1.What should we look for in a Website Development firm?2.A lot of people have Web design skills now. Why shouldn’t we use a graduate who has these skills? 3.How long would it take to build a site?4.Once the site is up and running, what do I have to do to maintain it?What should we look for in a Website Development firm?One of the major frustrations for clients occurs when they receive wildly varying quotes for Web design projects. One of the best ways to avoid this, and ensure the work is completed to the highest standards, is to specify accurately all aspects of the work to be completed. The old cliché of comparing apples to apples rings true. Note down the exact specifications for the project, how many pages you require, how many forms, etc. Only by doing that will you ensure that everyone is quoting the same, and only then can you really see who is the best value - without compromising on quality. Having said that, we usually only establish the exact needs of our clients after a meeting (if local) and several discussions. It can be very difficult for people inexperienced with the Internet to know exactly what can be done to serve best your specific needs. Beyond this, you need to consider various other factors.These may include:•Experience of the team.•Expertise of the team.•Past projects completed.•Success of previous projects.•References and testimonials.•Equipment - does the designer have all the equipment necessary to complete all aspects of your project? This could include digital cameras, scanners and software.•Specialist skills (i.e. Search Engine placement skills, ‘Flash’ programming experience).As an example, our Web Team consists of a researcher, copy editor, Internet Marketer, Web designer, and Graphic Artist. A site completed by us is reviewed extensively by our experts for such critical issues as load time (how long does the site take to come up onto the screen?), browser compatibility (is the site displayed the same by a variety of different computers?), and navigational ease. Most of our sites are reviewed regularly by a focus group with various levels of Internet usage skills. With these extensive skills and review, sites completed are of the highest quality.A lot of people have Web design skills now. Why shouldn’t we use a graduate who has these skills?We do find that this is one of the most common scenarios we are presented with. Our answer is that design skills are only a very small part of Website development. It is no good having an attractive site if it does not attract visitors. The process we go through in designing a site is exhaustive. Firstly, there are a series of meetings with clients to establish exactly what they want and need the site to do. Once the objectives of the site are clearly fixed, we research the target market and assess their requirements for such a site. We then establish a focus group of the target market that assists in the development of the site. This group completes a series of surveys to identify issues such as load time, copy effectiveness, navigational ease, and the quality of product presentation and overall design success.In close consultation with our clients, we then move on to complete the look and ‘feel’ of the site. The wording of the site can be completed by an experienced copywriter or is submitted by the client. The copy is developed in association with the client to ensure that the site will place as high as possible in Search Engines and to ensure its relevancy. Privacy commitments are then included into the site (again, research shows that privacy is one of the biggest concerns for Internet users). The entire site is then reviewed and assessed by our team.Once the site passes a series of strict criteria (ranging from security issues to navigational issues to marketing issues) then the site is passed for hosting. Clients are involved in the development of the site as much as possible, to ensure it meets the objectives set earlier and is a site of the highest standard.How long would it take to build a site?Most sites would be completed within four to six weeks from the order being received, if not sooner. The time of completion depends on the time it takes to develop graphics, forms, interactivity, the number of consultation meetings, and the complexity you want in your website.Once the site is up and running, what do I have to do to maintain it?The site needs to be marketed and maintained on an ongoing basis. Fresh information also needs to be put into the site to keep it up to date and interesting. Our sales representative will be happy to provide you with our web maintenance costs and services.FREQUENTLY ASKED WEB DESIGN QUESTIONS
1.
What should we look for in a Website Development firm?
2.
A lot of people have Web design skills now. Why shouldn’t we use a graduate who has these skills?
3.
How long would it take to build a site?
4.
Once the site is up and running, what do I have to do to maintain it?
What should we look for in a Website Development firm?
One of the major frustrations for clients occurs when they receive wildly varying quotes for Web design projects.
One of the best ways to avoid this, and ensure the work is completed to the highest standards, is to specify
accurately all aspects of the work to be completed. The old cliché of comparing apples to apples rings true. Note
down the exact specifications for the project, how many pages you require, how many forms, etc. Only by doing
that will you ensure that everyone is quoting the same, and only then can you really see who is the best value -
without compromising on quality.
Having said that, we usually only establish the exact needs of our clients after a meeting (if local) and several
discussions. It can be very difficult for people inexperienced with the Internet to know exactly what can be done to
serve best your specific needs. Beyond this, you need to consider various other factors.
These may include:
•
Experience of the team.
•
Expertise of the team.
•
Past projects completed.
•
Success of previous projects.
•
References and testimonials.
•
Equipment - does the designer have all the equipment necessary to complete all aspects of your project?
This could include digital cameras, scanners and software.
•
Specialist skills (i.e. Search Engine placement skills, ‘Flash’ programming experience).
As an example, our Web Team consists of a researcher, copy editor, Internet Marketer, Web designer, and Graphic
Artist. A site completed by us is reviewed extensively by our experts for such critical issues as load time (how long
does the site take to come up onto the screen?), browser compatibility (is the site displayed the same by a variety
of different computers?), and navigational ease. Most of our sites are reviewed regularly by a focus group with
various levels of Internet usage skills. With these extensive skills and review, sites completed are of the highest
quality.
A lot of people have Web design skills now. Why shouldn’t we use a graduate who
has these skills?
We do find that this is one of the most common scenarios we are presented with. Our answer is that design skills
are only a very small part of Website development. It is no good having an attractive site if it does not attract
visitors. The process we go through in designing a site is exhaustive. Firstly, there are a series of meetings with
clients to establish exactly what they want and need the site to do. Once the objectives of the site are clearly fixed,
we research the target market and assess their requirements for such a site. We then establish a focus group of
the target market that assists in the development of the site. This group completes a series of surveys to identify
issues such as load time, copy effectiveness, navigational ease, and the quality of product presentation and overall
design success.
In close consultation with our clients, we then move on to complete the look and ‘feel’ of the site. The wording of
the site can be completed by an experienced copywriter or is submitted by the client. The copy is developed in
association with the client to ensure that the site will place as high as possible in Search Engines and to ensure its
relevancy. Privacy commitments are then included into the site (again, research shows that privacy is one of the
biggest concerns for Internet users). The entire site is then reviewed and assessed by our team.
Once the site passes a series of strict criteria (ranging from security issues to navigational issues to marketing
issues) then the site is passed for hosting. Clients are involved in the development of the site as much as possible,
to ensure it meets the objectives set earlier and is a site of the highest standard.
How long would it take to build a site?
Most sites would be completed within four to six weeks from the order being received, if not sooner. The time of
completion depends on the time it takes to develop graphics, forms, interactivity, the number of consultation
meetings, and the complexity you want in your website.
Once the site is up and running, what do I have to do to maintain it?
The site needs to be marketed and maintained on an ongoing basis. Fresh information also needs to be put into the
site to keep it up to date and interesting. Our sales representative will be happy to provide you with our web
maintenance costs and services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED WEB DESIGN QUESTIONS
