Web Design - Your New Website

Author: Lisa

If you are looking to get a foot on the Internet ladder then having your own web site is the best way forward, however for some it can initially be a bit daunting and you may have numerous questions. Therefore I hope you will find the information below to be useful.

The hints and tips below are based on your hiring a web designer to design your new site.

The Designer: Obviously you can search the Internet to find a web designer, however it is also well worth asking friends, family and work colleagues if they have any recommendations, if they do not they may know of someone who has had a web site professionally designed. Once you have found a designer whose work appeals to you, the next step is to see how approachable and friendly they are (this is an important factor for most people), remember that you need to be able to work "together" as a team, therefore if you find the designer difficult to talk to, this could make it hard work. Of course everyone is different and some people are more chatty than others, so you will need to go with your own instincts on this, however if you find the designer sounds passionate about your project, and the prospect of working with you, then that is a step in the right direction. I used the word "passion" above, because for some designer it is more than just a job, it truly is their passion.

Your Project: You may not know at this stage exactly what you require (i.e. number of pages, features and facilities), do not worry it is normal, however do try to give the designer as much information as you possibly can, to enable them to at least provide you with an initial quote,

Pricing & Contract: Bare in mind that unless you initially go to the designer with an exact brief of your requirements, it is impossible for them to provide you with an exact quote, the initial quote is normally intended as a guide only, the designer will then quote you for any additional work required at a later stage. Also expect to be asked to sign a contract and pay a deposit up front, as this tends to be standard practice with most professional designers. A contract is there not only to protect the designer but also the client, so do not be put off by this at all, if anything if you are not presented with a contract, it's maybe worth asking why? Also it is never wise to choose a designer based solely on how "cheap" they are, going for the cheapest option can quickly turn out to be very expensive, especially if you are unhappy with the end result and therefore need to employ another designer. The main factors should be the quality of their work and their service.

Your Ideas: If you know exactly how you want your site to look and function, then great, however just remember that a professional designer may potentially see some flaws in your initially ideas i.e. certain aspects may not be user or search engine friendly, therefore always be willing to at least listen to their advise, at the end of the day you are paying them to provide you with the best service possible. If after listening to them you decide that you want to stick to your original plan, of course that will be fine, at the end of the day it is your web site and your money, but at least the designer has the peace of mind knowing that they advised you of any potential problems.

Hosting & Domain Name: Additional to the design of your web site, you will also need to purchase a domain name (if you have not done so already) and set up web hosting, some designers will offer the full package, meaning that they also provide domain name registration and web hosting, so it is worth checking up front. If the designer does not provide these additional services, they will normally be able to point you in the right direction. Regarding domain names, once you have decided on a domain and checked that it is still available it is best to register it as soon as possible, domains can be available one day and gone the next.

Summary: If you want the experience of gaining your first web site to be a pleasant one then taking your time and finding the right web designer is key, keep in mind not all web designers are "professional"