What YOU Should Know Before Getting A Web Site!

Everyday thousands of new businesses make the leap and take their business on line, what about yours? If you haven't already, I'll bet you have thought about it and wondered how much more business you could be doing if you just went on line?and right about then, you wonder what it would take to get your business on line?

Here are some things to consider:

1. What do I expect my web site to do? The question you must ask yourself first and foremost is, "What do I want my website to do?". There are many types of web sites out there from purely selling products, to purely informational and everything in between. Are you looking to start an online community with people who have similar interests? Do you need a one page online resume, portfolio, bio, or online brochure to really get your company's information in front of the public? No two sites are exactly alike, and because of that, the prices for your web design can fluctuate. This question is one you must ask yourself before you hire a web designer!

2. How much will a web site cost me? What is your budget for your web site? Be realistic when you set your amount. Though a good deal is great, rock bottom prices are not what you are looking for here! Remember, this is your virtual store front. You want your site to be professional, efficient, and look the very best it can-you want your dreams to come true, and they will with the right designer.

Honestly, you can find web site design from $35 (if you get this for a quote, and you have any hopes of ending up with a professional site?WALK AWAY!) to $10,000 (good for huge companies that can afford it, but not the best bet for a new business). Realistically, expect to spend from $85-$200 for a one page resume, bio or brochure site and from $300-$1,800 for larger full featured sites, and expect to pay either half or all of it upfront depending on your designer.

Aside from that there are monthly hosting fees that range from $10-$40 per month for a descent sized site. Ask your designer if they offer hosting in addition to designing your site? You will usually get a much better deal, and you already trust them to design your site (I'll go more into hosting plans and options another time). Do you have your domain name yet? (example: www.thebestmoms.com) If not, ask your designer if they can get you one? A lot the time, if you are buying a decent sized design job and hosting from them, they will throw in your domain name for free-although, you will have to pay the renewal fee each year which can range from $19-$35 (ask your designer).

3. What's my web address going to be? This is a question you want to really spend some time on before choosing. I suggest you pick a name that is A-easy to remember, B-as short as possible, C-as uncomplicated as possible; try to stay away from more than 1 or 2 hyphens, if any. People easily forget the hyphens when they remember the address, and you don't want to be sending business somewhere else. D-using correct spelling; it is fun to play with the spelling of a word, but take in to consideration your audience's ability to remember the way YOU spelled it as opposed to their natural urge to spell it correctly.

It's your job to get them to your site, not their job to find you, so make it easy. E-pick something that has to do with your business (optional); I know some sites have gone against this rule and been successful but they also started from a different place than you are starting. Come up with a list of your top 5 or 10 choices, because there is a good chance that your first choice is already gone! When deciding, ask yourself if you want your address to be a .com, .net, .org, .edu, .biz, .tv, etc. I suggest .com, or .net for selling (ecommerce) sites, but it's up to you!

4. How long will it take to design my site? There are a lot of different factors that determine just how long a site takes to be completed, including you. If you take longer to get your information (or your words for each page and pictures) it will of course take longer for your site to be up and running. Also, the more complicated your site, the longer it can take-though I've not seen a site construction take longer than 8 weeks. To speed the design process, have a clear idea of what it is you want ahead of time. Make lists, and write out your 'blurbs' (text) for each page. Your text is your responsibility, and a lot of designers will not consider creating it for you with out charging you for creative writing (which can cost $35-75 per hour).

I only suggest leaving the creative writing up to someone else if you are positive that you simply can not do it. If your designer does not offer writing as a service (ask), you can hire a creative writer online and sometimes you can even barter (trade your products for their services) with creative writers looking to build their portfolio. One other way that you can speed up the design process is to make sure you and your designer are on the same page as far as design.

You do not want to keep changing your design idea, especially after they have started working. A lot of work goes into web site design, and so what seems like a minor change in the design plans to you may actually be a major change in the overall design, and some designers will charge you for this because your initial quote is based on their expected design hours. I wouldn't suggest doubling it out of the blue.

5. How long before the public discovers my site? They won't. What I mean by that is, there is more to getting people to your site than just putting it on the web. Like any other store, you have to market your site. One great tool is search engines. Now, how do you get listed on search engines? You want to give your designer a two sentence description for each category or page, and a list of 20 words you think some one would use to find your site for each category. Your designer may be willing to do some of this for you, so ask.

Also, there are some search engine submission services out there that are great, and there are some that aren't. I suggest you ask your designer if they submit your site to search engines automatically or if there is a small fee for this? Is their submission once or repeated over a period of time? Simply submitting will not guarantee you top spot on the search engines; especially if you are in an already crowded field-even if you pay the $300 fees some search engines charge.

