Steps to a Website
      How Do I get A Site?

Know Your Vision and Website's Purpose

Do you want it to be informational? Sell products or services online? Simply direct customers to your storefront? Your business service and structure will dictate the type of website that is suited for you.

Get a Name
Don't Own a Domain Name? HHWD can research domain name registrations (www.yourcompany.com) and make recommendations for you to choose a name.

Tips about Domain Names

Who Owns Your Name?
You want to ensure that your domain name is registered in YOUR company's name as the primary contact. If not, get it changed, immediately. The name on the registration is the official, legal "OWNER" of the domain. If it is not you, then
getting control of that domain if you need to may prove difficult or impossible.

Determine Your Style
Do you like contemporary sites? Bright colors? Flash animation? The style of site you want is important. The style of your site can reflects the business you are in, and can tell your customer a great deal of information about you.

Tips on Determining Your Style

Always go to a web designer with a list of web sites you really like. Be able to verbalize WHY those sites strike you. Also include a few sites that turn you off, and tell your designer WHY. This will tell your designer a great deal visually about your style and the image you wish to show to the public.

Even if you are months away from getting your own site, NOW is the time to start saving those "great sites" you like in a favorites folder!

Establish a Budget
While building websites appear to be easy, they are often very time intensive projects. And they are not free. The more features, forms, animations, pages and "special tricks" you want, the more expensive the site. Custom site graphics can also drive up a website design project significantly.

Have an idea of what you can afford to pay before you begin looking.

Find a Designer
Before choosing a designer, have an idea of:

  • the type of site you want
  • the type of image you wish to portray
  • Your budget or time constraints.

Even if you aren't sure of the type of site, you can put down on paper thoughts and words that will help you organize your thought processes. The more work you do up front, the faster you can have your site online.

Tips on Finding a Designer

  • Internet search for Web Designers in your area. If a designer does not have their own site online, then are they ready to produce yours? Look at their client portfolio for designs they have created.
  • Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or business resource center.
  • Ask around. Word of mouth is an excellent method of finding out designers, reputations, etc.
  • Look back at your "Great Sites" list for information on who designed those sites. If you do not care if the designer is local to your area, then that designer may be an option to consider.

Once you have found several designers to consider, meet and present each with your vision, thoughts, desires and ask for estimates. A reputable designer should be able to quote you a price or create an estimate within a fairly reasonable time given enough information.

Choose A Designer
Choice of designer is important. This team will be working closely with you over a period of weeks or months to put your vision online.

Questions to Ask when Searching for a Designer

  • Are they a Web Designer or Marketing Firm?
  • Are they going to design the site themselves or subcontract out the work to a designer?
    • If subcontracting out, what type of support will you receive once your site is in production?
    • If they are subcontracting the work, who will be performing the actual design and development work? (You should be able to work with the developer directly for updates once your site is in production)
    • If the company will not tell you who is performing the work... ask them why not.
    • Local Accessibility. Can you get them on the telephone or meet with them when you really need to? Or is all communication email based?
  • Reputation in the community.
  • Technical Know-How. Is the designer just learning software? Or, is the designer seasoned enough to have a design tool-box of goodies to help create your site.
  • Previous design work. What do you really think of their other work?
  • Code Turnover. Once the project is complete, will the software belong to you or to the designer?


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