If you’ve decided to start your website, that’s great! There are many things to consider before the first page is live. Here is a list of things that you’ll want to think about before you begin.

What is my target market?

Are you hoping to get business nationwide or locally? Are you targeting businesses, homeowners or parents? This will help your designer to decide what the look and feel of the site should be.

What type of layout should my site have?

This would be a good time to start looking on the web. Find sites that you like and sites that you don’t. Make a list of what you like so you can help your designer envision what you would like your site to look like.

What do I want my site to be able to do?

You can take a look at HTML vs. CMS. Do you want more interactivity? Do you want to be able to sell goods online? Do you want a portfolio to showcase your work?

What is my budget?

You might have grand plans for your site, but maybe your budget will only allow you to do some of what you want now and add to it later. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your designer. He/she may have different alternatives that would be less expensive.

Do I have all of my information ready?

Chances are that you haven’t thought that much about what type of information you will want to include on your website. Now is a good time to get all of that information together. You should also try to compile images you would like to use. Having everything ready will help your designer finish your site sooner. Having any copy typed into a program such as Word and proofread would also help. Images should be in digital format and saved as .JPG. You should always check with your designer for specifications.

How many pages should my site have?

This would be a good time to try to categorize all of your information and decide what your category names will be. This may also affect your budget. Combining categories could save you money.

Do I want to make changes to copy and images myself?

If your answer is yes, you will want a Content Management System. You should have a good understanding of computers and where files are stored on your computer. If you aren’t very computer literate, I would strongly advise that you leave it to the pros!

How often should my site be updated?

Do you want information updated every couple of months? Do you need it updated monthly? If you would like periodic updates, you can view my rates. I also offer service contracts upon request for more frequent updates.

There are many things to take into consideration when you are planning your website. It's important to do a little research before you start. Be sure to talk to your designer to come up with ways to help you stay within your budget while accomplishing your goals.