Here are some tips in finding the right people for the job and some considerations to be taken into account.
1. Introduction
Many businesses look for a web designer as though they were shopping for a general commodity item such as a light bulb - i.e. All websites are equal and paying the 16 year old student on a computer course to build the site will reap exactly the same dividend as paying a specialist web development agency. Other businesses often feel they have to spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on a website for it to be successful.
Contrary to what many believe, web design is only one component in the production of your website. Some web designers can talk day and night about how pretty your web site can be, but if it isn't functional, user-friendly, or capable of helping you meet your online goals, then all the superficial beauty in the world isn't going to help it serve it's purpose. The design theme of a website is only one component of building a successful online presence.
2. Defining Your Requirements
Every website should have a distinct goal or number of goals that are measurable. A goal can be anything from communicating with friends and associates through to making profits by selling products or services online (e commerce). Your goal in the first instance may even be to have a web presence so potential clients don't regard your organisation as being backward! Once you have defined a goal (or number of goals), it's equally important to define:
The target audience. i.e. Who you want/expect to visit your website.
The actions you want to result from their visit. i.e. Making an online sale, getting them to make an inquiry etc.
What benefits you are giving and receiving from having the website.
Defining the Key Functions (The actions)
Once the goals of the website have been established, it's important to define the actions required by site visitors to meet the goals. An action is any traceable sequence of events carried out by the end user.
Once you have formulated the goals and functional requirements for the website, it's time to start building a picture of how you anticipate the site coming together - with regard to structure and design theme. This doesn't need to be a definitive exercise - Your web designer should be able to add a lot of input and suggestions at a later stage, but it helps to have some ideas to feed into the requirements you approach the designer with in the first instance.
If a person wants to buy a pair of shoes online then their mission is basically to find the desirable pair of shoes at the right price in the quickest possible time. They don't visit an e-commerce site to watch an animation of shoes tap dancing across the screen. Leave cartoons and needless animation that add zero value to those experts in their own field. People watch the Simpsons for that type of entertainment. They likely won't be visiting your website for (or be impressed by) to be "dazzled" by irrelevant attempts to stand out.
Our own interpretation of the "WOW factor" is a site that is very simple to use, clean, crisp, user friendly, fast loading with great content. Basically, the site that delivers it's underlying message quickly and concisely is the most effective. Google has the WOW Factor and you don't see slow loading animation on that website. The WOW factor should mean Winning on the Web and nothing else.
3. Selecting a Web Designer or Developer
The location of the prospective designer. This may or may not be a factor for you. Some people are happy to work remotely and others prefer some face to face interaction. If the latter is essential to you, then you will need to focus on designers in your local area.
Independent Word of mouth recommendation. You may have received glowing reports on particular designers and their after-sales service. Don't overlook this.
The size of the company. Generally speaking, the size of the company provides you with little idea to the quality or work they can produce or the services they can provide. Some SMEs prefer to work on a more personal level with smaller providers or freelance designers with larger corporates preferring the opposite.
The cost - Most professional web designers tend to produce work on a bespoke basis, tailored uniquely for each client - and the vast majority do not publish prices. (We do). However, an initial discussion should be able to provide you with a "ball park" figure at least based on your requirements outline. Some designers are also able to provide cost-effective "out of the box" solutions at a fixed price.
Tip: Get a fixed price quote rather than an hourly rate. Let's face it... an hourly or daily rate is meaningless as a measuring stick when your consider it may take one designer twice as long as another to complete the same job.
4. Questions You will be Asked
It's always better to be prepared when you approach web designers... they will also have their own queries to establish a the requirements, gauge the work involved and furnish you with a quote.
You are seeking the right fit for your project. The more detailed research and preparation that you carry out, the better.
5. Going ahead
When you make a decision on proceeding with a designer, make sure to get the quote in writing and make sure the it's clear that the copyright of the website is yours once completed. Ensure all charges (including any future and/or recurring charges) are spelled out to avoid any ambiguity and problems further down the line.
Ideally, once you wish to proceed, your web developer should create a test web address, where you can monitor ongoing development and provide feedback throughout. If you want to know more details then you can visit http://octaspectrum.com.
