Nashville Web Design
Web Design in Nashville, TN is about more than making a pretty website with glitzy photos. When it comes to getting the most out of your website, you want to look at a very rounded strategy for design, development and promotion. We've put together a list of things to think about when building or redesigning your website. We hope this helps in your research and focuses your attention to the vital questions you want to answer before jumping into the project.
Preparing for Your Website
From the over-arching questions like "Why am I building a website?" and "What are my goals for the site?" to the detailed questions of "How am I going to create content?" and "What is my budget for design and marketing?", your website represents you and your ideas and vision. If you wanted to climb a mountain, you would probably prepare mentally and physically for the hike. A Website is similar in that if you can check a few key things off the planning list, you're going to have a much more enjoyable experience overall. Not to mention that your design team will really appreciate your thorough planning.
Big Picture Questions
- What is my main purpose for this website?
Think about what the site needs to do. Are you selling something, informing an audience, entertaining visitors or promoting a cause or idea? - What are my goals?
Success is ultimately measured by the owner of the website, but putting some measuring rods in place can help track the progress over time. The number of visitors, number of sales or contacts and length of time visitors stay are all metrics which help determine if your site is working for you. Knowing what success looks like and measuring results can really boost confidence in a new online venture. - How Much Time am I Willing to Invest?
Like any business, a website is a long-term project that requires lots of attention. Have an idea of how many hours per week you're willing to devote to creating content, work with the designer/developer and maintain the site to help prepare you mentally for the tasks at hand. - What is My Budget?
Your budget needs to be settled in your mind before you begin a project at least within a reasonable range. If you know you have $10,000 to devote to the project, then let the design team know. If they're worth their salt, they'll find out what your expectations are for an end product and help determine if the project's goals match up with the budget. Again, your experience is greatly improved when your expectations are properly set. - Who or What Are My Resources?
Is this a project you're managing yourself or do you have anothe person who will be the contact for you? Can you speak techie talk, or do you need to make sure the design team can translate the 1s and 0s into lamen's terms? Know what your resources are and if they're ready to work.
Small Picture Questions
- How Does Billing Work?
Your designer's contract should outline how the billing will work. Understand what your role is in providing a down-payment and final payment. Know what happens if you or the designer need to back out at any point during the project and what is actually billed for. Do you get billed for any time that the designer emails or talks to you on the phone or is it just for design and development time? Also, find out the best way for you as the client to pay and receive invoices for the work done. These little details can cause awkward moments and even major arguments if they are not planned out. - How Many Revisions Do I Get?
The designer's nightmare is to have a bad contract where the client gets to make limitless changes for the originally agreed upon price. Make sure you know how many free revisions you get and what the cost/hour is for revisions beyond that. - Does My Designer Communicate Like Me?
Trust us when we say that good communication looks differently to every client. If you are clear on your needs and you can connect with the designer or design contact, then you are well on your way to a good experience. But if there are red flags like having trouble communicating right off the bat, it may be a good idea to look elsewhere to avoid a costly and frustrating project. - Hosting, Email, and Domain
Access to your website's connection info like the FTP username and password, as well as database credentials and email and web hosting info will be required at some point during the project. Make sure you know what the designer needs from you and what happens if something goes wrong.
Follow Up and Maintenance
After the last check is paid and you see your beautiful new website live, you need to make sure you know who is in charge of backing up the website as well as what the agreement is for updates.
If you have an agreement for the agency or design team to provide other services like SEO or online advertising, make sure you are clear on the goals and how these other services will be billed.
Hopefully, this has helped you learn how to prepare for a website or redesign. If you are ready to get started, please contact us for more info.
