| So you're thinking of setting up and designing a new | | | | compliant with current UK legislation, unless you have |
| website or giving an existing website a facelift. You | | | | a good understanding of writing accessible code, you |
| are aware that a website can wonders do for a | | | | could jeopardise its integrity. |
| company such as it will generate revenue online, | | | | 5. Will your site fit into your marketing strategy? |
| generate leads & enquiries, strengthen a brand | | | | Will it act as your sole form of communication with |
| and much more in addition. BUT, you are not sure on | | | | prospects or will it support other mediums and sales |
| how to ensure maximum success with your site. | | | | channels? |
| Our 10 step guide can help you decide if you can | | | | 6. Do you plan to take payments online? |
| develop one yourself or seek professional assistance | | | | Have you considered online security and how to |
| from web design & development companies. | | | | show to your customers that their personal details |
| 1. What is the purpose of your website. | | | | are safe? |
| Do you want it to solely act as an online brochure | | | | 7. What budget do you have in mind? |
| (information website) for your products and | | | | Allocating a sufficient budget to the project is vital. |
| services? Will you use it to generate leads or to | | | | Don't expect to get a high quality professional |
| present a showcase your skills and previous work | | | | website design that meets your exacting needs for |
| carried out. Or are you looking to sell your products | | | | pennies. Whilst is it impossible to scope out an |
| online? In which case an ecommerce solution | | | | accurate payscale for every concept a good rule of |
| (shopping cart) would be needed. | | | | thumb is: |
| 2. What is your target market? | | | | Brochure websites: Expect to pay between |
| How big is it? What is the competition up to and | | | | £500 and £2,000 depending on content |
| what are the buying patterns used by the customers | | | | requirements |
| who use that market? Understanding your market | | | | Ecommerce solutions: Expect to pay between |
| and your competition will allow you to identify your | | | | £1,500 and £5,000 for SMB's. Larger |
| customer needs and build an effective site set to this | | | | corporations can expect to pay upwards of |
| target. | | | | £25k |
| 3. Think WHY. Why would a prospect want to use | | | | Remember, if you pay pennies, your results will, in |
| my site and what are MY aims? | | | | time, reflect this investment. Your website |
| You maybe looking to reduce your sales resource | | | | represents your company! |
| and allow your prospects to purchase through an | | | | 8. Content. |
| online, automatic system? Are you hoping that your | | | | Ensure your content matches your business model |
| prospects will come to the site to see the breadth of | | | | and represents your aspirations as a company. |
| your skills? And how often do you expect prospects | | | | 9. Website accessibility. |
| customers to use it? Do you need to think about | | | | Making a website accessible involves considering the |
| sufficient infrastructure to support high demand, do | | | | needs of all the different users who may wish to use |
| you need to ensure your website content is updated | | | | your site, regardless of disabilities and of the |
| daily? | | | | differences between various Internet browsers. |
| 4. Site management. In-house or outsourced? | | | | 10. OK, you know what you need, but how do you |
| If your website requires frequent updates and you | | | | get it? |
| do not have the resource in-house, it might be worth | | | | Speak to an expert. Web developers are human, you |
| looking at investing in a system that enables you to | | | | will be able to tap into many years qualified |
| update information through an easy-to-use web | | | | experience, this will ensure that you get the most |
| interface (this is know as a content management | | | | out of the project. Considering things like search |
| system or CMS). This would allow members of your | | | | engine optimisation and how business in conducted in |
| organisation make basic changes to the site. Or you | | | | the online environment will give an insight that is more |
| could enter into an agreement with your web | | | | likely to result in a successful site. Additionally, |
| development company to pay a set fee for a web | | | | experience of making successful websites in such a |
| maintenance contract. You could of course do any | | | | competitive environment could make the difference |
| updates yourself, but if you need your website to be | | | | for your website. |