1. Introduction
Many businesses look for a web designer as though they were shopping for a general commodity item such as a light bulb - i.e. All websites are equal and paying the 16 year old student on a computer course to build the site will reap exactly the same dividend as paying a specialist web development agency. Other businesses often feel they have to spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on a website for it to be successful.
Contrary to what many believe, web design is only one component in the production of your website. Some web designers can talk day and night about how pretty your web site can be, but if it isn't functional, user-friendly, or capable of helping you meet your online goals, then all the superficial beauty in the world isn't going to help it serve it's purpose. The design theme of a website is only one component of building a successful online presence.
2. Defining Your Requirements
Every website should have a distinct goal or number of goals that are measurable. A goal can be anything from communicating with friends and associates through to making profits by selling products or services online (e commerce). Your goal in the first instance may even be to have a web presence so potential clients don't regard your organisation as being backward! Once you have defined a goal (or number of goals), it's equally important to define:
The target audience. i.e. Who you want/expect to visit your website.
The actions you want to result from their visit. i.e. Making an online sale, getting them to make an inquiry etc.
What benefits you are giving and receiving from having the website.
Defining the Key Functions (The actions)
Once the goals of the website have been established, it's important to define the actions required by site visitors to meet the goals. An action is any traceable sequence of events carried out by the end user.
Once you have formulated the goals and functional requirements for the website, it's time to start building a picture of how you anticipate the site coming together - with regard to structure and design theme. This doesn't need to be a definitive exercise - Your web designer should be able to add a lot of input and suggestions at a later stage, but it helps to have some ideas to feed into the requirements you approach the designer with in the first instance.
If a person wants to buy a pair of shoes online then their mission is basically to find the desirable pair of shoes at the right price in the quickest possible time. They don't visit an e-commerce site to watch an animation of shoes tap dancing across the screen. Leave cartoons and needless animation that add zero value to those experts in their own field. People watch the Simpsons for that type of entertainment. They likely won't be visiting your website for (or be impressed by) to be "dazzled" by irrelevant attempts to stand out.
Our own interpretation of the "WOW factor" is a site that is very simple to use, clean, crisp, user friendly, fast loading with great content. Basically, the site that delivers it's underlying message quickly and concisely is the most effective. Google has the WOW Factor and you don't see slow loading animation on that website. The WOW factor should mean Winning on the Web and nothing else.
3. Selecting a Web Designer or Developer
The location of the prospective designer. This may or may not be a factor for you. Some people are happy to work remotely and others prefer some face to face interaction. If the latter is essential to you, then you will need to focus on designers in your local area.
Independent Word of mouth recommendation. You may have received glowing reports on particular designers and their after-sales service. Don't overlook this.
The size of the company. Generally speaking, the size of the company provides you with little idea to the quality or work they can produce or the services they can provide. Some SMEs prefer to work on a more personal level with smaller providers or freelance designers with larger corporates preferring the opposite.
The cost - Most professional web designers tend to produce work on a bespoke basis, tailored uniquely for each client - and the vast majority do not publish prices. (We do). However, an initial discussion should be able to provide you with a "ball park" figure at least based on your requirements outline. Some designers are also able to provide cost-effective "out of the box" solutions at a fixed price.
Tip: Get a fixed price quote rather than an hourly rate. Let's face it... an hourly or daily rate is meaningless as a measuring stick when your consider it may take one designer twice as long as another to complete the same job.
4. Questions You will be Asked
It's always better to be prepared when you approach web designers... they will also have their own queries to establish a the requirements, gauge the work involved and furnish you with a quote.
You are seeking the right fit for your project. The more detailed research and preparation that you carry out, the better.
5. Going ahead
When you make a decision on proceeding with a designer, make sure to get the quote in writing and make sure the it's clear that the copyright of the website is yours once completed. Ensure all charges (including any future and/or recurring charges) are spelled out to avoid any ambiguity and problems further down the line.
Ideally, once you wish to proceed, your web developer should create a test web address, where you can monitor ongoing development and provide feedback throughout. If you want to know more details then you can visit http://octaspectrum.com.
