Web Site Development: Become The Expert
Skip | 11 November, 2005 17:30
It is not necessary to be a computer "wiz" to develop your web site.
You do have to know your product or service and be able to follow
directions. Even if you have a web site consultant, "hands on" content
and presentation development will be your responsibility — the buck
still stops with you.
Before you hire that web site expert, consider the following advice. It may save you money and unnecessary waste of time and help get your web site goals accomplished.
One strategy is to utilize web site templates or packages that provide software to enable you to select the number of pages needed, choose background color schemes, and will include "download" features that will identify various products and services you offer.
These packages offer you control over content 24 hours, 7 days per week, as opposed to contracting someone at $450-$600 for initial development then $50-$75 per hour to generate the inevitable changes in content as you grow your business.
Although you do not have to speak an unfamiliar computer language to master the development of your business web site, you do have to know your product or service and a commitment to marketing and developing your business. Let's take a look at the basics of web site development for a five (5) page site:
1. What do you want your visitor to see when they visit your web site? Begin with "colors" for background and the printed words. Depending on the service or product, it will either be a soft gray background with black or maroon print OR choose a black or dark blue background with white print.
2. What information should the visitor see first on your web site? The Welcome page should be viewed the same as the welcome mat at your door. Its content should convey the purpose of your business or service. Your welcome message can be developed using the executive summary section of your business plan. You are introducing the product or service and giving your visitor a brief overview of what they can find on the other pages of your web site. You are letting potential customers know they are in the right place.
3. Who are you? The "About Us" page is your "brag bag" opportunity. This is where you talk about business accomplishments and expertise, awards and recognition. You can also provide a brief overview of yourself (especially if you are promoting consulting services) or background and expertise of any partners or key staff.
4. What are you selling? Let's take a look at the product or Service page of your web site. Here is your sales pitch opportunity page. Describe how your product or service will be useful to your target market. What problems will it or your company solve? Why is it or are you unique? Who will it help? Why should they purchase it? This page, more than any other, will be fine tuned on a regular basis. For this reason alone, control over your web site should be a paramount consideration.
5. How can they buy the product or your service? The Contact and Order page provides easy access to you or a company representative which essential to your business growth. In this fast paced society, people still want to know they can communicate and receive immediate responses to inquiries. They must feel comfortable they will have clarity and access to information about the services or products they are purchasing.
Be Mindful of Web Site Development Traps
After reading this article, you may feel challenged by the process of web site development. My caution is that you take each step a bite at a time. If you have decided to contract with an independent web site consultant, make sure you have direct contact with this individual at all times. Prepare a list of questions including clarity about the level of control you will have over your web site.
What is the rate for additional and ongoing costs and changes? Have the consultant detail, in writing, exactly what is included in the basic web site development package (also called "deliverables"), how they charge for maintenance of the web site, and when do fees begin (for some charges do not occur until the site is up and running; for others charges begin as soon as they have completed the web site design).
Be sure the final contract for web site development service is in writing, providing a clause for both to terminate the agreement, with proper notice, without penalties for you. Ask questions! Ask questions! Ask Questions! The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. The key is to establish a comfort level before moving forward.
Theresa V. Wilson, M.Ed., CPBA (Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst) is a Freelance Writer, Success Management Training Consultant and former teacher with by lines in over ninety online and print education, family, and business publications. Contact: VerneWrites@aol.com or Visit: www.writersinthemarketplace.org
Before you hire that web site expert, consider the following advice. It may save you money and unnecessary waste of time and help get your web site goals accomplished.
One strategy is to utilize web site templates or packages that provide software to enable you to select the number of pages needed, choose background color schemes, and will include "download" features that will identify various products and services you offer.
These packages offer you control over content 24 hours, 7 days per week, as opposed to contracting someone at $450-$600 for initial development then $50-$75 per hour to generate the inevitable changes in content as you grow your business.
Although you do not have to speak an unfamiliar computer language to master the development of your business web site, you do have to know your product or service and a commitment to marketing and developing your business. Let's take a look at the basics of web site development for a five (5) page site:
1. What do you want your visitor to see when they visit your web site? Begin with "colors" for background and the printed words. Depending on the service or product, it will either be a soft gray background with black or maroon print OR choose a black or dark blue background with white print.
2. What information should the visitor see first on your web site? The Welcome page should be viewed the same as the welcome mat at your door. Its content should convey the purpose of your business or service. Your welcome message can be developed using the executive summary section of your business plan. You are introducing the product or service and giving your visitor a brief overview of what they can find on the other pages of your web site. You are letting potential customers know they are in the right place.
3. Who are you? The "About Us" page is your "brag bag" opportunity. This is where you talk about business accomplishments and expertise, awards and recognition. You can also provide a brief overview of yourself (especially if you are promoting consulting services) or background and expertise of any partners or key staff.
4. What are you selling? Let's take a look at the product or Service page of your web site. Here is your sales pitch opportunity page. Describe how your product or service will be useful to your target market. What problems will it or your company solve? Why is it or are you unique? Who will it help? Why should they purchase it? This page, more than any other, will be fine tuned on a regular basis. For this reason alone, control over your web site should be a paramount consideration.
5. How can they buy the product or your service? The Contact and Order page provides easy access to you or a company representative which essential to your business growth. In this fast paced society, people still want to know they can communicate and receive immediate responses to inquiries. They must feel comfortable they will have clarity and access to information about the services or products they are purchasing.
Be Mindful of Web Site Development Traps
After reading this article, you may feel challenged by the process of web site development. My caution is that you take each step a bite at a time. If you have decided to contract with an independent web site consultant, make sure you have direct contact with this individual at all times. Prepare a list of questions including clarity about the level of control you will have over your web site.
What is the rate for additional and ongoing costs and changes? Have the consultant detail, in writing, exactly what is included in the basic web site development package (also called "deliverables"), how they charge for maintenance of the web site, and when do fees begin (for some charges do not occur until the site is up and running; for others charges begin as soon as they have completed the web site design).
Be sure the final contract for web site development service is in writing, providing a clause for both to terminate the agreement, with proper notice, without penalties for you. Ask questions! Ask questions! Ask Questions! The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. The key is to establish a comfort level before moving forward.
Theresa V. Wilson, M.Ed., CPBA (Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst) is a Freelance Writer, Success Management Training Consultant and former teacher with by lines in over ninety online and print education, family, and business publications. Contact: VerneWrites@aol.com or Visit: www.writersinthemarketplace.org
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