You can also market your site by putting the web site address on everything-return address labels, business cards, t-shirts, your car, your email signature; put it in your signature on message boards, etc. There are many ways to get the word out, but don't think for one second that just because you built it, they will come-this is by far the biggest misconception in web site building!

6. Who will update my site in the future? Most designers have policies about updates, from a monthly update fee only for the months you require updates, to an hourly fee per update. Talk to your designer, and make sure that they understand not only how often you expect to need updates, but the nature of your updates. If it is something like switching a picture, or changing a phone number, there may be no charge so ask.

After answering these questions, you are ready to talk to your designer about the fun stuff-the design. Write down a list of sites that possess the feel or the style that you are looking for so your designer can get a better picture of your ultimate goal, and the two of you go from there!

©2005 Samantha Olea

Samantha Olea is the owner and designer for http://GetWrappedUp.com ?All Wrapped Up Business Solutions. She specializes in visual design and web design for the small to large businesses. Not a tied to a particular style of design, Samantha Olea is able to create your vision and really make it your own. To discuss your site, contact her at designs@getwrappedup.com today.

---

Server Side Includes (SSI) with ASP

Server Side Includes (SSI) with ASP People often... Read More

How Does Your Website Make Me Feel?

When people think about the Internet, they think about technology.... Read More

The Top Ten Benefits of Having a Web Site

Do you need a web site? Are you considering getting... Read More

35% Revenue Increase? from Your Website!

2 Golden Rules for an Engaging Website35% of visitors fail... Read More

4 Steps to Selling More With Your Web Site

Most web sites are more like stage sets than real... Read More

10 Tips For Running A Profitable Web Site

1. Address your targeted audience on your business site. Example:... Read More

The Secret Benefit Of Accessibility: Part 2 - A Higher Search Engine Ranking

An additional benefit of website accessibility is an improved performance... Read More

Flash Deadly Sins (That Can Kill Your Web Business)

Looks like every client wants a Flash site these days... Read More

Creating Compelling Content , Write It and They Will Come

In a previous ezinearticles.com article,"I Need real visitors, Not Search... Read More

Stop Losing Precious Web Site Traffic to the Dreaded World Wide Web Black Hole

You work hard to build traffic to your web page.... Read More

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) & Web Accessibility

There's been widespread speculation about the new legislation being introduced... Read More

4 Marketing Tips for Resourceful Webmasters!

The internet is a sea of knowledge. Getting your information... Read More

How to Listen on the Web

When building a relationship, listening is more important than talking.A... Read More

Web Site Optimization: How To Speed Up Your Web Site By Minimizing Your GIF and PNG Image Bit-Depth

Are bloated images slowing down your web site and causing... Read More

Trinkets, Lockets And Empty Pockets

It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up... Read More

The Secret Benefit Of Accessibility: Part 1 - Increased Usability

Web accessibility has so many benefits that I really do... Read More

Why Is No-one Buying From My Website?

Are you, like many other website owners, frustrated at the... Read More

Topics to Add When Creating an Alternate and Modern Medicine Web Directory

Alternate medicine finds its own place in the hearts and... Read More

Why Should Your Business Go O.N.L.I.N.E.

Optimize your time. How much time each day must you... Read More

Let Marketing Manage Your Website Content

The definition of the phrase "Content Management" depends on what... Read More

How to Create a Professional Web Site in 24 Hours

While creating a Web site may seem like... Read More

Web Site Development Process - The Life-cycle Steps

A system development process can follow a number of standard... Read More

The Number One Reason Most Websites Fail

Failure, just like success, is measured differently by each and... Read More

3 Essential Tools Every Website Designer and Marketer Needs

Appealing to others is really important when you have a... Read More

7 Golden Rules For Building Mini Sites

First, an eye opener. Making your fortune through affiliate programs... Read More

Maintaining Your Business Website

QUESTION: Should I build and maintain my business Web... Read More

Give Your Business a Cash Infusion

Whether you have your own business already, or are looking... Read More

Abandonment - Why Visitors Don?t Turn Into Customers

Every good Internet business understands the value of conversions versus... Read More

In Business? 10 Reasons Why You Need a Website -- Now!

1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More

Internet Marketing Website Promotion -The 7 Biggest Mistakes I See People Make With Websites!

1. Many people are not getting good or complete advice.... Read More

Guidelines for Web Page Optimization

Below, I have listed 8 simple steps that you can... Read More

Do You Need a Web Database?

Does My Web Site Require A Web Database?If your web... Read More

Ecommerce for Beginners

Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to... Read More