What We Need
- Site Map
- Graphics
- Photos
- Page Content
- Web sites you like
- What you want to accomplish
This is your web site, so we need to know what you want to accomplish if we are going to build a web site to do that for you. Is it to drive business to a brick and mortar store? Is it to raise awareness of a product, service, cause? Are visitors supposed to call you, email you, sign up for something? You need to know what you want to accomplish if we are going to build a web site to do that for you.
Our assumption is that you are not a graphics designer so the easiest and quickest way to tell us what you want as the desing for your site is to send us the address(es) of web sites that you like. And mention what you like about them. We will use that information to build you the custom templates that determine the look and feel of your site. Then we can discuss how to modify those templates to get you exactly what you want.
There are a few other things we are going to need. One of the more important items is a site map, in other words, what are the web pages you want and how should they be linked. You typically are going to want a Home page, Contact Us page, Product/Services Page and maybe an About Us page. But what goes under those pages. For example, is there a Super Duper Widget page under products or a page that indicates a class of products/services and then individual product/services pages under that.
The simplest way to do this is to draw a graphical site map using boxes and arrows, sort of like an organization chart. Put the names of the pages within the boxes and then arrows that show how the pages are linked together. A simple example would be.
Next, you will have to provide the content, which means the text, graphics and pictures, for each of these pages. And the layout of how you want the pages to look. Many of the layout issues, such as fonts, font sizes, etc. will already have been taken care o during the template design. But you are still going to have to tell us where you want pictures and graphics on each page.. Here we can provide advice and do a good bit of the layout for you. But ultimately, you must provide the bulk of the material.
We would like all the content to be available when we build the web site, but that may not always be practical. You may have to live with the web site a bit before you know what you want. So, we have a 2-step option if you need this flexibility.
And, last, but definitely not least, where are you giong to host this web site? Do have a domain name and hosting site selected?
If you would like to inquire about having a new website built for you or your current web site upgraded, please click here.