Avoid getting stuck in the mud with your website build – Apply these principles for a seamless project.
Choosing the right group to handle your website build is a tough job. Many decision makers lack digital & web marketing knowledge, so when choosing a web partner, you are choosing someone you believe can navigate through those confusing lines of code, web servers, and three-letter file extensions. Most decision makers center attention on portfolio and price. Both are important factors in choosing the right web partner but have you considered if they possess a clearly designed workflow?Ask these questions:
1 – Ask yourself if you have an idea of what your website purpose will be and if you have clear expectations for it?
Ask these questions in your initial screening when choosing a partner:
2 – Ask them to map out the entire build process to you (including estimated timelines, project milestones, and an estimated completion date). This should be comprehensive and give you a clear understanding of how everything will come together.
This is a template of what a website project should address – make sure your partner is communicating with you about these topics.
Site Map: this is a basic list of pages – it can be as simple as a napkin sketch or as complicated as you are willing to make it
- Who will produce this?
- When is it due?
Written Content: In most cases, written content is the most important element of your site. We recommend this be firmed up before beginning the design process
- Who will produce this content?
- When is it due?
Imagery: Depending on the project, this could be custom, existing, or stock photography. Photography takes time and energy. It is important to define roles and responsibilities around your project needs.
- Who will produce this content?
- When is it due?
Design Direction: A good artist should be able to listen to your input and clearly communicate what they will produce. Commercial design is refined art and designers should be able to cooperate fluidly within a corporate environment.
- Has this been clearly communicated?
- Do you understand the design process?
- How will revisions be addressed?
Development: Though much of web development is very mysterious, a good project manager will be able to translate this process into simple terms.
- How will it appear on mobile devices?
- How will it appear on different browsers?
- Are there any special features/applications/
functions? - Who is in charge of hosting?
