5 “To Do” tasks BEFORE you contact a Web Designer

In this day and time, having a website is a necessity and not a luxury. If you have a business, offer a product or service, oversee a not-for-profit or run a ministry, it is incredibly important to have a website that acts as a communication tool and as a marketing tool.

BEFORE you contact a web designer, let me offer 5 “To Do” tasks to help get your ducks in a row!

1) Determine what you offer and be able to articulate that information.

For example:

Gather your list of services
Gather a list of your products & their descriptions
Document the Community/Social Programs you offer
What are your Worship service schedules, children’s programs and outreach activities

2) Determine what you want a site visitor to be able to “do” while on your new website.

For example:

Should they be able to contact you by phone, email or a contact form?
Should they be able to get directions to your location?
Should they be able to join your email list?
Should they be able to leave comments on the site or blog?
Should they be able to see pictures of your products or location?
Should they be able to view videos of you in action?
Should they be able to purchase products online?
Should they be able to download documents?

This information will help the web designer determine the proper features to add to your website!

3) Determine your preferred color scheme.

For example:

Do you already have a logo? What colors are in the logo?
Do you have product packaging? If so, what colors were used?
Do you already have business cards and or letter head? If so, what colors were used?
What are your favorite colors?
What are colors you hate?

This information will give the web designer a starting point and help reduce re-work. The web designer will offer suggested design colors as well.

4) Review other websites in your genre.

For example:

If you are an author, look at other websites by well known authors and self published authors. This will give you an idea of what readers expect to find on YOUR website. Do they offer a free excerpt? Did they list the date & location of the next book signing?
If you are an artist, look at other websites by artists. Did they have a sample song on the website? Did the artist post YouTube videos? Could you find out how to purchase their music?
If you are a ministry, look at other ministry websites. Did they offer anything special for visitors? Was it easy to locate service times? Could you donate online? How did they communicate special events?

Select at least 3 websites you like and share that information with your web designer. This will also give you an idea of different page layouts and how information can be displayed.

5) Pictures, Pictures & Pictures.

In many cases, the web design client will need to provide some pictures. Often times, great design work starts with great pictures!

For example:

This could be a picture of you for the “About Me” page. If you don’t have a professional picture, YOU MUST have professional pictures taken!
This could be pictures of your products including all color variations available. You may have access to this from your product distributor, if not YOU MUST have professional pictures taken!
This could be pictures of your store or location. This is extremely important to build your brand & recognition.
This could be book covers, CD covers, Logos and etc. *Some web designers may offer graphic design services for additional fees…

In a nutshell…

By gathering this information prior to contacting a web designer, you will be a better informed consumer. This activity will help identify how big or how small your site could be which is a direct connection to the amount you will pay for your web design. You will be ready to jump start your web design process!