Tips for Planning Your New Web Site

When it comes to choosing a Web designer, it's not always easy to find someone who's available, affordable, and accessible. If you want to be sure you'll be happy with your new site, you'll need to provide a clear vision for the new look and flow. Preparation is the key. It's the most important part of the process. And, it will save you lots of money. Here are some great tips on how to prepare your materials for your new Web site to help speed up the process and make sure you get what you want.

1) Visit Web sites for companies that are doing what you do, and doing it effectively
Notice how they have laid out their content, and form a clear vision for your site. The most effective Web sites are simple, sparse and easy to navigate. Pictures say more than words, so I recommend using high-quality photos and logos of the people, companies and organizations with whom you work and have worked. This also goes a long way to communicate your presence in your industry.

2) Gather and organize your content into 4 to 5 pages
Think about the product(s) and/or service(s) you provide. Gather the content, look everything over carefully, and then create an outline with headings, sub-headings and descriptions. The first page will be your Home page, and the last, your Contact page. On the Home page, provide your most current and impressive news as well as a brief overview of the product(s) and/or service(s) you offer divided into separate paragraphs with bold headings, short descriptions and links to more in-depth explanations. These links will take them to the other 2 to 3 pages. I recommend using a single banner at the top of each page that represents you well. Decide whether you'd like to use the same banner you have now, modify it or create a new one all together.

3) Write out a clear explanation of the Flash animation you'd like for your splash / introduction page
Flash is a whole other career for those who do it well. For the time-being, I choose to out-sourcing this service so please make sure you are as clear and detailed as possible with your explanation of the animation you'd like. I don't want to discourage splash / introduction pages, but I can tell you that the majority of busy people I know prefer to get right to the content, and just look for the "skip intro" link. I admit, that includes me. So, keep this in mind when you consider who you'll be sending to this site.

Of course, I am happy to help you with any of these steps. Just remember that time is money. So, the more prepared you are, the lower your cost will be.

Have fun!