A professional web designer can offer insight and expertise that you might miss out on if you try to build a website yourself. Many people approach web designers with one thing in mind: “I want a website.” Expect your request to be answered with a list of questions, because the first step to website design is the planning phase that will help you and your designer find common ground and develop a plan for your site. There are plenty of things you can research and consider before contacting a web designer that will save time and help to give the designer a clear idea of your vision.
Take a step back and consider your needs and goals for your website before you approach a web designer to save some time. What will the purpose of your site be? Do you want a simple informative site that highlights your company’s services and achievements, or do you need to showcase your menu or products to potential customers? Does your business have a color scheme you’d like reflected on your site, or do you have other ideas? Are there any existing websites that have a design you think could work for you? Is there a service you can offer online that will free up your staff from repetitive tasks – like giving directions over the phone or having forms that your customers can easily access and fill out.
Gather your ideas and inspirations to show the designer during the consultation to give them an idea of what you’re looking for. Write down your goals for the purpose of your site, and make a list of any links that you may want to use as inspiration for the design. The designer can then take your ideas and work with you to come up with the perfect vision for your new site.
Here are a few other things you can expect to be asked:
- Do you need content written for your web pages? Most website design companies have writers on staff to make sure your content achieves it’s purpose. You should also consider adding video to your pages.
- Does your site need extra content such as newsletters and blog posts? Your web designer should be able to offer these services.
- Is your business connected to any social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? Be sure to mention these so that they can be linked from your website.
- Think about who will be visiting your website. Do your customers or clients tend to be wealthy, or are they looking for the best deal? Are they men or women, young or old? What are they going to be looking for when they consider your business? Website content can be molded depending on these factors to maximize traffic to your pages and increase your business.
A good website designer will work with you to create the site you want for your business, while also offering their own experience and expertise to ensure that your website will attract and retain visitors. Approaching a web designer with the right research will save you time and help the designer understand your goals and needs for the perfect website for your company.
Design Interventions prides itself in asking the right questions to make sure they create the perfect website for our clients and fosters long term relationships that help businesses grow and thrive online. Contact us today and get started toward becoming one of our success stories.
