Getting Started Web Site Deign Guide
If you have absolutely no knowledge of what it takes to get your web site up and running then this page is essential for you to read thoroughly. A complete read of this page should answer most of your questions.
3 Essential things to get the ball rolling
If you need help with any of the steps below please do not hesitate to contact me.
- First & foremost you will need to register a domain name. You can Register your Domain Name at KissMyDomain.com
- Once you have purchased your domain name and web hosting you will need to provide me with access to your account, so don’t forget your user name and password.
- You will need a valid email address as a means of communication.
10 Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What do I want my web site to accomplish?
- Inform (inform customers of your products & services)
- Sell Products online (e-commerce)
- Collect Data (database/forms)
- Promotion (an advertising tool)
2. Do I want a very simple designed site or sleek state of the art design?
3. What are the primary colors of the business (check letterhead or logo)?
4. Do I need a logo designed?
5. What links do I want on the site other than the standard “home, about us, location, gallery & contact “links?
6. Do I own photography for the site in digital format (if so-collect it)?
7. Do I need to attain photography for the site?
8. Do I own literature describing my business and its products and or services or do I need to write them or have them written?
9. Do I have all original company artwork in digital form? i.e. CD
10. What is my budget (keep in mind the more complex the higher the cost)?
If you are planning on accepting credit card payment’s from customers on your web site I recommend you set up a Pay pal Account.
When you sign up for PayPal, you can start accepting credit card payments instantly. As the world’s number one online payment service, PayPal is the fastest way to open your doors to over 150 million member accounts worldwide. Best of all, it’s completely free to sign up! To sign up for paypal or to learn more, click here.
Advice to make the web design process smooth
Surf the Net to look for sites in your industry. Search the net and see what your competition and or leaders in your industry are doing. Decide on how you would like your site to feel: corporate, fun, sleek, rugged, etc… Choose three primary colors that you would like to associate your business with if you are not already doing so.
Gather information and photos that you would like to put on the site. If you have a brochure, transfer that to the web. Write the text yourself or hire an outside source to write your copy. Gather photos that you would like to have visitors see on your site. Take them yourself or hire an outside source to shoot your photos (You will need digital files from a digital camera for your web designer or you can have existing photos scanned). Locate the original artwork of your existing logo if you have one or hire an outside source to design one for you.
You are now ready to have your site built. By now you should have a good idea on what you want your site to do for your company, how you want your site designed, what colors you want to use, what links, photography, & artwork is needed, what company information you need to write or gather and what budget is needed to accomplish your goals on the web in the short-term and long-term.
What’s next? Now that everything is set-up you have your information and photos. I can now begin to build your web site. However, I cannot build your web site out of thin air you now need to forward all your information and photos to me. Below is a list of standard items I need to begin laying the foundation of your web site.
Information Needed to Create 5 Standard Pages:
Home Page: Welcome your visitors and introduce your business products and or services in an overview manner.
About Us Page: Tell people how you started in business, your background, years in business, explain what you do in detail, introduce employees, days & times of operation, location, etc…
Products/Services Page: Describe your products and or services in detail and explain how your customers will benefit when doing business with you.
Contact Page: Phone numbers, address, Email address/s, social networking site links such as facebook, myspace and twitter.
Gallery Page: Forward collected photos. As stated before collect, shoot or have someone shoot photos of your products your store/office, employees etc… Whatever relevant photos you want to put on your web site is totally up to you. Keep in mind we offer photography services.
The above 5 standard links are simply to get your web site started in the right direction. These links are the foundation of any web site. I guarantee once you start this process you will come up with more links as you go along.
All custom web sites are unique therefore price range will depend on the amount of time it takes to complete.
Ready to get started? Send me your web site information so I can get started.
