Planning Your Web site
We created this page to help you plan your web site. Everything you can do to help plan your web site a head of time will speed up and ease the design process, but of course, nothing listed on this page is required.
Now, before we begin the design process, there are many things for you to consider. In order for us to design a site that will meet your wants and needs fully, it is important for you to have a clear image of what you want and need from your web site. From our experience, those clients who come prepared with a good idea of what they want tend to be the happiest with the final result.
#1 Find Your Purpose
While designing your site, one of the most helpful pieces of information you can provide us with is what purpose your site will serve. Is it just for informational purposes? Do want your customers or visitors to be able to interact and communicate with you through your site? Below are a few questions you can ask your self to help you find the purpose of your site:
- Who is your target audience?
- What will your customers expect from your web site?
- How often will your customers be visiting your site?
- Where will your web site be displayed or advertised?
#2 Imagine Your Design
Our job as your web designer is to make that image of the site you have in your mind come to life. Many times however, that image may not be so clear. There are few things that you can do to bring that image to a crisp, clear vision. By using the techniques below, you will be clarifying that image in your head as well as providing communication tools that will help you explain that image to us.
Do you have a favorite? Do you like certain aspect of their design? Of course, we are not in the habit of copying other designers work, but having a web site or web sites you like and sharing it with us can greatly help the communication process between you and our designer.
» Research Your CompetitorsIf you have competitors in your area that have web sites, it may be a good idea to take a look at their sites. Do they have anything in common with each other? Did you notice anything that you would change? What can you do to make your site stand out amongst them?
» Draw a PictureOften, one of the first things that we do before we begin the graphic design process of a web site is to sit down and draw a rough draft of what we want the site to look like. One way you can speed up the design process is by doing this first step yourself. Not everyone is an artist, but all you need is a simple drawing of the layout you want, maybe with a few sections colored in for effect.
A few other things to consider when planning your design is color choices, logo design, whether you want your site to be designed with high resolution images or to be more on the illustrated side, as well as how you want your site structured. Just remember, we are here to help you with the design. If you are still unsure of what your site needs, let us help you along.
#3 Organize Your Content
The design may be the first thing your customers see when they visit your site, but the content is the reason they are there. It is important that your content be organized and well thought out. We can design the best web site in the world, but unless it has the content to back it up, the site will never succeed. Many visitors will leave, unable to find what they are looking for and most will never return.
Once you have a clear idea of what the structure of your site will be, you will be able to prepare your content to be included with the design. For example, most web sites include a "Home" page, an "About Us" page, and a "Contact" page. You may have many more pages that go into more detail, but in order to keep the design process running smoothly, it is important that you have your content written, organized, and ready to be used. If this is not your strong suit, we do offer content writing and proofing as additional services. For tips on writing and preparing content, please check out our Blog.
#4 Prepare For Design
The final part of planning your web site is to prepare your thoughts for the designer. Below are a few ways to prepare yourself for the design process. All of the items listed will help the designer to better understand what your wants and needs are.
- Create an outline of what you want done with your site
- Collect all of the drawings and notes you may have made along the way
- Collect any brochures, logo samples, or other materials you might need to explain your thoughts to the designer
- Organize your content based on the structure you want
- Compile any information to be stored in a database into a readable format such as an excel file
We recommend organizing all of the above listed items in a notebook, folder, or binder. Some may choose to organize it electronically and save it on a CD or flash drive. However, if you don't have the time or just aren't good at organizing, don't worry... we'll sort through it!
#5 Request a FREE Consultation!
We offer a free, no obligation consultation. If by chance, you still don't have a clear image of what you want and / or need in your web site, don't worry. We can help you through the process during this consultation. So, whether you know exactly what you want or you have no idea yet, don't wait to schedule your FREE Consultation!
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