HIRING A WEB DEVELOPER
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Planning Your Project
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Working with a Developer
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What information to collect
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What to Ask Your Developer
Developing a Better Website |
The Elements of Web Design |
Using a Pre-made Template |
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| Visual Communication - Your Road to Success. Reaching Your Target Audience. Marketing and Visitor Interaction. | Understanding Web Content, Page Structure, Navigation and Links. When to add all the bells and whistles, and when to leave them out. | The Trouble with Templates. Quick and Easy? Selection, Instruction and Troubleshooting. Guidance. |
WHERE TO START
First steps in working with your new developer.
First, take a look at other websites for features you like and dislike and list them. Your competitors' sites, for example may provide very useful information. Consider the pages' look and feel as well as their content, ease of navigation and overall mood. Also consider sites (winners and losers) outside of your industry. Make a list of these to share with your Web Developer. [Download our VIP Personal Project Interview]
What information will be helpful for a Web Developer during your first meeting?
- Existing marketing materials
- Presentations
- Brochures
- Logos
- Color schemes
- Business cards
- Letterhead
What should you ask your developer?
- Will this site be built in straight HTML or will it be designed using JavaScript, PHP, Flash, pre-made templates and/or plug-ins?
- Beyond initial creation, will there be ongoing charges or fees?
- Who will own the finished product's copyright?
- How many pages will my site contain?
- Do I need to (or want to) update my own content or can/will you do this for me? For how much?
- In the future, can I add, upgrade or purchase additional features (for example a blog or a shopping cart application)?
- What level of Search Engine Optimization will you weave into my final product?
- What support will be provided if I have a future problem?
- Can I see work you have completed for your other clients?
» More topics on website development . . .
