How Do I Get Started With A New Website?

Creating a new website for your business can seem like a daunting task. Without proper consideration, your fears could be well justified. Diving in head first will almost always yield little progress while draining your budget considerably. However, there are steps you can take to better ready yourself and set yourself up for success.

Every good website is the solution to one or more problems. These problems may be simplistic, such as how to locate or contact your business; or more complex, such as how to generate sales outside of your geographical region. Websites that solve problems are good for business. Some websites focus on marketing and public relations to help solve the problems of obtaining and retaining customers. A good website solves problems.

“Measure twice and cut once”, an old adage, something my father would say over his shoulder, keeping a watchful eye on his son cutting down paper. He owned and operated a mid-size commercial print shop and I would spend almost every summer there learning about his trade. Great advice, ironically it applies in the digital world as well.

Just like any important task in business, treat this one as if you were going to battle. Preperation is crucial to success. The first thing I recommend is a review of your competition. What are they doing that works? What could they improve on? Analyze their strengths and weaknesses and see where you stand. This will help manage your expectations while you determine what and how your website will solve problems for your visitors.

Determine the problems and then decide how you want to solve them. This is a great time to consult with developers, designers and other UI/UX (user-interface, user-experience) professionals. Depending on your budget you may wish to retain the services of one or more professionals capable of handling these roles.

Locating the right person for the job is a difficult but rewarding task. Examine their work, ask them questions, and search for third party critques or reviews from previous customers. Yelp is a great place to find genuine reviews about a business.

Armed with equal parts, coffee, due dillegence, and determination you are now ready to select the right web design firm for you. Of course, we are always here to help and just a phone call or email away. Check us out at rowdy design.