NEED A WEBSITE?  DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?

BY ANNA DALEA, ERT WEBSITE SOLUTIONS

It's quite common for a business owner to be rushed into "getting" a website.  Perhaps clients are asking if you have one or when it will be up and running... perhaps clients are requesting that you create a sub-website for them?  For example, I just met with a property management company who's client is asking why the management company won't build a website for them.  I was called in to a situation where the property manager had no clue as to what a website really was, any of the terminology, where to start or what the client really needed. They expected me, the web designer, to give them all that information.

The problem here?  I don't know their company...furthermore, i'm not familiar with their client.  If the property manager doesn't know what their client wants or needs from a website, then how should I?  I'm not a mind reader...

Here are some things that business owners need to keep in mind when they feel compelled to get a website but don't have the first clue as where to start:

1) First you must find out the needs for the site.  What information is needed to make the clients happy.  What do the CLIENTS want to see?  Most likely they'll want to see some information about the company, contact information and perhaps what services they offer... how about forms or documents?  Newsletters?  These are things that a web designer can't guess on. To make a site successful, it has to be thought out properly (not just jumped into to get something on the internet fast).

2) Do some research of other sites that you've seen that are in a similar field to yours and get a better idea of what you like or dislike about those websites.  It will not only help you, the business owner, to know what you want, but it will help when it comes time to get a web designer on your team to give them direction.

3) Pick a color scheme for your site.  Keep them similar to your logo colors.  That's always a good idea.  You don't want the two to clash.  www.colorschemer.com

4) Who are you marketing your site to?  Will it be basic HTML or will it be in Flash?

5) Make sure that you have pictures ready that give a good representation of your company.  Obviously, if they're pictures that you'd like on your website then that's even better!

Anyhow, this is a good place to start.  Make sure you do your homework before calling a web designer.  They need direction.  If you make them GUESS what you want, they'll fail.  It's all about what the business owner wants.  Don't make the designer work hard for nothing (for you to just change your mind about what you want). Don't be wishy-washy.  Have a clear idea about the direction you want the design to go in.