Website Novice

sane01

??? My husband has an established business which probably could benefit from a website.

However there are several problems with this being I know how to surf the web but really do not have a clue about websites, how you go about getting a website, how to design a website, if there are any ongoing maintenance with them.

If someone could help me I would be very grateful.

Thanks

reedi

Hi there,

As a freelance designer myself, I'd like to offer some advice. When it comes to websites, there are many ways to get your presence know on the information superhighway.
Firstly, for internet newbies, there a are a few software packages out there that basically let you build a site yourself in the simplest form....if you can work word processing software, you should be able to work this software....it's known as WYSIWYG (whizz-e-wig) What You See Is What You Get.....which basically means it's drag and drop.....you type text there in that position, you'll get text in that position on screen.
The down side of this approach though is because it's aimed at the learners, it's very basic, and it could mean you site isnt set up properly for all to view or something wont work on some peoples computers etc, which could mean loss of potential customers.

Personally as its for a business and the fact there is more to website design than just putting up some nice looking pages, I recommend you make enquiries at some design studios. They'll ask you exactly what you are after, about the business etc, your budget etc, and they'll offer advise on a plan of action for your site aswell as a cost. Bare in mind though that going through a design studio could be more expensive, because as opposed to freelance designers (who are self-employed designers), the studios have bigger overheads to cover.

The other alternative as I said is the 'finding a freelance designer' route. Their rates tend to be cheaper as they are mostly a one-man/women band therefore they have less overheads to cover such as employees, insurance etc.
The key is to find a reputable one. You can try searching through online directories like http://www.freelancedirectory.org or if you buy an issue of Creative Review from WH Smiths, you'll find some listed, plus other online freelance directories.
Most should have websites displaying their portfolios/skills, so take you time a look through them. The last thing you want is a cowboy freelancer who'll do a half decent job, bombard you with technical talk you dont understand and hit you with a huge bill.....and then you find out your site cant be viewed by people using certain web browsers or the contact button doesnt work.

Ideally word of mouth is best.....if you can get some recommendations for either freelancers or studios from fellow business owners or friends.....go with them. A good freelancer will advise on only what's best for your business and the target audience you want to target. If they try and push you to have or say you need to have over-the-top fancy web graphics, animations, sound etc etc, i'd say they're just being greedy. Potential visitors will only be put off if they have to wait ages for a pointless animation to load, therefore they'll leave before they even got into the site.

So rather than waffle on here...let me sumerise and hopefully Ive made you a little wiser:
1. Enquire and get quotes from several design studios/freelancers and compare. Preferably if possible visit them and get a feel for their personality and attitude. (It's easier to work with a friendly face!)
2. Look through their portfolios to see previous work standards
3. Good designers will ask about your business, your goals, your requirements, your target market and suggest ways to create a site that best fits your needs/budget without going OTT!
4. Dont let them bombard you with web jargon and technical talk you dont understand.
5. Dont neccessarily go for the cheapest quote....cheap could mean cheap and nasty and a half done job.

Hope that helps (sorry I waffled on a bit there!)......if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask and Ill do my best to answer.

Andy

tr3mor

hey! my girlfriend is a designer.. she has a post in the referers board..

bridiej

Have a look at http://order.1and1.co.uk/xml/order;jsessionid=4EF4D34CA5DC4D7A92BD20CC03069ABF.TC33a

You order the domain name and a hosting package from them and the do a programme that allows you to build the website up over the internet.

It's dead easy - my website was done on there if you want to have a look - https://www.bridiestyping.co.uk

Good luck! ;D

Robert_Sterling_3

I was visitor 483.

I liked what I saw.

It does the job.

Regards

RS

bridiej

Thanks Robert!!!

It has been a good website and helped my generate lots of customers so well worth the few quid it costs.....

;D