What's the first step?

Perhaps you know you need a website to promote your business but have no idea where to begin. Or maybe you've already worked up a detailed plan regarding how you want your website to look and what functions are needed. Whichever point you're at, I would be happy to discuss your ideas with you.

Below is a brief, very generalized outline of the process of website design and how a site is "launched."

Advance Planning

Many variables can be taken into account when planning your website design. By spending a few moments thinking about some of the basics ahead of time, you can give me a better idea of what you're after. Please don't feel obligated to come up with absolute answers. This information is simply intended to give us a starting point for our discussions.

• Who is your target audience? What are your expectations? Are you aiming your site toward the general public? Professionals? The elderly? Artists? Do you plan to sell merchandise on your website?
• How do you envision the organization of information? How many pages will be needed? Even the simplest websites usually require at least a few pages—such as a Home page, About Us page, and Contact Us page. Perhaps your website needs several pages for display of your services or products.
• Text/Content: Do you have prepared text that can be modified for the website? Or does new copy need to be written?
• Visual Design: Most websites require some graphic elements. Do you have a specific color scheme in mind? Does your business have a particular logo? Do you want complex graphics (for example, with color shading or animated images) or would you prefer a simple, sparse look for your site?
• Have you seen other websites that appeal to you? It's perfectly acceptable to use other websites as inspiration for your own. Make a list of websites that you like and note what it is it that you like about them. Is it the color? The way the information is organized? The simplicity of the graphics? The flashy, high-tech look?
• Photos: Do you need photographs of your products, personnel, facility, etc.? Are these photos already available, or will you need to have photos created?
• Forms: Will your website need any pages that collect information from your visitors and then automatically forward the information to you in e-mail?