Think, Organize, Focus
Obvious?
You'd be amazed how many small business owners breeze past this step! Decide what you wish to accomplish by developing a web site. Take the time to organize your ideas and focus on how this site will help your business.
Communicate With Your Web Designer and Developer
Spill the beans. Web site objectives influence web design and site structure.
Developing a site prospects can't find is probably not your goal. Strategy to ensure your site ranks high enough in the search engines to be noticed is called SEO, an acronym derived from, "Search Engine Optimization." Since most potential visitors will not look past the first two pages when searching Google or their favorite search engine, SEO plays a critical role in meeting your web site objectives.
Describe your business, your products or services, your target audience, your competition, and what differentiates your business. Providing your web designer and developer a clear picture of your business and your objectives is key to developing a site that prospective customers will find.
Secure Domain Name
Your domain name serves as your unique Internet address. (Nick-Stone.com is my domain name.) Your web site developer can help you acquire a domain name. Be prepared to provide a list of names to research for availability.
Write Copy
Copywriting is one of the most important components of web site development because it serves two critical roles. First, copywriting tells the search engines what your site is about, which has a major effect on search results, which in turn drives traffic to your site. Second, effective copywriting compels visitors to take action. Search marketing and search engine optimization professionals refer to this action as a conversion.
Decide what you want your web site to convey, how to convey it, and who is going to write the copy. Unless you have a highly skilled writer in-house, consider hiring a professional copywriter experienced in writing searchable web site content that will appeal to your target audience.
Design
As professional designers know, the secret to effective web design is applying balance and judgement to creativity.
The designer's role is to captivate without overwhelming, setting an appropriate mood to convey your message.
Visitors browse business web sites seeking information, not entertainment. When choosing a web designer or design, keep in mind the business objectives you want the site to accomplish.
The web site designer's role is discussed further on the "Design" Page, where you'll also find answers to the question: "Web designer or web developer, which should I hire?"
Write Computer Code
The computer programming code merges content and design.
What's the most affordable way to do this? There are inexpensive HTML editors that will generate the web programming for you. They are called WYSIWYG editors, an acronym derived from "What You See Is What You Get." Building your web site in this manner is less expensive, initially, than hiring a web developer.
Why did you say, "initially"? Do-it-yourself web editing programs are not cost effective. They produce bulky programming that makes it difficult for search engines, like Google, to determine your content.
Why is that a problem? If the search engines can't understand your message, they will not index your site appropriately. Translation: Your objectives won't be reached because your site won't appear prominently in search results.
In addition, web sites built this way are usually inaccessible to handicapped visitors.
Recommendation: Hire a professional web developer to code (program) your web site.
If you are determined to do it yourself, the most popular HTML generator is Dreamweaver.
To learn how standards-compliant, hand-coded web site programming gives your web site a powerful competitive advantage, see "Why Hire a Web-Standards Developer."
Test, Test, Test
Testing ensures:
- Each page renders as intended on various browsers, devices and operating systems
- Each page can be resized on various browsers without disrupting page presentation (see side box "Resizing Browser Text")
- Custom applications function as intended
- Each page is error free; each page is valid. (see side box "Validator To The Rescue")
- Compliance with WAI WCAG, the World Wide Web Consortium's accessibility guidelines (external link)
- Targeted compliance with ADA (external link)
- Targeted compliance with Section 508 (external link)
Launch
When you and your web site developer are both satisfied, your site is uploaded to your server or your web host's server. If you don't have a web server or a web host, your developer can help you secure one.
Review, Revise and Refresh
Good ideas continue to arise after the launch. When they do, incorporate them. Good web sites evolve, as good businesses do.
The extent that your developer participates in reviewing and improving your site will vary according to the complexity of your site, your desire to make improvements, your budget, and other variables too numerous to list.
Before you hire a developer, discuss his or her availability to help you, after the launch, in the capacity and extent you choose.
Ready To Begin?
Please call Nick Stone in Central Virginia at
434-284-2840
Nick answers the phone 97% of the time. Twice out of 100 times you call, he'll call you back within 30 minutes. Once in 100 calls, he'll call you the next day.
When you call, Nick will ask you a few questions. Then he'll schedule a time to sit down for a free consultation to determine what you need and how he can assist you reach your web site goals. If he can't help you, he'll recommend someone who can. It is easy. So go ahead. Pick up the phone now and call Nick!
