Planning a Web Design - Follow the Demystifying Journey of a Low Cost Web Design - Part 2

What does it take to be a successful site?

De-mystify these processes

Each of the following factors warrants far greater explanation and attentions, but for the sake of a quick overview, will only be dealt with in a brief manner as possible without devaluing its importance.

1.Where does the whole process start?

Assuming we are addressing an existing fixed business set-up (applies to any situation really), the designer would invariable ask for business information. The typical "About Me/You" stuff. This would include some paper ads you have used, letter heads, promotional documents, information of primary product suppliers (where you act as a local agent) or where you source primary consumables/components from.

Any marketing/advertising strategy documents. Your most important quotation documents. Documentation as to who you consider to be your target market and industry you operate in. List of main competitors and most importantly, details of existing customers, past customers and who you would like to gain as a customer.

A good suggestion is to sit down and write a proposal to your ideal customers and market your company to this client. This document will serve as a valuable starting point for your web site designer who needs to gain some insight into your business. From this information some informed decisions can be made and the designer will start formulating a basic site proposal. However some cardinal issues need addressing which is the next focal point and pertains to your web site niche market. Many site designers will provide a template document in a format and layout they prefer. Normally a.txt file, this will assist the builder to visualize a potential and suitable approach.

2.Domain Name.

Beneficial, but not essential to web design success is the URL or domain name. This may not always be achievable for established business. Your company name my simply be too long or the domain name is not available. Unless a desired domain name is in actual use, services do exist that will find the owner and negotiate the purchase thereof. For highly competitive keywords it may be a viable option to consider a less competitive keyword domain name that is a sub-set of the niche market.

Experts are in agreement that it is sound practice to purchase associated domain names in addition to the primary.com domain name. This implies the purchase of.com,.info, net,.biz and.org domains. In many situations where diverse products are marketed, it may not be possible to find a suitable generic name. Again, finding and registering a domain name that matches your desired keyword/s is a bonus, but certainly not draw back if this is not attainable.

In part 2 we have considered the starting journey of a successful low cost web design. Part 1 set the tone to demystify the process of web design. In part 3 consideration will be given to the "pivot" and bedrock of web design, and that is identifying the right keywords and niche market.