Preparing for a web site.

Many of small companies do not have a web site because they don't know how to go about getting a designer and what it is involved. Many are too afraid or don't really have the time to meet with designers. Here are a couple of tips that will help you understand the steps that are involved in submitting content to a designer.

What is involved in running a website?

1. You must rent a domain (yearly, Monthly) example; www.yourwebsitename.com. A domain acts like an address, it tells people where you home website is located.

2. You need to rent space from a Hosting company. A hosting is where you actual files and images will be stored.

Note, the Domain name points to the hosting company through the servers names (from the hosting company. example; srv.server1.nst). These two things are a must in order for your website to work propely. Domain names run from $30-$150 depending how long you want to rent it out for 1yr-10yrs. Hosting will run around $9.95 per month. Emails can be creating through the hosting control panel once you purchase a sevice 5-40 e-mails depends on the service option you get. these are the emails that have your domain extension for example; ernie@yoursitename.com

Ok, now that you know the 2 things that are a must you need to find some one that knows how to write HTML codes or know how to design website through special software. Once you find your designer you are now ready to submit your content to him.

What should i submit for my website?

The best thing to do first is to estblish an outline/tree of your entire company incuding services, deaparts and so on. An outline will be the map and will guide the desiner and will clearly show him what you want on your website. Files on the hosting company are saved in folders and directories that ultimately act as a giant outline/tree for the browser to display.

What should my website include?

Here's the basic pages that all website include the more content you provide the better the reader will informed.

1. Home Page
a. News
b. Specials
c. Introduction
2. Services/Products
a. Detailed desciption per product
b. Prices
c. Images
3. About Us
a. Full description about your company
4. Contact
a. Phone numbers
b. Emails

I have my outline now what?

Now, you are ready to describe each page more in detail. Take "About Us" page for example, you might want to create a word file with all the text that you would like the designer to include for that perticular page. You may also include images/graphics.

Once you're done will all the content and have collected all the image you would ilke to use for your website (Office, building or employee images) along with your logo you are ready to meet with the design one last time and discuss pricing.

I found a designer, How will he know how to design the site?

A good idea would be to meet with the designer and brief him on the type of business you are running and the clients you deal with. Also if you want to emphise things like our comapny is Fun or serious, do you have a theme for your business? Do you have perticular color you always use? Do you have a logo already created? Do you have a mascot?

This will help the designer generate concepts and ideas of how to present content to your clients (your website).

Ok. My site is done how do i promote it?
Stay tune for marketing your website.