Starting a new business is an exciting time. While getting a website up and running is definitely important, if you want to get a website that really works for your business, there are several things you should do before speaking to a web designer.
Determine the goal of your site
The goal of your website should not be, “I just need a website”. What do you really want your site to accomplish? Is it selling 10 products per week? Getting more email subscribers? Allowing people to book appointments online? Figure out exactly what you’d like your site to do, so you have a game plan when talking to your designer.
Know Your Audience
If you know who your website is for, you’ll be able to design a site that is geared towards them. Different demographics have different wants, needs and preferences when it comes to design. Having a clear idea of your ideal client will help your designer deliver a site that speaks to them.
Know The Pages You Want
You can’t have a website without content. Your web designer will need to know the pages you want to include and what content is going on those pages. If you have this figured out beforehand, the design process will go much faster and smoother. We recommend creating a sitemap, then an outline that goes over the function of each page. This will not only be helpful when writing your copy, but will be a huge help to your designer.
Gather Photos/Images
Imagery plays a huge part in web design, as certain styles of images will effect the overall look of your website. Your designer will want high resolution versions of your logo, icons and any images you want to use on the site, so it’s a good idea to have those organized and ready to go. If you aren’t sure what photos you want to use, we recommend searching stock photo sites, snapping your own photos, or, if it’s in your budget, hiring a professional photographer to help.
Determine Who Will Be Managing Your Site
This is an important part of the process that often gets overlooked. Will someone on your team be managing the website, or would you rather outsource it to your designer? If you’d rather outsource, you’ll want to make sure you choose a designer that offers this service after your site is launched, whether it be a monthly maintenance plan or on a case by case basis.
Write Down Your Questions
Have your questions ready, and don’t be afraid to ask! Every designer has a different process and offers different services. Your questions will help determine if your project is a good fit for the designer and give you a better idea of what to expect during the process of designing your website.
Having these questions answered before talking to a web designer will help move the process along quickly and give you a site that really works for your business. If you’re ready to start talking about design, we’d love to help! Contact us today.
