How to Buy Your Business a Website
Almost every small business needs a website, but many businesses don’t’ have a site simply because they aren’t interested in creating their own and don’t know how to go about arranging a site purchase from a developer. If you’re ready to take your business online, you should be able to get there in a matter of weeks if you do your homework.
Gather Ideas and Information
If you know you need a website, but haven’t a clue what to put on it, start looking around at the competition. What sorts of things are you seeing on websites of others in your industry? What do you want on your site to make it different? Don’t worry so much about how something is done. An experienced developer can take care of details – you just decide what you want on a site and the type of site you’re looking for.
Make a List
Before you get in contact with a developer, make a very clear list of what you want and how you want your site to look. Make a short list of example sites and what you like about each. Write down the color schemes you like and what sort of images you want on each page. A good developer will tell you how to arrange menus and information, but he won’t be able to tell you what you want.
Contact a Developer
When you get ready to contact a developer, you have a few options. First, you must understand what a website developer does. A website developer is much like a general contractor. A website is arranged in pieces – the design, the code, the content, the images, and the developer helps to put the pieces together in the style you like. Much like a general contractor, the developer handles the “dirty work” of the site build and is your sole contact in most cases for any development questions, ideas or issues.
Bearing that in mind, there are two options for developers. Some website developers work locally. For example, if you live in Clear Lake, you would visit a Clear Lake web developer. This relationship would allow you to sit down with the developer as often as needed to look together at the project.
A local developer might be closer to hand, but there are web developers all over the world. These professionals are just a phone call or email away. Thanks to the internet, you can contact a developer, discuss your ideas over the phone and then continue to correspond via phone and email. It doesn’t matter where in the world either of you are. Using a developer primarily online might offer you a cost savings as the individual may be based in an area with less overhead, such as another country.
You also have the option of full-scale companies offering web development or a freelance individual.
Share Ideas
When you contact your developer, he will likely begin by asking you what you’re interested in. This is where you can send him your list or discuss it over the phone or in person. He will likely offer suggestions and want to look at the websites you’re suggesting as examples. The discussion will continue until he’s comfortable with your wishes and can begin development.
Payment
After an initial consultation, payment terms will be set. Some developers work on package rates while others are based hourly. Most are a mix of the two with a basic package including a set number of services and hours and additional hours and add-ons for additional cost as necessary. The developer should put together a good-faith estimate, and will also likely require a deposit. The amount of the deposit varies by developer and might be negotiable. You should expect to pay a significant portion, up to 50% upfront.
Work and Status Checks
As the developer works on the project, he will be in touch with you frequently to check quality issues and to get feedback at various stages of the project. Expect to be involved at your level of comfort. A solid developer will want to be sure he creates the website you want, and the only way to determine this is by constant feedback.
Content Creation
One of the final steps of the project is content creation. Professional content including copywriting and articles can be quite expensive, but most feel the cost is justified as their website must read professionally to be effective. If you’re comfortable writing your own content, this is a step you might skip, but most developers will easily arrange content as well as the site design offering you a complete website.
Completion and Acceptance
When the website is completed, the developer will ask for final opinions and feedback. Small changes will be made until the site is designed exactly the way you want. Then, you will formally accept the website by remitting the remainder of payment. Most developers use a contract stating the website is not completely yours until payment is complete.
Hosting The Website
If necessary, the web developer can also help you walk through the upload process and arrange hosting to bring your website online. He may also assist you with ongoing changes and content management.
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Posted in Business & Finance, General Business
