content should include any identified key words and phrases that someone might use to find you on Google, Yahoo, etc.
5. Identify areas of the website that may need to be updated on a regular basis. If your site will need a lot of updating, you may want to consider a content management system (CMS). A CMS allows you update the site yourself, without needing to have web designer skills such as HTML, CSS, etc. Some CMS's allow you to drag & drop pictures into the site. And yes, there are even CMS's for Flash. If you foresee regular and frequent changes, this may be worth considering. If your changes are rare, it may be more cost effective to send changes to your web designer, either on a website maintenance plan or on an as-needed basis. Your designer can help you choose which option is best but the amount of updates is usually based on business practices or manpower which you will be more in tune with.
6. Identify your target audience. Who are you trying to attract to the site? This will help the web designer determine how to design the site aesthetically as well as functionally. Different audiences have different expectations for both the visual design and the navigation. For example, if your audience is younger, the designer may emphasize a larger default screen resolution, more flash animation, and creative site navigation. If your audience is older, or conservative/corporate, you'll probably stick with a standard resolution, simple navigation, and more conservative imagery throughout the site.
7. Identify the primary goals of your site. Once a browser comes to your site, what do you want them to do? Where do you want them to go? Websites are no longer optimized as online brochures only. Users have become more demanding. If you want a user to perform a specific action (sign up for a newsletter, buy a product, etc.), your web designer can help you set up the site to optimize it for a particular action.
8. Have an idea of your budget. In website design, there are a number of ways to accomplish the same goal. Giving the web designer an idea of your budget will help the designer optimize the website keeping it within your financial parameters. Often times, a good designer can get creative with some areas and simplify others to help you stay within the budget. Or, if it turns out your budget exceeds the website cost estimate, your designer can show you additional creative options and features to help you accomplish your website goals.
9. Do you have web hosting already? If yes, what kind of server? Many times, the place where you register your domain name offers website hosting services. However, different types of sites require different types of hosting. For example, if you plan to host pictures or videos for people to watch, stream, or download, and you anticipate a large number of visitors on a daily basis, you may have to purchase a more robust hosting plan than someone who plans to have a standard blog. Whatever your situation, if you need hosting, more than likely your web designer can set it up for you. And, depending on the type of site to be set up, they may have specific recommendations.
10. Review your logo and printed marketing materials. A website is one component of a marketing strategy and should be consistent with any printed collateral and marketing material you have or are in the process of producing. Do you have a logo? If no, do you need one? Does your logo need updated? Do you already have any printed materials? All of this information should be provided to your web designer.
11. Have a list of 5 to 10 websites you like and what you like about them. This gives you the opportunity to convey what you'd like your site to look and function. It gives your web designer an idea of how to design your website. Although often overlooked, this step is critical in aligning the web designer with your aesthetic and functional expectations for the site they design for you. Try to be as specific as possible when referring to a site. Saying "I like Ebay" is a broad statement and could mean many things. "I like Ebay's navigation" is better. "I like the way Ebay's navigation unfolds when I roll over a button" is the best because it is very specific.
12. Think of adjectives you would use to describe your ideal site (corporate, youthful, cutting-edge, cozy, simple, etc.). This is another opportunity to communicate to your web designer what you want the site to look like. Think of it as aesthetic direction. For example, if you want a site to look corporate, the web designer would probably use best practices from large corporate sites such as a confident use of negative space (white space), standard text layout, horizontal navigation, etc and avoid the frills of less traditional sites.
13. Have a list of competitor websites. This will help the web designer know what others in your industry are doing and give them an idea of not only some industry best practices, but also how to design your site so you stand out from your competition.
14. Confirm who the decision makers will be for project? Determine who in your company will be responsible for gathering all the information about the web designers that you interview and who will be involved in the final decisions. Also, determine who will be responsible for getting the information needed to coordinate the project with the designer once the project has started. By identifying these people up front you will eliminate any misunderstandings and keep your project headed in the right direction. One point of contact for the designer is very helpful. Design by committee almost always fails.
15. Look at the website of the web designers you are considering. If they don't have a site, proceed with caution. Also see if their site up to date? Are current projects listed? Do you like their work? Do they provide a list of their current clients? Do these clients seem on par with your business? Do your personalities jive?