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Creating a Website: Your Questions Answered
by Michael Cheney
People are always asking me different questions about how to create a website.
So here's a collection of some of those questions and the answers to them.
How do I choose a web developer?
This is one of the most common questions and it's a very difficult decision
that people face with so many web developers and web designers in the arena.
One of the first things you need to do when choosing a web designer is to look
at their website. If their website doesn't appear professional or you don't
actually like the look and feel of the site, then already you can come to an
easy decision.
Another thing you can do when choosing web designers is to actually look at
their client list. Go off and visit the websites that they've designed for other
people. You can also take it a step further and actually contact their clients.
Ask their clients how they found this web designer. Has the developer been easy
to work with? Have they tackled difficult design issues simply and efficiently?
These are just some ideas that you can use to try and make a great decision
when choosing your web developer.
You really need to make sure that they've got full-key skill sets. One,
they have business acumen. That is, they understand the main elements
of business. They are able to convey your message accurately on your website.
The second is that they have technical ability. This means
they are able to actually do the nuts and bolts of building a website. They
can create a website that is technically sound, structurally sound. If you think
of a website like a building, having technical ability means that the foundations
and the internal structure are all safe. You can have a house that looks great
from the outside, but can be structurally unsound. So you need a web designer
with technical ability.
The third skill they also need is graphic design. There's
no point having a website that is technically sound but has been developed by
a designer with very low graphic design ability. Sometimes people that start
off in their bedroom, or are just one-man bands, don't always have graphic design
skill and you need this if you're going to have a website that looks professional.
The fourth skill they need is online marketing expertise.
You can have a website that is structurally sound, matches your business and
is designed visually very well, but if it's not marketed on the internet and
in search engines people will never find it. So think of those four skills when
you're looking to choose a web developer.
Another common question that people ask me is: What should I put on my homepage?
On your homepage you should have benefits; lots and lots of benefits to buying
your products or service. You should also try and include testimonials. Maybe
a link to case studies, any media coverage that you've had, and to the pages
on your site that you think are most important. Include contact details, and
if relevant, always offer an option for people to join your mailing list for
you to send them further information and add them to your database.
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