Things to Know Before You Have a Web Site Developed.

I was recently asked to provide some thoughts on what individuals and business owners should consider before having a web site. After much discussion with my current clients, as well as some of my experiences, here is the information I found to be of most value to them...

Discuss with your potential developer why you need a web site. If your current web site is ineffective, it's pointless not to redevelop it. Ineffective web sites provide no benefit to your business, it's important to keep in mind that your web site is a representation of your business to the world.

Your web site should do one, or both, of the following:

1. Help turn leads into sales.
2. Help garner new leads.

You must know why you need a web site in order to target the expected gains.

Keep abreast of changes in your market. You're going to need a good idea of how your web site may evolve in the future. What will be the new content? Newsletters, services, products, etc.? Remember that you need to keep your web site current. Web sites that become stale become boring to potential clients (your visitors).

Search engines such as Google currently keep track of how often content is added or changed in a web site. Obviously if there are no changes or additions, evidence appears to indicate that the ranking of the site decreases.

To better facilitate cost effective content changes, (meaning you can easily type or add new content), content management systems may be a good way for you to go. You can find a small example in the “Add-ons” section found here: in our Web Site Design section. This is cost effective as you have greater freedom and don't have to rely on your web developer (or designer) to make the changes for you.

You will need to have your initial content already typed up in .doc, .txt or .sxw format. Prior to the development of the site. It needs to be simple, easy to read, (short and to the point), and easy to navigate. Remember that users who cannot find your content easily, will find similar content in another site.

You can accomplish this in four easy steps:

1. Display what the site is about, clearly.
2. Display that the required content is available.
3. Provide simple navigation and a site map to content.
4. Include the appropriate links to direct users to related content.

Keep in mind that the following (points below) are statistically often deterrents to repeat visits of your site. Think twice about them before engaging a developer or designer. To help you with this, ask yourself one simple question: “How will this help me sell?”

1. Flash animation intro movies.
2. Moving and drop down menus.
3. Changing graphics.
4. Blinking, flashing, twirling graphics.

Make sure you obtain an easy-to-remember domain name. The following are not always the best choice:

1. Names with hyphens.
2. Names with numbers and letters.
3. Very long names.
4. Difficult to spell names.
5. Names using obscure or not often heard words.

Keep your domain name, short and to the point.

You need to know that your developer or designer provides both the web development and hosting service. You also need to ensure that they provide support for both. It will be easier in the long term for the growth of your web site to have “one-contact” that has full control in order to manage or assist you. Keep in mind that if your email is not working, you're going to need someone local (your developer!) to help you the same day, not wait for someone nameless and far away at some hosting company to finaly resolve your issue. It's easier to keep things simple.

Prior to a web project, it is best to ensure that you have gathered good quality copies of photos in electronic format; if you will be using any. Let your designer take a look at them and advise you. If the quality is not condusive to good graphic design, you may need to include a “photo shoot” session as part of your development package.

Do not purchase a hosting package before you have retained a developer for your web site. You may not necessarily know what the requirements of the hosting server are until your web developer has outlined the project for you.

Keep in mind that you may require regular maintenance services if you don't use content management systems that you can use and edit yourself (as suggested above).

A final and important thought...

Do not enter into a project with a pre-conceived idea of how your site should look. It's okay to voice opinions - That's what you're supposed to do, but... Your developer knows what is current in the industry. He or she knows how best to position your graphics and content. These are the professionals who are abreast of the new changes, graphics, fashions, requirements and expectations of visitors. Do not tether them, let them do their job! They know what the majority of visitors want and like to see better than someone not in the web development/design industry. This is an investment, you don't tell your RRSP investor at the bank how and in what to invest in do you? It's the same with web development. All too often I have personally observed clients who had an overbearing influence on their web site, such that the finished project looked old-fashioned, graphically unattractive and containing far too much copy on each page.

Keep things simple and well organized to ensure a successful web site launch.

Roger Wheatley often provides public seminars and presentations for businesses and organizations. If you would like to book a seminar for your business or organization, or are interested in learning more, please contact us.