In the previous article we discussed the risks associated with having a website. We understand that a website might not be for every business or organization. We understand that there is more to having a website than simply "developing" a website. This article will explain the process of how Williams Web Solutions successfully creates your website. Below is very candid and straight-forward information. Take it on a positive note.

Step 1
Know your needs. Before meeting with a website developer, it is important that you have done some initial ground work for your website. Not only should you do everything mentioned in the previous post, but there are some things that need to be done in this step. Have questions prepared to ask the developer. The questions can range from experience with your industry to perhaps methods they will implement in development to what your questions or concerns will be concerning your success with having a website. A company similar to Williams Web Solutions realizes that there is never a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to website development. A developer should also never give you an immediate blanket price unless they have served your particular market before. Just like every client is different (regardless of product or service similarities), every website is different. It is important to have a realistic budget. If someone promises "the moon" to you for a very low price, steer clear. This person/company is not a professional one. Just like a mechanic, A/C technician, and dentists charge for their services at a price level because of their experience and training, that should be the same mindset with a website developer. Avoid developers who are into Flash, sounds, and gaughty stuff with their previous works. Avoid developers who do not have a porfolio. A professional will proudly display their works to prove their worth.

Step 2
Meet with the developer. If possible, face to face is best with website development. So arrange a meeting with the developer before a price is ever discussed concerning a website. If a developer determines a price before ever meeting them or has a fixed price based on a number of pages--unless they have worked in your market before numerous times--avoid them. Chances are they use templates to develop their website and so your site will look no different and not unique to your business needs. I remember seeing two different companies--restaurants--located in Tucson, Arizona. Two different styles: one was Mexican, one was Chinese. Ironically and sadly, they had the EXACT same design except the name of the restaurant and menu. A true website developer should serve as a business consultant first before a website developer. They should have your best interest in mind before committing prices and delivery dates. If it takes a day to a few days before a proposal with a price is given, it (hopefully) means the developer has researched what it will take to develop the website. Take the price into consideration when you look at the proposal. If your proposal is written on a cocktail napkin, run. If they provide you a proposal that explains exactly what they will do, hire them. A developer should be open to answer any questions you may have. If they do not know the answer, they should be willing to find the answer for you. They should also educate you on the full range of costs--domain registration, hosting, development--as well as initial ideas for marketing your website/business. If they do not discuss this, find out why. Often times developers do exactly that, develop your website and you are on your own.
This is also the time to reflect on your domain name (www.whatever.com) and what else you may need for your website--hosting, SSL, e-mail accounts, etc. It is good to hit the ground running correctly rather than jumping in and not knowing what is going to happen. What we also do for a new business or organization is we will provide you a bullet list of things to do--such as acquire a DBA, tax permits, etc.--and provide you with name(s) of people and/or businesses who can help you. If you have been estabished for a while, this extra step is taken as a given.

Step 3
Research. Your developer--unless he knows your industry well and even then should take time to research what your competitors are doing and not doing--should research your industry. Be willing to accept cutting edge ideas to a certain degree but also realize you will not get 1,000,000 visitors the first day your site goes live. A wise development company will take the time to help you understand what it will take to develop your site--color, size, layout, amount of text content, appropriate use for graphics, flash, etc.

Step 4
Proposal. The development company should present you a proposal within a reasonable amount of time. If it takes weeks to get back to you, you are not being considered important or ignored. If the development company pressures on agreement to a price without providing an official agreement, they are using "used car salesman tactics" and you should be wary (by the way, I use to sell cars so I don't want to hear criticism to my comment). Again, the development company should be willing to answer any questions you have. If a development company is firm on their price, what they are offering will be a great website, and they understand your needs, then hire them. If they adjust the price to where you are satisfied, you will NOT be satisfied with the final outcome.

Step 5
Development. Depending on the requirements for the website, a website should take no more than a month to develop. If it will take 3 months before development can begin and then it will be two months before you see something, find someone else. But also be realistic. If a development company has 100% time to devote to your project, chances are they have no other work at all. A professioanl will devote adequate time and attention, but not uninterrupted time. You are not their only client--hopefully. The development company should provide you status checks and allow you to see a level of progress around the halfway point and thereafter. If the development does not offer this courtesy, they will take your money and run and you're stuck. We provide our clients around the halfway point to provide feedback--design, available white space for your text content to site, etc. If they totally miss the mark, communicate your desires. Be, though, understanding if what you are now asking for is beyond the scope of the proposal you received and be ready for a price increase. Websites can be adjusted (to a point), but if you are changing your "mind" with the design at the completion of every redesign, then the fault lies with you and not the developer. Development should immediately cease, a new proposal needs to be issued, and be ready to compensate the developer. A great example is if you contact Ford, GM, or Chrysler to have them custom-build you a car and then a few days before you get it, you decide to change the color of the interior and exterior and the material, it may be too late. If they are willing to change, be ready to pay. If you are firm that the development company should change on your every whim, don't be surprised if they quit on your project.

Step 6

Going live! Going live with a website is what Williams Web Solutions terms as your site is ready for public debut. Although minor tweaks may be made after the launch, this is a VERY exciting time.

But now that it is live, how do you get traffic to it? That is what we will discuss in the next and final article.