How to Start:
Look Around
Check out the websites of others, to see what
you like, and to get ideas
for your own website. Read up on What
makes a Good Website, and Why.
Choose you Domain Name
What kind of a name would you like for your
website? What makes a good Domain
Name?
Do you want your own private domain name? Ours
is www.westpage.com.
Yours could be www.yourname.com
.
We can research available names for you at any
time. Just call and we'll look them up online for you while we
talk.
Should you already have one, we will get it
transferred for you (if possible), or show you how to do so
yourself.
Gather Your Material
(Suggestion: print out this list and just
walk around your office with a big manila envelope, throwing in
whatever looks interesting...we'll send it back as soon as we're
done)
Want to know What we'll
ask you? See our questionnaire
1. Collect materials that would be useful in
designing the site: Photos,
brochures, letterhead, copies of ads,
2. Up-to-date info on
addresses, phone numbers, major brand names, services, products, hours, credit
cards, financing, email address, etc.
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Number the products and services in order of importance to
you.
5. Do you know the website addresses of your suppliers? Much
useful info, accurate descriptions and excellent photos can be
acquired directly from your suppliers website.
6. Do you have a current email address?
7. References or links.
-Any suppliers with websites you'd like
to link to?
-Any references? Photos of work,
quotes, phone numbers, contact name...
8. Any articles, fliers or useful info about your line of work
that would be informative to those of us who have no knowledge
of your area of expertise.
9. Any websites you've run across that you really like?
10.What is it about them that you like?
How Much Do You Want to
be Involved?
Do you want to participate in the
design, pick the pages, and write text, or
would you rather have us create a site for you, and just have
you review the content and tweak it a bit?
What can you afford?
If it doesn't fit in your budget,
don't do it. A minimal Web presence may
be all you need. Find a happy medium, and
we'll go from there. You can always add more later, as you
need it. Most businesses begin with the basic starter
site, and then add on as they learn what the site can do for
them.
Choose the pages you
want.
Most businesses find a need for:
*Home Page-
Tells a
bit about your company and what you do and have to offer. It
should attract
attention to your strongest points, and lead customers on to the
next pages.
*Products Page-
Goes
into more detail on brands, types of products and services.
This is a good
place for photos of your work, or before and after photos.
If you are a
professional (eg attorney, doctor) this page is usually used for
your Background,
qualifications, explanation of your specialties., etc.
*Services Page-
Describes services, qualifications, or perhaps references.
*Location-
Maps,
directions, hours, credit cards accepted, financing available,
etc.
*Info Request Form-An
online form customers can fill out to request more info on specific
products or services. Results of the request go to your email
box. You also develop a list
of prospective clients, and you know their needs. Excellent for
direct mail,
notification of sales, newsletters, etc.
A typical site with the above 5 pages would run $350
(one time design/programming fee and cost of domain name)
Plus $25.00 per month hosting (keeping it up on the server)
This is a good start, and gives a well-rounded site for
submission to search engines.
Fill out the
authorization form.
Use the Website
Authorization form to submit online, or print it out
and fax over
Fill in your info, include your
collected artwork and brochures, and send it to us. We will take care of the rest. When we have created your
site, we will send you a printed copy to edit. You will also be able to
review it online. |