Need a website but don't know where to start?

Your very first step should be to decide why you want a website. What do you hope to achieve and how are you going to ensure you meet these goals?

The old "Build it and they will come" myth is still alive and well in many businesses, as is "Keeping up with the Jones"! Simply building a website because your competitors have one or asking your assistant to scan in your printed brochure is no where near good enough for developing a successful online presence that brings you continuous new business.

Developing an effective website requires thoughtful planning. Understanding the entire process before you begin will save you time and money as the project progresses. Whether you are thinking of just a few pages or a very complex online ordering system, the process is similar and careful planning is required.

There are six basic stages: planning, content development, graphic design, programming, marketing and promotion, and maintenance. Depending on your skills and experience, you may need assistance on some or all phases of your project. Compare it to extending your home: first, develop a plan, perhaps with the help of an architect; then hire individual contractors for the various tasks, or perhaps hire a builder to co-ordinate the whole project.

Planning

• Determine who the audience is for your site
• Take a close look at websites you like
• Carefully plan how the site will be organised so that it is easy for visitors to navigate and easier for you to maintain.
• Set goals and know what you want to achieve by having a website
• Set a budget
• Choose and register a domain name
• Choose a web hosting company
  (rented space on the internet where your website is stored so that the public have 24x7 access to it)

Remember that a website is a constant work-in-progress. Most websites change fairly often because the technology makes electronic publishing fast and relatively inexpensive. A well planned site simplifies this process. New content and features can be easily added without having to redesign the site.

Content Development

The content for your website will probably be a combination of information you currently have and some new information you will have to create. Keep in mind that reading off the screen is not the same as reading off a printed brochure so short concise information is best, rather than wordy explanations. This may be a time when you want to hire a creative writer, editor, web-savvy public relations pro or a one-stop shop web development company to help you put your most important company and product information into writing in the best form for the world wide web.

Graphic Design

Regardless of how well-written and interesting your content is, the graphics and layout of the pages set the tone. Your online image is as important as your printed brochures, stationary and/or shop front. To create a good impression, include some well designed graphics, be careful of the fonts and colours chosen for the screen, and ensure that pages include lots of white space and aren't too cluttered. A good designer can be of enormous help.

Whoever is handling the design and layout needs to understand the technical limitations of the web, such as file formats, file size requirements, color limitations, and screen resolutions as they are much different from those in print.

Programming and Technical Help

Once you have finalised the content and graphics for your site, you need to convert the information into a web-readable form. Text needs to be converted into HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and graphics into GIF or JPEG format. Learning the basics of HTML is fairly easy or you can try a web publishing package, like Macromedia Dreamweaver. If you have only a few pages to create and the time to spare, you can probably do it yourself. If you need help, you can hire an HTML/web programmer for between $50 to $100 per hour.

If you want to include forms, CGI scripts, image maps, or online transactions, you probably will need the services of a programmer. Programmers can cost anywhere from $80 to $200 per hour, depending on your location and the programmers skill level. Many web developers offer programming as part of their services. Make sure you see samples of their work before hiring someone.

Marketing and Promotion

Creating and launching a brilliant website is pointless if no one knows about it. With millions of sites, capturing attention can be a challenge. Some developers offer marketing and promotional help as part of their package. Or you can use a software package to do-it-yourself and list your site on the search engines. For example: WebPosition GOLD

If you plan on managing your own online marketing and promotion, I strongly recommend you read the following : Insider Secrets To Marketing On The Internet by Corey Rudl

Maintenance

A website needs regular upkeep. Don't make the mistake of assuming that once it's online, it's done. If you want people to return to your site, someone will have to add new content and update existing material regularly. There's also e-mail to answer, and perhaps usage statistics to track. For a small site, this can take as little as two or three hours a month. With some time spent learning HTML, you could manage this yourself. Maintenance on a large site can be a full-time job, so build the costs of continuing maintenance into your budget. If you're working with a web developer who is helping with aspects of your project, the company may offer a maintenance agreement as part of the contract. Ask about whether a maintenance agreement is available at the beginning of the project. Working with the same people throughout will ensure consistency and cost efficiency; a new person or company won't have the same working knowledge of your site.