Whether you’re starting a new website or re-doing an existing one, sometimes getting from point A to Z can seem like a daunting task. Planning, organizing, and knowing what’s needed turns the big picture maze into small workable chunks.
1. Pricing
Pricing is one of the first questions and because each web project has different needs and requirements, I don’t have pre-set packages with limitations or things included that you may not need. An estimate is provided after we’ve discussed what your site needs and expectations are. Once we’re set and in agreement on the fees, a deposit is required to get the ball rolling. For starting points though, HTML sites start at $125 per page and WordPress sites start at $375.00.
2. Site Content
Once you’ve decided what you want on your site, break it down into topics (pages) that will help your target audience easily find what they’re looking for. Write for your audience, so if it’s technical, be technical, if it’s not then don’t go there. What information do they need? What questions do your customers ask you? Minor editing will be done before publishing if necessary.
If you’ll be partially relying on non-paid search engine results, your text needs to include the search phrases that have been determined to be the most beneficial.
Gather together the photos, artwork, etc that you want to use and specify which area of your site these belong in. Want to give creative license to placing your content in the best position? No problem!
Do you have a logo that needs enhancing or updating? Do you need any custom graphics?
Send all of your text copy and artwork via email attachments.
3. Special Features
How do you want customers to interact with your website? Just to name a few..contact form, survey, message board, a blog they can leave comments on, sign-up for your newsletter, buy products, login area for customer only content, FAQ, Google map, page flip style catalog, tour or event calendar, stream your music. These will be integrated into your site’s layout and should be discussed before the design phase starts.
4. Site Navigation
Getting around your website easily is imperative. Your site’s navigation is based on your pages and should not require more than one or two clicks to get where they want to go. Page names need to be specific to the topic and as concise as possible. More than one way to navigate your site will be needed.
5. Design Conception and Layout
Everything goes hand-in-hand. So your content, any special functionality needed, where all this should be placed, and site navigation should be ironed out at this point.
What websites do you like the looks of? What do you like about these? What don’t you like about some sites? Knowing these things helps give an idea of what you envision. Based on this and discussions with you, two design conceptions are created and up to two changes are made to the one you select.
6. Review
Once the design and layout are finalized, content is added, and presented to you for review. Provide any Google Analytics or other tracking code you need on your site. At this point we’re making minor changes and preparing for launch.
