Visit my web design services at http://www.jesseyoung.com
Contrary to what we see on TV and the movies, a web site doesn’t just get created one day and generate tons of traffic and business the next. A successful web site needs to be well planned, well designed, and properly coded. Thought needs to be put into usability issues, search engine goals, and a host of other topics.
In my previous blog post about working with a web designer I discussed the issues that arise when clients try to micromanage the work that their web designer is doing when creating the site. But there’s also the possibility of the opposite problem occurring – the client not participating at all and hoping it all comes together without their input.
A few times over the past ten years of being a web designer in Seattle I’ve encountered situations where the client didn’t understand that their participation was vital to the successful creation of their web site. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on their part, but some people have assumed that they just pay some money to a web designer and then the web site magically appears without their participation. No input on design. No written content provided. Nothing.
Theoretically, I can design the way a web site looks without input from the client. In most cases, though, this is not a wise approach, since the vision I have may not match up with what the client is after. A lot of time and money gets wasted this way. So I need at least some kind of starting point, such as seeing examples of other web sites that the client may like.
It’s essential, however, that the client be involved in formulating what they want to say on their web site. This type of information isn’t something I can just pull out of the air. If I’m hired to design a web site for a Seattle law firm, for instance, I need some kind of content to put in the site. What is their specialty? Are they criminal defense lawyers, or do they concentrate on real estate law? Do they only practice law in Seattle, or are they nationwide? What’s special about their law firm? What’s the firm history? Who are the partners?
Someone has to prepare and write this content. And since my specialty is web design and search engine optimization (SEO), I’m not the person to do this. Therefore, this information needs to be created in-house, or perhaps by a professional web site writer who also has knowledge of SEO.
So there are a number of issues that need to be discussed, planned, and thought through to create a professional web site. Yes, it is possible to go for one of those quickie “Click here to create your web site for only $29.95 a year! ” deals. But think about it. Do you honestly believe that the slick, well-written and well-designed web sites of your competitors were created that easily?
Visit my web design services at http://www.jesseyoung.com
Tags: How to build a web site for your small business, The process of designing a website
