10 Simple Steps to Getting Your Website Designed

Setting up a website can be a daunting prospect. It can be difficult to know where to start, so here are 10 simple steps to get going:

1. Set the goals & objectives.

For your website eg: Increase sales, improve your company's credibility, provide information.

2. Determine your target market.

Who do you want to reach?

Businesses - small, medium, large?

Individuals? Sex - male, female?

Age range? etc

3. Decide which pages you want:

* Home

* Products

* Services

* About Us/Profile

* Resources

* Contact Details

4. Decide on functionality:

* An on-line shopping cart?

* A contact details form to be emailed to you?

* A list of website links you can maintain yourself?

5. Review competitor’s websites.

Note what you like and don't like.

6. Print out your favorite websites (if any).

Then they can be discussed with your web designer.

7. Collect non-web examples of the sort of style you like.

For example draw a rough layout yourself or cut out a magazine advertisement that conveys the image you would like to portray. If you don't have any idea a good designer should be able to help you decide on something you like.

8. Exiting marketing material.

Gather together examples of your existing marketing material such as business cards, letterhead and print advertisements. Your marketing style should be consistent throughout your website as well as your printed media.

9. Meet with your web designer.

Meet your web designer to discuss your requirements. This meeting should result in a no obligation, free proposal including a written quote.

10. Review the proposal.

A good proposal should spell out exactly what you are getting for how much. Make sure you understand everything in the proposal (including the terms and conditions) and ask questions where you don't. For example, understand who owns the copyright to your website after development has been completed.